Holster Rivets
 

It seems that we see a lot of holsters which have the belt straps replaced via rivets. Was this ever a field repair by the Germans or all after the war in the States? All I have owned or seen seem to be pretty identical as far as rivet size etc. Bill

Bill, the ones that i have seen usually appear to be a period police repair. Unknown about army things...


Ed

Bill,

I think that it was a common field repair. I've seen and had several with the same type of rivets. I doubt they would be similar rivets if done here. They are usually the flat headed hollow steel variety.

Ron

Bill, You have to concentrate on era's when talking rivets. They are relatively common on many WW1 leather items, not so much as repairs but items made with them. They were so common on leather items I think they were used extensively for repairs because that's what Saddlers had and since it was quick and easy...that's what they used.
In the WW2 era there were different rivets. They changed from the solid rivet to the hollow rivet. I say changed but you will find the use of the solid rivet still into the mid 40's.
Then there is the Norwegian conversion rivet. I have seen these mostly in hard nickle steel and also aluminum. Generally a larger rivet than some of the German types. These might have come from the U.S. like the G.I. belt hangers but that's speculative.
I have restitched hundreds of belt loops and it is relatively quick and easy to do. The holes are already there, they have to be cleaned out and ...restitched properly takes a short while. I have to suppose for the unskilled Saddler a rivet would be faster.
I don't see that many belt loops fixed with rivets but I have seen some.

Jerry Burney

Jerry,

I've attached 4 photos of a holster belt loops with rivets :order:

Bill

Bill, This is an example of a holster that was made (adding belt loops) using rivets...A conversion..not necessarily a repair..or was it? You will notice there are no stitching holes between the rivets. There were previous stitched on belt loops though.
Nice example! Been there!

Jerry Burney

Maybe to change the angle of the holster hang? e.g. Switching from the left side with a cross draw, to a straight right side hang.

Fn

I don't see any evidence of a cleaning rod pouch being removed, but it sure looks like a converted arty holster as I think I see where the stock block was removed from the back of the holster...or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

Ron..No, your eyes are fine. Indeed a converted Artillery holster. A magazine pouch has been installed..unusual. The angle of the holster does not present itself well enough to see the stitching below the mag pouch. If it were turned a tad to the left the stitching line would appear.
There is a block of stitching on the rear and below that you see the line of stitching that holds the lifting strap.

Fred..hard to say. This holster has seen many moons of service.

Jerry Burney

So, an Arti holster cut down to fit a 6" barreled gun?

Ron & Jerry,

Yes, you both are correct it is indeed a arty holster converted. :thumbup:
If the weather was better I would take a picture of the side with the mag pouch. :nono:

Bill

In 25 years I found only one holster with the rivets in Germany. It was a 1934 dated Ackva holster. I think it came from the USA.

I'm thinking 'Interarms'. They refurbished a lot of surplus stuff. Riviting failing belt loops would have been an easy fix.