Bucheimer and Bucheimer-Clark holster fit charts - 1953-1975 & later
Inserting this explanation in September, 2021 ---
As noted elsewhere, this is a continuing work in progress. It's gone on so long that I am in the classic position of having forgotten more than I'll ever know - or something like that. I have to look again each time I go back. Credit to the many who have contributed especially Red Nichols and John Witty. (Buy their book!!)
Craig SG-688
How to read Bucheimer and Bucheimer-Clark holster codes:
Generally the first numbers and letters stamped on the back of the holster designate the model of the holster; the numbers after the dash designate the size. Letter prefixes and suffixes indicate options, such as color - if different than brown - black [B], in later years Clarino [C], russet [R], lining [L], no lining [U], floral carving [F], basket stamping [W], left hand [LH], and a new discovery - [E] for elastic straps.
With a few exceptions, this is not a chart of model numbers. Too many for that. The chart is searchable for the fit number.
To find what handgun fits a holster, search only for the numbers after the dash. A few exceptions, like the Hank Sloan and Pacemaker, may not have a dash and require letters and/or numbers in addition to the numbers for the correct search result.
AND THEN -- the fit code numbers are not unique. The same number may appear with several different handguns depending upon the era and the model of holster. Inference may be required. A large holster for a handgun with a long barrel probably does not fit a Chief Special.
One other twist repeated from below:
For late Bucheimer holsters with a multi-digit system as on the FBI Concealer holsters 01-604-16. (3 inch Model 13)
The first two numbers:
01 - holster
02 - belt
03 - clubs and saps
04 - ammunition and magazine carriers
The second series = the model number
The third series = holster fit code
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Inserting this explanation in August 2020 ---
Bucheimer and Bucheimer-Clark were sister companies.
It's all very muddled, even after looking for corporate records. Red Nichols has an as-much-as-we-know summary in one of his recent blog entries.
J. M. Bucheimer Co (Frederick, Maryland)
An old line company dating to the turn of the century (that other one) as a holster company. Bucheimer ended in the late 1980's, acknowledging guesswork because of our lack of official records.
Bucheimer-Clark Corp, 6314 S. Broadway, Los Angeles 3, California.
A combination of Bucheimer and the LA based Clark holster company - dating to about 1920 - incorporated in 1959. Dissolved in 1970 when both came under the Tandy corporation. The last B-C catalog we have is dated 1978.
And then there were holsters marked Thompson, Thompson-Clark and Clark (Anaheim) using the B-C designs. Red was acquainted with Thompson as an LA company attempting inroads into the 70's police market. Then holsters from the other two have popped up recently.
Jan. 2021: Also now we've found Clark (Coachella, CA) which might explain the coach symbol!! More to come.
A company recently using the B-C name is not related to the others.
Jan. 2021: adding a 1971 Bucheimer fit chart in a pdf.
Oct. 2021: more additions; updated attached pdf.
May, 2022: added code for Colt Diamondback and updated attachments
July, 2022: added Ruger DA Security Six revolvers and Sig-Sauer 220
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(Start of original post, much modified, from 2012)
Never thought there would be a demand for this, but apparently there is. My catalog doesn't show a unified model number chart, so I had to construct one.
PS ...and edit... --- As noted by others, Bucheimer size markings seem to have been changed multiple times.
Multiple additions and corrections have been made since the original post. Now into ... 2024. Both Bucheimer and Bucheimer-Clark sizes are listed.
The PDF lists attached have been updated and modified.
Generally the first numbers/letters stamped on the back designate the model of the holster; the numbers after the dash designate the size. Letters indicate options such as color, lining, carving and basket stamping. Also LH for left hand...
Craig
======= Adding this to the top to make it easier to find =========
A September 2018 addition from Turnerriver.
For late Bucheimer holsters with a multi-digit system as on the FBI Concealer holsters 01-604-16.
The first two numbers:
01 - holster
02 - belt
03 - clubs and saps
04 - ammunition and magazine carriers
The second series = the model number
The third series = holster fit code
============= =============== ================
Bucheimer & Bucheimer-Clark Holster Chart -- by make
1980's Ruger Security/Service/Speed 6 and Taurus DA revolvers added to many listings for S&W K frame size revolvers.
1 = Derringer
1 = HS Hi Standard Derringer
1 = GER Derringer, German
15 = .25 Automatics, Standard Frame Size
17 = .32 & .380 Automatics, U.S. and Foreign
2BR = Browning .25 Automatic
80 = Browning Hi Power
30 = Walther PPK/s
77 = Walther PPK/s
2 = Colt .25 Automatic
3 = Colt .32 & .380 Automatic
4 = Colt Police Positive 4”
22 = Colt Diamondback, 2½
23 / 22-4 = Colt Diamondback 4”
42 = Colt Detective Spec., Agent, Cobra 2”
43 = Colt Detective Spec., Agent, Cobra 3”
44 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 4”
45 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 5”
46 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 6”
54 = Colt O.P. Mk. III, Metro Mk. III, Trooper 4”
56 = Colt O.P. Mk. III, Metro Mk. III, Trooper 6”
62 = Colt Python, 2½
64 = Colt Python, Trooper Mk. III 4”
66 = Colt Python, Trooper Mk. III 6”
74 = Colt Commander
75 = Colt Government Model
76 = Colt Officer Model Match 6”
11 = S&W Chief Special, Terrier, 2”
12 = S&W M&P, Combat Master 2”
13 = S&W Chief Special, Terrier 3”
14 = S&W Military & Police, Combat Master 4”
16 = S&W Military & Police, Combat Master 6”
16 = S&W M&P Mdl. 13 3" in FBI Concealer
24 = S&W .357 Magnum, Highway Patrol 3½ - 4”
25 = S&W .357 Magnum 5”
26 = S&W .357 Magnum, Highway Patrol 6”
34 = S&W K22, K32, K38 Masterpiece 4”, S&W Model 19 4”
34M = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum 4”
36 = S&W K22, K32, K38 Masterpiece 6”, S&W Model 19 6”
36M = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum 6”
52 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 2½”
53 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 4”
55 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 6”
78 = S&W Model 59
79 = S&W Model 39
84 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 4”
85 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 5” (inferred)
86 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 6”
58 = Hi Standard Sentinel MK I, MK IV 2”
59 = Dan Wesson 11, 12 Hi Standard Sentinel MK II, MK III, 2 1/2”
60 = Dan Wesson 14, 15 Hi Standard Sentinel MK II, MK III, 4”
14RU = Ruger Service Six 4”
52RU = Ruger Security Six 2 ¾”
53RU = Ruger Security Six 4”
81 = Sig-Sauer 220 series auto pistol
90 = Steyr GB 9 mm
Model 9 Break Front Holster - Bucheimer/Clark
4S = Small Frame, 4”
4M = Medium Frame, 4”
5 = Large Frame, 4”
6S = Small Frame, 6”
6M = Medium Frame, 6”
7 = Large Frame, 6”
Shoulder Holster Size / Model Chart – Revolvers
151 = S&W Chief, Colt Det., Charter, 2”
152 = S&W Model 19, Colt Python 2”, 2 ½”
153 = S&W Chief, Colt Det., Charter, 3”
154 = Small, medium, large frame revolvers, 4”
156 = S&W Model 25, 28, 29, 57, 6”, 6 ½”
Shoulder Holster Size / Model Chart – Automatics
144 = Colt Commander
145 = Colt Gov’t .45
149 = S&W Model 39, 59
150 = Browning Hi Power
Single Action Revolvers
91 = Ruger .22 Magnum, 6 ½”
93 = Ruger .22 Single Six, 5 ½”
94 = Ruger .22 Bearcat
95 = Ruger .357 Blackhawk, 4 5/8”
96 = Ruger .44 Blackhawk, 6 ½”
97 = Hi Standard Double Nine, 5 ½”
98 = Colt SAA 5 1/2”
98-72 = Colt SAA, 7 ½”
99 = Colt .22 Scout, 4 ¾”
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Bucheimer & Bucheimer-Clark Holster Chart – by number
1 = Derringer
1 = GER Derringer, German
1 = HS Hi Standard Derringer
2 = Colt .25 Automatic
2 BR = Browning .25 Automatic
3 = Colt .32 & .380 Automatic
4 = Colt Police Positive 4”
4S = Small Frame, 4” (Model 9 Break Front)
4M = Medium Frame, 4” (Model 9 Break Front)
5 = Large Frame, 4” (Model 9 Break Front)
6S = Small Frame, 6” (Model 9 Break Front)
6M = Medium Frame, 6” (Model 9 Break Front)
7 = Large Frame, 6” (Model 9 Break Front)
11 = S&W Chief Special, Terrier, 2”
12 = S&W M&P, Combat Master 2”
13 = S&W Chief Special, Terrier 3”
14 = S&W Military & Police, Combat Master 4”
14RU = Ruger Service Six 4”
15 = .25 Automatics, Standard Frame Size
16 = S&W Military & Police, Combat Master 6”
16 = S&W M&P Mdl. 13 3" in FBI Concealer
17 = .32 & .380 Automatics, U.S. and Foreign
22 = Colt Diamondback, 2½
23 / 22-4 = Colt Diamondback 4”
24 = S&W .357 Magnum, Highway Patrol 3½ - 4”
25 = S&W .357 Magnum 5”
26 = S&W .357 Magnum, Highway Patrol 6”
30 = Walther PPK/s
34 = S&W K22, K32, K38 Masterpiece 4”, S&W Model 19 4”
34 M = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum 4”
36 = S&W K22, K32, K38 Masterpiece 6”, S&W Model 19 6”
36 M = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum 6”
42 = Colt Detective Spec., Agent, Cobra 2”
43 = Colt Detective Spec., Agent, Cobra 3”
44 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 4”
45 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 5”
46 = Colt Official Police, Marshall 6”
52 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 2½”
52RU = Ruger Security Six 2 ¾”
53 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 4”
53RU = Ruger Security Six 4”
54 = Colt O.P. Mk. III, Metro Mk. III, Trooper 4”
55 = S&W Model 19 Combat Magnum, 6”
56 = Colt O.P. Mk. III, Metro Mk. III, Trooper 6”
58 = Hi Standard Sentinel MK I, MK IV 2”
59 = Dan Wesson 11, 12 Hi Standard Sentinel MK II, MK III, 2 1/2”
60 = Dan Wesson 14, 15 Hi Standard Sentinel MK II, MK III, 4”
62 = Colt Python, 2½
64 = Colt Python, Trooper Mk. III 4”
66 = Colt Python, Trooper Mk. III 6”
74 = Colt Commander
75 = Colt Government Model
76 = Colt Officer Model Match 6”
77 = Walther PPK
78 = S&W Model 59
79 = S&W Model 39
80 = Browning Hi Power
81 = Sig Sauer 220 Series
84 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 4”
85 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 5” (inferred)
86 = S&W .41 & .44 Magnum 6”
90 = Steyr GB 9 mm
91 = Ruger .22 Magnum, 6 ½”
93 = Ruger .22 Single Six, 5 ½”
94 = Ruger .22 Bearcat
95 = Ruger .357 Blackhawk, 4 5/8”
96 = Ruger .44 Blackhawk, 6 ½”
97 = Hi Standard Double Nine, 5 ½”
98 = Colt SAA 5 1/2”
98-72 = Colt SAA, 7 ½”
99 = Colt .22 Scout, 4 ¾”
Shoulder Holsters B/C
144 = Colt Commander
145 = Colt Gov’t .45
149 = S&W Model 39, 59
150 = Browning Hi Power
151 = S&W Chief, Colt Det., Charter, 2”
152 = S&W Model 19, Colt Python 2”, 2 ½”
153 = S&W Chief, Colt Det., Charter, 3”
154 = Small, medium, large frame revolvers, 4”
156 = S&W Model 25, 28, 29, 57, 6”, 6 ½”
Shoulder holsters Bucheimer
342 = .25 Cal Auto
500 = 2” and 2 ½” barrel revolvers
503 = 3” barrel revolvers
504 = 4” barrel revolvers
505 = 5” barrel revolvers
506 = 6” barrel revolvers
510 = 4 3/4” .22 Target Auto
511 = 6 3/4” .22 Target Auto
520 = 2” small frame revolvers
532 = .32 & .380 Cal Auto
545 = .45 & .38 Super Cal Auto
Bucheimer Western style drop loop holsters
Model prefix – size number 1-9
1 = Colt Scout, Ruger, Hi-Standard .22 4 ¾”
2 = H&R, Ruger, Hi-Standard .22 5 ½”
3 = Ruger BKH, Colt SAA 4 ¾” 5 ½”
4 = Ruger BKH, Colt SAA 7 ½”
5 = Ruger BKH .44 6 ½” 7 ½”
6 = Ruger Bearcat .22
7 = Ruger, Colt New Frontier 5 ½” 6 ½”
8 = Ruger 9 ½”
9 = Colt, Hi-Standard Buntline .22 9 ½”
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Bucheimer police uniform holsters 1960’s / 1970’s
Colt Revolvers
Official Police, Marshall
40 / 45 = 4”
50 / 55 = 5”
60 / 65 = 6”
.357 Mag., Trooper, Python
49 = 4”
59 = 5”
69 = 6”
Cobra, Police Positive Special
44 = 4”
54 = 5”
64 = 6”
S&W Revolvers
Mil. & Pol., K Series, Combat Masterpiece, Combat Magnum
[Same numbers used for Colt Revolvers in later catalogs]
25 = 2”
45 = 4”
55 = 5”
65 = 6”
.357 Magnum Model 27, Highway Patrolman Model 28
42 = 3½“, 4”
52 = 5”
62 = 6”, 6½“
.44 Magnum Model 29
61 = 6½“
Other numbers used
15 = S&W Chief Special 2”
25 = Colt Python 2 ½”
30 = Heavy Frame Magnum 2”, 2 ½”
35 = Revolvers 3”
42 = Heavy Frame Magnum 4”
45 = Colt and S&W Medium and Large Frame Revolvers 4”
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Bucheimer Concealer holster – pancake style 1970’s
C – prefix added to usual Bucheimer 2 digit code
C1 = observed S&W M&P .38 2 1/2” not documented
C11 = S&W Chief, 2”
C12 = S&W M&P, 2”
C13 = S&W Chief, 3”
C14 = S&W Mdl 10, 4”
C14RU = Ruger Service Six 4”
C15 = observed S&K K 2” not documented
C34 = S&W Mdl. 15, 4”
C52 = S&W MDL. 19, 2½”
C52RU = Ruger Security Six 2 ¾”
C53 = S&W MDL. 19, 4”
C53RU = Ruger Security Six 4”
C78 = S&W MDL. 59
C79 = S&W MDL. 39
C42 = Colt Det., 2”
C43 = Colt Dt., 3”
C22 = Colt Diamondback, 2½”
C23 = Colt Diamondback, 4”
C54 = Colt O.P. MK Ill, 4”
C62 = Colt Python, 2½”
C64 = Colt Python, 4”
C74 = Colt Commander
C75 = Colt Gov’t.
C80 = Browning Hi Power
C77 = Walther PPKS
C81 = Sig Sauer 220 Series
01-604-16 FBI 3 inch model 13
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Bucheimer Buc-Hide synthetic leather holsters, belts and accessories
Single digit for item with C prefix and then usual Bucheimer 2 digit code.
e.g., 3C-11 for a Buc-Hide holster fitting a S&W Chief Special
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Clark holster fit size codes (1930-1959 before Bucheimer – Clark)
Observed Clark holsters have varied but are often seen with general size markings for frame size by caliber and barrel length, such as, 002, 32 2, 38 4, 45 5 ½.
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Thompson, Thompson – Clark, and Clark, Anaheim, CA
Observed holsters display a mix of the old Clark system with Bucheimer and Bucheimer – Clark model numbers and fit codes.
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More in the following posts.
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The black box attachments are PDF's of the fit charts plus a 1971 Bucheimer fit chart. -- and the 1976 catalog page for the popular Concealer pancake style holster with patented tunnel belt loops.
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Last edited by SG-688; 03-09-2024 at 03:56 PM.
Reason: added more
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