Rogers & Hackathorn Holsters
In contrast to Ernie Hills’ use of steel-lined leather, Bill Rogers contrived a means of permanently bonding leather to Kydex (US Pat No 4340437) to create a rigid holster that would not collapse under the weight of the competitor in a prone stage of fire. Rogers’ designs were generally more minimalist than Hills’. These Hackathorn Combat Specials are a case in point.
Ken Hackathorn was an early member of Coopers’ Gunsite circle, even before Gunsite, if memory serves. This holster design is eminently practical for everyday carry in contrast to the more extreme and specialized holsters exemplified by Hills’. The Hackathorn Combat Special is concealable, conforming to one of Coopers’ original criteria for practical competition.
For years Scott Duff and I believed that the HCS was limited to 500 pieces. However, of the four examples in my collection, Nos 39, 334, 356, and 829, the last leads one to the hypothesis that more likely a thousand were made. No 34 is left hand; one wonders if the sinestrous examples had their own number sequence.
The Hackathorn Combat Special is another of my favorite holster designs. Lightweight, elegant and practical, they hold a special place in my collection.
ADDENDUM: I found a picture of Bill and Ken, probably at a SHOT Show during their collaboration.
ADDENDUM: Scott Duff sent me a column by Ken from Soldier of Fortune magazine that describes the rationale behind the HCS.
