holtered backwards
 

I was watching American pickers on the history channel, they were looking at some stuff a old guy had, he was wearing a revolver with it backwards in his holster on his left side. Why in the heck would you wear a gun with the grip out. HE had a badge on so might be a old cop thing

Carrying a pistol butt forward means the shooter intends to "cross draw". I.e. he's carrying the pistol on his LEFT side, but would reach across his body and shoot left handed. Most LEO's are not allowed u use a cross draw rig for liability reasons (takes longer to draw and presents an unprotected SIDE of the body to the "bad guy"), but detectives and "business cops" that often wear over the shoulder rigs often prefer a cross draw belt holster as well, since their normal rig would be cross draw.

If he WAS a cop, then he's pretty old school, because like I said, there's liability issues with wearing a cross draw rig, AND there's also liability issues with carrying revolvers.

I wear my .357 wheel gun on my left, butt handle out for a right handed cross draw; because I carry my rifle on my right shoulder.

If he was carrying it on his LEFT side, than he was RIGHT handed. That way he draws across his body, not same sided!! Buffalo Bill used to carry like this as did some other famous western shooters, looks fancier that way. The reason was their coat does not get in the way while on their horse. I carry the same while on long drives. I am LEO.

Thanks for the catch Chance! Slip of the keys! You've got it the right way, left side cross draw is RIGHT hand.

I live in an open carry state (God bless Kansas), and as you mentioned, cross draw is much more comfortable on horseback. Regardless of a coat or not, a straight or forward canted holster tends to rock backwards and dump your guns because of your LEG in a saddle, pretty similar to your experience while sitting in the car.

This might not apply depending on how long the gun is ,But I am left handed and use a right handed inside the waist soft uncle mikes ( almost velvelty, is that a word ......LOL) but I carry it towards the left side of the small of my back for a left handed draw.For my Kimber I just picked up I think one of the best side holsters I have ever had.It is left handed designed to carry condition one ( the thumb break snap covers the safety and fits in between the hammer and striker).It has a small plastic piece the grip the trigger loop and only secures the first 1 1/2 inch of the barrel.Looks kinda like some type of quick draw rig.It comes out really smooth and quite fast.Most of my defensive shooting practice is at 5,7,12,and 15 feet.I don't aim I just get it out point and pull twice on a man size target.You would be surprised how good you will get and how quickly you will learn.I can put 2 in ( or near ) center mass all day this way.When it comes down to nut cuttin' you don't have time to comb your hair, fix your tie, etc.You gotta get into action fast and accurate.JMHO

I use a shoulder rig sometimes in conjunction with an in the pants concealed holster if I feel the need to have both open and concealed on me for whatever reason.
Being that I shoot left handed, my shoulder rig has my full frame butt out under my right arm, with my CC on my left hip.

my guess is he was an older higher up cop, retired, or reserve, I am sure he is old school since he was in his 50s or 60s