I am looking at mid 1970’s Bianchi holsters (example Shadow #7 and Pistol Pocket #3S) that are generally marked to fit S&W 9mm. Not additional model pistol is indicated. Would these all be for the S&W Model 39 or what other S&W 9mm of that era would they fit? Thanks
Vintage Bianchi Holsters Marked S&W 9mm
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squidsix
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They would be for 39/59 models. Remember before model numbers, the “Smith and Wesson 9mm” was what we now call the “pre-39”
I have never known a leather holster for a 39 not to fit a 5900, assuming hammer spurs on both models. The difference in the width of the frame would not be a significant enough amount of material to cause a leather holster not to fit.
I have never known a leather holster for a 39 not to fit a 5900, assuming hammer spurs on both models. The difference in the width of the frame would not be a significant enough amount of material to cause a leather holster not to fit.
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rednichols
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Generally agree with all that. Specifically as to Bianchi, when the M59 appeared we changed all moulding of the M39 holsters to use the castings of the fatter pistol.
NOW: squidsix is understandably assuming what we think of in a leather holster, such as the Shadow: soft (they're only cowhide after all). BUT: the M59 has a gigantic slide stop because the frame is much thicker right at that position vs the M39, for the bigger mag. So our 99A holster with its stiff metal shank DID NOT accept the new pistols; and to deal with that we installed a cutout through the lining to allow the slide stop to recess into it.
Pistol makers DO NOT take holsters -- or indeed any form of their transport or they would be designed differently from the get-go -- into consideration when designing their pistols. They do not consult with makers, they do not keep makers up to date, they do not warn makers.
So it was a surprise to us at Bianchi to learn the effects of the bigger S&W stop, the effects of S&W lengthening their 4" barrels on K frames etc. from 3-7/8" by 1/4" to beat the feared Saturday Night Special laws, the effects of Beretta increasing the size of the M92F's trigger guard by lengthening it until the M12 holsters no longer fit (even the Army wasn't told, so at first they blamed Bianchi for being the idiots when it was Beretta who was to blame).
Also bear in mind that most/nearly/all buyers think 'fits' means 'goes in and the strap snaps shut'. That's not 'fits'. That's 'snaps'. The pistol itself, maybe not so close as the M39 and M59, can go in and the strap snap up while the pistol itself rocks back and forth and up and down; and wears the finish for misalignment of the moulding. A maker absolutely does not consider that 'fitting' the holster.
Same holster; first with the N frame it was made for:
Next with the 1911 it was not made for:
We don't call that 'fits'.
ColbyBruce
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squidsix
Member
Nichols is obviously the resident expert on the subject, and I will defer to him.
My only experience with these has been with a couple of Shadows and a Pistol Pocket, both it which accepted the 39-2 and 5906 perfectly, albeit marked “S&W 9mm”.
My only experience with these has been with a couple of Shadows and a Pistol Pocket, both it which accepted the 39-2 and 5906 perfectly, albeit marked “S&W 9mm”.
rednichols
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As to the engineering of it, yes. The holster body is a slightly altered 5BHL which itself is an altered version of the 5B, which JB himself created in the mid-'60s.
The paddle's engineering is much improved over its predecessor by JB that had just sheet metal inside a tab folded out of the holster body. It was such a weak arrangement for keeping the holster in the pants that JB resorted to adding a strap with snap inside the fold of the paddle. What a pain to use.
My notion with the paddle holster you're showing, was to turn the assembly into a clamp; which it is. Inside the holster body is one half of the spring, specially shaped to work with ALL pistols both revolver and auto. It is assymetrical and a right and left were required; both of spring steel. The paddle has a symmetrical spring plate inside it with a soft steel 'kidney' riveted to it, that was shaped for the hip in a special vise. Wearer could tailor only that portion to his/her hip.
Really, really worked ; because the setting of the rivets forced the angles of the two rigid steel springs into a clamping action. It was as large an advance over its predecessor by JB as the 9R-2 inverted shoulder holster was over its predecessor the 9R.
But when I started up Nichols Innovation in '90 and Kamuran Aker came to me to copy the paddle I'd done for JB, I chose a different path. The one we're discussing is expensive to tool and to make, and heavy. So I created my first polymer paddle for him and it works well, too; the company (Kamaran passed away a few years ago) still uses it. Light, costs a few cents to mould, held on w/ heavy duty screws, polymer stiffener inside the holster that one can sew through, really strong, and works on a double-barbed retention principle. I did a very different one for Gene DeSantis; again, declined to copy any I'd done before.
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