Louisville Police ca 1930s

[Ark]

Back when a cop could go their whole career and never draw on duty.

Probably the real reason for the crossdraw, no belt reloads, etc. Though, the guy second from the right has both a conventional holster position and what looks like a revolver dump pouch.

Perhaps a baton was hung on the right side and that's why it was kept clear. Sure would be cool to have the opportunity to sit and chat with them about it.

 

[DRob]

There is a huge collection of old IPD photos in the Bass Photo Collection at the Indiana Historical Society. Many are very similar to the one posted. A few have 3-4 officers holding shotguns and Thompsons. There were a variety of hand guns which was due to the fact that IPD officers had to provide their own sidearms "back in the day". Some of those guys were still around when I was hired in 1967. Only requirement was they had to be Colt or S&W in .38 Sp. Uniform jackets (called blouses) were pretty heavy. The older winter coat was heavy wool, hip length. It was called a reefer and was heavier than a Navy peacoat. Large side pockets were open inside so you could draw your revolver with the coat buttoned up. Wish I had one today.

 

[indiucky]

There is a huge collection of old IPD photos in the Bass Photo Collection at the Indiana Historical Society. Many are very similar to the one posted. A few have 3-4 officers holding shotguns and Thompsons. There were a variety of hand guns which was due to the fact that IPD officers had to provide their own sidearms "back in the day". Some of those guys were still around when I was hired in 1967. Only requirement was they had to be Colt or S&W in .38 Sp. Uniform jackets (called blouses) were pretty heavy. The older winter coat was heavy wool, hip length. It was called a reefer and was heavier than a Navy peacoat. Large side pockets were open inside so you could draw your revolver with the coat buttoned up. Wish I had one today.

Thanks for sharing sir....

 

[indiucky]

 

[indiucky]

 

[indiucky]

 

[indiucky]

 

[VERT]

Looks to me that those holsters could be worn anywhere on the belt. They are not cross draw holsters. My guess is the offhand side is simply out of the way when getting in and out of vehicles or chairs compared to hanging down on the right side. I doubt there was “tactical” thought given to how the gun was worn.

looked again. The picture is just that cool. Notice the belts are not sagging when the gun is on the left and positioned in front of the hip. There is an additional strap over the right shoulder that would help support the weight. I bet that is part of the uniform. The officers probably are wearing their guns in the most comfortable fashion.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

That suspect on the right should be easy to spot. "Wearing half a dress on his/her right side, and half a pair of pants on his/her left side."

 

[Morgan88]

FIRST PHOTO

Can you imagine a foot chase in that getup?

 

[KellyinAvon]

Harley trike, bones grips on the K-frame, wearing the bus driver hat like a WWII bomber pilot, lady with suicide doors is showing some leg. Who wants to sign up for SDPD??

 

[KokomoDave]

Nice hottie you sneaked in with SDPD!

 

[rob63]

Looks to me that those holsters could be worn anywhere on the belt. They are not cross draw holsters. My guess is the offhand side is simply out of the way when getting in and out of vehicles or chairs compared to hanging down on the right side. I doubt there was “tactical” thought given to how the gun was worn.

looked again. The picture is just that cool. Notice the belts are not sagging when the gun is on the left and positioned in front of the hip. There is an additional strap over the right shoulder that would help support the weight. I bet that is part of the uniform. The officers probably are wearing their guns in the most comfortable fashion.

That is a Sam Browne belt, a very common item in military and police uniforms of the past. It was invented in the 1800's by a British military officer who had lost one of his arms and subsequently had trouble with his sword belt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Browne_belt

 

[WanderingSol07]

So is the guy second from the right odd in that he has his support strap supporting his left side of the belt, but has the gun on the right side? A later picture shows officers with the support strap on the left and right side. Maybe he moved the holster at the last moment for the picture.