Gunsmoke Question

[ratski]

Yes, I know it is TV, but...


I've watched a few episodes of Gunsmoke lately and noticed something that bothers me.


In the opening credits, Matt Dillon has his holster tied down. Using the leg strap.


However, in almost all the other scenes I see, the tie down is hanging loose and unused.


I've always wondered why?


I've rarely used that particular holster setup, but always felt that the tie down was essential.
Especially since it appears that he is using a revolver with a longer than usual barrel.


Again, yes I know it is TV...

 

[rawhide]

Left Miss Kitty in a hurry?

Haven't had a tie down on since I was a kid but think it might be uncomfortable when horseback or seated at the Long branch.

 

[bigred1]

Left Miss Kitty in a hurry?

Haven't had a tie down on since I was a kid but think it might be uncomfortable when horseback or seated at the Long branch.

Yes your right. He usually ties it down when he's meeting a bad hombre at noon in the middle of town.

 

[bigred1]

Watched every episode with my Daddy when I was a youg'un.

 

[Snattlerake]

50's version

modern version

Have you seen the Pomona CA officer's holster? It sticks way the hell out away from the body.

 

[bigred1]

50's version

modern version

Have you seen the Pomona CA officer's holster? It sticks way the hell out away from the body.

I bet with that last one they bump into a lot of door facings.

 

[KurtM]

Back in the day I used to do a bunch of L.E. training for SWAT, SET, SERT, and HRT all over the place, right about the time the "thigh" holster became THE cool way to get the pistol out of the way of body armour. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many chairs I watched get snagged by those flipping flopping pistols when we would take a break from class room stuff, or the amount of crap that would get snagged while building clearing.....nothing like a tough fed dragging a fold-up chair down a hallway yelling "CLEAR" to bringbr smile to your face! Thank God we turned that corner after the fullness of time!

 

[dennishoddy]

Watched every episode with my Daddy when I was a youg'un.

There wasn't much else on back then other than Palliden.

 

[SoonerP226]

My guess is that the untied tie-down had more to do with James Arness's bad back (results of wounds from his time in the service) than anything related to the continuity of the show.

 

[Snattlerake]

I bet with that last one they bump into a lot of door facings.

That is precisely why mine was always high n tight. Just one time during a fight in a bar the old holster was just sticking up in the air saying "Come and get it!" Never happened again.