S.D. Myers
- Thread starter Todd
- Start date
- Status
Walosi
Member
This thread from S&W Forum has some info:
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/003717.html
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/003717.html
Last edited:
JCM298
Member
S D Meyers
I bought my first Meyers equipment in 1961 and still have parts of the set up. Unfortunately, the belt shrunk but the holster didn't. Must be different types of leather.
Go to this site for some current (?) info.:
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/003717.html
John
PS: I wonder if you can stretch a 29" belt to fit a 36" waist........
PPS: I see Walosi has faster fingers than I....
I bought my first Meyers equipment in 1961 and still have parts of the set up. Unfortunately, the belt shrunk but the holster didn't. Must be different types of leather.
Go to this site for some current (?) info.:
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum10/HTML/003717.html
John
PS: I wonder if you can stretch a 29" belt to fit a 36" waist........
PPS: I see Walosi has faster fingers than I....
Walosi
Member
Walosi gots slow, crinkled fingers - but, I had just left that thread 
There was another, longer thread recently, but neither of my furiously buzzing brain cells can remember where. Maybe in the morning, after a caffiene transfusion.
Edit - There was some cold sludge left in the bottom of the pot
But it worked:
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/009867.html
There was another, longer thread recently, but neither of my furiously buzzing brain cells can remember where. Maybe in the morning, after a caffiene transfusion. Edit - There was some cold sludge left in the bottom of the pot
But it worked:http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/ubb/Forum13/HTML/009867.html
I'm the one who posted in the S&W forum. I met Dave DuClos at the gun show at Market Hall in Dallas a couple of weekends ago. He operates as S.D. Myres Saddle Co., but said that he is not a relative of the late Mr. Myres.
El Paso Saddlery owner Bobby McNellis recently died, and I haven't yet talked to his son, Ryan, who now runs that firm. So, I can't say who can best be considered to have the closest links to "Tio" (Uncle) Sam Myres. Dave DuClos said that both companies have employed a few former Myres workers...
What I CAN say from personal observation is that the holsters displayed by Mr. DuClos are SUPERB, and are at least the equal of those by El Paso...and that's really saying something! Even the remarkabe basketweave stamping and the hand carved floral work are of the highest order.
DuClos said that at one time, Myres had operated out of Sweetwater, TX, before moving to El Paso, and he is in Sweetwater now.
The address he gave me is:
S.D. Myres Saddle Co.
205 Oak St.
Sweetwater, TX 79556
He said that he has no catalog as yet, but expects to have one by roughly next February. In the meantime, contact him at that address, tell him what you want, and work out the details. I won't publish his telephone number here, as I haven't asked permission, and he may not want to be deluged by 'phone calls. I think it's a modest sized operation, as are most firms doing skilled hand work. I regret that I didn't ask prices, but assume they're in line for this quality of work.
What I have said here is based solely on what I saw and on what Mr. DuClos, who struck me as an honest man, told me. But I don't know anything for sure personally, except that the holsters that I saw, maybe 25, all struck me as being of remarkably high quality. And I own several El Paso Saddlery rigs, and have seen most brands of holster over the past 40 years.
I think that before long, Myres will receive national attention, and become better known. I hope so, if they can routinely supply work of the quality that I handled!
Lone Star
El Paso Saddlery owner Bobby McNellis recently died, and I haven't yet talked to his son, Ryan, who now runs that firm. So, I can't say who can best be considered to have the closest links to "Tio" (Uncle) Sam Myres. Dave DuClos said that both companies have employed a few former Myres workers...
What I CAN say from personal observation is that the holsters displayed by Mr. DuClos are SUPERB, and are at least the equal of those by El Paso...and that's really saying something! Even the remarkabe basketweave stamping and the hand carved floral work are of the highest order.
DuClos said that at one time, Myres had operated out of Sweetwater, TX, before moving to El Paso, and he is in Sweetwater now.
The address he gave me is:
S.D. Myres Saddle Co.
205 Oak St.
Sweetwater, TX 79556
He said that he has no catalog as yet, but expects to have one by roughly next February. In the meantime, contact him at that address, tell him what you want, and work out the details. I won't publish his telephone number here, as I haven't asked permission, and he may not want to be deluged by 'phone calls. I think it's a modest sized operation, as are most firms doing skilled hand work. I regret that I didn't ask prices, but assume they're in line for this quality of work.
What I have said here is based solely on what I saw and on what Mr. DuClos, who struck me as an honest man, told me. But I don't know anything for sure personally, except that the holsters that I saw, maybe 25, all struck me as being of remarkably high quality. And I own several El Paso Saddlery rigs, and have seen most brands of holster over the past 40 years.
I think that before long, Myres will receive national attention, and become better known. I hope so, if they can routinely supply work of the quality that I handled!
Lone Star
Some people on one of the single action revolver boards got up a group order from duclos. Some finally did receive holsters but others are still waiting after two or three years. I am not sure how every order was resolved but several people got together and ordered a holster as a surprise for one of their number who had bought one of Hal Swiggerts Colt New Frontiers. No holster, the money was kept and the holster make ceased answering inquiries.
Some years ago I was passing through El Paso, and decided to stay overnight. With nothing better to do I decided to see if I could find anyone connected to the old S.D. Myres Saddlery Co. I eventually came across a “William Myres” in the phone book, and remembered that Sam’s son’s name was Bill. I dialed the number and hit pay dirt.
He was indeed Sam’s son, and he just got out of the hospital. Ill health had forced him to sell the company, but he was working with one of the Texas university history departments going through old letters and records that might involve famous people. He was obviously in a mood to talk to someone, and I was more then willing to listen.
He told me how his father had started the business in Sweetwater, but later moved to El Paso. In both places he was equally or more famous for his “parade saddles” as he was for gunleather. I learned that the renowned Threepersons holster had been named after that legendary lawman, but not designed or invented by him. That honor should belong to a Mexican foreman in the Myres shop. However the elder Myres wisely named his more popular rigs after famous people, such as Charles Askins Jr., Bill Jordan, and Threepersons of course. He had many endorsements (with pictures) in his catalogs and they undoubtedly helped increase sales.
At the conclusion of our talk he offered to send me a bunch of older S.D. Myres catalogs, which I was glad to accept. A few weeks later a package arrived in the mail from Texas. It contained a stack of catalogs from the late 1930’s through the 50’s that was about 4 inches thick. I was in hog heaven.
The current El Paso Saddlery Company is making accurate duplicates of Myres’ best-known patterns and designs. I highly recommend them as a source. I also never miss a chance to add to my small collection of original Myers holsters, but the cost is going up… way up!
He was indeed Sam’s son, and he just got out of the hospital. Ill health had forced him to sell the company, but he was working with one of the Texas university history departments going through old letters and records that might involve famous people. He was obviously in a mood to talk to someone, and I was more then willing to listen.
He told me how his father had started the business in Sweetwater, but later moved to El Paso. In both places he was equally or more famous for his “parade saddles” as he was for gunleather. I learned that the renowned Threepersons holster had been named after that legendary lawman, but not designed or invented by him. That honor should belong to a Mexican foreman in the Myres shop. However the elder Myres wisely named his more popular rigs after famous people, such as Charles Askins Jr., Bill Jordan, and Threepersons of course. He had many endorsements (with pictures) in his catalogs and they undoubtedly helped increase sales.
At the conclusion of our talk he offered to send me a bunch of older S.D. Myres catalogs, which I was glad to accept. A few weeks later a package arrived in the mail from Texas. It contained a stack of catalogs from the late 1930’s through the 50’s that was about 4 inches thick. I was in hog heaven.
The current El Paso Saddlery Company is making accurate duplicates of Myres’ best-known patterns and designs. I highly recommend them as a source. I also never miss a chance to add to my small collection of original Myers holsters, but the cost is going up… way up!
S.D. Myres
I have purchased three holsters from S.D. Myres owner, Dave Duclos, as a walk-in customer (I also came to find out that Dave is actually a neighbor of mine). One holster was an inside-the-pocket design for a Walther PPK/s. The other two were Tom Threepersons style; one for a K-frame Smith, the other for a 3" old model Vaquero. I requested that the Vaquero holster be made to ride extra high for maximum concealability. Both Threepersons holsters were carved in a floral design by request. I'm not all that familiar with leather work, but I have to say that all three holsters are, in my opinion, exceptionally nicely made. I had both belt holsters equipped with a retention strap, but you can unsnap either one and invert it with the weapon inside - the guns stay holstered. Dave has been extremely accomodating and attentive to quality and detail in my experience. He certainly has my very highest recommendation. The previously posted address for him is correct. I would be happy to post photographs if anyone is interested.
I have purchased three holsters from S.D. Myres owner, Dave Duclos, as a walk-in customer (I also came to find out that Dave is actually a neighbor of mine). One holster was an inside-the-pocket design for a Walther PPK/s. The other two were Tom Threepersons style; one for a K-frame Smith, the other for a 3" old model Vaquero. I requested that the Vaquero holster be made to ride extra high for maximum concealability. Both Threepersons holsters were carved in a floral design by request. I'm not all that familiar with leather work, but I have to say that all three holsters are, in my opinion, exceptionally nicely made. I had both belt holsters equipped with a retention strap, but you can unsnap either one and invert it with the weapon inside - the guns stay holstered. Dave has been extremely accomodating and attentive to quality and detail in my experience. He certainly has my very highest recommendation. The previously posted address for him is correct. I would be happy to post photographs if anyone is interested.
BluesBear
member
Well Duh!
Heck yes we're interested!
Last edited:
Pre-64
Member
S.D. Myres Saddle Co. - Holsters have arrived!
Following are a few pic's of holsters and money belt that I ordered from Dave DuClos of S.D. Myres Saddle Company of Sweetwater, Texas. Excellent quality and assembled to last.....
Pictured along with Dave's holster is a similar one from El Paso Saddlery...note the variances...
*) extra welt by triggerguard
*) channeled stitching
*) 1/4 hammer thong vs EPS leather shoelace
Following are a few pic's of holsters and money belt that I ordered from Dave DuClos of S.D. Myres Saddle Company of Sweetwater, Texas. Excellent quality and assembled to last.....
Pictured along with Dave's holster is a similar one from El Paso Saddlery...note the variances...
*) extra welt by triggerguard
*) channeled stitching
*) 1/4 hammer thong vs EPS leather shoelace
Gordon
Member
Thanks I want one (ore more) !
flynscot
Member
Indeed, the new company is certainly not the old. Sam died in 1953 ( he was my great-grandfather's brother). Sam moved the original SD Myers company to El Paso in the early 1900's and formed the El Paso Saddle Co. The El Paso company name and tooling were subsequently bought and used by another company.
texagun
Member
My old holster is stamped "S.D. Myres." The newer ones are stamped "S.D. Meyers." Is that how you tell the difference between the old and the new ones? (Ones made in El Paso vs. ones made in Sweetwater?)
Gordon
Member
God Bless Texas, on that piece of hardware!
flynscot
Member
Old Fluff-- Sorry, I lost track of this thread last year and just recently found it again: Bill Myres is not familliar to me, but perhaps to my dad, so I'll ask.Interesting...
Does the name Bill Myers mean anything to you?
On the subject of the original works: The local Museum in Sweetwater has a very extensive collection of SD Myres leatherwork including belts, bags, holsters, and of course-- the saddles, which are true works of art. I stopped by there on my way to FFDO training in Artestia last year. Got some very good photos and will post later. Well worth the trip if you are interested in Myres' leatherwork.
As you are a descendant of the extended family I was interested about whom you might have known, or what you might know. Bill Myres was Sam Myres’ son, and I was aquatinted with him. He was the source of much of what I know about the business when it was in El Paso.
Last edited:
flynscot
Member
My great uncle (SD's brother) wrote a fairly comprehensive book about the family history. It touches relatively briefly on SD's work, but is a good read and reference about early Texas settlers.As you are a descendant of the extended family I was interested about whom you might have known, or what you might know. Bill Myers was Sam Myers’ son, and I was aquatinted with him. He was the source of much of what I know about the business when it was in El Paso.
flynscot
Member
Texasgun, the style of your holster is immediately recognizable as SD Myres. The cross-hatched weave pattern in the darker finish was pretty prominent. I'll get some of my pics up soon.My old holster is stamped "S.D. Myres." The newer ones are stamped "S.D. Meyers." Is that how you tell the difference between the old and the new ones? (Ones made in El Paso vs. ones made in Sweetwater?)
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
