USGI 1911A1 M7 Tanker Holster?
 

Can anyone date this holster? I've been told it's pre-WWII, WWII, and post -WWII. I know somebody's right (haha!).

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/frnt_bck_posts.jpg

http://forum.lugerforum.com/lfupload/buckle_straps.jpg

I cannot find any markings at all on the holster. Although it is fairly worn, it is not likely that a mark could have been worn off without leaving any trace. The retention strap post looks like hammer forged brass, the belt loop post looks like steel. There is a pigskin sleeve over the adjustment buckle.

Any help appreciated,
Thanks

Jack

Jack, This is a German Holster. The adjustment buckle is found on German slings. K98- MP40 etc. I would place it WW2 for sure. Jerry Burney

PS, the USGI ones I have seen are black.

I was a tanker in the '70s and we were issued black holsters. WWII era US tanker shoulder holsters I have seen were natural or brown. The above shoulder holster is not a US issue holster.

I wonder if that is the German made for the Norwegian 1911 that they were making???? Rick B

From another forum where i made the same post:

The holster could be a German civilian reproduction of an M3. Thank you all for your opinions/expertise.

Jack

It resembles the shoulder holster for a Belgium FN Browning Hi Power on page 26 of Military Holsters of WWII by Eugene Bender. It looks aged and very well could be from just after WWII. Rick B

The slide/friction cinch is definitely not U.S. issue. I still have my issue shoulder holster. It has the vertical shoulder strap with a wrap around clip chest strap. It is also black.

Full credits to this photo and information go to Eugene Bender. This is the exact stiching as yours and a few other things but the straping lock and some buckles are differnet. Rick B

http://images.andale.com/f2/115/106/...cture_2681.jpg

Excellent article on US Holsters of WW2 in the 5th edition of the Gun Collectors Digest. Has pictures and descriptions of the M3 And M7, along with several others. Bill

Hello I was a tanker in 1959, m41's, m48's an m60 A1's for 6 years, finished my army career in self propelled artillery. the holsters we had in the tank unit were brown, later on they were black, hip an shoulder holsters.

9885 jim

It might just be my imagination, but the impression that I see in the body side of the holster appears to me to be from a Polish Radom...

Good imagination
 

John,
Your imagination is pretty freaking good...

The holster did indeed hold an 1st series H prefix Radom (now seperated).

Jack

P.S. I'll bring it to Louisville if you want to see it.