Barney Miller

[crazyphil]

I was watching an old re-run of Barney Miller this morning.
Noticed that Nick was wearing his revolver in a cross-draw
that looked like a Hunter Combat Action holster. The model
with the spring and opening at the rear of the holster. As I
watched I observed what some of the other detectives were
wearing. Good old show for holster watchers.

PS I know, I know, I have to get a life.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

PS I know, I know, I have to get a life.[/QUOTE]




Just one ?

 

[TripleGG]

Too funny. But I must admit I've been watching those returns too. Hadn't really payed attention to the holsters. Now I have a reason to rewatch. Ha

 

[Old cop]

I watched too and noticed how the actors "carried" their guns and most could not have drawn them if they had to. Barney's gun was worn almost over the middle of his back.

 

[crazyphil]

I noticed that too. He probably never had to pull the gun.

 

[GunarSailors]

I need to get a life too, don't feel bad. I love me some Barney Miller.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e-_rEqBaEE8[/ame]

 

[TTSH]

I need to get a life too, don't feel bad. I love me some Barney Miller.

One of the best TV shows ever! Even in re-runs I've seen a dozen or more times before!

 

[apollo99]

The detectives in my precinct during the 70's and 80's had these little holsters that barely held on to the model 36s they had on their belts. It was a wonder they never fell out. I guess between the little holsters, the cigars, raincoats and pinky rings that was the sign on a true NYPD detective. Oh yea I almost forgot about the cheap suits.

 

[TomkinsSP]

I watched too and noticed how the actors "carried" their guns and most could not have drawn them if they had to. Barney's gun was worn almost over the middle of his back.

Seen that in the real world too.

 

[MCorps0311]

I remember that show,but can't remember watching it much to know the actors names.

 

[crazyphil]

I remember that show,but can't remember watching it much to know the actors names.

All of the detective/actors are still around except Jack Soo who
passed away during the run of the show.

Abe Vigoda, in his 90s, is even still around, in spite of the
rumors of his death, which are exagerated.

 

[jtcarm]

All of the detective/actors are still around except Jack Soo who

passed away during the run of the show.



Abe Vigoda, in his 90s, is even still around, in spite of the

rumors of his death, which are exagerated.

No, actually, Abe passed away last year as did Ron Glass (Harris). Steve Landesberg (Dietrich) died of cancer a few years ago and Ron Carey (Levitt) is gone as well.

Boy do I miss the "Ol One Two".

 

[TTSH]

No, actually, Abe passed away last year as did Ron Glass (Harris). Steve Landesberg (Dietrich) died of cancer a few years ago and Ron Carey (Levitt) is gone as well.

Boy do I miss the "Ol One Two".

Yep. Only Barney himself and "Wojo" survive to this day.

 

[plmcrzy67]

I also love that show! Back in the late eighties I lived i Sedona AZ and worked in the meat department of a local grocerey store called Basha's. Abe vigota would come in all the time and buy meat and fish out of the case, I remember serving him many time's. He was always very polite and thankfull. I wonder if he still lives there..........Mark

 

[crazyphil]

Apparantly my information is a little out of date. Thanks.

 

[m75rlg]

After spending 39 years working in the criminal justice system I only have one thing to say about Barney Miller-- The most realistic police show ever filmed!!!!!

 

[mlw270win]

Funny show. Watched it when it first aired and still watch the reruns. They just don't make shows like that anymore.

 

[gwpercle]

It was again rumored that Abe passed away on Jan. 26, 2016 at the age of 94.....but he looked 94 the first time he supposedly passed away so I'm not going to bet any money on it just yet.
I watched that show just to see him...he was funny!
We love Ya Abe,
Gary

 

[JH1951]

Funny show. Watched it when it first aired and still watch the reruns. They just don't make shows like that anymore.

Yep, agree. Today there is too much reliance on nudity, violence, and foul language to carry a show. The old ones relied on good writing and acting. Things have changed.

 

[Old cop]

My 91 y/o uncle played handball w/Abe Vagoda in NY when they were all young. My uncle said Abe was the hairiest human he had ever seen, but a super nice guy.

 

[jtcarm]

Abe also has a meaty role in "The Godfather".

 

[GKC]

Today there is too much reliance on nudity, violence, and foul language to carry a show. The old ones relied on good writing and acting.

A show that was ground breaking at the time in its use of nudity was NYPD Blue. Of course, they didn't show frontal nudity, but ol' Andy Sipowicz showed his bare buns a number of times...and there were a few females showing skin too. While it was the first of its day, it doesn't hold a candle to what you can see on network TV these days.

 

[crazyphil]

I watched too and noticed how the actors "carried" their guns and most could not have drawn them if they had to. Barney's gun was worn almost over the middle of his back.

Reading some more about the holsters on Barney Miller,
on another forum someone said:

An old trick used by NYPD a left handed Detective (Barney Miller) would wear a right handed holster at 7 or 8 O'Clock on left side
with butt forward to be drawn with palm out.

Seems like a lot of trouble to avoid buying a left handed holster. Maybe they were hard to come by in those days.

Others said Barney Miller was the most authentic cop show
on tv.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Two quick observations from an old cop from the 1970's thru 1990's:

1. On TV shows everything portrayed is for dramatic effect. Whether or not a firearm, holster, or method of carry is authentic or realistic in actual use is secondary to the dramatic effect.

2. Within days after something being portrayed on a popular TV cop show we always saw a young cop or two trying to copy it in real life.

My conclusion is that life will mimic art with some frequency.

 

[Road Rat]

The prop people were not too concerned about guns and holsters on Barney Miller. In a couple of episodes Barney would go into his office with a black holster and come out later with a brown one!!!

I just finished watching all of the shows a couple of months ago. I found out how the series ended !!

 

[Old cop]

As a leftie I usually got the bottom of the barrel holster from the property clerk not b/c she was mean, but b/c that's all they had. A little shoe polish and hard work made it come back to life.

 

[olskool]

I remember the last show, they were moving out of the old building into a new one. when they all left barney was the last man out and he looked around turned out the lights and closed the door. I told my wife I felt like crying, she laughed. yea barney miller was one of my favorite shows,,,,,,

 

[Dvan34]

Thanks! I loved Barney Miller. I had almost forgotten about the program.

 

[les.b]

Yes, I remember the show, but haven't seen it in years. Maybe I'll try rewatching some episodes. I seem to remember that the concensus back then was that it was pretty true to life.

Thanks,

Best Regards, Les

 

[crazyphil]

The prop people were not too concerned about guns and holsters on Barney Miller. In a couple of episodes Barney would go into his office with a black holster and come out later with a brown one!!!

I just finished watching all of the shows a couple of months ago. I found out how the series ended !!

I tried for a while to find good photos of Barney showing his
holster & gun, but not much luck. The few I did find were
different colors, as you said, and also different locations on
his belt. Doesn't seem like old Barney was very consistent.