| |
|
|
|
WORLD WAR ONE PRODUCTION MODEL 1916 .45 ACP HOLSTERS
– VERY NICE SPECIMENS OF EARLY PRODUCTION HOLSTERS:
These are all Model 1916 Holsters which were
manufactured under civilian contracts as the US Army
mobilized and deployed over to Europe. Each is
described below with accompanying photographs.
|
|
NO. 1 MODEL 1916 .45 ACP HOLSTER –
CLINTON - DATED 1917: This US Army Model
1916 Holster for the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol was
manufactured in 1917, and is so date stamped on the
reverse of the belt hanger as well as a legible small
“US”. The maker’s name is present, but only partially
legible, however I believe from the style and placement,
it indicates this holster was manufactured by Clinton.
This holster shows only minimal evidence of use and has
survived in excellent, solid condition with all of the
stitching and all of the seams intact. The flap retains
a bright legible “US” in the oval. The overall surface
of the leather is smooth with no crazing, retains a
pleasant light russet color, and has a bright shiny
surface to the leather. The hole in the flap closes
snugly over the finial. Complete with the proper brass
wire belt hanger, the belt hanger loop shows very little
wear on the edges of the loop where these holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing. The holster is
also stamped on the reverse of the body, the belt hanger
assembly, and the top rear edge of the flap with the
same set of three initials, "H.A.B.", likely the
acceptance stamps of the government inspector assigned
to the Clinton Saddlery Company in Clinton, Iowa.
Seldom encountered these days in this excellent
condition, this World War One manufactured, Model 1916
Holster will display very nicely with an early
production Model 1911 Pistol or with any of the early
web belts of the period. (0923) $175
 |
|
 |
 |
|
NO. 2 MODEL 1916 .45 ACP HOLSTER –
GRATON & KNIGHT - DATED 1918: This US Army Model
1916 Holster for the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol was
manufactured in 1918, and is so date stamped on the
reverse of the belt hanger as well as the inspector
initials. The maker’s name is present, and while
lightly struck, it is legible as G & K for Graton and
Knight Manufacturing Company of Worcester,
Massachusetts.
This holster shows minimal use and has
survived in very nice, solid condition with all of the
stitching and all of the seams intact. The flap retains
a bright legible “US” in the oval. The overall surface
of the leather is smooth with no crazing, retains a
pleasant medium russet color, and has a shiny
surface to the leather. The hole in the flap closes
snugly over the finial. Complete with the proper brass
wire belt hanger, the belt hanger loop shows very
minimal
wear on the edges of the loop where these holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing.
Seldom encountered these days in this condition, this World War One manufactured, Model 1916
Holster will display very nicely with an early
production Model 1911 Pistol or with any of the early
web belts of the period. (1003) $165
 |
 |
 |
|
NO. 3 MODEL 1916 .45 ACP HOLSTER –
ENGER-KRESS: This US Army Model
1916 Holster for the .45 Automatic Colt Pistol was
manufactured by the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company of
West Bend, Indiana, and the maker’s name is legibly
stamped on the reverse.
This holster shows minimal use and has
survived in very nice, solid condition with all of the
stitching and all of the seams intact. The flap retains
a bright legible “US” in the oval. The overall surface
of the leather is smooth with no crazing, retains a
pleasant medium russet color, and has a shiny
surface to the leather. The hole in the flap closes
snugly over the finial. Complete with the proper brass
wire belt hanger, the belt hanger loop shows very
minimal
wear on the edges of the loop where these holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing.
Conventional wisdom indicates that the Enger-Kress
production of these holsters was for World War Two,
however its worth noting that this holster lacks the
1940's date normally found on WWII production holsters
and it was made with a brass wire hanger rather than the
steel hanger characteristic of WWII holsters.
This Model 1916
Holster will display very nicely with an early
production Model 1911 Pistol or with any of the early
web belts of the period. (0308) $125
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
