Thursday, November 26, 2009

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE UPSIDE-DOWN SNUBNOSE SHOULDER HOLSTER?


Although I have no interest in carrying double snubnose revolvers, you get the idea of how the holster idea works from this picture.

This is the K.L. Null Holster Model SKR City Slicker. Instead of leather, the holster is constructed of form fitting dense but very thin polymer material. As said on Null's website, "Total weight of the Holster, Tri-Span Harness and loaded Airweight J-Frame revolver: 19 oz.!"



image courtesy of DL Sports, Inc. Check out their website!

http://www.dlsports.com/holster_dual_j_frame_revolver_shoulder.html

The iconic Steve McQueen in his Bullit role emulating San Francisco Detective Dave Toshi and his Colt carried in an upside down holster. Many TV shows in the 60's and 70's featured police characters using this type of holster. Kojak was one. Oddly enough, I can't remember any of the bad guys ever using this holster.


A lot of folks don't like the upside down snubnose shoulder holster rig but I do. Under a jacket or coat, it's very concealable. I own one each of the Bianchi and Safariland models from back in the day. I plan to buy an SKR soon and am going to do some searching on who makes leather versions of his holster nowadays, since Bianchi and Safariland discontinued this design some time ago.
I'll report back on what I find. The prices for these holsters on ebay are insane. Last year they were going for like $50 and now it's over double that in many cases.

6 comments:

  1. Have you seen C. Rusty Sherrick's Patrick Johnakin Brownshoe Corp. Muzzle-Up Shoulder Holster? ;-)

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  2. Thanks for the tip, Anon. I'll do a post on Mr. C. Rusty Sherrick's holsters soon. But for anyone who stumbles across this posting who, like me, does admire the upside down shoulder holster for snubbies, go to this link at Mr. Sherrick's site and feast your eyes on this beauty. Expensive? Yes. But in reading various reviews about the quality of Sherrick's holsters, it appears they are horsehide and well made.


    Here's the text of the article description, followed by the link:

    Patrick Johnakin Brown Shoe Corp. Muzzle Up Shoulder Holster
    A carry system popular in the 60's brought back after numerous requests from officers who used this holster. Spring loaded closed, just pull the weapon. Ultra safe, very fast, and extremely comfortable. J frame & Colt Cobra.

    Price: $185.00

    Available in cordovan, brown and black.

    http://www.c-rusty.com/pages/holsters/shoulder.html

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  3. Is the picture of the shoulder holster (white t-shirt, brown leather harness and black holster) a Kydex holster? Is this the K.L. Null shoulder holster?

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  4. Sorry it took so long to get an answer for you, Tony. It's been awhile since that post. That holster is a D & L Custom Inc. holster.

    Go to http://www.dlsports.com/index.html

    That holster appears to be an option as it appears on the bottom of a page advertising a double upside down holster rig.

    http://www.dlsports.com/holster_dual_j_frame_revolver_shoulder.html

    I'm going to have to do a post on them. They have some righteous services!

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  5. Heres another upside down model from Nevada Leather,great quality and very comfortable. http://nevadagunleather.com/Shoulder-Holsters_c5.htm

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  6. Thanks for the heads up, Stan! What a great looking bunch of Shoulder Holsters. In fact, I'll be ordering one from there soon. I not only like the upside down model, but also the secret agent model. Very nice old school proven design shoulder holsters, and quite reasonably priced!

    Thanks Stan!

    ReplyDelete