US Post Office holster

[linde]

This holster marked "Property of U.S. P.O. Dept" and dated 1964 really cries out for the correct revolver to go in it . . . only which one? A 2" or 3" J-frame seems to fit, but I have no idea what postal inspectors carried in 1964. Can anyone out there help?

Russ
SWCA #853

 

[2152hq]

I had a couple of those a number of years back, but I don't belive mine had the rivits in them.
New and unused, sold as surplus from the USPO. I was told they were for the Colt Detective Special. I located a Colt and they fit, but S&W Chiefs Special fits too as you found.

One of the holsters I had was a L/H too.

I tried to find out which was the correct handgun issued but was never successful. Way before Al Gore blessed us with his internet invention.
Hopefully someone here knows.

Neat find!

 

[slashcat]

They were used in Railway Post Offices on trains for a long time. The issue weapon was a Colt Detective Special. You can google it and see pictures of the clerks wearing the holsters on duty as they sorted the mail on moving railway cars. Back before the miracle of charge cards,etc. people used to send a lot of cash through the mail. Hence,train robberies,etc.

 

[BruceHMX]

If you Google or check E-Bay there is also one made that fit's the 1917 S&W.

Seems the military gave a bunch of 1917 Colt and S&W's to be used in the same manner.

 

[Joe Kent]

The final guns turned back in to the HQTRS. by our local PO was a short barrel Stevens 12ga.,a 97 riot gun, a38 Police Positive New Police and a 32cal Police Positive. Approx. 10 to15yrs. ago they stopped issueing them to the two guys who would go to the local airport to pick up the cash shipment. Now they send one guy in plainclothes.

 

[Toyman]

Mt dad worked for PO frm 1952 to 1982. At one time he took care of registered mail, took form PO to train station and he would draw out a Colt Detective Special. He had to go to local PD once a year and fire to keep his "PERMIT" up to date. I also have an imporved "I" frame in 38 S&W that letters to PO shipped in February 1952

 

[linde]

Thanks much for all the great information. I had no idea about RPOs. Even know where there's a Colt Detetive Special 2nd generation that's for sale ... if I can bring myself to buying something other than a Smith & Wesson.

Thanks again, Russ

 

[conn ak]

Originally posted by Toyman:
Mt dad worked for PO frm 1952 to 1982. At one time he took care of registered mail, took form PO to train station and he would draw out a Colt Detective Special. He had to go to local PD once a year and fire to keep his "PERMIT" up to date. I also have an imporved "I" frame in 32 S&W that letters to PO shipped in February 1952

That's right. I've worked for the PO for 21 years. Up until the early 80's, believe it or not, if you were carrying registered mail, the supervisor would hand an employee (whether or not you had ever fired a gun...apparently, from the stories told) a Colt Dick special and an envelope with 6 bullets. This was before my time, but people who worked back then said the Colts (3 of them) hung on nails in a lock box. Can you imagine?

 

[kwill1911]

They actually bought far more Banker's Specials than they did Detective Specials. It is a very similar revolver but will not fire .38 Special.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

 

[s&wchad]

I recently sold an almost identical holster, darker brown, marked R.M.S. P.O. Dept. (Royal Mail Service...). It wouldn't fit a Detective Special. I believe they were made for the Bankers Special and I have seen Colt Bankers Specials with the backstrap marked similarly. I think they came out of Canada. Mine was not dated.

 

[george minze]

I worked the registered mail in early 60s between Marines and CPD. We drew a Colt (I think) detective special. In those days the Postal Terminal Association was not part of the regular city P.O. You were considered a regular sub clerk. Almost unlimited hours (straight time) We ran on the old L&N railroad from Cincinnati and Corbin Ky and Cincinnati to St.Louis. Those damn schemes you had to learn were a son of a gun. Mail and money started to go by plane and the good job went with the Railway Postal Cars. For you youngsters that never rode on a train you missed something. You got used to the clicking of the wheels. the whistle signals. Have we progressed way to far? Note: two things got you on the cars as a sub was being a former Marine and a Mason. I don't know why? but that was a good recommendation.

 

[truckemup97]

Originally posted by george minze:
For you youngsters that never rode on a train you missed something.

That's the truth. Most folks my age (40) have never ridden a train. I guess they are a part of our history now. I do plan on taking my wife on her first train ride (DC to NYC) in June, though.

Very interesting thread. I learn something new here every day.

 

[Da Old Bear]

Originally posted by BruceHMX:
If you Google or check E-Bay there is also one made that fit's the 1917 S&W.

Seems the military gave a bunch of 1917 Colt and S&W's to be used in the same manner.

I have a S&W, M1917 (made in 1918) that was transferred to the Postal Service in 1923.

It's in nice original condition, a good shooter and retains about 75%-80% of it's original finish.

 

[Gatofeo]

Trivia:
What was the first government agency to purchase the Thompson Submachinegun?
The U.S. Postal Service! They had them on trains carrying large amounts of cash.
Read that years ago in a gun magazine, and have read it a number of times since.
Good trivia question to win a beer.

 

[fscheer]

The models that may have been used in these USPOD holsters are S&W Model 36 with a 2-inch barrel. If anyone is interested in handgun usage on Railway Post Offices (RPOs) or a 1956 video of how mail was sorted in trains, please visit www railwaymailservicelibrary org (add dots. Also, there is an article titled "Gun Play at the Mail Car" by Don Rohrer that is available free as an Adobe Acrobat file.

 

[phs3194]

My father worked the RPO's in the sixties. He was issued both a Colt and a Model 36 at different times. He always said he preferred the Colt because it held six rounds. Every year he would have to fire a qualifying session, 12 rounds timed fire. This was done with wax bullets on a range in the basement of the main Post Office in St. Louis, Mo.

 

[smith17]

Russ:
Here is one I released to a fellow forum member last year, with a 2" Model 36 in it. I think it is stamped 1954.

Here is one like Bruce mentioned which was for a 1917. My Model 22 fits like a glove and they are still together.

 

[linde]

Originally posted by smith17:
Russ:
Here is one I released to a fellow forum member last year, with a 2" Model 36 in it. I think it is stamped 1954.

Here is one like Bruce mentioned which was for a 1917. My Model 22 fits like a glove and they are still together.

Awesome holsters Ed . . . thanks for sharing.

Russ

 

[fscheer]

Da Old Bear

includes a photo of a M1917. Thanks for the picture. Does the handgun have "Property of the U.S. P.O. Dept." or similar wording on it? Thank you, Frank

 

[Bugs100]

Up until about 1972 they use to have a holster with a revolver in it, nailed under the counter of most post clerks who worked the in the lobbies.