Service Holsters

[Major 2]

My local LGS is retired cop owned , and from time to time I see used service holsters in the $5 grab basket
I bought this one ( 1st photo)  for $5 it is a vintage Jay-Pee circa mid 50' to 60's  and somewhat rare in that it is lefthanded.
Fits my 1946 S&W Military & Police  equally well my 1945 Colt Commando. 

I also have the this Bauer bros. circa1929 Duty holster that came with my 1919 Colt New Service 38 .

So I saw a Vintage mid 50's  Bucheimere leather swivel duty holster in the basket Saturday, the pouch is in great shape but the upper and swivel is missing ....I think it is a great restoration project and will grab it Tuesday ( shop is closed Sun & Mon. )
A simple fix , to make the loop and attach a swivel.

question is ...

[Major 2]

Which way to restore it ?

Police or Military like the one worn here by Robin Olds

[St. George]

The military issued a swivel holster for their .38s - they went to MPs and the USAF, primarily - Navy and Army Aviation were more partial to shoulder holsters.

The swivel holster was never viewed as 'repairable' - no spare parts existed for the swivel, so they were thrown away as 'non-repairable/non-recoverable'.

If you're going to attempt a repair, you'll need another holster or baton frog to rob one from - I know no place that can supply that part.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

Actually, the LGS also has 3 baton frogs in the same basket , more than likely I'll get all 4 for $5 

But,  FYI I also know the Swivel Holster Hardware is available at  Standing Bear's Trading Post.

What I have not found is the Military Bail Wire hanger....less I find something  to sacrifice the part off of. 
old canteen cover or pouch of some sort

[Rube Burrows]

Hard to go wrong with a 5 dollar holster. I have one of my grandfather's old swivel service holsters.

[St. George]

Just bend one out of a thick coat hanger or drill rod.

Scouts Out!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Nice find. Congrats on that. I like the military version but it would depend on what you need to fill in your collection. The military bail wire hanger could also be made from fill rod from the local welding shop.

[Major 2]

As much as I like the look of the Robin Olds Air Force Holster, I don't have a Combat Masterpiece ....yet 

But I do have the 1946 M&P and that is what will be in it , so I suppose I'll go Cop belt slide.

[Major 2]

$5  surplus Cop Duty holster ...pouch in good condition, but missing the belt loop keeper & swivel hardware.
With the $5  I got 2 baton swivel carriers for donor parts included.

I have already removed the parts I need and spun them on my lathe to prepare them to restore the swivel holster

[Major 2]

Assembly

[Major 2]

Finished  with Skidmore's

Cost  $5  for holster +  $1 for 2  brass Machine screws & nuts = $6 all total invested 
and about one  hour of retirement hobby time

before & after

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's not a bad deal at a total of $11 and a little time invested. Looks great!

[Major 2]

it was $6 total      $ 5 + $1

and the moment of truth...the fit !

[Marshal Will Wingam]

$6 is even better! Looks really good.

[38OVI]

Hayesotoupalik.com  (sp) has original wire hangers in brass or steel.

[Major 2]

Thank you, I have purchased from Hayes Otoupalik several times over the years.

If one has not surfed his Website, he should . Some of my favorite Cavalry items have come from Hayes.

www.hayesotoupalik.com 

Thanks Marshal Will....
If it had been a Kydex or the like , I would not have given a thought.

But Circa 50's - 60's duty Leather...
I thought it was sad and forlorn in the bargain bin, and needed & deserved  a rescue .

[Mogorilla]

Excellent job!!!    Love to see the real stuff come back to life.    i have no modern firearms, so I know not of this kydex you speak of, but I know of no animal named kydex so i suspect it is not a form of leather.   

Seriously that looks amazing and love the fact it was such a bargain.

[Major 2]

Thanks  Morg

Yeah Kyda is like the modern - Nauga ... Kydex    I feel the same toward Naugahyde , Its not real.

I have just one Tupperware gun, a Sig.  I had won a Glock as a door prize at a shoot some years ago..
I traded it for a NIB Springfield Milspec 1911....and never looked back !

I like vintage holsters and have a modest collection , including a couple of 50's 60's era revolver duty holsters by Bauer Bros & Jay-pee ...  ( photo's above ) and a few original military.

this I think is a Bucheimere or maybe a Safariland , the makers stamp was probably on the missing belt keeper part.