1912 holster question

[Truman]

I found this very nice holster that I believe to be a Model of 1912 mounted holster. It is marked Rock Island Arsenal, 1912, H.E.K.. 7C 23. If I am correct in my ID What would the proper belt be and could I see an example please. Thanks Truman

Information

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[Johnny Peppers]

Was the holster sold as an original Model 1912 holster? From the picture shown it does not look like an original holster to me.

[Truman]

Hi Johnny,I bought the holster as original. If it is not it is an excellent repro. Even had some verdigis around the brass. Even I think it looks maybe to good for the age but the leather is excellent and matches the quality of my WW2 Boyts. Thanks Truman

[Scott Gahimer]

A few months ago I saw online some repro M1912 holsters of the same quality and with the same type markings on the back. I'll try to find the site again. Don't remember how I found it.

You could order holsters with different markings...even in left hand.

I think the font is just slightly different than the originals and all the new repros seem to be perfectly struck.

I suppose the 7C 23 is supposed to be 7th Cav with a property mark 23? Just a guess.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Truman,

Did you by chance get it from eBay? There's a seller there who makes lots of fairly convincing fake holsters, but are too new to be real.

[Johnny Peppers]

The stampings look entirely too fresh, and the holster appears to have a "distressed" finish to make it look older.

[The Wizard]

I might be wrong but I think that leather items produced by Rock Island Arsenal during this period (1912) were mark R.I.A. not ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL.

[Johnny Peppers]

The Rock Island Arsenal stamp is the correct type, but too many other things wrong. The 1's in 1914 do not have serifs on the original holsters. Also, Ordnance issued a set of brass stamps to stamp the leather with unit markings, and the stamps on the holster in question has the unit stamps applied with die made for metal stamping.

[Johnny Peppers]

While hard to see on this well worn holster, the flap exhibits some of the unit stamps applied with the brass dies. The letters were wide, and probably the easiest to see is just to the left of the unit disc which covered a previous unit marking.
By the way, does the holster in question have a thigh strap?

[steved409]

Since this is a repo, you can get the proper repo belt from What Price Glory. This would be the early belt with no snap and only one 'loop'. They also have eagle snap magazine pouches. Or you can get the slightly later belt with the snap and two 'loops' (with or without the sabre ring).

SteveD