Bucheimer Federal Man 2 different generations

[duvrock]

Second ever post here. I have learned a huge amount from the members of this forum and thought this was an interesting comparison opportunity. Maybe a serious student of gun leather will want to comment on the two generations of Bucheimer pictured, both B450's.

 

[SG-688]

By the ad file, in 1970 Bucheimer changed the outboard strap from being sewn on to being integral to the body of the holster - the New Federal Man - as did Safariland at about the same time.

The strap with the snap is new to me, but I'm not a Bucheimer expert. Is it a real snap or a fake snap - a rivet? It might be an owner modification.

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These are two versions of fit chart for the Federal Man from the master thread.

Bucheimer Federal Man 1960's

200 = Colt D Det. Spec Cobra 2"
210 = Colt D Marshal 2" High Standard 2 ½"
440 = Colt D Det. Spec Cobra 3"
290 = Colt I .357 Python 2 ½"
490 = Colt I .357 Python 4"
690 = Colt I .357 Python 6"
690 = Colt I .38 Officers Model 6"
400 = Colt I Marshal, Hi Standard 4"
500 = Colt I Marshal 5"
600 = Colt I Marshal, Hi Standard 6"
440 = Colt D Police Positive 4"
540 = Colt D Police Positive 5"
640 = Colt D Police Positive 6"
410 = Colt Scout 4 ¾"
570 = Colt SAA 5 ½"

230 = S&W J Chief, Kit Gun 2"
330 = S&W J Chief, Kit Gun 3" 3 ½"
250 = S&W K Mdl. 10 2"
350 = S&W K Mdl. 10 4"
450 = S&W K Mdl. 15, 19 4"
650 = S&W K Mdl. 14, 19 6"
420 = S&W N .357, 1950 3 ½" 4"
520 = S&W N .357, 1950 5"
620 = S&W N .357, 1950 6" 6 ½"
610 = S&W N Mdl. 29 6 ½"
830 = S&W N .357 8 3/8"

470 = Ruger .22 Single Six 4 5/8"
560 = Ruger .22 SS, Hi Standard Dbl. 9 5 ½"
580 = Ruger .22 Bearcat
670 = Ruger .22 Magnum SS 6 ½"
1410 = Ruger .357 BH 4 5/8"
1640 = Ruger .44 Mag. 6 ½"

280 = H&R
630 = H&R 2 ½"
680 = H&R 6"
660 = H&R 4"
710 = H&R 999

Bucheimer Federal Man 1970's

200 = Colt Det Spec Cobra 2"
201 = Colt Det Spec Cobra 3"
205 = Colt Diamondback 2 ½"
210 = Colt Diamondback 4"
215 = Colt Python
220 = Colt Python, Trooper MK III 4"
225 = Colt OP, MK III
230 = Colt Police Positive 4"
300 = S&W Chief, Charter Arms 2"
301 = S&W Chief, Charter Arms 3"
305 = S&W Regulation Police 4"
310 = S&W Mdl. 19 2 ½"
315 = S&W Mdl. 10,12,15 2"
320 = S&W Mdl. 10, 12, 15 4"
325 = S&W Mdl. 15, 19 4"
330 = S&W Mdl. 57, 58, 28, 29 4"
250 = Colt Commander
255 = Colt 45 Gov't, 38 Super
355 = S&W Mdl. 39
400 = Browning High Power
450 = Walther P38
455 = Walther PPKS

 

[duvrock]

That is first time I have seen the integral strap model as shown in the ad. Apparently three separate iterations, and I only knew of the two I posted. The outboard snaps model I would call a rivet model, because it easily pivots but doesn't unsnap- at least not with the tugging I have done on it.When I did an internet search, it came back with multiple images: sewn, rivet/snap and integral. A good design that nobody seems to make anymore.

 

[ExRanger714]

A dummy snap model saved my bacon one time long ago.

 

[duvrock]

I wondered about that-if the design was an early nod towards officer safety. I'm guessing the dummy snap confused an attempted snatch- do tell.

 

[ExRanger714]

Per the request above there's not much to tell. It was just getting good and dark and I was out of radio contact just outside the middle of nowhere. I was in a complacent "just another drunk" frame of mind less than one minute into the contact. I half turned to watch oncoming traffic and he went for the tail end of the strap below the dummy snap and started yanking. I got a firing grip on the revolver and pushed down as hard as I could to keep it in the holster with my finger in the guard behind the trigger. He finally grabbed my wrist, I dropped back with my right foot to kind of stretch him out of balance and swinging for the fence I hit him as hard as I could with my Maglite just above his right ear. Went down like a sack of rocks and bled like a stuck hog. ER sewed him up and, surprisingly, the jail took him head wound and all. I charged him with attempted larceny of govt. property, assault on an officer, driving under the influence as well as the initial speeding violation that drew my attention. He got 28 months active. JD

 

[duvrock]

Thank you. A story with a happy ending. Congratulations for living to celebrate and share.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

Bucheimer advertised the "false snap" as a safety feature on that particular model federal man. I believe it was in the late 70s early 80s, of course at my age and looking at 54 years of LE/military in the rear view mirror my dating could be off a little. BUT I do know they advertised the snap as a safety feature as it was a rivet attachment on that model. I still have one for a 4" K frame. I also have one for a 2" J frame and a 3" J fame, both sewed on strap, no button or rivet. Still use the 2" now and then.

 

[crazyphil]

Very interesting thread. I learned something new to me.
And I enjoyed ExRanger714's story. All good stuff.

 

[jimmyj]

Federal Man Holster

Per the request above there's not much to tell. It was just getting good and dark and I was out of radio contact just outside the middle of nowhere. I was in a complacent "just another drunk" frame of mind less than one minute into the contact. I half turned to watch oncoming traffic and he went for the tail end of the strap below the dummy snap and started yanking. I got a firing grip on the revolver and pushed down as hard as I could to keep it in the holster with my finger in the guard behind the trigger. He finally grabbed my wrist, I dropped back with my right foot to kind of stretch him out of balance and swinging for the fence I hit him as hard as I could with my Maglite just above his right ear. Went down like a sack of rocks and bled like a stuck hog. ER sewed him up and, surprisingly, the jail took him head wound and all. I charged him with attempted larceny of govt. property, assault on an officer, driving under the influence as well as the initial speeding violation that drew my attention. He got 28 months active. JD

Some uninformed newer officers thought that the Mag Lites were just a flashlight

 

[ExRanger714]

We didn't train it as an impact weapon--just kinda came to me in the moment and I couldn't reach my blackjack.

 

[crazyphil]

Red Nichols has written eloquently about how the Bucheimer-Clark Rebel
Model is the closest to Tom Threepersons in design. The Bucheimer
Federal Man is basically the same holster as the Rebel, exept the Federal
man rides higher and has the retention strap.

My Rebel Model 98 is shown below on the left.
The Federal Man Model 570 on the right.
Both shown with Colt SAA replica.

 

[gunsnrovers]

In nice condition, they're still a very serviceable holster. Have an older and newer version.

B320

 

[CelticSire]

Some uninformed newer officers thought that the Mag Lites were just a flashlight

I have one that has teeth marks in it. Dark night, on foot, looking for a robbery suspect that had run into a residential neighborhood. I came around the corner of a house just as he was coming around the same corner in the opposite direction at full speed. Didn't have time to get to my firearm, so, I swung that old Mag lite as hard as I could in what I hoped was the direction of his head. Apparently my aim was true as he went down like he had been poleaxed, and he was missing three teeth when he landed.

 

[ajgunner]

Non LEO here---but I sure do enjoy when you guys share a few of the success stories.

 

[crazyphil]

And you could get the Bucheimer Federal Man either plain, like on the left,
or flower carved, like on the right.

 

[majick47]

A long D cell Maglite was my constant companion, sent a subtle message especially when the sun was shining bright.

 

[K Frame Keith]

The four cell C or D Maglite is one tough tool!

 

[majick47]

Anyone remember what the ribbed end cap was called? Maglite a multi purpose tool. Opened more than one car, house, door window.

 

[crazyphil]

As I mentioned in my #12 post above, The Bucheimer-Clark Rebel is most
like Tom Threeperson's own holster, according to Red Nichols who has
Tom's original holster. And the Bucheimer Federal Man is very much like
the Rebel except it rides higher and has the retention strap.

When Red re-created Tom Threeperson's holster he gave me the number
1 proto-type. Here, below on the left, is the Bucheimer-Clark Rebel, and
on the right is the #1 proto-type of Tom's holster that Red made.