Dr. No Style Shoulder Holster

Donald Grant · September 2004

Work has begun on the Dr. No Connery Style shoulder holster. There are differences to the Goldfinger holster. First the right arm strap has a buckle and eyelets for adjustment. Second, the tip of the tie down is more tear drop shaped than pointed. From what I can see, this is also the same holster in FRWL. I should have a good prototype in two to three weeks. This holster is slightly more labor intensive due to the extra details, but I think it will be well worth it.

DG

Donald Grant · September 2004

It's not ready yet, but I think it will be more costly than the Goldfinger version because of the extra work involved. The easy answer is once I hve a working prototype with all the bugs worked out, I'll have a better idea of price.

DG

Donald Grant · September 2004

This item is starting to take shape now. The eylets are not in yet and the pigskin has not been attached yet, but the basic construction is together. As for the buckle, it will rest on the right shoulder. In one of the scenes in Dr. No, you catch light glinting off the buckle. It's very quick. Also, in the book Dressed To Kill James Bond The Suited Hero, on page 14 there is a picture of Connery pouring Smirinoff vodka into a glass in Miss Taro's apartment. In that picture you can clearly see the eyelets running up the right arm strap. The same picture is also on the back dust cover.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

This holster is progressing nicely, and there are some slick little features that the owners of my Goldfinger style holster will appreciate when they compare the two. As for the material, well lets just say this version of the holster is a slightly darker blue, and more uniform in appearance than the Goldfinger version. The other version required hand dying in order to get the right shoulder strap material to match the rest of the material. It was a lot of work, and required re-dying in some instances Still, the Dr. No version requires a lot more hand work, like the eylets which are done by hand, and the strap itself. Honestly, they are each made one at a time by hand. I think most will appreciate the custom made and neat look of it. Should have one finished by the end of the week, then I'll start the Honeychile Ryder bikini.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Here are pictures of the Dr. No style shoulder holster. Someone asked about the elasticity of the straps. Although I tried to incorporate a bit of elasticity where the straps meet the left arm loop, I found that it does not work and the holster does not lie flat (one of the slick little features). In Dr. No, the srtaps appear elastic, but I don't think they really are. It just looks that way when Connery puts the holster on in the hotel in Jamaica. If you think about it why would you make a holster adjustable with a buckle, and also elastic? This holster is pretty much ready except for the tie down which will be straight and end with the oval or reverse tear drop. If anyone is interested in one, please PM or Email me.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=101442227105

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Well, in my Goldfinger version of this holster, the right arm strap is elastic. But I don't think it's necessary for this version. I thought adding a bit of elastic would make it more comfortable and ajustable, but it does not work. It simply looks better without it. Reference is made to the numerous shoulder rigs like Galco's Miami classic which has no elastic whatsoever, Desantis also makes similar shoulder rigs with no elastic. The Berns-Martin was not elastic, the list goes on and on.

Also, if you look at the right arm strap in the stills with Connery in Miss Taro's apartment, there is stitching that runs along both edges, the length of the strap with the eylets down the middle. How could you make it elastic with the stitching?

As far as the black leather, I see black on the back of the right arm strap which I've replicated, but it does not appear to be leather.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Personally, I think what you are referring to is shadow. Even the right arm strap sometimes appears dark while Connery is facing the screen in M's office. However, with respect to the Dr. No holster, my friend Ed over at THE SPYBOYS helped me with his observations, and even provided a drawing of this holster. He has an extensive collection of photos from EON, and also visited EON in an effort to make props with the now defunct S.D. Studios. He has also been collecting a lot longer than me, and has Bond items that you would not believe like Tatiana's compact from FRWL.

Also in the hotel room in Jamaica, I don't see the black strip.

Having said all that, If you would like a holster with a piece of black elastic in a certain section, I can easily do it. The holsters are hand made and can be customized to a degree to suit your taste. A better idea might be to put the elastic by the buckle so that it's covered and can't be seen. Don't know if it would work though.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Again, if you want elastic on the holster, I can do it. I think you'll find that the holster will look less attractive with the black piece, but it's your choice. The material is different than the Goldfinger version. It is a richer or darker royal blue. As for pricing, I'll PM you.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Here are some additional photos of the Dr. No holster with the revised tie down. Since this is the prototype, I will be adding a bit of elastic just above the buckle to test how well it will work.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=507431927105

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

I don't think I'll be making all versions of the Connery holster. Tball has another variation with a brown leather right arm strap, but I don't think it is very handsome. DAF also has another version, but I'm not that interested. To me, the quintessential Connery holsters are the Dr. No and Goldfinger versions.

My next project will probably be the Honey Ryder bikini, although I always wanted to make Lazenby's all black shoulder holster. We will see how things progress.

DG

Donald Grant · October 2004

Here is one of the holsters up for auction on Ebay. Note the elsastic added near the buckle. It works rather well, and is covered when the strap is buckled. For those who have purchased the Goldfinger version fom me, there will be a slight discount.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=790&item=5929278286&rd=1

DG

blackpatch · November 2004

dear sir, i would like to purchase a dr.no shoulder holster from you. please e-mail me with the info and price. thank you. great looking holster. priinv@earthlink.net joe summerlin

Donald Grant · November 2004

blackpatch,

I can certainly accomodate you. I returned your email with the details. Let me know.

DG

Asp9mm · November 2004

I'm interested too, can you forward the details to me. Thanks in advance.

Donald Grant · November 2004

Asp9mm,

No problem. I will email you the details.

DG

Donald Grant · November 2004

Here is another holster up for auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=790&item=5933039697&rd=1

DG

Asp9mm · November 2004

Whoopeee, what a superb holster, DG, you are a true genious with an uncanny eye for detail. Thankyou.

Donald Grant · November 2004

Aap9mm,

Glad you like the holster, and thanks for the compliment. I may have to do the OHMSS version soon.

DG

alfredo · November 2004

I recieved my doctor No holster and it looks and
feels great when wearing it. You did fantastic
original job on it. I love the eye lits to be able to change the loose or tight fit of it.Great
job on the whole holster. Let me know when you have other projects in the works.
Thanks for the great work Donald.

Alfredo

Donald Grant · November 2004

Alfredo,

Glad you like the holster. At present I'm trying to get the Honey Ryder bikini off the ground, but I may do the OHMSS Bond holster, which is an all black leather affair.

DG

Asp9mm · November 2004

Incidently, if anyone out there collects the other Bond-worn holsters, Ken Null supplied his SMZ (in black) for LTK, and Galco supplied the Executive for GE and TND.

Donald Grant · November 2004

Did not know yhat about the Ken Null holster. Very cool looking! Thanks for the information.

DG

Asp9mm · November 2004

It is superfast for acquisition, alot of us in the military have bought Kens holsters as a private purchase, and he is one of the people who still makes holsters for the Asp, he also uses the ASP's old advertising slogan 'Unseen in the Best Places' as he owns the right to Paris Theodores (bloke who invented the ASP) holster designs.

http://www.parkcitiestactical.com/album/00001470/b_004.jpg

Donald Grant · November 2004

Wow, cool. I've been after an Asp for a while. I've been contemplating puchasing one that I know is available, but wanted to wait until after Christmas. Thanks again for the great info.

DG

Donald Grant · November 2004

Here is another bond holster up for auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=790&item=5936954778&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

DG

Donald Grant · November 2004

Here is another Bond holster for auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=790&item=5937932070&rd=1

DG

Donald Grant · December 2004

Here is another holster up for auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=790&item=5940489307&rd=1

DG

Donald Grant · January 2005

Here is another holster up for auction, this time with no reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=36561&item=5949084685&rd=1

DG

Donald Grant · January 2005

I just sold one of these in a left hand version. It went out Saturday. For those of you who are left handed, I can accomodate you.

DG

007_nich · February 2005

Quoting Donald Grant:
Here are pictures of the Dr. No style shoulder holster. Someone asked about the elasticity of the straps. Although I tried to incorporate a bit of elasticity where the straps meet the left arm loop, I found that it does not work and the holster does not lie flat (one of the slick little features). In Dr. No, the srtaps appear elastic, but I don't think they really are. It just looks that way when Connery puts the holster on in the hotel in Jamaica. If you think about it why would you make a holster adjustable with a buckle, and also elastic? This holster is pretty much ready except for the tie down which will be straight and end with the oval or reverse tear drop. If anyone is interested in one, please PM or Email me.

http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=101442227105

DG

Your album does not seem to work anymore. Just letting you know!

ppkfan · February 2005

I just received my 007 holster in LEFT hand from DG and I can't say enough what a top shelf item it is! I even ordered another one. thanks again DG!

Dr. No Style Shoulder Holster

Comments