John BianchiAn American Legend 50 Years of Gunleather. Thanks. Most users ever online was 158,966 at 05:57 AM on 01-16-2021. Copyright 1996-2021, Officer Media Group, Endeavor Business Media - Public Safety Interactive. Copies of the Bulletin came with a letter from J Edgar Hoover. Please see the website at: http://www.vintagelacoppers.org, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) (206)678-6640/P.O. ; ^ ). It also could not be pulled straight up or from the rear. If you read the whole comment, youll notice that Ace was referring to handgun hunters hiding in the bushes, not California police officers. To draw from the BOSS, a user was required to release the strap with the thumb break, then rotate the gun out the front of the holster, which would allow the gun to clear the trigger guard lock at the rear and free the barrel from the muzzle lock. Thank You for the article on breakfront holsters. $20.13. The MSRP for these holsters is $72. I do wish youd cool it on EBay though, so I could win some of those bids myself. Justin. Our current lead-time for new orders is 4-9 weeks for most items. The pic below was taken by my friend JayCee of his USAF issued M15. The K391 has a suggested retail price of $166. I about broke it trying to figure out a way to sneak the gun out of it. . The article got me wondering if some Kydex magician out there could come up with an efficient design for longer barrel revawvers for concealed carry? Bravo, Sir! The C.A. Another BlackHawk duty holster,the SERPA Auto Lock automatically locks a gun in and prevents its removal until the SERPA release is activated. Aker Leather Swivel Radio Holder for Motorola XTS 3000 Radios $74.00 to $78.00 $59.20 to $62.40 Add to Cart Compare LawPro #NY083 LawPro Nylon Shoulder Mic Holder $12.02 Add to Cart Compare Aker Leather #LP577 Aker Leather Universal Radio Holder $47.00 to $49.00 $37.60 to $39.20 Add to Cart Compare Safariland #LP005 Jewett hoped to accomplish several objectives with his novel design. I carried the standard 4 inch smith with a safety speed clam shell. The Bianchi Model 2800 Judge (U.S. Patent number 3,977,583, issued 31 Aug 1976) was designed to solve this issue. Yes, clamshell coppers had to hold onto their holsters when they ran, had to get them readjusted once in a while so their sixgun didnt go tumbling, and often longed for a third hand when it was time to reholster, but they thought the tradeoffs were worth it to have the fastest rig around for a six inch duty gun. If you wanted to look cool, it was your huckleberry. Vintage Holster German Police Swivel Pivot Walther P5/P9 Black Leather RH Pre-Owned $19.99 sgsdepot (19,221) 99.7% Buy It Now +$6.00 shipping 8 watchers Sponsored Vintage JAY PEE NY Police Duty Holster For 4" Model 10 Revolver Swivel NYPD Pen Brand New $154.00 jmar8944 (7,138) 99.9% Buy It Now +$8.30 shipping 2 watchers Sponsored The inventor of the clamshell holster was Mr. Frank C. Jewett, whose patent for the design was granted on 10 October 1933. There is a good reason why almost no one uses. Some officers perfected a method where the gun was placed against the outer shell and held in place by the thumb, as the fingers pushed the clamshell together against the side of the leg, but this could be difficult to execute when the other hand was busy controlling a suspect, and impossible to do on the move. Some agencies, like the LAPD, had armorers who could inspect and adjust clamshell holsters to ensure more reliable operation, but the design weakness was never perfectly addressed, and it was one of the key reasons that clamshells were eventually prohibited for duty use (as LAPD finally did, in the mid-1980s). Shipping will be $15 within the USA Fighting Leather: The Clamshell Holster - RevolverGuy.Com So, when Malloy and Reed switched from the Model 14 andSafariland #11top draw holster to the Model 15 and clamshell holster for Season Four, it wasnt just for the sexy optics. LAPD went to the Model 15 in 1969 as I was issued one at that time. I was not aware these dangerous holsters were even still made. 1945) operated out of Montebello, California, and became the giant in the clamshell holster business, producing them into the early 1990s. Retired Oakland police officer, 39 yr vet law enforcement. 7320 SW Bonita Road Tigard, OR 97224 US503-670-7972 (phone), Hours of Operation:Monday-Friday 9am-5pm (PST)Open Thursdays till 7pm. 1945) operated out of Montebello, California, and became the giant in the clamshell holster business, producing them into the early 1990s. The Model 7360 is a new holster from Safariland that is similar in configuration to the 6360. Your email address will not be published. If you really want an LAPD swivel holster, call Hoyt Holsters of Coupeville, WA. Instead of wrapping the leather pocket over the top of the trigger guard, the Judge left this area open. Holsters were as varied as the catalogs from which they came. All times are GMT-6. USA. Vtg Black Leather Police Swivel Holster - B18 34 C $20.57 0 bids C $24.70 shipping 6d 16h Akar Scorpion OWB Kydex Gun Holster W/Quick Belt Clips Fits Girsan Mc28 C $39.51 Was: C $49.39 C $41.17 shipping or Best Offer 15 watching Vintage Police Sam Brown Leather Belt Holster Shoulder Strap 1950s Crump C $172.88 C $40.63 shipping or Best Offer Thats one heck of a testimony for the clamshell! Swivel Holster Clip (PMLN7939) Swivel holster allows you to wear the radio on your belt, leaving your hands free for the job on hand. No helos shot, nothing else destroyed but my pride and $600 later that day to buy them a new freezer. Tell your friends! Also the stud for the swivel was peened and had a cotter pin. . By the 1950s, the clamshell was a SoCal law enforcement staple, with a host of agencies and individual officers falling for the appeal of the spring holster. I ended up using a Nelson with my L frame for a few years before we transitioned to the 92 and Safariland rigs. Blocker makes quality stuff, it's just the nature of the holster. FOR ORDER STATUS & QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL (956) 744-3219 9:00 AM TO 6:00 PM USA CENTRAL TIME, Estimated Delivery Time: 6 weeks. I hope youll stick around and check out the other great stories here on RevolverGuy. Sorry for being long winded. David, thanks for sharing the story! Thanks, Andrew. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The 4S could be shorthand for, Four-inch S&W or possibly four-inch, swivel. I quickly mastered the technique of re-holstering with one hand. AWESOME JOB! The Safety Speed Holster company (est. The K391 is available for many of the popular duty pistols in use today. This less resistant spring made for an easier presentation, but sacrificed some security. BUCHEIMER CLARK HOLSTER PATROLMAN POLICE LEATHER SWIVEL B7A- 34W BLACK COLT Bucheimer B7A-34W Patrolman gun swivel holster. Filter by Sort by 22 products Swivel Belt Loop and Drop Shank for Law Enforcement $144.00 SP100 Belt Loop for Safariland Duty Holsters $125.00 SP100 Duty Holster (Glocks and many others) $267.00 SP100L Duty Holster (Glock, S&W and many other duty gun models) Tactical Lights 1978. The only commercially available breakfronts that I know of are copies of the old Hoyt design, from AE Nelson Leather Company. The MSRP starts at $110. $43.00. Aside from the holster advancements, there was a time when even though duty rigs might have all been the same plain or basketweave, the one thing that could be personalized was the officers revolvers. In an article in the FBI Bulletin, he credited his response to FBI training the department received the year before- drop to the left, learn to fire from the hip. Good stuff. What part of the U.S. were you policing in? In 1947, he was shot in the stomach with the bullet lodge against his spine. Thank you for writing in and adding to the story of these iconic holsters. Original West German PP/PPK Police Swivel Holster I remember having a phone conversation with an employee. 2x Black Leather Police Security Military Mace/Pepper Spray Holster/Pouch C-309 $ 17.50 Buy It Now $5.95 Shipping Condition: Used Location: Woodside, United States Many of Police & Security. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). I did think it wouldnt be a bad deal for a handgun hunter, considering draws and holstering are mostly deliberate in such a situation; not a lot of quick draw scenarios when youre hiding behind a bush waiting for Bambi or ol Wiley. It's built to last with a reinforced solid-core polycarbonate frame and a rotating belt clip for vertical or horizontal use. Please call us and ask for expedite service. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The pocket had an open, breakfront-style seam down the front, and was held closed by a safety strap that wrapped around the front. So, the Serpa has an ancestor from the revolver era. If they ever took old dinosaurs back on the street Id be happy to carry a clamshell again. Our Price: $23.95 Now: $20.99. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Theyre moresecure,durable, economical, efficient, and easy to care for, but lack the appearance and charm of their leather forebearers. . Fabulous quality. When I came on board in L.A. we were issued a Shoemaker breakfront that I quickly replaced with the 2700 and then the Judge. The Safariland 2955 holster offers the same features as the 295. QUICK DETACH FL SWIVEL SET - whitestoneordnance.com Youre welcome! Carried that until I retired in 2010. First, the holster body had to be longer than necessary, which could lead to interference when sitting. Los Angeles Police US Clark Pistol Revolver Gun Leather Holster 38 Parent 6 RM 510.92 RM 161.80 shipping or Best Offer As low as $90.99. The people should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence." The Hoyt breakfront, with its open muzzle, didnt suffer from this issue, but the spring which held the Hoyt closed primarily exerted its force around the cylinder area, leaving little to no tension in the area around the muzzle. Keep your favorite compact pistol handy with this German Police Surplus P10 Leather Holster. Any RevolverGuy who grew up like I did, watching a steady diet of the 1970s police drama Adam-12, will certainly remember those Blue Knights, Malloy and Reed, each drawing a Combat Masterpiece revolver from a clamshell holster that sprung open like magic every time our heroes needed to draw down on some counterculture scumbag. For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732. Great holster. The swivel belt loop is in good shape and swivels freely. Required fields are marked *. In comparison, the Bianchi Model 27 was produced using tooling and methods that allowed for mass production. This tough duty holster from Safariland keeps your gun secure and accessible at all times. 18530 Mack Ave., Suite 499 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, Duty Holsters | Holsters | CopsPlus Police Supply, 6360 ALS STX Level III Plus UBL Duty Holster, 6365 ALS STX Level III Plus Belt Slide Drop Holster, ALS Mid-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster Model 6390, 6285 STX Tac Low Ride SLS Hooded Duty Holster, Low Ride SLS Hooded Duty Holster - Model 6285, 7360 7TS ALS Level III Retention Mid-Ride Holster, 6365 ALS Level III Plus Belt Slide Drop Holster, 6395 ALS Low-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, ALS STX Tac Belt Slide Holster with SLS - Model 6367, 7390 7TS ALS Mid-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, AccuMold Holster - Model 7105 Cruiser Duty, 7365 7TS ALS Level III Retention Low-Ride Holster, 7280 7TS SLS MidRide Level II Retention Duty Holster, ALS Belt Slide Holster with SLS - Model 6367, Model 7520 7TS SLS EDW Clip-On Style Holster, Leather Double Retention Duty Holster Model 501, Phoenix Triple Retention Duty Holster Model T391, 7285 7TS SLS Low Ride Level II Retention Duty Holster, 7395 7TS ALS Low-Ride Level I Retention Duty Holster, The duty holster is one of the most important pieces of equipment for a law enforcement officer to own. Your email address will not be published. I used to carry my 5 Model 27 (yes Im a Skeeter fan) in a Bianchi D27 as it gave the most protection from brush with the fastest access I could find. Full grain genuine leather, inside the waist band holster with clip. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Police Don Hume RH Leather Swivel Holster with 12 Cartridge Loops at the best online prices at eBay! The clamshell holsters were first adopted by Southern California lawmen in the pre-war years. http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/vertbelt.html. At CopsPlus, we carry duty holsters from some of the world's most trusted manufacturers, including. Estimated Delivery Time: 6 weeks. German Police Surplus Shoulder Holster, Used. The Rogers Holster Company SSII holster for semiautomatic pistols was a successful semi-breakfront design (becoming the long-lived Model 295 after the Safariland acquisition) which followed the WRATH, but by 1983 Rogers was ready to abandon his work on breakfront designs over concerns that they were too susceptible to disarms from the front, which his investigation had concluded was the most likely kind of attack that an officer would face. placing the trigger finger into the trigger guard during the draw . Black Hills Leather Store, Sales: +1 (956) 436-4888 | Order Status: +1 (956) 744-3219, BH47-L Police Duty Holster for Light and Laser System, BH48-L Police Duty Holster for 2 1/4 Duty Belt For light and laser systems, BH241BL Holster Used by Cops with Bullet Loops, Hand Carved Police Gun Holster BH245BTR Texas Ranger, BH245 Police Duty Holster in Basket Weave, BH241BLHC Duty Holster with Bullet Loops. Larry Mudgett #15467. The customer service matches the product too (if you can believe that!). Also, the inside surface is left undyed, to prevent CHP tans from turning black. This greatly improved the quality of the draw compared to other breakfront designs, in essence providing the security of a Model 27 with the draw of the Hoyt. Holsters. $134.00. Buy Law Enforcement & Police Duty Holsters Online on Black Hills Leather Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a handgun, shotgun, and patrol rifle-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. Glad youre enjoying it! The top draw rigs that had about 1/2 of the front seam open (as opposed to the entire front seam) were some of the best compromises of speed and security. judged. Polymer Parliament will henceforth be a permanent part of the lexicon here. As I mentioned after reading your book, I carried a 4 clamshell until the department (LAPD) wouldnt allow them any longer. The closed muzzle achieved a similar effect to the muzzle lock on the BOSS, without use of the polycarbonate spine. Duty Gear products from CopQuest | (800) 728-0974 Truly amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail. As I recall, you had to get it unsnapped, then rock the grip forward a little bit, then pull up a skoche, then swivel the grip back to push the muzzle through the front, then push the frame/cylinder out the front. I am currently cleaning out my parents house. . it was easy for the pushing motion of the index finger to continue after the gun had been drawn . Mike, thank you for the great articles. The leather and thermoplastic laminate used in Rogers holster designs was a significant accomplishment and the process of creating, using, and shaping the laminate to create a custom-fitted duty holster (protected by U.S. Patent number 4,340,437, issued 20 Jul 1982) was one of Rogers key contributions to the industry. Rogers accepted the deal and updated the WRATH with a few cosmetic changes, to create the Safariland Model 275. First with my Colt Python, then in the late eighties the department switched to a Sig Sauer 226 9mm, and later to a 229 .40 after several shootings where the 9mm was not effective. The holster is rugged as hell. I also switched to the model 14 6 inch revolver, then to a model 19 until magnum revolvers were banned by Chief Davis. Rapid Force Duty Holster - Best Level 3 Police Holster | Alien Gear FEATURES Full grain genuine leather handcuff holder Will fit one pair of handcuffs The holder is a BELT CLIP . Thank you for the article, I never knew about their history. The 57 4 could be a holster model number and another reference to four-inch. I suppose it could also be a reference to Model 57 4-inch, which is another N-frame revolver, like The .357 Magnum. The holster would have to date to the 1960s (1964 or later) for the Model 57 reference to be correct, but since the Model 57 and The .357 Magnum (Model 27) could probably fit the same holster, maybe thats what it is.