This Ebay seller is lucky enough to have an unlimited selection of nicely marked original holsters.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tBKPruGB-1.jpg
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This Ebay seller is lucky enough to have an unlimited selection of nicely marked original holsters.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...tBKPruGB-1.jpg
Nice, crisp markings, Harlan, It looks brand new!
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...ry3D400-40.jpg a pic of a couple of of other holsters for comparison. The middle one is a Boyt 42 with a 1924 belt hanger and the end one is a nice Boyt 44. The 1912 did not come with the leg belt but did have two loops. Honestly the quality of the 1912 is comparable with the Boyts. Thanks Truman
I don't think quality is in question here, but rather markings and originality.
My M1912 holsters also do not have the serif type 1 in the date stamps. My markings are also applied differently.
I think Johnny makes a good point about the type of die used to apply these markings being different for leather and steel.
Thanks Scott I think I am just trying to console myself that if I was taken at least it was an excellent example. Up untill now I have not seen this quality of repro. Not to worry for but $50 it will make a nice conversation piece and a usable holster. Thanks Truman
I think you did great for $50. It appears to be a high quality holster with nice detail. $50 doesn't usually buy nearly as much. Congratulatins on the good buy.
Here are a couple of examples of Rock Island Arsenal made holsters. According to Meadows Holster book, RIA made approx. 200,000 holsters between 1911-1916. In terms of numbers, these holsters are not rare but I would assume most of them are just used up.
Model 1912
http://members.cox.net/jpchan/holster%20front.jpg
Marks have faded. 1914 T.C.C.
http://members.cox.net/jpchan/back%20side%201.jpg
Model 1916
http://members.cox.net/jpchan/RIA%20front.jpg
Just below 1916, can’t make out the date, M.E.K.
http://members.cox.net/jpchan/ria%20top%20back.jpg
As told, this holster is a good quality repro. "Repro" is a too good word when they reproduce also markings to fool people, maybe it's better call it "fake". Of course there are many details saying it's a repro, but the most obvious and detectable from long distance is the shape of the arched stitching in front of the trigger guards.
In the pic an original R.I.A.1913
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../stitchd-1.jpg
Your first tipoff that the holster was not authentic should have been the price. You just don't buy $300 original holsters for $50 in this day and time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Truman