The Long Lost Upside Down Toschi/Bullitt Rig

[Cosmoline]

I've seen Bullitt and Zodiac recently, and though these are more procedural dramas than action flicks they both got me interested in the Detective Dave Toschi style upside-down rig. IIRC Safariland came out with a commercial version for a few years in the 70's and 80's but I've never seen one in the flesh. I heard one former LEO say he had such a rig but ceased using it after he heard reports/rumors that magnums were falling out after leaps over fences and the like.

The only current maker of an upside-down rig I know of is Ken Null, who makes the modern version of the deep concealment seventrees rig. I like his a lot, but what I'm after is a much larger leather rig for a full size magnum wheelgun or even a big single action that would rest barrel-up.

Does anyone know of a commercial or custom maker of such a rig?

 

[AK103K]

I have a Null for a 2" J frame, but my P220's and P229's actually work in it pretty well. I believe Null wont make, or at least doenst recommend them for a single action auto though, due to the trigger guard thing..

 

[Old Fuff]

Back when... both Bianchi and Safariland made the rig for revolvers, but the design originated with Brens-Martin. One user of a Safariland holster was Rex Applegate, who was set up for either a S&W J-frame 2" or model 19-2 1/2".

Recently our fellow member, Robbt was advertising an off-brand outfit for sale, but it was for a Detective Special.

I don't remember ever seeing one made for a revolver with a barrel length over 3 inches, and the pouch doesn't work with pistols because the leather is formed to support the gun around the back of the trigger guard.

 

[Nightcrawler]

El Paso Saddlery makes a shoulder rig where the butt is carried at a downward angle, but it's not straight down exactly.

 

[Cosmoline]

Old Fluff--thanks for that heads up! I'm trying to snag that pup right now. It doesn't appear to have sold. A double rig with the inverted Colt DS on the right arm and Ruger Speed on the left (for rh draw) would be minty fresh.

 

[Markbo]

A hunting partner of mine carried a little S&W in one. Never saw the benefit personally. He was never any quicker with it than any other shoulder rig I have ever seen and he carried it all the danged time. Seems he had a fear of snakes.

 

[SAWBONES]

"Upside-down" revolver shoulder rigs?

Ken Null, check.

Rusty Sherrick's version of the Brown Shoe Co. revolver rig, check.

Lou Alessi's Guardian rig, check.

BTW, Lou's is a gem, and unlike the other two, it's a "balanced" rig.