Vintage Jay Pee Swivel Holster

[Major 2]

I was in my friendly LGS haunt ( just about every Saturday )
I found this Jay Pee LH Swivel Holster w/ Bullet Holder in the $5 grab basket....
I believe it is about 1960's vintage. I fits my Military & Police perfectly.

Anyone know anything more about the design ?

 

[s&wchad]

Jay Pee was sold at police supply stores. Not considered a high end holster, but it's well worth $5! The D-rings at the top are for a Sam Browne style shoulder strap.

I borrowed this photo off the net...

 

[kbm6893]

The NYPD used them for many years, though not with the cartridge holder or retention strap. For retention, there was a lip sewn into the inside of the holster that the cylinder would lock under. To draw the weapon, you shoved your thumb in between the cylinder and the lip to allow the gun to clear the lip and be drawn straight out. At some point, Cobra Gunskin must have either bought the rights to make it or maybe the patent expired, because the one I wore was Cobra Gunskin with the official NYPD acceptance stamp in the leather, while a much earlier one my uncle gave me was Jay Pee.

 

[Major 2]

Thanks for the comments...
My friend and LGS / receiving FFL is a retired Leo, I drop in once or twice weekly to see if anything vintage or cool happens in. I've bought several vintage guns that have been consigned there.
This was in the bargain basket. I knew was was not going to get hurt for $5
There was no belt , but there was a small strap loop/snap with a snap J hook I assume for keys with it ?

 

[Major 2]

Here is another photo with my WW 2 Colt Commando in it.
And with the S&W Military & Police.
The Colt is 1945 and the Smith 1946.

 

[WR Moore]

Brings back memories from deep in the last century. Jay Pee did make the "official" holster for several major PD's back in the day. I do believe I've still got the one I had to buy somewhere. The cartridge loops on the belt loop of the holster was, IIRC, the official holster of at least one state police force (PA?). I also recall one holster (made for Philly PD?) where the retention device was a spring steel finger inside the trigger guard. Drawing involved sticking your trigger digit inside the trigger guard and depressing the steel finger to allow the gun to be drawn.

 

[K Frame Keith]

Brings back memories from deep in the last century. Jay Pee did make the "official" holster for several major PD's back in the day. I do believe I've still got the one I had to buy somewhere. The cartridge loops on the belt loop of the holster was, IIRC, the official holster of at least one state police force (PA?). I also recall one holster (made for Philly PD?) where the retention device was a spring steel finger inside the trigger guard. Drawing involved sticking your trigger digit inside the trigger guard and depressing the steel finger to allow the gun to be drawn.

My father carried the holster with the spring inside the trigger guard that required putting the trigger finger on the trigger during the draw. That swivel is also the weak point as Dad found out when he was disarmed by an assailant who ripped the holstered revolver off the belt at the swivel. Lucky for Dad that the perp couldn't remove the gun from the holster because of that spring.

 

[Major 2]

No spring on mine, as it is a different/earlier maybe ? design, it uses the snap strap retainer.

I have another Brauer Bros duty holster that came with my Colt NM Police from early 1930's that was carried by a Cincinnati motor patrolman. I acquired it from a PD Chaplin/ collector. and friend of the LGS owner.

 

[Old cop]

I was issued one in my 1968 rookie year. It's only problem was when chasing a suspect on foot you had to hang onto the holster or it would leave a large bruise on your leg.

 

[Major 2]

I sort of backed into Holster collecting with
a few Military/bring backs aquired w/ the gun(s)
It then kind of morphed into vintage Police Duty holster(s) as I happen on them...

 

[Walter Rego]

I have a much older Folsom Audley version for my WWII era Colt Official Police. It is marked on the back ST which I believe was their State Trooper model. It has the spring loaded retainer in the trigger guard.