Above from left: Bruce Nelson (Combat Leather), Milt Sparks (early with very thin leather, Idaho City marked), two Milt Sparks (contemporary, for 5″ and 4 1/4″, Boise marked), and lastly another Idaho City Milt Sparks, sans “sweat guard.”   Of Bruce Nelson’s designs, the Summer Special may be his most original. Bruce reportedly granted Milt permission to use the Summer Special design, as we see here. I find the variations of Milt’s Summer Specials interesting. Of course, of these only the first and last were likely made by Milt because they bear the early Idaho City mark. The two with sweat guards are marked “TK,” for Milt’s successor, Tony Kanaly.  …

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’…