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Old 06-19-2017, 06:17 AM
Naphtali Naphtali is offline
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Default Upside down break-front shoulder holsters

Berns-Martin and, later, Bianchi made upside down break-front shoulder holsters. Bianchi's was the Model 9 (more than one version??). The few I've seen were made for S&W "J" frame and Colt "D" frame revolvers. Bianchi's was harness-detachable and capable of metamorphosing to a strong side break-front for belt carry.

Has any manufacturer or custom maker offered such a spring-operated holster for use with 4-inch Colt "D" frame Detective Special revolvers? Is such a holster currently available?
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Old 06-19-2017, 06:57 AM
crazyphil crazyphil is offline
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My BIANCHI 9-R shown below is marked 2 1/2" 357. So it was made
for the snub nosed Model 19. But in my photo it is holding my Colt Agent.
The Agent is same size as Detective Special. It fits snug and tight. I can
shake it over the bed and it will not fall out.

There is another thread on here somewhere where Red Nichols
explains a lot about your subject.

PS The later "improved" version of the 9R Special Agent had
belt slots that allowed the option of carrying the holster on
the belt either left or right side.

The upside down shoulder holster is being made by some
makers, but I don't know if they have belt slots or not.
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Old 06-19-2017, 03:56 PM
L Pete L Pete is offline
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In the old days, Safariland made some upside down holsters, but the method of retention was a little different. There were no springs, just a piece of elastic across the front of the holster. They made them for J-frames, K-frames, and various Colts, which included 4" barreled models. I carried a Model 67 in one for quite a while. It was quite comfortable, and pretty secure. Your revolver wouldn't even come close to falling out. Old Safariland leather was good stuff, and I wished they still made some of the models that were made back then, but alas, I guess there's not much of a market for that kind of stuff in this day and time. I also used the Bianchi for a J-frame back then, but I've never seen a Berns & Martin holster in person.

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Old 06-19-2017, 05:28 PM
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rednichols rednichols is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by L Pete View Post
In the old days, Safariland made some upside down holsters, but the method of retention was a little different. There were no springs, just a piece of elastic across the front of the holster. They made them for J-frames, K-frames, and various Colts, which included 4" barreled models. I carried a Model 67 in one for quite a while. It was quite comfortable, and pretty secure. Your revolver wouldn't even come close to falling out. Old Safariland leather was good stuff, and I wished they still made some of the models that were made back then, but alas, I guess there's not much of a market for that kind of stuff in this day and time. I also used the Bianchi for a J-frame back then, but I've never seen a Berns & Martin holster in person.
Indeed only Safariland made this style for the 4" revolvers. The long barrel added to retention because of the added resistance to the revolver being pulled from the shrouding of the trigger guard. Very, very good design. You will still find them on auction sights. Their 1968 catalogue with the Model 19 holster:

1968 safariland cat (7).jpg
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Old 06-20-2017, 05:31 PM
L Pete L Pete is offline
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Yep, that's it.......they worked great.......
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