Russ....That pistol could write a book on the old gangster days in Metro St. Louis. Those pistols were worn in a flap holster mostly cross draw with a Sam Brown with shoulder strap in those days. The difference was the Belt was 1 3/4" instead of the original 2 1/4 worn by most departments. Reason the belt was worn through the trouser belt loops rather than outside as most departments did, Of course that was in summer, In cool weather the fitted uniform tunic was worn with Belt and strap trough epaulets as was common with most military uniforms up through the war. I have somewhere a picture of my uncle Sgt. Paul Spavor (Long time range master for St.L.PD)wearing the class A uniform with all the leather in place.. He was still range master when i went on the department in the late 60s. He held the Camp Perry record for timed fire for years and using a Colt target revolver in 45.cal.
Sam Brown on outside as was the trend in those days. the 5" M&P was issued then also. You could carry any thing you could buy as long as it was loaded in 38spl. 158 grain lead slugs. The most violated rule in St. Louis. If the Sho Flys (IA) showed up in a district at role call somebody always knew and you could hear the 357, and super val being thrown behind the lockers, to be reloaded after the Sho fly's left. In those days quite a few Combat Mag 4" were carried, along with some Colt Pythons of course they went for the horrendous price of 127.00 Police Price. Rumor had it that some smart ass built into the flaps of the holster a spring that would make flap stay up after being unsnapped. Our PPC team had to acquire right side open holsters for PPC competition. We shot a lot of three gun NRA 2900 bulls eye back then. but combat shooting was on the way. As a side note St. Louis Metro was one of the first departments that had lead poisoning problems from their indoor range. Range had to be upgraded and uncle Paul had lead poisoning and after treatment had to drink a quart of milk every day of his life, Note: that was not his drink of choice! St. Louis WAS the home of Budweiser. (I might add the tap room in the brewery was open) enough said about that. You got a real keeper there. The last pistol I was issued was a SW Mod. 10 4" heavy barrel, still one of the best. The most used weapon we were issued was our batons. A two foot hard wood with a brass ferrel on the business end. The story was you could tape out pre determined signals on the steel electric post in the down town, so the walking beats could keep in touch, Well that was the story. Who the heck am I to question that use.....No Walkie Talkies then. Call box or car radio was it. Things were different then ,but control was kept. 60 year old bosses that knew of what they spoke..It was a life style not just a job....
