The Gunsmoke James Arness Gun Belt and Holster Set was the one that started the B Western Fast Draw craze of the early 1950s through the 1970s. It was originally produced at the Arvo Ojala Hollywood Fast Draw shop in Hollywood, CA where Arvo Ojala, Andy Anderson and Alfonso Pineda all worked. The Gun Leather was made on equipment purchased from Retiring Captain A. H. Hardy who made Gun Leather in Beverly Hills and Denver.
Captain A. H. Hardy was a long time Fast Draw and Shotgun Champion as well as a Hollywood Gun Coach like Arvo Ojala. The original Designer of the Hollywood Fast Draw Gun Belt and Holster Set is still an unresolved question as all three men Arvo Ojala, Andy Anderson and Alfonso Pineda lay claim to being the original designer. Arvo Ojala Patented the original Gunsmoke set design as you can see on his maker marks.
The Old Trading Post 1955 GUNSMOKE Cartridge Gun Belt and Hollywood Fast Draw Holster(s) Set is one of our more popular Fast Draw Sets patterned after the 1940 through 1980 Arvo Ojala, Andy Anderson or Alfonso Pineda Fast Draw Hollywood Gun Belt and Holster Sets. Our Leathersmith learned gun leather making at the Arvo Ojala Hollywood Fast Draw Shop through the 1970s he worked directly with all 3 of the men mentioned above.
Just like the Fast Draw Hollywood Sets of 1940s through the 1980s, the holsters are reinforced to hold their rigidity with the constant drawing and re-holstering of a Revolver. We make our Gun Belts and Holsters from Heavyweight Premium Grade U.S.A. Leather as most Old West Gun Leather was made from during the late 19th Century.
The Single Loop Hollywood Fast Draw Holster is leather lined and is also decorated with a handsome Single Brass Buckle leather loop to hold the holster sheath. The holster comes with a hammer thong to safely secure your revolver when holstered also a holster leg tie to secure the holster to your leg to keep it from moving around when you are on the move.
The Ranger Style 1955 GUNSMOKE Style Gun Belt is 2 3/4 inches wide with a 1 1/2 inch billet strap which is secured with a 1 1/2 inch Brass Clipped Corner Belt Buckle. Our 1955 GUNSMOKE Style Gun Belt is fully leather lined and is offered in your choice of style either a high rise ranger style gun belt or a drop loop gun belt where the holster hangs lower and worn like the gunslingers would have worn in Hollywood movies. Our fully lined gun belts are made of 9-10 oz leather with smooth leather lining.
High quality nylon thread is used for durability in the stitching and all of our leather products are double stitched. We offer a variety of choices, for Single Action and Double Action revolver models in just about any caliber also we offer this fine 1955 GUNSMOKE Style gun leather set in black, brown, saddle tan, and chestnut (reddish brown) leather colors. Also, these Ranger 1955 GUNSMOKE Style Gun Belts come with 3 ammunition loop at the base of the billet strap and 25 Ammunition Loops at center back for large caliber ammunition. We also offer you choices of No Loops, .22 Caliber, .32 Caliber, .357 / .38 Caliber, .41 Caliber, .44 / .45 Caliber and .50 Caliber loop quantity is determined by caliber size of loops (other loop sizes available upon request).
The Single Loop Holster included in this 1955 GUNSMOKE Style Cartridge Gun Belt and Holster(s) Set is a Hollywood Fast Draw Holster which is a reinforced Holster made to hold their rigidity with constant drawing and re-holstering of a Revolver. The holster is made of 2 pieces 5-6 oz leather nap sides laminated together, smooth in/smooth out, which creates a stronger holster that holds its shape better. High quality nylon thread is used for durability in the stitching and all of our leather products are double stitched.
Features:
100% custom-made to your specifications
Premium Grade U.S.A. leathers Available in black, brown, saddle, tan, and chestnut colors
Hollywood Fast Draw Holster Design Single Buckle Holster Sheath Loop 1 1/2 Inch Stainless Steel Clipped Corner Belt Buckle
2 3/4 Inch Gun Belt and Holsters are leather lined. Available in waist sizes 26" to 44" also available for Larger Sizes 46"-60" add $35.00) Standard ammo loop calibers offered: (.22 Caliber, .32 Caliber, .357/.28 Caliber, .41 Caliber, .44/.45 Caliber, and .50 Caliber)
NOTE 1) WHEN ENTERING WAIST SIZE, PLEASE ENTER YOUR ACTUAL PANTS WAIST SIZE AND ALSO YOUR EXACT HIP MEASUREMENT, 2 INCHES BELOW THE BELT (WIDEST PART OF HIP). WE HAVE A FORMULA FOR CALCULATING YOUR PROPER GUN BELT SIZE THAT ALLOWS FOR IDEAL SIDE HANG AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR COMFORTABLE FIT OVER CLOTHING.
NOTE 2) MANY OF OUR WESTERN GUN HOLSTERS ARE CUSTOM MADE TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS AND MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT. CUSTOM MADE ORDERS MAY REQUIRE 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE SHIPPING.
PLEASE CALL 888-653-8723 OR EMAIL HELP@OLDTRADINGPOST.COM TO CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY IF YOU NEED YOUR ORDER SOONER.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OPTION BOXES REQUIRE A SELECTION BEFORE THE ITEM CAN BE ADDED TO THE SHOPPING CART.
About Gunsmoke:
WATCH GUNSMOKE SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 AIRED SEPTEMBER 10, 1955
Gunsmoke Season 1 Episode 1
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston. It centers on Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1870s, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television. When aired in the United Kingdom, the television series was initially titled Gun Law, later reverting to Gunsmoke.
The radio series ran from 1952 to 1961. John Dunning wrote that among radio drama enthusiasts, "Gunsmoke is routinely placed among the best shows of any kind and any time". The television series ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, and lasted for 635 episodes. When Gunsmoke was adapted for television in 1955, contrary to a campaign to persuade the network, the network was not interested in bringing either Conrad or his radio costars to the television medium. Conrad's weight was rumored to be a deciding factor. Denver Pyle was also considered for the role, as was Raymond Burr, who was ultimately also seen as too heavy for the part. Charles Warren, television Gunsmoke's first director, said, "His voice was fine, but he was too big. When he stood up, his chair stood with him."
It has long been rumored that John Wayne was offered the role of Matt Dillon; according to Dennis Weaver's comments on the 50th Anniversary DVD, disc one, episode "Hack Prine", John Wayne was never even considered for the role; to have done so would have been preposterous, since Wayne was a top movie leading man. The belief that Wayne was asked to star is disputed by Warren. Although he agrees Wayne encouraged Arness to take the role, Warren says, "I hired Jim Arness on the strength of a picture he's done for me ... I never thought for a moment of offering it to Wayne.
" According to Thomas "Duke" Miller, a TV and movie celebrity expert, this story was told to him by legendary actor James Stewart: "Jimmy said he was in the office with Charles Warren when Mr. Wayne came in. Mr. Warren asked Wayne if he knew James Arness, and Mr. Wayne said yes. Mr. Warren told Mr. Wayne about the transition of the show from radio to TV, and Mr. Wayne readily agreed that James Arness would be a terrific choice for the part of Matt Dillon.
I have no reason to doubt the story, because Jimmy absolutely knew everybody." In the end, the primary roles were all recast, with Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon (on the recommendation of Wayne, who also introduced the pilot), Dennis Weaver as Chester Goode, Milburn Stone as Dr. G. "Doc" Adams (later Galen "Doc" Adams), and Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty Russell. Macdonnell became the associate producer of the TV show and later the producer. Meston was head writer.
The series was filmed at the present site of California Lutheran University (CLU) and nearby Wildwood Regional Park in Thousand Oaks, California. In 1975, CBS made the decision not to renew Gunsmoke for a 21st season, without making any public announcement or informing the producers or cast members ahead of time. The entire cast was stunned by the cancellation, as they were unaware that CBS was considering it. According to Arness, "We didn't do a final, wrap-up show.
We finished the 20th year, we all expected to go on for another season, or two or three. The (network) never told anybody they were thinking of cancelling." The cast and crew read the news in the trade papers.This seemed to have been a habit of CBS. Three other popular shows, Gilligan's Island, Lost in Space, and The Incredible Hulk, met the same abrupt fate. Cast List of Gunsmoke cast members U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon (1955–1975): James Arness Galen "Doc" Adams (1955–1975): Milburn Stone Kathleen "Kitty" Russell (1955–1974): Amanda Blake Chester B. Goode (1955–1964): Dennis Weaver Festus Haggen (1964–1975): Ken Curtis
