Lobo Posted June 13, 2011 Author Report Posted June 13, 2011 OK Rayban ...... here is the one going to the local chapter of the "Friend's of the NRA" for their annual auction. A lot more 'fancy' than most of my stuff, but the same holster anyhoo. The more current version has a retention strap across the front of the hammer. This one is more historically correct, as most believe that the original had the thong ..... from somewhere between 1915 and 1920.or so. No one knows where that first one went. Mike P.S. I think an old Model-19 blue steel shooter would look better in this one, rather than my old M-64. But I do believe that they are one of the fastest wheelgun holsters made .....with either the thong or a humb break. PM sent with photo of Tom Threepersons' original holster. This is the photo that my carver used to replicate the original carving pattern. Quote Lobo Gun Leather serious equipment for serious business, since 1972 www.lobogunleather.com
Members Haystacker Posted June 14, 2011 Members Report Posted June 14, 2011 OK Rayban ...... here is the one going to the local chapter of the "Friend's of the NRA" for their annual auction. A lot more 'fancy' than most of my stuff, but the same holster anyhoo. The more current version has a retention strap across the front of the hammer. This one is more historically correct, as most believe that the original had the thong ..... from somewhere between 1915 and 1920.or so. No one knows where that first one went. Mike P.S. I think an old Model-19 blue steel shooter would look better in this one, rather than my old M-64. But I do believe that they are one of the fastest wheelgun holsters made .....with either the thong or a humb break. I figured if it came up missing from that long ago, either you or Lobo took it! Quote haysholsters@hotmail.com NRA Life Member
Members katsass Posted June 16, 2011 Members Report Posted June 16, 2011 (edited) Early in my career I carried a 4" S&W Model 66 as a duty weapon in a Bianci "Judge" clamshell holster. It was spring loaded at the back but you had to pull the weapon through the front against the spring pressure. It was a real pain in the a$$. Having to use both hands to put a weapon back in the holster made it totaly unacceptable for me. Rick, IIRC, the 'Judge', by old John Bianchi, among others, was actually made somewhat later in time than the true 'clamshell', and were called 'Breakfront' holsters. They had a few problems in that (as you noted) it took a bit of effort to shove the weapon out the front and through the heavy spring tension. The second problem occurred when you finally got the shooter out. By virtue of the force required to push the gun through the spring, inertia kept it going, and you invariably ended up with you pop gun pointing towards the stars! There was also a cross draw version that utilized the same strong spring, but that you had to pull the shooter through, rather than shove it. Neither were great holsters. Not too surprisingly, they resulted in a number of UD's (Unintentional discharges ......I don't believe in the "accidental" type) The true 'clamshell' holster was a two piece rig, hinged along the back side (the side where the trigger guard is) and also loaded with a strong coil spring. To draw your weapon, you gripped the gun as normal, but then you inserted your trigger finger into the trigger guard, (right on top of the trigger!) and pushed a concealed button. This released a latch in the front side of the holster and the spring loaded half (total front side) of the holster popped open, dumping the shooter in your mitt.......hopefully.(Open, they resembled an open ....you got it...clam shell) An accidental bump and often your pricey shooter hit the black-top. Mike Edited June 16, 2011 by katsass Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
Members RickHodges Posted June 16, 2011 Members Report Posted June 16, 2011 Kat, I can't see how either of those ideas (clamshell or open front) were very good at all. Somewhere as I grew older I learned to appreciate the KISS principle. The more geegaws and mechanical stuff, the more the chances of a major screw up. I am a big fan of thumb breaks though. Thanks for the clarification. Rick Quote
Members katsass Posted June 16, 2011 Members Report Posted June 16, 2011 Kat, I can't see how either of those ideas (clamshell or open front) were very good at all. Somewhere as I grew older I learned to appreciate the KISS principle. The more geegaws and mechanical stuff, the more the chances of a major screw up. I am a big fan of thumb breaks though. Thanks for the clarification. Rick I agree with you Rick, on the thumb break. I really do not like the newer 'security' levels of holsters. Just too damned many things to do while trying to get your shooter out. Took a BUNCH of practice everytime we got a 'new and improved' version. Mike Quote NOTE TO SELF: Never try to hold a cat and an operating Dust buster at the same time!! At my age I find that I can live without sex..........but not without my glasses. Being old has an advantage.......nobody expects me to do anything in a hurry.
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