Old-timers from the 30s, 40s and 50s may remember the Berns-Martin holsters, but a couple of generations of handgunners have now come of age without this classic gun scabbard as an available product.

The late Elmer Keith was only one of the founding fathers of modern handgun shooting who used and endorsed the slick Berns-Martin rigs. Charley Askins was another and Skeeter Skelton mentioned them in his excellent writings. Basically, the holsters featured the best in leather working with a unique design.

Originally intended as a field holster that protected the revolver from the elements, but provided for speedy access, the Berns Martin also found favor with police officers. In this timeless design, the revolver came out the front of the holster in a sort of rocking motion. The trick was a spring formed from flat stock and specially contoured to go around the cylinder of the revolver, holding it into the holster.

Covered with leather and securely positioned inside the holster, the spring positively retained the gun until the handgunner grabbed the exposed butt and popped the gun out. When carried, the holster kept the butt where you could get to it, but the remainder of the gun was protected from the elements.

Many surviving examples are quite plain, but some were elaborately carved or stamped. There's a lot of open area for a leather artist to do his thing. Rusty Sherrick is making a great replica, but originals still command serious prices.