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I picked up this shoulder holster today at a match. Who did these get issued to? I have seen many before but this is the first with a WW2 date. I paid $40 for it. The same guy had a Boyt 42 US hip holster beautiful but it was black leather inside and out. Would that have been original in black? I think it was $25 should I call him and get it?https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...gerKress-1.jpg
The shoulder holsters were issued to personnel that found the hip holster to interfere with their movements like tank crews, air crewman, and such.
Holsters were russet colored until the early to mid 1950's, so the black Boyt 42 has been dyed. It is probably worth the $25 if still in serviceable condition, but doesn't have the collectibility of an original holster.
The black one had been dyed inside and out , it looked like it came that way.Perfect dye job, I even looked inside to the bottom it was the same all the way down. It is was mint except for the fixtures and rivets were green.There was also a early 1900's cavalry saddle.It looked like the guy had just cleaned somones attic.
Quite a few original WWII holsters were dyed black during the Vietnam war. The Boyt holsters are among the most common of the WWII holsters, and was probably vat dyed to change the color. The thread will be black on a dyed holster.
The Army converted to "black shoe" with the adoption of the "Army green" uniform in (IIRC) 1956. The changeover took a while (I got out in Apr 57 just before I would have had to buy a new uniform and shoes). Anyway, other leather accessories underwent the same change in the same general time frame.
Jim
I have so many WW2 1911 accys I have happened on, haven't found the right gun though.Must be getting close.
Curt -
Can you post more photos of your shoulder holster? Does it still have all the straps and snaps? You purchased it for a good price if it's complete and in good condition -
(Regardless, tell your wife it's very valuable and you need a 1911A1 to carry in it so it'll retain it's shape!)
You received good information concerning the black '42 dated holster if you were thinking about buying it. It's definitely been dyed and has little collector desirability.
It might be good for carrying the 1911A1 you're about to purchase though!