more info on the Dr. No film holster
![rednichols](https://www.ajb007.co.uk/uploads/userpics/punbb/n15678.jpg)
I found this site originally while searching for other Bond info; and as a holster designer/maker it seemed clear that the Dr. No holster isn't well understood generally.
That's because, it would seem that copies of the Bond holster appear to have been made from stills from the film, rather than from original patterns (correct me if I'm wrong). And that would further be, because, in my view it's not well understood that the Dr. No holster is a fabric-and-suede redux, by a costume department, of a well known shoulder holster of the era: the circa 1950-1960 Heiser H185 shoulder holster.
It even appears that, rather than copying the Heiser made for the Walther (it was available for both both autos and revolvers), the film's costumers have copied what they had on hand instead, which was the common revolver version. The example I've included (see attached pics) is for a 2" small revolver; note how the Walther fits equally (improperly) in both it and the film version (which may have been for a longer barrel).
Note the significant design points at the arrows, including the adjustment point at the breast pocket area. I have intentionally shrunk my images to be roughly as small as the film stills I had available.
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/6ryihjy5l/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/juu50todl/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/sbp1y03op/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
That's because, it would seem that copies of the Bond holster appear to have been made from stills from the film, rather than from original patterns (correct me if I'm wrong). And that would further be, because, in my view it's not well understood that the Dr. No holster is a fabric-and-suede redux, by a costume department, of a well known shoulder holster of the era: the circa 1950-1960 Heiser H185 shoulder holster.
It even appears that, rather than copying the Heiser made for the Walther (it was available for both both autos and revolvers), the film's costumers have copied what they had on hand instead, which was the common revolver version. The example I've included (see attached pics) is for a 2" small revolver; note how the Walther fits equally (improperly) in both it and the film version (which may have been for a longer barrel).
Note the significant design points at the arrows, including the adjustment point at the breast pocket area. I have intentionally shrunk my images to be roughly as small as the film stills I had available.
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/6ryihjy5l/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/juu50todl/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/sbp1y03op/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
![1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg](http://s12.postimg.cc/4jfqmh1nt/1962_dr_no_holster_with_1960_heiser_model_185_fo.jpg)
Holster designer/maker to the industry 1958 to present
Comments
* Apart from the Dent assassination scene in which an FN Browning M1910 was used due to filming/prop constraints.
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Didn't realise the PPK was an inch shorter in length too though. Guess you learn summat everyday.
MG
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Looking forward to seeing more from you.
Ed
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Then you missed my point :-) which is that it is indeed based on a commercial holster; that is, if one wanted to make a replica, one would take apart an original Heiser, which is what they would've done; and make patterns therefrom. In other words, the holster was not designed for the film; its materials were simply changed. Who knows, perhaps even Heiser-Keyston-Lichtenberger did the work themselves; Keyston's core business by then was automotive upholstery.
Further, my other point is that the obvious poor fit to the pistol is not a product of a non-holster person designing the holster; but of choosing the wrong holster model to copy.
I am conversant in what materials the original holster was made from and regularly get requests to make copies. Nevertheless, if you make this holster and it's good and accurate, I'll buy one.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
http://www.legendsinleather.com/mi6_mkii.html
It's not very accurate, but I like it. He also has another version on his website.
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Heiser was a very prominent holster maker in the States,with their Model 457 being suppplied to the FBI, and many of their designs were copied by other makers.
Somewhat OT,but still holster related: in the book DR NO Fleming describes the Berns-Martin as "Best worn insdie the trouser band to the left." Fleming may have got that idea from Chic Gaylord's G-2 Defender, which was an inside the waistband
design, which the B-M Triple Draw Lightnin' wasn't.
Regards,
Tecolote
Pretty good on the history, though many companies of the era had waistband holsters besides Gaylord.
Wiki's link on this is as good as any:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berns-Martin
Stills from the film, which may already be on this site:
Indeed I'm in the middle of a Bond holster, but it's for the future, not the past. Contemporary design with a bit of tuxedo bling, better suited to Bond and his tux than the character has used in the past. For goodness' sake, in the last film he was scrabbling mags out of his jacket pocket.
Yeah, the Berns-Martin Triple Draw was used as either a shoulder holster, or a hip holster in either regular draw or cross draw configuration. It was not used as an IWB holster.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
In later thrillers, OHMSS to be specific, Fleming describes Bond fitting a "stitched pigskin" holster inside his waistband after which he "clips" in the Walther. He is clearly describing something that exists solely in his imagination. While detail oriented Fleming was far from perfect in many descriptions.
rednichols ... that's a real good catch on the Heiser got any other pictures that show the entire rig?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
My own FBI design adopted in the 90s, submitted originally to client De Santis who won the original contract (there was another very different design of mine in the running, which was during the FBI's infamous "10mm light" adoption) has also been widely copied; though I think the others could have done better than to copy it stitch-for-stitch, there being so many other ways to leapfrog the Baker original from the 70s. The Galco copy is the best known of the following (one of my originals is shown as the one "in the white" (unfinished):
Only an expert could tell them apart.
DG
Edit: 10mm light which became the .40 S&W.
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
7289 here is a thread on the Colt Forum which shows the Heiser 185:
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/leather-accessories/53326-big-three-myres-heiser-lawrence-3-examples.html
Regards.
Tecolote
It's a sound and well proven method employed by our elite trained units. Mags carried in the jacket pocket create a weight that aids in moving aside your jacket quickly and keeps it out of the way when drawing your sidearm from a holster worn on that same side. It's a tactic used by the SAS, SBS, SRR and the old 14 company (DET), and an extremely effective combat proven tactic.
Fleming picked the Berns-Martin on the recommendation of Geoffrey Boothroyd, who had one made up for his customized S&W .38-200 revolver which appears on the original dust jacket of From Russia with Love.
Thanks for the Colt Forum link!
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
You're absolutely right. What I meant was that the holster he describes isn't a real Berns-Martin product, but sounds
more like one of Gaylord's IWB designs.
Regards,
Tecolote
I would like james bond holster
as in the film Dr No.
or I can buy one
thank you
http://www.coltforum.com/forums/leather-accessories/89844-just-found-berns-martin-iwb-det-spl-holster.html
As I asked over there:did Fleming know anything about it?
Regards,
Tecolote
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JAMES-BOND-LEATHER-SHOULDER-HOLSTER-CONNERY-STYLE-GOLDFINGER-FOR-WALTHER-PPK-/131474364390?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e9c7b97e6
From page 88 of Shooting To Live,
Like Bond's holster, this is worn "inside the trouser band on the left". It should be noted that Fleming trained at Camp X in Canada, and I believe the instructor there was Fairbairn ...
Those who study the fabric holsters should note the scene in Dr. No, when Connery draws the Browning 1910 from the holster when setting up the ambush of Professor Dent. It's obvious that the gun is held tightly in the scabbard as Big Tam has to overcome some resistance to remove the pistol? Some form of retention?
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
showing the holster worn"to the left"
even though it labeled "shoulder holster" I suspect it was meant for the belly gun, as the bottom button or two of the vest are unbuttoned, and you'd need the vest to cover the gun in that position. and finally:
a Colt .45 automatic in a Heiser No. 126 holster (like the SOE type). If Fairbairn carried those two guns along with his Shanghai dagger,hilt down on his right side,he was pretty well equipped for a Shanghai night on the town.
As to your thought on retention of the FN in the Dent scene, I compared the FN, Walther PP, and M34 Beretta side by side,and if the holster fit the Walther, I doubt there was any real retention. Perhaps a simulated jerk and some Foley for the "snick" sound. BTW, I've always the silencer sounds in DR NO were cool sounding( even though real silencers don't sound likw that) but I'm pretty sure the recording is actually that of a car door slamming shut
DG
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Richard Grenier after George Orwell, Washington Times 1993.
Boothroyd too was doing the "Fitz" when he rounded the butt of his .38-200, cut the barrel and the trigger guard. Boothroyd didn't bother bobbing the hammer though and his addition of adjustable sights is somewhat contrary to the concept. He was looking for speed and accuracy for his aerial shooting, and must have felt that the round butt and absent trigger guard provided that.
Somewhere back in the safe is a pretty well used .45 New Service with a bulged barrel waiting for the day it will be made into a "Fitz" special.
Bond’s Beretta
The Handguns of Ian Fleming's James Bond
BTW, if you check out the Colt Forum thread I linked to there's a new photo of a slightly later version of Berns-Martin IWB,with an adjustable belt loop.
Regards,
Tecolote