Model 66 and 686 military use holster?

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RetDet

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I picked up this Eagle flap holster the other day. There are none pictured like it elsewhere on the web that I have found.
I wonder whether any last generation Special Ops guys might have seen one and can tie it to the S&W 66 or 686 revolvers used by those forces.
Eagle (St Louis) made this of multi-layer, quilted cordura. The Nexus buckle date code is mid 1989. The bottom is open, and there are no retention devices other than the flap. Belt hangers are 1956, and a 2" belt loop is sewn between.
The fit is perfect for my model 19 6" with factory magnum grips, although my 625 with full lug barrel will fit in (factory magnum grips barely stick out past the flap)- so any K, L or N frame might have been the design size.
Anyone encountered this holster before? If so, I'd like to know which units contracted for it, or which agencies or commercial outlets handled it. If military, I'll check with the proper museum to determine whether they have an interest. If commercial, I'll use the holster and be proud to have it.

EagleHolster.JPG
 
I’m more of a Regular Force Guy and I carried my Model 19 in this one.
 

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I haven't seen any photos of what the SEAL teams or other Spec-ops guys used for the few Model 66 or 686 revolvers in use, but after the mid-80s, it would probably have been Bianchi M12 (UM84R) holster. It will take most four-inch medium/medium large revolvers.
 
Darkenfast said:
I haven't seen any photos of what the SEAL teams or other Spec-ops guys used for the few Model 66 or 686 revolvers in use, but after the mid-80s, it would probably have been Bianchi M12 (UM84R) holster. It will take most four-inch medium/medium large revolvers.
Click to expand...

This holster is for a 6" model. Which apparently makes it a bit of an outlier.
 
I’d read the SEAL teams has used model 66s. Where did it get disclosed they used 686’s? I’d like to learn which barrel lengths, etc.
 
smithman said:
I’d read the SEAL teams has used model 66s. Where did it get disclosed they used 686’s? I’d like to learn which barrel lengths, etc.
Click to expand...

When I was associated with SEAL TEAM FIVE, GROUP ONE and SBU 26, they used 686 for popping out of water and shooting target on dock or shore. Problem was DOD never bought .357 Mag ammo so .38 Spl was used because it was in inventory. Semi autos do not cycle well while full of water.
 
Under water .45

For what it's worth - and just for fun ... in the 1980's IPSC president Jake Jatras was infamous for demonstrating the firing of .45 auto pistols in various swimming pools -- such as at Las Vegas hotels.

I stood next to him as he did it in gunsmith Dick Heinie's swimming pool. (Dick was quietly having a cow.) Each shot produced a WHOMP with a blast of black bubbles. Bullets visibly tracked about 15 feet +/-. The action cycled every time.

The secret is to get out all of the water. Half full of water is not the same & bad things will result.
 
Thank you all for the remarks. I love this stuff. I hope more come in.
Someone must have carried a 6", else this holster wouldn't exist.
 
Darkenfast said:
I haven't seen any photos of what the SEAL teams or other Spec-ops guys used for the few Model 66 or 686 revolvers in use, but after the mid-80s, it would probably have been Bianchi M12 (UM84R) holster. It will take most four-inch medium/medium large revolvers.
Click to expand...

Thanks-Never thought to try a K frame revolver in mine!
 
Claymore33 said:
When I was associated with SEAL TEAM FIVE, GROUP ONE and SBU 26, they used 686 for popping out of water and shooting target on dock or shore. Problem was DOD never bought .357 Mag ammo so .38 Spl was used because it was in inventory. Semi autos do not cycle well while full of water.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, all S&W revolvers, stainless or not, use chrome-moly steel for every spring in the gun. I wonder whether those needed extra protection for salt water exposure missions. Not knowing the specific S&W metallurgy specs, it is hard to determine whether the standard springs would take it.
 
RetDet said:
Thank you all for the remarks. I love this stuff. I hope more come in.
Someone must have carried a 6", else this holster wouldn't exist.
Click to expand...

Lots of people carry a six-inch revolver in the field. That has nothing to do with military or law enforcement use. While a small minority of police carried six-inch barreled wheelguns up to the end of the revolver era, they were in duty holsters, not fabric flap holsters. You have to go back to WW2 to see that (Britain and Canada, mostly). The U.S. still had some leather for 1917s, as well. I've never seen any indication that the revolvers carried by a few SEAL team members were anything other than four-inchers.

The holster you showed is simply an economical way to carry a big revolver. Barsony currently makes something similar. There's no evidence connecting it to military use.
 
Darkenfast said:
I've never seen any indication that the revolvers carried by a few SEAL team members were anything other than four-inchers.

The holster you showed is simply an economical way to carry a big revolver. Barsony currently makes something similar. There's no evidence connecting it to military use.
Click to expand...

Understood. I carried a 6" on the job for many years.
I am familiar with working handguns and holsters.

The holster holds intrigue only because, unlike the Barsony you mentioned, the main thrust of the Eagle effort was toward military customers, and this one is of the very same sandwiched-fabric, 1956 clip/belt loop hanger, type the military is known to have accepted in the "normal" barrel lengths for other style Eagle holsters they contracted for. Precious few civilian holsters feature ALICE or 1956 clips.

If there was a military desire substantial enough to contract for a batch like this 6" one, someone will recognize tit and comment some day.
 
While not a SEAL, I was assigned to Naval Special Warfare Group Two from 1986-1988. It was my understanding that the primary reason for the use of the M686 revolver was concern about the lubrication on sidearms being washed or drained off during underwater approach to a target. It was felt that a wheelgun would be more reliable that a semiauto in those circumstances. There is a photo in Marcinko's autobiograpy of a M66 in use on a training op. Stainless steel was a no-brainer.

One of my colleagues, following return from a training evolution with Norwegian commandos in Scandanavia, went to the trouble of purchasing and shipping a M686 to a Norwegian officer with whom he had worked. The Norwegian has quite taken with the M686 my buddy had carried and so wanted one of his own pretty badly. I recall my buddy complaining about the extensive paperwork required to make it all happen and keep an ally happy.

Regarding holsters, I have no recollection of what may have been officially purchased or issued during my assignment, but the parachute loft was under my cognizance at the time. I can state authoritatively that the parachute riggers where very talented with sewing machines and that they produced or altered a great deal of stuff to order for the guys, They worked a miracle on an otherwise only marginally useful Uncle Mikes holster I used for my 1911. Used it for years for duty wear and competition. I still have it, a souvenir from that time when I was young. Sigh.
 
Claymore33 said:
When I was associated with SEAL TEAM FIVE, GROUP ONE and SBU 26, they used 686 for popping out of water and shooting target on dock or shore. Problem was DOD never bought .357 Mag ammo so .38 Spl was used because it was in inventory. Semi autos do not cycle well while full of water.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your service. And for the information.
 
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