| |
|
|
|
MODEL 1881 HOLSTER, SECOND TYPE
– MODIFIED FOR THE COLT “ARTILLERY” 5 ˝” BARREL
REVOLVERS:
As described in US
Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes,
Meadows, page 143, this Model 1881 Holster (Second Type)
was one of those subjected to the modification which
begun in 1895 to accommodate the Colt Revolvers with the
shortened 5 ˝” barrels – referred to by modern
collectors as the “Artillery Model Colts”.
These “Artillery Model” Holsters are not particularly
common, but nonetheless I have been fortunate enough to
acquire the specimens offered below. Each is
described separately with accompanying photographs.
|
|
NO. 1 MODEL 1881 HOLSTER, SECOND TYPE – MODIFIED
FOR THE COLT “ARTILLERY” 5 ˝” BARREL REVOLVERS:
A very good specimen, this holster features solid
stitching throughout and all of the components are
intact. The body is very solid and full form, with an
overall very good to excellent smooth, shiny surface to
the leather, and a legible “US” embossed in the oval.
The holster flap shows the affects of aging with the
surface generally crazed, but stable and both of the
finial holes are intact.
As seen in period photographs,
it was fairly common for the soldiers to fold the flap
back and tuck it between the belt and the soldier’s body
in order to expose the pistol’s grip for quick access.
This may have been the case with this holster and would
explain the heavier flexing of the leather surface of
the flap as compared to the other components. The loop
is very solid and the surface is very good to excellent
with a smooth, shiny surface to the leather. There is a
numeral “7” carved into the surface of the loop, likely
a soldier’s application of a unit identification or
inventory number.
This is a complete, very credible, solid
specimen of one of the more desirable variations of the
Model 1881 Holsters. (0105) $925
 |
 |
|
|
|
NO. 2 MODEL 1881 HOLSTER, SECOND TYPE – MODIFIED
FOR THE COLT “ARTILLERY” 5 ˝” BARREL REVOLVERS:
A very good specimen, this holster features solid
stitching throughout and all of the components are
intact. The body is very solid and full form, with an
overall very good shiny surface to the leather with
minimal crazing, and a legible “US” embossed in the
oval. The holster flap shows similar crazing, but the
surface is stable and both of the finial holes are
intact. The piece maker’s initials are still legible on
the tip of the flap. The loop is very solid and the
surface is very good to excellent with a smooth, shiny
surface to the leather.
Of special note on this holster, the interior of the
holster flap retains the very desirable, and quite
legible, stencil “S S&W” and “C” adjacent to the closing
holes which indicated to the soldiers which hole was to
be used with which pistol, the Colt Model 1873 or the
Smith and Wesson Model 1875 Schofield. This is always a
added value feature which seldom survives on these
holsters which saw issue and use.
This is a very credible, solid specimen of one of the
more desirable variations of the Model 1881 Holsters.
SOLD
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
