This one is another recent find, a minimalist-type holster for a Commander. I'm going to have to re-read his book but some quick online research tells me "Combat Action Protector Brand" is Bianchi's earliest brand slogan from when he first started selling holsters under his name.

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SWHF #448

-db-: If I recall correctly this excellent example of this Bianchi holster model is the one which John Bianchi said was inspired by the simple lines of an eyeglass case.

Good show!

Shawn

Shawn: I think that model was called the "Speed Scabbard", introduced during the 1960's, remained in production until about 1980 or so. Also produced with a snap-strap retention.

Holster is in great shape, doesn't appear to have seen much use over the years.

John Bianchi is an interesting man. Started out as a young police officer making holsters on the kitchen table. By the time he retired and sold the company over 40,000,000 products had been produced under his tradename. At the same time he remained active in the AirNational Guard, retiring as a brigadier general.

I've never seen that stamp before but I went to the catalog binders and found these. The first two photos are from an undated brochure with a tear off order form that is gone, the second two are the cover and listing for that holster,as shown the catalog is dated 1963. The company is named Protector Brand Holster Co. with John Bianchi credited as the designer.
Thanks for posting that, db.
Check out the Ranger holster at the bottom of the page and the instructions on how to use it-sounds like a ND waiting to happen to me.
Regards,
turnerriver

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turnerriver

John Bianchi is still around. Here's a shot of him with me at a recent SHOT show.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

turnerriver, I've seen Army MP's do the same thing with the issued military holster and Colt 1911. Draw slightly up, rotate counterclockwise, and push the slide against the leather "hump" piece inside the holster. Some of them were pretty slick with it!

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John

I well recall the duty weapon being empty on my watch.
We had two magazines with 5 rounds each.
So the method here wouldn't have been a help.
When I thought the S would hit the fan. I had 7 with one in the pipe. Rules be danged.
That was when we suspected borders and arson on board
Halt X 3 then warning shot would never have happened either.

You've maybe seen the pics of the USAF cop doing that at very high speed in Chic Gaylord's book? He was so fast that he once drilled a husky dog as it came at him from close quarters. And some nitwit kids set off a firecracker or something behind him on a NYC street. This staff sgt. turned around with the cocked gun ready in his hand. It was so fast that those punk kids were deeply impressed. I bet that none tried that prank again!

Thanks for the nice photo. I'm impressed.

Not only is he still around he is still making and selling gun leather. His new outfit is called, John Bianchi Frontier Gunleather Limited. I go to his website and drool. Most of my gun leather is the older Bianchi with a smattering of older Safariland and a few of Roy Bakers wonderful pancake holsters with a few El Paso's. I made the mistake of ordering a made in Mexico Bianchi belt a few months ago. Let me just say I will not be getting any more!

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Stay safe people!

Nice 45 Speed Scabbard holster!

From what Mr Bianchi told me back in the 1980's, the holsters he made up until 1964 or so were all done at his house and sold mail order. He was also getting involved in custom parts and stocks for the M1 carbine at the same time.

I bought a Armand Swenson tuned Colt 1911 that was done in 1968, and it came with a minty Bianchi shoulder holster with markings stamped on the back showing it was custom made for someone. Mr Bianchi said he used to stamp customer's names on custom orders up until the 1970's, but they were mainly special jobs for Gun Writers or special customers. When I told him the name of the person, he remembered that it was for someone going to Vietnam and he had picked up the Swenson 1911 to make sure it fit ok without the external retainer strap. Now this was over 30 years afterwards!

Sadly, that holster and 1911 are long gone.

Glad to see some of the older Bianchi Speed Scabbards are still out there. John Bianchi has updated the design and is still making them.