Hey Mike.really great article I stumbled acrossmy grown kids gave me the Adam-12 DVD set for my birthday.wow, what memories.I was with San Antonio PD, we were issued Safety Speed breakfronts out of the academy, really good and safe holster. Police Holsters Product Originals Meet one of the most reinforced and robust duty holsters Safariland has ever designed The reinforced area around the trigger guard combined with an almost complete elimination of exterior flex makes this product more secure than anything I have seen for a duty holster Only difference was he switched to a S&W 357 Magnum- Next one wasnt going to prison. He was also one of the most talented holster designers around, with an affinity for crafting police duty holsters. The trigger guard pocket of the Berns-Martin (and later Model 27) was a solid safety feature, but often interfered with obtaining a proper grip on the gun. As retired Law Enforcement, I conceal carry daily and have used this [ST17] holster for 30 years. Great holster. Dont discount the police officers in California because of the politics of the State they work in. These holsters are available for a broad range of firearms, and they are customizable for duty belt size, color and light/laser attachments. Sixguns By Keith. Im glad you enjoyed the article and hope youll find more to enjoy in these pages! Then he let me borrow it over some days off so I could try it myself. Jewett hoped to accomplish several objectives with his novel design. 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. Whether you're in Law Enforcement, Competition shooting, Hunting, or just like a good looking Holster that respects you and your gun, Ted Blocker Holsters are a symbol of quality and excellence for over 50 years Featured collection Swivel Belt Loop and Drop Shank for Law Enforcement $144.00 J Belt - 1.5" Wide $95.00 #1 Lifeline Shoulder Rig $265.00 I have not seen an officer with a swivel for years. I was a police officer for Vallejo PD from 1981 until 2010. when I started most of the old timers had clam shells and I bought one as soon as I could. It looks like they wear plain black, polished leather with nickel (silver) snaps or plain black with velcro. USA. It also has a retention strap. $135.00 USD. 1978. 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). Police officers have little control of the politics in the State in which they work. 89 members and 33755 guests. The Model 27 holster (U.S. Patent number 3,630,420, awarded 28 Dec 1971) was essentially an update of the Berns-Martin design, which used a new, L-shaped spring design that ran down the front of the holster and held it completely closed, instead of the cylinder-clamping U-spring of the older design, which left gaps in the front. Best wishes. I thought it went away with the Seventies. We also buy individual holsters or store inventory.. . 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. 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. I worked for a suburban SoCal department adjacent to LAPD. The author would like to thank John Bianchi and Bill Rogers for their assistance with this article and for their outstanding contributions to holster development. Vintage Alfonsos Brown Leather IWB Holster for Colt 1911 5" Browning Hi Power. 1) The swivels tend to break after a while, or during a real fight for your life. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Following the success of its initial collaboration with Vertx, Premier Body Armor announces its continued partnership. The design required . Burglar spent the rest of his life in prison. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It was faster and more secure than the Jordan holster with its awkward safety strap, and it was easier to draw from while seatedin a car. Vintage Leather POLICE BELT Jay Pee. BUCHEIMER CLARK HOLSTER PATROLMAN POLICE LEATHER SWIVEL B7A- 34W BLACK COLT Bucheimer B7A-34W Patrolman gun swivel holster. LAPD 6" Clam Shell Holster Adam-12. Jay-Pee | sku: 28CS. Smith & Wesson SWMP1BS M&P Black MAGIC Combo Edge Knife . Great department, great people. One of the conditions of switching to auto pistols about 1986 as I recall was to give up the clam shell holster. For a few years, the Safariland Model 275 competed directly with Rogers WRATH, but when Rogers sold his holster company to Safariland in 1985, the Model 275 cornered the market for revolver breakfront security holsters. But I carried a high rise , no swivel, clamshell with my M66 4 inch, really fast, worked great with LOTS of training! 9 Top Retention Holsters For Law Enforcement. Yeah, youre article hit a nerve! They were a particular hit with officers in the various city and county motor units, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP), who favored the six inch revolver and needed a design that was secure, yet fast into action. They probably produced more holsters of this design than any other company, and cemented their position as a leading manufacturer of police leather goods. Sir, Im glad to hear from you in these pages! Designed by Bill Rogers, the 070 has been made by Safariland since the mid-1980s. 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. I'm thinking about buying one for my 1911, but I am concerned with retention in a gun grab. Oddly, none of the brass complained, as far as I know. $299.00. Slow down, Mr. Cosgrove. In Jewetts design, the pouch which held the gun was split into two halves along the front seam, which were joined at the rear by a powerful flat spring that was biased to open the halves in butterfly fashion. Vintage Leather Police Swivel Holster $65.00 Only 1 available Pay in 4 installments of $16.25. The most obvious was a fast and unobstructed presentation of the gun. The development of a revolver duty holster that was both fast to draw from and secure, took some time to mature and the breakfront was a big part of that process. Vintage Tex Shoemaker NJSP Discontinued NJ State Police Holster For HK P7M8 LFT. Uncompromising Security Fighting Leather: The Breakfront, Part I, The Pachmayr Aluminum Competition Speedloader, retention level standards that Rogers created, sold his holster company to Safariland in 1985, https://americanhandgunner.com/safariland-bill-rogers/, http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/vertbelt.html. Neat.thanks for mentioning that. 1965. Happy to try and answer it! Most users ever online was 158,966 at 05:57 AM on 01-16-2021. The markings on the back are 4S 357M 57 4. Gould & Goodrich Leather Universal Radio Strap Model 654. This Bianchi holster offers long lasting durability under the most brutal conditions. Rudy Lozano's Black Hills Leather Products are handcrafted like no others are today. One small correction in that you can still get a breakfront made today from the AE Nelson company. Insured Priority Mail is $16.00. The rig uses a rotating hood to secure the weapon and a separate physical barrier to deter a suspect from snatching the gun from the holster. A password will be sent to your email address. Photographed with 9mm compact carry not included. The LAPD had just switched to the shorter guns in 1969 (which were neutered to remove the single action capability, like all LAPD revolvers starting in that year), so the characters who portrayed them on TV would too, and it made sense they would carry the guns in clamshell holsters, which by this time had become an LAPD icon. Some big news for trigger pullers recently from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. Mike, just read your article on the clam shell . Simultaneously, the breakfront holster virtually disappeared from the scene as well. I retired it in 86 when we switched to the Sig P220. All rights reserved. That service pistol could be the focus of an attack should things go sideways. . At CopsPlus, we carry duty holsters from some of the world's most trusted manufacturers, including. This is a big part of the reason that these holsters were disapproved for duty use in the CHP by the early 1960s. They are still quite popular with my agency. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community placing the trigger finger into the trigger guard during the draw . Operating the safety strap was a motion that took some time, and the officer could not establish his grip to draw the gun until this step was complete. The inventor of the clamshell holster was Mr. Frank C. Jewett, whose patent for the design was granted on 10 October 1933. They feature swivel belt loops and are designed for XTS Series Radios. Many duty holster designs have come and gone. Filter by Brand Carry Type Function Holster Ride Holster Series Retention Level Security Mechanism Showing 1-20 of 127 Sort by Most Popular 7360 - 7TS ALS/SLS Mid-Ride Duty Holster $85.75 $209.00 575 IWB Holster GLS Pro-Fit Holster $72.50 When LAPD used them (with revolvers), they lost several guns a week when the swivels broke. The Safety Speed Holster company (est. The holster is just as good today as it was decades ago. I never had to draw my gun prematurely as the clam shell was so fast that it was as if I always had my gun out. Available in seven colors, finishes and patterns, it is also available to accept pistols with a red dot (6360RDS shown) and/or those pistols equipped with a light. But good ones. The best Gun Leather Products for Shoulder Holsters, Law Enforcement, Western Rigs, Concealed Holsters, Police Duty Rigs. 2010. Nor was Ace being disrespectful of police generally, or California police officers specifically. Thanks for adding to the story of the clamshell! Pretty sure I stuffed my gun into my waistband on more than one occasion rather than reholster. The department let me carry it until I retired, our senior Sgt. I appreciate any response and or help!! 2016 to 2023 RevolverGuy.com, All Rights Reserved. Thank you Sir! The people should be forced to work and not depend on government for subsistence." So, the Serpa has an ancestor from the revolver era. Gould & Goodrich Gould and Goodrich Adjustable Tension Level 2 Leather Duty Holster. Designed specifically to work with popular weapon lights such as the Streamlight TLR-1 and the SureFire X300, the BlackHawk Epoch holster has an internal locking feature that hooks on the ejection port for a high degree of grab resistance. Here is a look at some of the current duty holsters that offer increased weapon protection. I am currently cleaning out my parents house. The most popular was the G&G holster that used a short section of leather covered spring steel on the front seam. From my experience in working with many officers from many states California police officers are some of the best trained and competent officers around. Thank you for the point out to AE Nelson Leather Company! Furthermore, the tightly-fitted interior of the holster helped to prevent cylinder rotation, which made the Jewett design resistant to accidental discharges while the gun was still in the holster. judged. $161.55 USD. A picture is below, my revolver is not for sale. Thanks for writing in! Case Shape: Fitted. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. Im glad I got to see these holsters being used. Tell your friends! As low as $102.99. One of them with a Model 19 and a three row speedloader pouch. $1500 by the time it was done. For most officers, the breakfront offered an ideal combination of speed, security, and ease of use, which made it the King of police duty holsters in the revolver era. Beinfield Publishing. Im working on a crossdraw article where Lewis will get a mention! I saw some clamshells worn by LAPD vets. The holster would beat your leg to death if you didnt hold it when you ran. Thanks David! For more information, visit safariland.com or call 800-347-1200. Safariland 070 SSIII. Im afraid I now own a vast collection of 80s breakfronts Ill never use as well as a new in the bag Safety Speed Clam shell. The Safety Speed offered an improvement with its cutout trigger pocket, but the Model 2800 took a different approach. Were having fun here and Im glad youre enjoying the ride! Thanks. 'NO BUCKLE' $32.97 0 Bids or Buy It Now 5d 19h See Details Vintage Flashlight Yonkers NY Police Black Patent leather Holster $20.16 Buy It Now or Best Offer See Details $134.00. In its day, the breakfront was perhaps the most popular police duty holster of all. A handgun holster is a device used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use.Holsters are often attached to a belt or waistband, but they may be attached to other locations of the body (e.g., the ankle holster). For most officers, the breakfrontofferedanideal combination of speed, security, and ease of use, which made it the King of police duty holsters in the revolver era. A few classics are still with us. I mean, grab the grip and just raise that thing like you were just holding at your side. All that said, I do appreciate the research and history lesson. 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. The Rapid Force Duty Holster protects your firearm so that you can protect and serve. Black Leather. I really miss the term decoy snap. So many officers had these when I was completing my internship in 1987. Its hard to know without seeing the holster, but Im going to take my best guess, and maybe it will be helpful. Justin. In operation, the two halves were folded together against the spring pressure and were held closed by a latching mechanism in the front seam of the holster. The swivel belt loop is in good shape and swivels freely. I just have to find a good sample, first. One might even be an old Hoyt, but the others are shoemakers. Fascinating and informative article, keep up the good work! I always chuckled at those swivel holsters. Industries (located in Dulce, New Mexico), had the notable distinction of producing clamshells for the LAPD under contract, beginning in the late 1960s. Thanks! We do offer a $50 Rush Fee option if you need your order within two weeks. The Model 2800 Judge incorporated other helpful features, such as a Bucheimer-style thumb break that was more easily operated than the finger-release of the Model 27 or early Safety Speed, and also more resistant to a snatch attempt. I was not aware these dangerous holsters were even still made. The tiger shark wears like iron, Ive had a belt and IWB holster made of it for the last 18 years and it is nearly indestructible plus it wont melt. Due to the quality of the holster and the customer service, I have purchased one for every pistol I have. This holster has not been used ammo loops have never had any ammo in them and holster has a scratches from having a revolver been inserted. The advantage to the design was that a full and uninterrupted grip could be achieved on the gun while it was in the holster. (206)678-6640/P.O. It was$200! The MSRPs forthese holsters start at $108. The customer service matches the product too (if you can believe that!). He jacked a round in while I yelled to stop, but I had my S&W in my hand instantly and fired first at 70 ft. The Chief had wanted him gone for years and that was the latest ploy. Nov 2, 2022. Combining speed with security. The base of the polycarbonate spine incorporated a lock for the guns muzzle, which trapped it in position and prevented it from being rotated out the front of the holster by pushing downwards on the revolver grip. I have my fathers, Stockton PD 1941-73, full belt rig with Jewett Clamshell w/38 Police Special. No hangups at all. Keep Reading. Hey Mike, if you ever get a chance I think a great review for fighting gunleather would be the old Safariland model 275. Their uniforms are somewhat unique in that they don't wear shoulder patches; however, their traffic officers wear them. 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. Rating: Bianchi Accumold Elite 7920 Defender II Level 2 Duty Holster. Dont know where it came from. The pic below was taken by my friend JayCee of his USAF issued M15. The holster is rugged as hell. Thanks for your hard work. Level 3 - Has two retention methods plus . Hoyt was happy to personalize the rigs by stamping your name and employee#/badge on the back of the holster. 2010? As for being in the same place everytime it has a block that keeps it from rotating backward. For those interested: http://aenelson.hostcentric.com/index.php?cPath=27_40_56_62. The design required the user to put his finger into the trigger guard to release the gun, which led to some negligent discharges when officers fumbled the draw. The MSRPs for these holsters start at $108. This seller consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped on time, and replied quickly to any messages they received. The MSRP starts at $147. This item ships free to the US. Gotta love pilot humor! Nelson, for continuing to make such iconic police equipment during these days when holsters are made of faux leather, space-aged plastics, and kydex! I was recently involved in an incident where an assailant attacked me from behind and made several attempts to extract my weapon out of its holster. I believe they were the finest revolver duty holsters ever made. The Stanroy Holster company of Bakersfield, California began production around 1935 and continued until sometime into the late 1960s, with the company establishing a new address in Compton, California, along the way. Bianchi didnt give up though, and the company was successful in meeting the demands of large agencies like the California Highway Patrol (1970) and the Los Angeles Police Department (1972), whichmade the Model 27 holster standard issuefor their officers. Ayoob, Massad. No helos shot, nothing else destroyed but my pride and $600 later that day to buy them a new freezer. Thats pretty neat, Dave! It sold well in the United States, but it was the selection of the BOSS as the standard issue holster for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and all the provincial and territorial police departments in Canada, which kept Rogers in the holster business. When drawing the gun upwards, the long barrels slowed things down, and sometimes the tip of the barrel or the front sight would snag on the mouth of the pouch as the gun was rotated, frustrating the effort to make a clean and smooth draw. C. Rusty Sherick still makes one. I know about 3 of the guys I work with have 'em. They certainly make the cows happy, if not the traditionalists. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I carried one my whole career. 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!