Comparing rivet sizes - 5/16 (1966, black) and 3/8 (1968). Also note the difference in sizes with the slots for the belt.
Comparing a Dolt short holster with a Dolt long holster
Dolt ad in Summit mag March 1967
Dolt ad in Summit mag May 1967
Dolt - Doltster
— 1967 August - 1968:
Doltster, nylon, large Dolt piton logo stamp, Made in U.S.A. stamp, U.S. Patent Des. No. 208,289 stamp, short and long belt plate, 5/16” steel rivets, brass washers, all have long hammer holder tubes.
- Model B, Ebony, firm, short belt plate
- Model W, Brown, flexible, short belt plate
- Model F, Blue, firm, long belt plate
- Model K, Red, flexible, long belt plate

(Still looking for a sample, has patent number and brass washers)
The sample below is close, but it is marked Model W and not Model K.
Dolt - Doltster
— 1968 - 1969:
Doltster, nylon, small Dolt piton logo stamp, Made in U.S.A. stamp, U.S. Patent Des. No. 208,289 stamp, short and long belt plate, 3/8” steel rivets, aluminum washers, all have long hammer holder tubes, many different color combinations.
- Model B, Ebony, firm, short belt plate
- Model W, Brown, flexible, short belt plate
- Model F, Blue, firm, long belt plate
- Model K, Red, flexible, long belt plate
Photo by Bill Straka
Dolt hammer holster on ebay 6/2021 seller finarphin
Photo by Steve Grossman
Photo from Vintageclimbing.com, gear for sale
Dolt - Doltster
— 1969 - 1971:
Doltster, some of the models now have short hammer holder tubes, nylon, small Dolt piton logo stamp, Made in U.S.A. stamp, U.S. Patent Des. No. 208,289 stamp, short and long belt plate, 3/8” steel rivets, aluminum washers, many different color combinations.
- Model B, Ebony, firm, short belt plate, short hammer tube
- Model W, Brown, flexible, short belt plate, short hammer tube
- Model F, Blue, firm, long belt plate, short hammer tube
- Model K, Red, flexible, long belt plate, short hammer tube
Donated by Ken Castner
Photo by Steve Grossman
Dolt - Doltster
— 1970:
Doltster, very very short belt plate, nylon, small Dolt piton logo stamp, Made in U.S.A. stamp. Steel rivets and aluminum washers.
Sold on ebay November 2021
Dolt - Doltster
— 1970:
Doltster, short leather belt plate, long nylon hammer holder tube, large Dolt piton logo stamp, steel 3/8” rivets, aluminum washers.
- Brown leather, White nylon
Dolt holster sold on ebay 12/2023, seller sasstill
Dolt - Hammer Holster
— 1970:
Doltster, nylon, large Dolt piton logo stamp, Made in U.S.A. stamp, U.S. Patent Des. No. 208/289 stamp, 5/16” steel rivets, aluminum washers,
- White Nylon, firm (short belt plate, short hammer holder tube)
- White nylon flexible version ?
Donated by Ken Macke
Dolt - Hammer Holster
— 1970 - 1971:
Doltster, nylon, large Dolt piton logo stamp, U.S. Patent Des. No. 208/289 stamp, 3/8” steel rivets, zinc plated steel washers, nylon is a thickness which is between the past flexible and firm holster models. Has no “U.S.A. stamp.
- White nylon, medium firm, (short belt plate, short hammer holder tube)
- White nylon, medium firm, (long belt plate, short hammer holder tube)
Donated by Walley Vegors

Comparing the Dolt Holsters 1970 (L) and 1971 (R).
Both do not have a manufacturers Model number.
- different size rivets.
- no "Made In U.S.A. for 1971
- aluminum washers and zinc plated washers
- different thicknesses of nylon
So while Dolt was around, all of the Dolt hammer holsters have been historically colorful, but then these white Doltsters surfaced. The Dolt holsters are stamped with a large Dolt piton logo, but have no model letter stamp, and have no “USA” stamp. They are constructed with steel rivets and zinc plated steel washers, and the nylon is medium thick between Dolt’s original holster thickness. The hammer holder tube is short.

Photo shows three different thicknesses of the Dolt nylon holsters.

Bill died sometime between Christmas 1971 and New Years Day. I know that after Bill had passed, the Dolt Co. still sold Dolt items for a few more years. I see in the Summit magazines that the Dolt Bashies and Bolt Hangers were advertised through 1973. A Dolt Nut tool named the Nutcracker was made by Don Lauria from the left over Dolt piton blanks and sold trough 1975.

The Dolt name then sold to a company that created sewn goods. Dolt fanny packs, Dolt backpacks, Dolt chalkbags, and Dolt accessory bags.


Dolt ad in Summit magazine May 1973
Powderhorn Mountaineering
1970 catalog