Lewis Leather holsters

Fortcouragearmory · #1 05-31-2022, 10:59 AM

I recently obtained a Model 15 4” and it came with a Lewis “Police Special” cross draw holster. The gun was owned by a retired LAPD detective that the widow said he carried on-duty. A retired cop friend of mine told me Lewis Leather was a small shop on Sunset Blvd. near the LAPD Academy run by a retired LAPD officer. If anyone has any further info on it, I’d appreciated an education.

boykinlp · #2 05-31-2022, 01:36 PM

I do not own one, wish I did though. You are right about their location, and because of it, many LAPD Detective's used them. Also, a lot of TV shows used them. IIRC, Dragnet, Starsky and Hutch, Police Story are a few. I always wondered how the finish on your gun would hold up using one? I mean, I know, any holster will ultimately wear on the finish, and a holster is a tool, but it seems like this one may cause more wear.
Larry

rednichols · #3 05-31-2022, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortcouragearmory

I recently obtained a Model 15 4” and it came with a Lewis “Police Special” cross draw holster. The gun was owned by a retired LAPD detective that the widow said he carried on-duty. A retired cop friend of mine told me Lewis Leather was a small shop on Sunset Blvd. near the LAPD Academy run by a retired LAPD officer. If anyone has any further info on it, I’d appreciated an education.

It's surprising just how little we know about Ed Lewis. His shop originally was within walking distance of Ed Clark's, and his products identical -- to a point. Unlike Clark he did also used the vertical type springs we encountered later in the Bianchi X-15, but Clark stuck with this 'come from behind' wireform spring and ditto as leaf springs. So from a chap (me) who has amassed hours of research on all the players of holstory, I'll say we know a bit about the holsters and nothing about the man; he is not even positively identified yet whereas I've been able to locate every other person even vaguely related to holstory, such as Jelly Bryce's English wife. THAT was hard; Lewis has proven t/b intractable.

Fortcouragearmory · #4 06-07-2022, 12:22 PM

The Model 15 this holster held has some very minor muzzle wear and more around the “Marcus registradas” stamping on the frame. There’s also a fairly prominent wear mark about midway down the 4” barrel on the right side.

digi-shots · #5 06-07-2022, 08:11 PM

Here’s two that I have.. I like the retro look.

crazyphil · #6 06-12-2022, 03:17 PM

Here is my Lewis crossdraw holster. Shown with my Model 10 2" barrel.

Ameshawki · #7 06-27-2022, 05:21 PM

Bucheimer made a version of that. I have two, a four and two inch. They turn up from time to time. Usually for less money than Lewis rigs.

s&wchad · #8 06-27-2022, 05:38 PM

I’ve got a few Lewis holsters.

Every time I look at them, I fondly remember the shows Dragnet and Adam 12.

“Just the facts…”.

gboling · #9 06-27-2022, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fortcouragearmory

I recently obtained a Model 15 4” and it came with a Lewis “Police Special” cross draw holster. The gun was owned by a retired LAPD detective that the widow said he carried on-duty. A retired cop friend of mine told me Lewis Leather was a small shop on Sunset Blvd. near the LAPD Academy run by a retired LAPD officer. If anyone has any further info on it, I’d appreciated an education.

I carried a 4 inch model 14 in one of those for several years. I still have both. I was at his shop once but can't remember the location or even what year it was.