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Old 04-24-2018, 05:08 PM
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Default Mystery Barton’s Special

Last year, in June, SAFireman very generously ran a karma for a Barton’s Special for a Colt Detective Special, saying “I have a very nice, floral carved holster. I bought this thinking that it would fit a K frame - it does not. One of our esteemed forum experts thinks that it may fit a Colt Detective Special.”

I have a Detective Special, 2nd model, entered the karma, and was fortunate enough to win it, much to my delighted surprise. All SAFireman asked in return was that I post a photo of my DS in the holster. I promised to do so after returning to the US from my Japan residence.

Here it is:







I also asked resident expert Turnerriver to offer his opinion on the piece. Having seen the holster, he initially explained, from memory: “It is at least a high quality copy of a Barton's Special holster as made by S.D. Myres, it may have been made by Myres...” Then, after further reviewing photos: “My guess is that your holster is a copy of a Myres holster, a very good high quality copy. Holsters were ordered without a maker's logo and of course some leather workers moonlighted so your holster could be an unattributed Myres or a well made knockoff. It's a nice one no matter who made it.”

I think it a very fine holster indeed, and I am delighted to have won the karma, but.... I am not sure it is meant for a DS. While it slips in easily enough, it is not a snug fit around the trigger guard. And it will fall right out if held upside down

I am thinking maybe we need to continue the search for the correct handgun. Or, am I just unfamiliar with how these vintage holsters fit?

What say you?


Last edited by Onomea; 04-24-2018 at 05:34 PM. Reason: added gap pic
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Old 04-24-2018, 07:27 PM
Buford57 Buford57 is offline
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Beautiful work and just the gun for it. I wouldn't put too much stock in the fact that it isn't form-fitting. I recall that Milt Sparks used retention without a strap or thong as a selling point for his Summer Special 30-odd years ago. Up to that time retention was accomplished either with of those devices or a "gimmick" like the trigger guard catch on the Jaypee or a clamshell.

Oddly we went from that to various levels of mechanical retention (scientific gimmicks) for open carry Milt's approach became standard for concealed.
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Old 04-24-2018, 07:44 PM
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Does not appear to seat all the way . Trigger guard does not seat all the way . Did you try a J frame ? J frames being just slightly smaller , it may seat deeper and fit more snug . Or , ...it could just be the pictures . .

Eddie
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Last edited by Eddie Southgate; 04-25-2018 at 04:34 PM.
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Old 04-24-2018, 08:07 PM
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Got a 640-1 in Hawaii, but not here. All I have here in Oregon is the DS and an M65. I’m thinking could be a J-frame, too. Or, maybe a small auto?
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Old 04-25-2018, 09:40 AM
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I'm thinking that if it's a wee bit small for a DS, an I or J frame would be the next logical step in the process of elimination. Send it to me and I'll be happy to try my ol' 36 in it.

Mark
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Old 04-25-2018, 06:34 PM
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I have this one that was supposed to fit the model 10 with 2" barrel,
but you can see it is a little loose. I don't worry though because of
the retention strap. It has the nice carving and lacing. Only stamp on
it on the back says MEXICO.
Anyone have a guess who made it? My guess would be Reyes.
The little belt is Sheridan style carved and from Justin,
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File Type: jpg SAM_0926.jpg (103.8 KB, 172 views)
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Old 04-25-2018, 08:03 PM
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I am glad that you finally mated it with a Colt....I am somewhat puzzled as the best experts from the SWCA thought that it was for a Colt DS.

I guess that it is going to be a mystery for a while. Keep us posted on any new developments....I just know that there is a really cool gun to go with that holster.

...ps.....your photos are far better than mine
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Old 04-26-2018, 12:16 AM
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Onomea,
The holster is very nice and you are fortunate to have it. I, too, think the gun needs to seat a little further down in the holster. When you find out what model does that, the retention will obviously be much better. JMHO.

BTW, I would think traveling between Hawaii, Japan, and Oregon would be fun and tiring. I would like to try it.......for a while.
Larry
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Old 04-26-2018, 12:21 PM
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I have no idea what it fits, but my first thought from first glance was the DS didn't fit properly. Neat holster though.
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Old 04-26-2018, 06:47 PM
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My first real pistol was a Detective Special. A pretty blue.
Nice leather. Real nice DS.
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Old 04-26-2018, 06:53 PM
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Okay, guys and gals, with SAFireman’s concurrence, it’s going back up as a karma: http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/...#post140015682
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Old 04-26-2018, 10:21 PM
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Default Nice holster rig

might try a Colt Bankers Special..........based on the Police Positive not PPSpecial so Shorter in frame and cylinder.......
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Old 04-27-2018, 12:38 AM
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I would look inside the bottom opening and look for marks of a slide from a semi auto. The width of the bottom opening "speaks" a small auto to me.
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Old 04-27-2018, 07:56 AM
Leslie Sapp Leslie Sapp is offline
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Nice holster! As to the "what fits it" issue, there's only one solution- keep buy various snub nosed revolvers until you find one that fits.
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