[jrprich]

I am likely over thinking this bit of trivia...........but what the hell

I have thought for years that Mr. Cool was wearing a Bianchi 9R shoulder holster over that black turtleneck in the movie Bullitt. And I have read that information in many places and posts. But after re-watching Bullitt today for the countless time I now question this belief.
I now think he was actually wearing a Bucheimer A600. Take a look at these photos from the movie and I do not see the leather strap over the left shoulder like the Bianchi 9R has but the simple cotton webbing that the Bucheimer uses.
The holster in the pics is also different from the wire spring clamshell of the Bianchi, the pics show the elastic piece that holds the Bucheimer closed.

Note the black patch of elastic above the hammer and the straps in the pic

Here is a pic of my Bucheimer A600

 

[swamprat]

Don't know about the holster, but Jackie Bisset was HOT!

 

[jrprich]

Don't know about the holster, but Jackie Bisset was HOT!

Of that fact, there can be no doubt!

 

[hotrod150]

I agree that it's not a Bianchi #9R, but look at the Bullitt photo again. The harness attach at the muzzle end of the holster is different from your Bucheimer A600. Several makers have produced that style of holster- for example, the 1983 Safariland catalog I have shows that their #19 is similar to the Bullitt rig, but it appears to use a wider shoulder strap.
BTW what kind of gun is McQueen packing in that holster?

 

[eagleeye]

here is something similar
detective special shoulder holster,colt,S&W,38spl. : Gun Holsters & Gun Leather at GunBroker.com

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I agree that it's not a Bianchi #9R, but look at the Bullitt photo again. The harness attach at the muzzle end of the holster is different from your Bucheimer A600. Several makers have produced that style of holster- for example, the 1983 Safariland catalog I have shows that their #19 is similar to the Bullitt rig, but it appears to use a wider shoulder strap.
BTW what kind of gun is McQueen packing in that holster?

A snub Diamondback with service grips. I don't know about the holster but I think I might watch Bullitt today.

 

[dogface6]

The Diamondback has Detective Special grips - note the round butt.

 

[jrprich]

I agree that it's not a Bianchi #9R, but look at the Bullitt photo again. The harness attach at the muzzle end of the holster is different from your Bucheimer A600. Several makers have produced that style of holster- for example, the 1983 Safariland catalog I have shows that their #19 is similar to the Bullitt rig, but it appears to use a wider shoulder strap.
BTW what kind of gun is McQueen packing in that holster?

Lots of speculation on the holster online. Many say it was a Safariland #7. But when I looked for images of the Safari 7 I get this and this also has a different strap configuration as well as a holding snap strap.
Amazing that so many folks have an interest in this holster ;^)

The Safariland 19 also gets suggested a lot, but it also looks different in the details.

 

[jrprich]

I suspect that the prop department took the various designs and built a custom harness for Mr. McQueen.

According to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062765/trivia

"Steve McQueen based his character on San Francisco Homicide Inspector Dave Toschi, made famous for his work on the Zodiac killings. McQueen had a copy made of Toschi's custom fast-draw shoulder holster."

I have a Bucheimer A600 and a Bianchi #9R but I just bought them to go with my Cobra 2" which I do not carry.
Of the two the Bianchi seems much better made and designed but heavier than the Bucheimer.

 

[dogface6]

With so many to choose from, I doubt it.

Could've even been a Clark, or a Bucheimer-Clark or even a Lewis - there were a lot of available holsters for California law enforcement.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Here is a discussion about Bullitt's holster. check out post #6. A guy has a Safariland and it looks identical, though he mentions the 1970's. Don't know how far back these go but it sure looks like it compared to Bullitt's in the pics.

Holster in the movie 'Bullitt'

 

[jrprich]

Wyatt,

Yes, that Safari holster does look identical. Wish he also showed the harness.

 

[guy sajer]

...I don't know about the holster but I think I might watch Bullitt today.

Oh , yeah ! I'm in

 

[Bigfifty]

Don't know about the holster, but Jackie Bisset was HOT!

She STILL is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[chaosrob]

There are people who can sit through the whole movie?

 

[swamprat]

Don't know about the holster, but Jackie Bisset was HOT!

 

[Maximus1]

Wow! She is NOT wearing a shoulder holster.

 

[hotrod150]

Here's a scan from that 1983 Safariland catalog. The hlster itself looks like a match for McQueen's, but the strap looks wider.

 

[jrprich]

According to Bullitt (1968) - Trivia - IMDb

"Steve McQueen based his character on San Francisco Homicide Inspector Dave Toschi, made famous for his work on the Zodiac killings. McQueen had a copy made of Toschi's custom fast-draw shoulder holster."

 

[Dr.Rob]

I was going to bring up the Zodiac connection but several beat me to it.

My question is would any of you USE that sort of holster today?