Lewis Police Special for I Frame?

[ezb57]

Hello all: I took a chance on this holster and its too small for even a Smith J frame. Im thinking Model 30 or something else. I don't know what Colt had with a small cylinder like this back then. Does anyone know what the Lewis codes are?

 

[SSGRock]

Lewis Holster

That’s a nice vintage holster.

 

[rednichols]

Hello all: I took a chance on this holster and its too small for even a Smith J frame. Im thinking Model 30 or something else. I don't know what Colt had with a small cylinder like this back then. Does anyone know what the Lewis codes are?

In Lewis' time, "32" (cal) meant small frame; likely in this case the pre-J frame that appeared in the 1950s. "38" (frame) meant K frame usually with holster sights (which is effectively smaller than with adjustables, for holsters). The Python frame, introduced 1950s, is somewhat between the K and N and was often marked "Python" or "357"; today we'd think "L" frame.

"44" and "45" (frames) marked then meant the big frame Colts and Smiths that today we call N frames on Smiths, still with fixed sights. Adjustable sights didn't come into use on police gunleather to any degree, until late in the 1960s. These makers, to include Clark and Lewis (close competitors beginning about 1940) die not use 'codes' such as were introduced by J.M. Bucheimer and by Hunter when they both entered the market in the 1950s.

1960s forward, the new makers such as Bianchi and Safariland used neither approach; and used the pistol names instead.

 

[ezb57]

Thank you all, yes I think this is for a .32 Hand Ejector or Regulation Police with a 3-inch barrel. I see some had 3 1/4 inch, Im sure this holster would accommodate those as well.
Hard to imagine back to a time when a police officer would have felt sufficient with a .32 S&W Long and maybe 6 more on the belt.