My Don Hume holsters....

These were issued by my agency when the revolver raigned in LE.

Early Hume paddle holster for a J-frame, note the La Mesa, CA maker's mark:

If you go on fleabay, there's a seller there called Police Holsters LLC. They have the aforementioned warehouse full of Don Hume stuff in VA Beach. I highly recommend them. Nice folks and free shipping.

Years ago, I bought a well used discontinued Don Hume level 2 security holster and found that it needed some work on the retention snap etc. On a lark, I sent it to the factory for repair. It returned 2-3 weeks later looking like new. They didn't charge me for the work either. Great customer service!

I had the privilege of working with a fine deputy sheriff back in the 70's. He was a small fellow in both body size as well as hand size. He carried a Model 19 with a 2 1/2" barrel, round butt of course. He wore a Sam Browne style duty belt, carved and colored brown to match the typically brown color uniforms that many Sheriff's Depts wore. He had a regular Jordan style holster for that revolver with the strap safety, a rear sight protector, and made specifically for that revolver. It was a nice looking rig. This fellow was meticulous about his appearance. Everything was always in place, polished and shined, with a high dollar felt western style hat and very shined western boots. Since it was a short distance between his belt line and the car seat, that short Model 19 was a very much better fit for him and much more comfortable than a 4" holster would have been. He also used a Tyler Tee grip adapter with the stock magnas that came on the revolver. He was as polite as he was well appointed all around. However, if someone mistook his politeness or small size as an opportunity to challenge him or his authority, he would politely kick their butt and place them in custody, usually without disturbing anything about his uniform or hat! It was always interesting to see him in action.

Word got around all the bars and dance halls that it was not adviseable to do anything but what this gentleman "requested" politely if he was called to any disturbance at these places. We provided back up for each other, having no other possibilities for that to arrive anytime soon. I was always glad to see him come on the scene. He never made things worse after arrival, but he never backed up from trouble either.

I have also seen two or three other different "short" Jordan style holsters being worn by city police officers. One had such a holster made specially for a Model 36 with adjustable sights and two were made for Model 15 snubbies, all carried on black basketweave marked Sam Browne belts. I'm not certain who made any of these holsters, but they worked very well for the purpose and satisfied the uniform requirements. All of these revolvers carried were personally owned revolvers since their departments did not issue a duty weapon as a matter of course back in those days. You had to furnish your own. I've even seen a few single action thumb busters carried on duty. There was no such thing as a weapon qualification requirement in those days, but it was a pretty good bet that most of those old officers could shoot whatever they were carrying well enough to get the job done!

Thanks for listening as I have recalled fond memories from long ago as provoked by this thread. I'm enjoying it immensely!