A couple of interesting holsters....

Goony · #1 08-28-2011, 01:46 PM

First is what might seem like a pretty pedestrian black basketweave law enforcement duty holster from the 1970's or 80's. However, instead of being the usual Safety Speed or Safariland brand, it's made in Australia by Hellwig. Marked as being for a K-frame with a 4" barrel, it incorporates an interesting dual retention system. There's a conventional snap strap over the hammer, but also a leather covered spring bar that presses the gun backwards so that the triggerguard is wedged under a second fixed strap. To draw the revolver, it must be initially shoved forward against the spring bar to clear the triggerguard.

The second is a much more ordinary design, but is neat in that it's specifically sized to accommodate the Model of 1917 (either the Colt or S&W version, I presume). Central Sporting Goods & Loan still exists as a firearms retailer at the same address that's on the holster. Maybe someone from the Seattle area can provide some historical background regarding Central Sporting and perhaps even shed some light on who might have actually made this holster back in the day.

turnerriver · #2 08-28-2011, 02:42 PM

The 1917 holster was almost certainly made by A.E. Nelson. His grandchildren still make holsters in Oregon,they have a website.He made store brand holsters for a lot of West Coast & western sporting good & hardware stores like Warshal's,the San Francisco Gun Exchange & others. I even have a shotgun shell box carrier he made stamped Abercrombie & Fitch.
Regards,
turnerriver
SWCA # 1426

27145 · #3 08-28-2011, 04:28 PM

I had one of these back in 1984, but they weren't authorized by my job, it was made by safariland. I ended up going back to the authorized swivel holster.

Goony · #4 08-28-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 27145

I had one of these back in 1984, but they weren't authorized by my job, it was made by safariland. I ended up going back to the authorized swivel holster.

Well, that raises some questions. Was the design patented by Safariland? Made by Hellwig under license? Produced in Australia because no patent had been granted there? Nothing marked on my version that gives any clue as to these points....

27145 · #5 08-28-2011, 07:29 PM

Sorry, I no longer have the holster and do not know the rest of the details.

Back in 1995, on NYPD I transitioned to a 5946 the authorized holster was a Safariland (laminate leather look) duty holster system that had the same basic retention system. It looked basically the same, only it was for a semi auto. You unsnapped it, then rocked it forward to remove the gun.