500 bucks is probably what I would charge at the shows around here.
Just found a nice Model 38 Bodyguard
- Thread starter imarangemaster
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imarangemaster
Member
Yes. I grew up in Chicago in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. I was a gun nut from the first, and had several neighbors on th block that were Chicago cops, and in the late 60s, I worked at a restaurant that was a cop "Watering Hole" called Alyward's Round-up. (I was dating the owner's daughter). Dozens of both uniform plainclothes officers ever day.
In the 60s and 70s Chicago cops were mandated to cary the issue 38 ammo. Colt revolvers were the favorite, IIRC. Some had Pythons, and some Diamondbacks. They were allowed to carry anything as a back-up gun.
They usually wore these backups openly in cross draw holsters on their duty belt (opposite the duty weapon) or a shoulder holster under the leather patrol jacket.
They were faster than reloading, so they would go to the back up instead of reloading (or even sometimes the 1911 carriers would forget to use the duty weapon first!). They called the "Chicago Reloads".
Heck, even the armored car and bank guards wore Chicago reloads.
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imarangemaster
Member
When I went to work for a California SHeriff's Dept. after I got out of the Army in the mid 70s, I asked about wearing the backup gun on the belt. The Sgt. looked at me like I had just drank out of the toilet! 
He thought I was nuts! He said you kept it in an ankle holster or jacket pocket where no one could see it. I had a Charter Bulldog .44 snubbie in my patrol jacket pocket all the time. Summer in was in a Safariland ankle holster.
After I went to Ridgefield PD in Washington state in 1979, I still used the Bulldog as backup until 1981, when I went to work on Bellevue. We issued Model 59s, and AMT .380 Backup loaded with ww Silvertips for narcotics officers. I was a rangemaster and issued myself an AMT Backup that I carried in my back pocket. It wasn't really SOP, but it was never an issue, because it was a department owned weapon, and I was "evaluating it" for general usage...
I still have an AMT .380 Backup. Dandy little weapon, but prefer the Model 38 Smith for pocket carry.
He thought I was nuts! He said you kept it in an ankle holster or jacket pocket where no one could see it. I had a Charter Bulldog .44 snubbie in my patrol jacket pocket all the time. Summer in was in a Safariland ankle holster. After I went to Ridgefield PD in Washington state in 1979, I still used the Bulldog as backup until 1981, when I went to work on Bellevue. We issued Model 59s, and AMT .380 Backup loaded with ww Silvertips for narcotics officers. I was a rangemaster and issued myself an AMT Backup that I carried in my back pocket. It wasn't really SOP, but it was never an issue, because it was a department owned weapon, and I was "evaluating it" for general usage...
I still have an AMT .380 Backup. Dandy little weapon, but prefer the Model 38 Smith for pocket carry.
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Engine49guy
Member
Congrats!
Btw, Love those early high horn diamond Magnas!
I think I have an early 60's flat latch in my J frame box but its buried deep in the safe and I'm too lazy tonight after walking the dog to look.
Btw, Love those early high horn diamond Magnas!
I think I have an early 60's flat latch in my J frame box but its buried deep in the safe and I'm too lazy tonight after walking the dog to look.
Great old J frame and handy as a pocket on a shirt.
Timely post for me.
Collection I picked up last week had these two J frames.
Model 49 and 36 both in nickel about 1977 vintage unfired
boxed with tools and paperwork.
Timely post for me.
Collection I picked up last week had these two J frames.
Model 49 and 36 both in nickel about 1977 vintage unfired
boxed with tools and paperwork.
