How the holster changed with the handgun.From frontier leather to molded Kydex.
Leather and the Frontier
1850s
The Slim JimThe California pattern holster, a slim open-top leather design, spreads with the percussion revolver.
1870s
The Mexican LoopA one-piece holster folded through its own skirt becomes the classic cowboy rig.
1920s
The Threepersons HolsterA high-riding, cut-down design named for lawman Tom Threepersons sets the pattern for modern belt holsters.
Speed and Duty
1930s
Berns-MartinThe break-front holster and the upside-down shoulder holster arrive.
1950s
Hollywood Fast DrawArvo Ojala builds steel-lined fast-draw rigs for film and television Westerns.
1958
BianchiJohn Bianchi starts making holsters, growing into one of the best-known names in the field.
1964
SafarilandSafariland is founded and goes on to lead in duty and retention holsters.
New Materials
1972
The First Kydex HolsterBill Rogers builds a holster from Kydex thermoplastic, opening the door to molded designs.
1980s
The Nylon Service HolsterThe U.S. military adopts the Bianchi UM84 as the M12 holster alongside the M9 pistol.
2005
The Hybrid HolsterCrossBreed pairs a leather backer with a molded shell for inside-the-waistband carry.