By the time of the Bianchi Model 2800, most folks assumed the design features of the breakfront had reached a certain level of maturity where there wasnt a lot of room for improvement. Dont repeat this (Ill deny I was there), but there is a shrine in his house dedicated to the Lee Enfield rifles, and to the Webley and Smith & Wesson revolvers. Im glad you enjoyed the article and hope youll find more to enjoy in these pages! After carrying my issue Sig in my issue safety holster I became nostalgic for the breakfronts of my youth and started a search for a Bianchi 27. When Uncle Sam adopted the Italian-made, Beretta 92SB/F pistol as the M9 in 1985, it accelerated a trend that had already begun in American law enforcement of switching from revolvers to semiautomatic pistols. For more information, visit blackhawk.com or call 800-379-1732. 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. Holster Finder | Shop Our Collection at LA Police Gear 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 Wondernine Wars of the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s were soon in full swing, and when the dust settled, the revolver was mostly history as a primary duty gun. Please see my other web gear and US Military Police auctions. The safety strap had a decoy snap on the outside, and a low profile thumb break release on the inside, which enhanced security. To hold the halves closed, the 2800 incorporated a pair of powerful springs that started behind the cylinder, running up and over it on each side, then down the length of the leading edge, to the very bottom. Copyright 2023 This is a big part of the reason that these holsters were disapproved for duty use in the CHP by the early 1960s. The spring made a pop when the clamshell opened, which could potentially be an issue (some officers learned to restrict the opening of the clamshell with the support hand when noise discipline was important). 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. Dont discount a clamshell holster because you were not able to operate it. Our Price: $23.95 Now: $20.99. $299.00. Create Account; Log Out ; Log In ; Wishlist 0; Shopping Cart 0; Home; About 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? The pic below was taken by my friend JayCee of his USAF issued M15. When the LAPD settled on six inch .38 Special revolvers in the late 1930s, they also embraced the clamshell, issuing the Safety Speed model by the 1940s. Also great for retention, all you had to do was hold it shut or swing it up and trap it against your rib cage. Just wanted to drop a line and express my appreciation for the quality products you produce and excellent customer service. Copies of the Bulletin came with a letter from J Edgar Hoover. I still have it. They had a small army of advisors who worked with scriptwriters, actors and directors to ensure that scenarios, uniforms, equipment, tactics and terminology were authentic. 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. Im glad you hung onto it. 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Rating: Bianchi Accumold Elite 7920 Defender II Level 2 Duty Holster. Mine sprung almost 180 degrees, so it was tough to put the weapon back and next to impossible with one hand. The laminate produced by Rogers Holster Company offered many advantages over traditional leather construction, such as resistance to moisture (including water, blood, gasoline, etc. I left before autos came in. Tex Shoemaker NJ 63 Plain Black Police Duty Holster P7M8 P7M13 Leather Lined. Officer Mike Leverett, Head Firearms Instructor at Chicago PD "Your holster saved my life! Hello Mike: Like the other readers, I really enjoyed the history on how the clamshell holster came to be. Vintage Police Don Hume RH Leather Swivel Holster with 12 Cartridge The MSRPs for these holsters start at $125. Im very happy with holster and mag pouch . Ace. The two halves of the clamshell were shaped on the inside to fit the gun tightly, so that when the clamshell was locked closed, it would be extremely difficult-practically impossibleto pull the gun out the top of the holster. For those interested: http://aenelson.hostcentric.com/index.php?cPath=27_40_56_62. Free shipping for many products! AWESOME JOB! This also helped to retain the gun and resist an upwards draw, in conjunction with the metal-reinforced cylinder cups. I still have 2 of them. Item Name: FS Akah German Police Holster Vintage Location: Blairsville Zip Code: 30512 Item is for: Sale Only Sale Price: 40 Willing to Ship: Yes Bill of Sale Required? Combining speed with security. The Model 2800 Judge also improved on the cylinder cutouts of the Hoyt, Model 27 and Safety Speed breakfronts by sandwiching a pair of metal cups in between the layers of leather, to hold the cylinder in place. Truly amazing craftsmanship and attention to detail. Oklahoma Leather Western-Style Open Top Loop Holster Left Hand 1851, 1858, 1860, 1861 Black Powder Revolver 8" Barrel Leather Brown. For departments issuing the Night-Ops Xiphos weapon light, there is a SERPA holster that will accommodate that as well. They do indeed offer breakfronts, and they look neat! Username or email *, Email address *. $30.62. If this is your first visit be sure to check out the frequently asked questions by clicking here. Rapid Force Duty Holster - Best Level 3 Police Holster | Alien Gear I about broke it trying to figure out a way to sneak the gun out of it. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. MSRP: $38.00. Add to Cart Compare. Copyright 2023 My favorite is the Don Hume model H901. Full grain genuine leather, inside the waist band holster with clip. The Model 27 used a sheet metal lining (later upgraded to tempered spring steel) in the belt loop to hold the holster offset from the hip for jacket clearance. Industries (located in Dulce, New Mexico), had the notable distinction of producing clamshells for the LAPD under contract, beginning in the late 1960s. Vintage Leather POLICE BELT Jay Pee. Your email address will not be published. With a pop of a spring and a flash of motion, a bad guy immediately found himself staring down a sixgun barrel before he could even blink! Vintage Clamshell Gun Holster Police. Hooray! Thanks Tim, thats actually on my radar! Buyer's Club $29.69 Non-Member $32.99. The H901 is one of the few duty holsters that works with a spurless hammer and yet is still very secure. For more information on this holster, visit gouldusa.com or call 800-277-0732. Public debt should be reduced. I appreciate any response and or help!! Thank you so much for making this for me. I have my fathers, Stockton PD 1941-73, full belt rig with Jewett Clamshell w/38 Police Special. The holster will last as long as your pistol. As I mentioned after reading your book, I carried a 4 clamshell until the department (LAPD) wouldnt allow them any longer. IWB (18) OWB (23) Cross Draw (5) If the leather is dry, make sure to use a little neatsfoot oil to preserve it. Seller: sfniners (2,626) 100% +C $29.91 shipping. The Bianchi Accumold Cruiser Safariland's 7365 Level III Retention holster is a secure and convenient carrying Safariland's MidRide holster provides Level II Retention, striking a versatile Pro-2 Dual Retention Holsters are equal parts speed and safety. . I am guessing that I am the last police officer to ever carry the clam shell holster. To open it up, the user inserted the index finger of his gun hand into the area of the trigger guard, and pushed inwards on a camouflaged button (that was hidden underneath a layer of leather, just forward of the trigger face) to release the latch, at which point the halves rapidly separated under spring pressure, releasing the gun. Richard, welcome aboard! Thanks David! Required fields are marked *. 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. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out Gods wrath on the wrongdoer." Thats pretty neat, Dave! 3.2 out of 5 star rating (21 reviews) . FEATURES Full grain genuine leather handcuff holder Will fit one pair of handcuffs The holder is a BELT CLIP . Lots of officers wanted that holster when I retired but I still have it. 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. I worked for a suburban SoCal department adjacent to LAPD. Vintage Leather Police Swivel Holster - Etsy The design required . The pocket had an open, breakfront-style seam down the front, and was held closed by a safety strap that wrapped around the front. The clam shell was an awesome system for those who were well trained with it. The Chief had wanted him gone for years and that was the latest ploy. The Safariland Model 6360 ALS/SLS Mid-Ride Level III retention duty holster is a popular rig for law enforcement. Holsters designed for use in professional law enforcement. Go figure. Hi Ron, Im glad you enjoyed the article. There are currently 33844 users online. The K391 has a suggested retail price of $166. It uses an ALS to help secure the gun, and it also has an optional Sentry system. Even after the department finally switched to a high ride breakfront holster made by Bianchi in the mid-1970s, Los Angeles police officers were allowed to purchase their own clamshells and use them on duty, which they did with great enthusiasm into the 1980s. The leather-Kydex laminate WRATH was a breakfront design with a closed muzzle at the bottom. Two Way Radio Carrying Cases and Belt Clips It was sexy, and reeked of the gunfighter mystique. They were purchased in the 1960s and were used to arm Air Police/Security Police, PJs, pilots and other aircrew. 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.