Vintage Find

[Phillip Carr]

Not parker related but I think that many of you will enjoy. I went down to the local saddle shop R Lloyd Davis and sons here in Tucson ( a step back in time) to have another project made. While looking around today I found this sitting in a display case. Long story short it belonged to R Lloyd Davis, whom worked for H H Heiser around 1940's. I was fortunate enough to buy it from his sons whom still operate the saddle shop.Pictures from my cell phone do not do it justice. Since most of us like this old vintage stuff I thought I would share.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/Knife%20and%20Mearns/036_zpsa636aff0.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/Knife%20and%20Mearns/026_zps077ae434.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/Knife%20and%20Mearns/029_zpsf89770eb.jpg

[Robert Delk]

One super fine outfit.

[Phillip Carr]

I have done a little searching on the web tonight without any luck finding anything about Case knifes with HH Heiser sheaths. If anyone has information they can share I would be greatful. I have found a number of articles on Randall kifes and Heiser sheaths. R Lloyd Davis a highly respected Saddle maker whom worked for most of the Greats, before opening his own shop. Intreasting MR Davis was not the actual 1st owner of this knife. His sons told me that a retired doctor came into thier shop many years ago, and knew that MR Davis had worked for Heiser. One day he brought the knife in and asked him if he recognized the work. Mr Davis of course did and told the Dr that yes they had made a number of them at Heiser around 1940 or so. The Doctor then turned it over and showed him the Heiser trademark. He then gave Mr Davis the knife and sheath telling him he wanted him to have it. I know that the Case knife and hachet are not real rare, but the combination of the real Stag handle and nickle, in the Heiser sheath is a real piece of fine workmanship. I will post a better picture tomorrow as the leather is in better then 90% condition.
On an interesting side note. R Lloyd Davis made wonderfully carved shotgun shell cases that were manufactured for Abercrombie and Fitch. They still have the original patterns and I had one made with nice tooled leather engraving of a duck for my hunting partner.
One of these days I am going to break down an have them build me a case using a pattern of a Bluerock Pigeon they designed for A&F but was never used. The Davis brothers are true craftsman that I am guessing are approaching 70. Yet they still open their shop 6 days a week.

[Rick Losey]

I have done a little searching on the web tonight without any luck finding anything about Case knifes with HH Heiser sheaths.

I doubt these were ever the original sheath for the set as delivered by Case. You could always check with them, they do research for collectable knives.

[allen newell]

I love the tooling on the leather sheath and it's great to know that true craftsmen still exist to bring pleasure to the rest of us who appreciate their artistry.

[Destry L. Hoffard]

Um yeah, that's purty nice......

Destry

[allen newell]

There are a number of very skilled leather craftsmen in Texas and the South Western US (and elsewhere in the US) who do excellent leather work. I had a guy in Texas make me a cowboy action holster and belt and his tooling and overall leather work was just terrific. Good leather on anything is hard to beat! It would make a nice new thread to see some great PGCA Member's leather.

[Phillip Carr]

The right camera can make a differnce.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/029_zps42a7cc87.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/031_zpsea24efbe.jpg
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/032_zps64122b64.jpg

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http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/032_zps64122b64.jpg

[Phillip Carr]

Thought I would share some info on R Lloyd Davis.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/036_zps58577d27.jpg

[Rich Anderson]

That is a very nice find, congrats.

[charlie cleveland]

thats a good set of tools you got there..pleaseing to the eye and would be mighty handy on a camping or hunting trip. good find... charlie

[Gregory Czaplewski]

Phil,

Nice to hear from a member located in the west as I am, Phoenix, and being a person who appreciates fine leather work and knives, I congratulate you on your find. I haven't done a lot of reading on the the leather workers, but know a nice piece when I see it.
Are you an owner of Parkers and do you do any quail hunting? Drop me a line sometime.

[Bruce Day]

Davis made stock guard and extension.

[Rick Losey]

that's cool Bruce, although i could really see it on an 1873 Winchester

[Phillip Carr]

Bruce looks great. I have had 2 lace on leather extensions done. He is a picture of the latest one. It's a great wayy to get the length you need with a little class. The picture is a 16 gauge LC Smith my partner has.
http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/ss14/Philcarr/Knife%20and%20Mearns/008_zpsb5d31204.jpg