Safety Speed sizes

[Pig Hunter]

I was looking at (online) some of the Safety Speed cross draw spring clip holsters. Sizes were given as a single number, 5 or 6. Since they were old school duty rigs, do the numbers just indicate barrel length and will handle various frame sizes with the tension screw? Thanks. Mark

 

[rednichols]

Paul Boren at Safety Speed did issue holster catalogues. And it is possible that the spring crossdraws had only barrel length on them. The spring inside is really only a clamp and that screw provided little if any adjustment. Be aware that there are two styles : a wide one for DA revolvers and narrow one for big autos. I would expect that 98 pc of their holsters that survived to this point are for revolvers. The Cooper effect didn't take hold until well into the 80s and I doubt SS continued much past that.

 

[SG-688]

I bought a Safety Speed catalog blind hoping for information on clam shell holsters and a size chart, but it sadly has neither. The only date reference is to compliance with a 1975 warranty act.

Pictures I've saved show markings ranging from single digit numbers to more specific combinations, e.g., "38 6", "K 4" and "38 CM 4".

FWIW, observed contemporary Clark holsters are often marked with numbers that seem to correspond to barrel length. My snub size Clark is marked only 02.

I have more respect now for spring-post holsters than I did back when.