I considered this rig and got some pictures of it from the seller. As Ron said, the leather was condition, condition, condition. But I passed on it. My reasons were (1) The unit stampings were inked stamped on the inside of the holster. I prefer to have it embossed on the outer rear. Ink stampings just don't hold up over time and wear. I feel that I have a better chance of personnaly authenticifying an embossed date and unit marking. Anybody can make an ink stamp. (2) Pictures that I received from the seller of the stocks proofmark were not clear enough to show that it was authentic. Finally, (3) I did not receive a picture of the serial number on the attaching iron.
At the price that authentic artillery holsters and stocks go for, I want to feel comfortible with my purchase, especially when I am dealing with a foreign seller. I'll wait until something that I am more sure of comes along.
I hope that the purchaser proves me wrong and believes that he got a bargain. A true artillary holster with all the attaching leather and an authentic stock is a good find. If so, on this purchase, then the guy got a good buy.
Big Norm
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