I have one of these, the type for a K frame with the cut out for the cylinder. Does anyone know how to adjust it or where to find the instructions for the rawhide straps? I need to fit the harness to the holster. Thx!

Oh man! I haven’t seen one of those in decades - we kept a few in stock for LE females who were pregnant, mostly gals working the desk.

I doubt there are much in the way of instructions available. The girls just figured them out.

Do you have a picture?

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Lol! I’m lost.

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The loop above the holster goes over your left shoulder. Adjust the straps so the gun grip is at a comfortable height. the end of the straps , with the buckles is the belt attachment for the right side. The narrow straps form an X behind your neck and run down to the belt attachment on the right. The rawhide strings are probably added by someone to confuse you. are there any slots in the holster straps ? I think those were made by Bucheimer so there may be something in an old add if you can dig one up.

Here's some photos to illustrate Pig Hunter's great instructions.







I used to have a box full of these I got dirt cheap somewhere. Sold most, gave away some. There is also a model for the 1911 which I've seen only one of. The holster was made Bucheimer or Bucheimer Clark depending on the year it was made.

You may notice the holster is the same as the one used in the early Dirty Harry movies. It has the narrow retention strap and a tension screw like one in the movies.

I used to make the harness to replace the elastic harnesses found on most vertical holsters. Haven't made them in years. I replaced the leather lace with Chicago screws giving the harness more flex. I also used heavier leather and wider shoulder straps to carry the weight of a larger frame revolver better.

You might want to replace the laces since they are the first to fail.

I think once you get the holster adjusted you'll find it one of the most comfortable holsters around.

The benefit is the hole secures the handgun by the cylinder. You might think this would slow down drawing but it does not. I've never had a gun hangup in the holster while drawing. It is also cosmetic giving the holster a distinctive feature.

If you examine the picture of Clint Eastwood I posted earlier in the thread you might notice his handgun is riding high in the holster. The cylinder is not in the hole. The prop company sent a holster for a 5 inch handgun while the gun used in the movies was a 6.5 inch. This caused the barrel to bottom out in the holster with the cylinder riding high. I've only seen one Bucheimer Dirty Harry 5 inch holster and that was 10+ years ago on the big auction site. It sold for $1000+.

Thank you for the replies! Arisin Wind, I’m sure you’re right about it being a Bucheimer. And those pictures help. I’ll figure it out. It’s something I want for convenience, not so much concealment. One of the old Victory 38 pilot holsters would also work well.

GyMac,

Those Victory 38 shoulder holsters weren't just for pilots. My father was a radioman/machine gunner on a WW II Navy PB4Y2. He had one also. It's still in the family. I believe my niece has it. Different companies made them. I believe his was made by Hoyt Harness.

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Very similar to a Bianchi X15. I used one to carry a 2" round butt model 64 off duty back in the 1970s. Still have the revolver but not the holster.