Who was Chic Gaylord?

[Gunstore Commando]

In my obsessive readings of newsstand gun magazines, I've encountered the occasional peripheral mention of a guy named Chic Gaylord, who seems to have been active in the 1950's and early 1960's. I've been able to glean that he was a holster maker, that he wrote some kind of book about combat shooting (at a time, mind, when there was practically nothing in print on the subject), and that he ran some kind of gun store in New York City.

So who was he, really? Did he actually have any law enforcement or military experience, or was he the original (if you'll excuse the expression) gunstore commando? Did he have any notable students? What ever became of him, anyway?

 

[real_name]

All I know is that I have a book next to me called the 'Handgunner's Guide' by him that my FIL gave me.
You might find more here.

 

[dianegaylord]

He was my father. His shop was a leather shop. He made custom holsters,belts and bags. He was a gifted designer. He thought about peoples safety needs and designed to their specifics situation. He invented the ankle holster and many customers were law enforcement personnel.His book actually gives a pretty good narrative about where he was coming from. I think he was pretty sincerely on the side of the law.especially the cop on the beat. The ordinary guy on the beat who needs to make it home at the end of the day to his family.It's all in the book.

 

[Old Fuff]

And I had the pleasure of being one of his customers, and visited him once in his shop. It was located in a less-then-respectable neighborhood so that some of his clients could visit and not have to explain anything about being where they were. He invented many of the undercover rigs that still remain popular today. His book is well worth the read, although it is mostly concerned with revolvers.

 

[hhersh]

Google is your friend, friend !

 

[Speedo66]

When I first became a peace officer in 1969, Chic Gaylord's was the place to go for shoulder holsters that didn't "print" their existance.

He was frequented by the FBI and secret service personnel in NYC, and by others who wanted what were then considered the best undercover rigs.

Another boutique holster maker in NY a little later, also considered one of the best at the time, was 7 Trees. They were in a non-descript office on the west side of Manhattan in Hell's Kitchen, and custom made fine leather holsters to your specifications.

I had a holster made by them and it was an early molded holster, which I hadn't seen before. Top quality, pricey at the time, but I loved it.

 

[Brian Williams]

Welcome Dianegaylord, it is nice to see new faces particularly those with history behind them or otherwise attached.

 

[benEzra]

dianegaylord, welcome! It's a privilege to meet you.

Like the original poster, I grew into young adulthood reading Guns & Ammo and American Rifleman, and I remember several very positive articles about your father and his work. It seems that he was quite a pioneer in the field.

 

[Black Knight]

Welcome Diane. I came across that book years ago it is a great book. Some folks seem to be ahead of their time or at least to ingenious at the time. I believe your father was one of these, in the same line as Bill Jordan, Jelly Brice and others.

 

[Geno]

Wow, what a cool thread, and welcome Diane.

Geno

 

[Fred Fuller]

Welcome to THR, Diane. Thanks for introducing yourself. Nice to see some of those names from the past that we all should know get brought up again.

lpl

 

[The Annoyed Man]

Here, let me Google that for you.



Welcome to the forum, Diane.

 

[NickEllis]

Fascinating thread. Its good to learn about one of the fathers of modern concealed carry.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Notice that Chic Gaylord was an explicit and acknowledged influence on Lou Alessi.

Notice that Chic Gaylord was an explicit and acknowledged influence on Lou Alessi.

The Alessi Fieldmaster is an acknowledged variation on a Chic Gaylord design. Lou also picked up on the Federal Scabbard. Nobody can claim a better legacy than to say Lou Alessi picked up some of the work.

 

[Dienekes]

Owned that book in addition to "Sixguns" and Jeff Cooper's "Fighting Handguns" in the early 60s. Pretty good stuff both then and now.

Welcome, Diane...I suspect you are a "shootista" like my daughter.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Welcome Diane Your Father is a legend!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Bell Charter-Oak still sells some of his designs. A revolver pocket holster I had - which worked well enough, in a large enough pocket - even had his "signature" on it.

 

[Trebor]

The Alessi Fieldmaster is an acknowledged variation on a Chic Gaylord design. Lou also picked up on the Federal Scabbard. Nobody can claim a better legacy than to say Lou Alessi picked up some of the work.

And now that Mr. Alessi recently passed away, I wonder who will pick up that torch next?

I never met Chic Gaylord or Lou Alessi, but I know people who knew both and both men were very highly regarded by people whose opinions I respect.

I almost met Lou Alessi a couple times, but things didn't work out on those occasions. I thought I'd still get a chance and looked forward to the meeting. I'm sorry that I won't get that chance now and offer my condolences to his friends and family.

 

[Trebor]

There is a thread about Chic Gaylord's book that deserves a look.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=158879