Your asking me to dust off the old memory bank robbt..
I aqquired the Safety-Speed rig during a TDY(temporary duty assignment) to Vandenburg AFB in 1978. West coast departments always seemed to have the best choice of duty gear.
I was researching new equipment standards for the Air Force while assigned to the SP Academy. As times were changing, and a group of us were forwarding our recommendations up the chain of command. We were desperately trying to bring our equipment more in line with our civilian counterparts.
That said, the Safety-Speed was used by LAPD, LASO,CHP and numerous departments in So Cal back then. I tried one at a invitational combat match when I was there and loved it.
For patrol duty it was the ultimate rig for me. Comfortable and fast drawing. Well constructed with heavy stitching and heavy duty hardware. This rig I wasn't allowed to use during my military duties but it followed me into civilian law enforcement and served me well for many years until we sent to semi autos.
Ammunition carrier prior to the 1970's were the standard cartridge slide or belt loops or pouches. Either the fold over dump pouch or the double ended type. HKS made the rapid reloading of wheelguns affordable to officers and are still the most popular in my opinion.
Whereas departments in the Northeast were using makers such as Jay-Pee or Bucheimer. On occassion you would see some Safariland or Bianchi, but they were horribly expensive and not readily available in most gun shops or uniform dealers.
Don Hume was widely used during those wheelgun days and of very high quality. The Jordan Holster was the benchmark of leather gear, durable and beautiful at the same time. Hume made one of the very best double lined Sam Browne duty belts.
The basketweave pattern was much more durable than than plain leather for showing wear from daily use. And then of course we had the world famous Clarino patent leather finish...
High gloss and useful for parade details but prone to cracking and splitting. And one dig from a door frame in Clarino was a glaring scar.
Comparing notes with others over they years, many officers had to supply their own gear. This was far more common in the southern states. Sometimes there were department standards or the officer was given an allowance for the purchase of his/her gear. Sometimes gear was let out to bid and of course the low bidder won.
I think that the history of law enforcement leather is a hand in hand subject with what we share here on the forum. And there is so much history to be learned.
