My Old Duty rig

[cbore]

Always end up on the Gun leather section when on the forum so thought I would post this one. Find my old duty rig in my gun stuff the other day and cleaned it a bit.

The holster, belt and ammo slide are all Bianchi, the open cuff case is a Safety Speed. With the exception of the cuff case I bought all these in the early 70s when a State Narcotic Supervisor. Only wore the rig on search warrants, round up raids and semi annual firing.

The model 19 I purchased from a Police Supplier in Jackson, Ms in 1972 at the age of 22. Just put the original grips back on it had Pacmeyer on it back then.

I am proud that the belt still fits and I can still shoot like back then. Alot older now but got my memories and my model 19

 

[squidsix]

That's one heck of a rig. All business.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Great post. Brings back memories.

 

[brjr51]

Very nice, looks great in brown.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

Those older setups have so much character. I was born in '78 and growing up remember seeing them in the 80s. I have bought a few rigs myself just for nostalgic purposes and because I hate to see good leather get tossed out.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Beautiful! Congrats and thanks for your service! Really cool.

 

[keith44spl]

Now Boys, that thar is the real deal...

Thank You Sir, for sharing the memories.


.

 

[cbore]

Thank you

Thank you all for kind remarks. Knew you guys appreciate real leather and workmanship.

 

[cbore]

Forgot add found my receipt on the model 19 paid $86 Law Enforcement discount price in 8/72

 

[sigp220.45]

Very, very cool.

I always loved the look of the brown leather rigs the county boys got to wear.

 

[rednichols]

The keepers aren't 'ours' (Bianchi) either. Trivia: you'd have purchased the open cuff case as a different brand because 'ours', the model 34, was just being developed early '70s. One of my early assignments.

In fact, when I began there 1970 Tex Shoemaker was supplying his moulded cuff and mag pouches unstamped, and we stamped the Bianchi name into them; until John could invest in his own tooling and methodology (not as easy to mould predictably as you'd think).

 

[keith44spl]

The keepers aren't 'ours' (Bianchi) either. Trivia: you'd have purchased the open cuff case as a different brand because 'ours', the model 34, was just being developed early '70s. One of my early assignments.

In fact, when I began there 1970 Tex Shoemaker was supplying his moulded cuff and mag pouches unstamped, and we stamped the Bianchi name into them; until John could invest in his own tooling and methodology (not as easy to mould predictably as you'd think).

My goodness Red, you're a walkin encyclopedia.....

.

 

[bronco45]

Had a river belt like that and a Model 5 Bianchi on the Port Side that carried a 4" 29-2.

Back when police work was pretty much "seat of the pants" business. That old 29-2 got mighty heavy at the end of a 10 hour shift.

 

[JayCeeNC]

My duty rig, Armed Forces Police Detachment, Okinawa, 1972-1973.
Bianchi thumb-snap Border Patrol holster for S&W Model 15; Bianchi cuff case, local made nightstick holder. Web belt, and my white USAF Security Police hat.
I lost my gun twice while fighting in bars when the thumb snap came undone, and eventually threaded a length of dog-tag chain thru the snap to secure it.

 

[LPD256]

My first rig came from Dehner in Omaha. I also had custom motor Officer boots made by them. My paycheck was $650/month. As I recall, the boots were about $150. They still make them for about $900. Both items hang on the wall in my mancave. Neither fit me. And it's packing a Crosman replica CO2 S&W .357 in the holster....

 

[charlie sherrill]

cbore, I've bought a few from Hunt and Whitaker myself. Still got a few of them.

 

[usmc2427765]

I like the old slapper and backup revolver. Brings back memories of night shift patrol in the early '70s. Great old rig.

 

[cbore]

Thanks for update

The keepers aren't 'ours' (Bianchi) either. Trivia: you'd have purchased the open cuff case as a different brand because 'ours', the model 34, was just being developed early '70s. One of my early assignments.

In fact, when I began there 1970 Tex Shoemaker was supplying his moulded cuff and mag pouches unstamped, and we stamped the Bianchi name into them; until John could invest in his own tooling and methodology (not as easy to mould predictably as you'd think).

You are very right the cuff case I bought on Ebay several years ago its a Safety Speed. The single cuff strap holder I had a Policeman turned holster maker cut for me in 1975 that really what I used. The keepers once again correct don't know whoes or when lost my earlier ones.

Thank you for your input and update

 

[cbore]

cbore, I've bought a few from Hunt and Whitaker myself. Still got a few of them.

Miss the old Hunt and Whitaker I started with this Mdl 19 when they were in a "Bad" section of town on Whitfield Mills near the Old Mall. Miss the 1970-80 prices today more

 

[kraynky]

Only wore the rig on search warrants, round up raids and semi annual firing.

The model 19 I purchased from a Police Supplier in Jackson, Ms in 1972 at the age of 22. Just put the original grips back on it had Pacmeyer on it back then.

I was enjoying the pictures of that beautiful rig and thinking to myself "How did he keep those stocks from looking like doo-doo?", then I read your post. Ah ha! Makes sense now.

I always go to the pictures first. Sorta like reading the funnies first when you get the paper. I like the pictures, but you have a great story to go with that rig. Well preserved. Thanks for sharing them.