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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 04-15-2017, 06:35 PM
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Default !926 .44 PPD relieved trigger guard

I remember reading here, at least I'm pretty sure it was hear (searched but can't find the thread) that the Providence Police Dept. 1926 3rd Models had their trigger guards relieved on the left side to work with a specific holster. Anyone remember what holster that was.

The New Hampshire State Police Registered Magnum that raljr1 never thought he would never own has a similarly cut trigger guard. They were in use about the same time in somewhat close law enforcement agencies. I wondered if the they were relived for the same purpose.

I was fairly certain I'd never own a Registered Magnum
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Old 04-15-2017, 06:59 PM
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The Audley Safety holster had a spring loaded safety catch that locked into the trigger guard and had to be depressed to get the revolver out of the holster. Revolvers that went in and out of Audleys had wear on the trigger guard and I suppose some might cut down their trigger guard to get the revolver out a shade faster or easier.
This shows the inside of an Audley made for a 4" .357 S&W. The safety catch is visible on the right side.

Front shot shows the position of the safety catch.

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Old 04-15-2017, 07:03 PM
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Go to this thread and look at post # 58. It is also a PPD .44 and it appears to have wear on the trigger guard also:

Let's see those 1926 .44 Specials!

Post # 85 shows three PPD revolvers.
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Old 04-16-2017, 06:55 PM
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Well that's an interesting possibility. .thanks for posting it.

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Old 04-16-2017, 10:05 PM
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I'm curious. Are these trigger guards actually "relieved" or simply worn down from prolonged use in these holsters? And how much wear can what looks like a piece of plastic impart to a steel trigger guard anyway?

Inquiring minds want to know,
Dave
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Old 04-17-2017, 12:24 AM
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Quote:
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.... And how much wear can what looks like a piece of plastic impart to a steel trigger guard anyway?
The safety catch in Audley's is steel, not plastic....

Mark
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Old 04-17-2017, 12:35 AM
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I have a Pre War Heavy Duty with the same left side trigger guard "relief" and had no idea what caused it. It's rather rough as though caused by wear. Mistry solved.
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Old 04-17-2017, 11:21 AM
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Quote:
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The safety catch in Audley's is steel, not plastic....

Mark
Thanks wheelgun. I was going on the appearance in the photo provided above. Now it makes more sense.

Dave
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Old 04-17-2017, 12:17 PM
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Those are cold states in winter. Might the trigger guards have been relieved/thinned to get a gloved finger in easier?


Audley holsters were popular then. Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews wore one wth his Colt .38, which I think was an Army Special, replaced with the renamed Official Police model in 1926-7.
But most of Andrews's famous scientific expeditions took place before 1927.


Would the thinned guards have bypassed the Audley retention system? Some cops may not have wanted that device, but had to wear that holster.

Last edited by Texas Star; 04-17-2017 at 12:19 PM.
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Old 04-17-2017, 12:38 PM
raljr1 raljr1 is offline
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Quote:
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Would the thinned guards have bypassed the Audley retention system? Some cops may not have wanted that device, but had to wear that holster.
I wondered the same thing. If the officer didn't like the revolver being retained by the catch, could they have had the guard relieved to bypass it. Especially if the holsters were dictated by the department

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Old 04-17-2017, 02:20 PM
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With the Audley "Safety" holster, you had to put your finger inside the trigger guard, push and hold the lever down, and draw the gun. Can Barney say BANG? Great for retention, not so good for a fast draw. Had a New Service once that belonged to NYSP with an issued Audley holster (1930"s). It had considerable wear on left side of trigger guard into the steel.
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Old 04-17-2017, 08:53 PM
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Modifying a trigger guard like that was commonly done by Bill Jordan. I wouldn't be at all surprised that some lawmen imitated him.

Close examination should be able to determine whether the thinning was done intentionally or by wear over time.

Bob
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Old 04-17-2017, 11:30 PM
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I've got a M&P 1905 4th change that was shipped 12/30/38 to the Morgantown, W.V. Police chief. It shipped with a 4" barrel, humpback hammer, and obviously not the grips shown. It has ALOT of holster wear and the metal is worn thin on the right side of the trigger guard. I figured it was just a metal latch or something that caused it but possibly was cause by this same holster but carried by a lefty.



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Old 04-18-2017, 10:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bettis1 View Post
Modifying a trigger guard like that was commonly done by Bill Jordan. I wouldn't be at all surprised that some lawmen imitated him.

Close examination should be able to determine whether the thinning was done intentionally or by wear over time.

Bob
raljr1's Registered Magnum was refinished at some point. I've seen at least one PPD .44 that was also refinished. Both looked like the trigger guard was relieved on the left side.

If there was significant holster wear on the left of the trigger guard from the holster's metal retainer I suspect the way to handle that during polish would be to grind down and smooth out the spot. When done it would look like it was purposely relieved.

It is just one of those things that makes you go hmmmm...why was something done. Was it done to improve perceived performance by an owner in the past or was it to take care of a cosmetic issues. Who knows, it is to bad some of our old treasures can't talk.
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