Spell the name right and it's all over including free on the web.

Born on November 22, 1871 in Johnson County, Texas, Samuel Dale Myres was the son of David Rittenhouse and Mary Jane Dale Myres. The oldest of six children, Myres opened the S. D. Myres Saddle Company in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1898. He was involved in many civic organizations including serving as president of the Sweetwater Commercial Club, serving on the local school board from 1914-1915, and being the mayor of Sweetwater from 1908-1911. In 1920, Myres moved his company to El Paso, Texas. The company became famous for its superior craftsmanship and Myres mingled with many famous western actors and personalities of his day. Myres's marriage to Drusa Rogers produced three children- S. D. (Samuel Dale) Jr., William James, and Melrose, and his second marriage to Eva Forkner resulted in no offspring. In 1953, Myres passed away and was buried in El Paso

Because it was shop I'd be inclined to doubt that Mr. Myres made any particular surviving holster - or saddle - personally but it is certainly possible. Lots of material at Texas Tech and University of Texas for a book that is yet to be written.

AFAIK the connection to El Paso Saddlery is remote. No question that Myres made great leather - in the western saddle maker tradition - see the Tom Threepersons design - rumor says designed by the lawman and rumor also says designed in the shop and named for the lawman - much like the history of the .35 Whelan either way works for me - but I'm inclined to give more credit to the named for theory of origin over the designed by. The western saddlemaker tradition can be contrasted with the Italian shoemaker tradition of thin heavily boned leather in today's market. I've had a Tom Threepersons design from Myres and the quality is there the floral design is great but my every day bet your life carry is from the Italian heritage in the East - Mr. Alessi sometimes called Luigi.

Rumor says Dave DuClos operates as S.D. Myres Saddle Co not a relative. Maybe at:
S.D. Myres Saddle Co.
205 Oak St.
Sweetwater, TX 79556
maybe not or maybe used to for all I know.

El Paso Saddlery owner Bobby McNellis died, his son, Ryan runs that firm. El Paso Saddlery has made many fine holsters inspired by/based on/ homage to/ pick your phrase the holsters originated in the Myres shop. I don't know a better place to buy a new holster in the saddle maker tradition.

Some say both companies have employed a few former Myres workers...

 

Thanks, Clark Myers

Thanks for the great information about Mr. Myres (note the spelling). I am grateful for it. The stamped name and number on the back of the holster is "Myers Made 31 51". Yes, a different spelling than Myres. I will try to put up some photos of the holster and perhaps I can learn even more.

Again, Clark, thank you very much!

Jayhawk Dan

 

As folks likely already know Google shows

deceased Nixa Missouri maker named Myers
marked
"Myers-Made 60 45"
in the Western tradition.
Left the range before the internet and so likely to need real diligence or luck to find more. Likely more in the Cowboy realm.

Sierra109-12-2007, 10:49 PM
Recently acquired a mint condition old model flat top ruger single six 22LR/22WMR, pistol, box unfiled warranty card and all. Along with this scoop I also received with the deal a black leather holster with snap style top strap in almost brand new condition, the makers mark on the back of the holster is very sharp and new looking and says "myers made" the words stacked on top of one another and below that a four digit model number 3152. Would really appreciate any help anyone can give on identifying the maker and possible age of this holster, the pistol was made by ruger in 1972 so Im thinking maybe the holster is from that era as well. Anybody hazard a guess??
Miles Fortis10-29-2007, 12:58 AM
Myers was located in Nixa MO & made holsters through the 80s when he died.
He was a WW2 Marine & his war stories consisted of "made 3 island assault landings, got shot 3 times!"
He had no catalog, you just gave him your gun, told him what you wanted & he'd tell you when to call him back to see if it was ready.
A crotchety, cantankerous old fart you'll never see again, but quality I saw was top notch.
Still have a couple of the holsters he made for me.

from the Oklahoma Shooters Board via Google - emphasis added

 

Also a Dale Myers

From Fighting Handguns, Cooper shows holsters by Dale Myers.

 

Watch out for DuClos many on the Sixgunner board have been burned. As for El Paso Saddlery a first rate outfit...a bit overrun with orders so their lead times have lengthened. Knew Bobby McNellis and he did a lot of custom stuff for me as a walk in. When I first moved to El Paso, S.D, Myers was still in business here in 1975 or thereabouts on Piasano Street....then got sold to some outfit back east, then next I heard this DuClos fellow that everyone has had troubles with...darn certain not to send any money to...

 

A number of "Myers Made" holsters have been for sale on eBay. IIRC, several were stamped to indicate Mexican origin.

 

As one of those Sixgunner folks...I'm STILL waiting for my Holter, Belt, Cartridge Slides and Ammo Pouch for my Sixgunner.com Reeder Custom .44 Mag Ruger. Mr Duclos took my money for those products and to date has neither delivered the products nor my money back.

No word, NADA, even to the point of refusing registered mail. I had included photocopies of my processed check where HE HAS MY MONEY and no product forthcoming. No ethics in that one.

He was long ago added to the short list of folks whom I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire. Be a waste of good used beer.

There were a few folks who were basically local to Sweetwater, who managed to get their product, albiet very late. Those of us not able to get close enough for long enough to hound him are basically SOL.

He should get NO good press, on this board or any other.

I sent him $355 and never saw anything for it.

 

An eight year bump.

Just so people and the internet don't forget. This man is a thief. He took my money and who knows how many thousands from the others. Avoid him in all endeavors.


ETA: Forgive me a bit. I don't even know if he's still alive. But when you're searching for something and by chance you accidentally get reminded someone robbed you, you get pissed.