USN Navy pilot holster with ammo

[A. F Medic]

It is marked "Boyt 43" and is natural leather color. It is a shoulder rig but a cross strap must be missing as I do not see how it could be kept on the shoulder.

It came with 20 REM UMC 38 SPL. cartridges. Six of those rounds have a painted red tip. Could those be tracers?

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[HotTom]

It is marked "Boyt 43" and is natural leather color. It is a shoulder rig but a cross strap must be missing as I do not see how it could be kept on the shoulder.

It came with 20 REM UMC 38 SPL. cartridges. Six of those rounds have a painted red tip. Could those be tracers?

There was only one strap (like the early M1911 shoulder holster, which also did not have a chest strap). The strap went over the opposite (from the gun) shoulder. There should be at an attachment at the bottom of the holster to hook it to the belt.

This model holster was still being made and issued in Vietnam and may still be issued today. It was used with the .38 special version of the S&W Victory revolver.

HT

[dbarn]

Sounds like the USN holster for the S&W Navy Victory model. Most all that I have seen had the extra loops sewn in and it was not uncommon for the pilot to carry the tracer rounds to signal other aircraft in the event he was shot down.

[rondog]

Is it a revolver holster or a 1911? I know there were M3 and M7 types of 1911 holsters. The M3 had one strap, the M7 has two. I have repros of each, I prefer the M3. Looks like this....

[A. F Medic]

It looks like your pic. and as dbarn says,"It held a Victory revolver". However my Detective Special fits in it well except for the length of the holster for a longer barrel.
My retaining strap is longer and snaps more toward the belt loop. It is a Klikit pull snap.

[HotTom]

Is it a revolver holster or a 1911? I know there were M3 and M7 types of 1911 holsters. The M3 had one strap, the M7 has two. I have repros of each, I prefer the M3. Looks like this....

It looked very similar but was smaller and contoured slighty differently for a revolver.

http://www.collectorfirearms.org/web...ed/uh-1084.htm

I have one marked BOYT and stamped MRT (Mildew Resistant Treatment) MAY 1962.

HT

[A. F Medic]

Nice bit of change for the holster. Thanks! Mine also has the original ammo and the ammo belt. Must have been an option.

In WWll the guys had to be a lot smaller. I can't get mine to reach my belt to slide the belt through.

[Aye KAY]

I have a black one with the single strap and belt loop. I always figured it was missing something. It does not have the catrige loops. I feel it is for a revolver as I had to cut some of the stitching to get my old 1911 to fit in it. I'll have a look at it tonight and check for the markings.