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MODEL 1912 .45 ACP HOLSTERS - ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
DTD 1911 – 1916 - RARE EARLY PRODUCTION SPECIMENS IN
EXCELLENT CONDITION: These US Army Model 1912
Holsters were manufactured at the Rock Island Arsenal
for issue with the Model 1911 .45 Automatic Colt
Pistol. Desirable specimens, these holsters were issued
as part of the sets of Model 1912 Trial Equipment for
both Horse and the Men.
In an embarrassment of riches, I have acquired these
three holsters to offer here. All three are
individually described below with accompanying
photographs.
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NO. 1
MODEL 1912 .45 ACP HOLSTER - ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL DTD 1911 – RARE EARLY PRODUCTION IN EXCELLENT
CONDITION: A desirable specimen, this holster
is dated 1911, predating the introduction of the
remainder of the accoutrements which were part of the
Model 1912 Trial Equipment. Based on the examination of
surviving specimens, it is believed that the number of
these holsters produced in November, 1911 were limited
to a few hundred before a stop order was issued, halting
production. The design of the holster body was then
sufficiently modified that those holsters produced in
1911 were salvaged for usable parts, and these 1911
dated swivels were then used in assembling the first
holsters with the modifications produced beginning in
March of 1912. Another indicator of this being an early
production holster is that the wire hook belt attachment
is housed within a metal roller, intended to reduce the
wear on the leather hanger. The Model 1912 Holster was
in production for only a few weeks before this roller
was discontinued after approximately 2,500 holsters had
been manufactured - the holsters produced after this
point were made without the roller.
This holster shows very little evidence of issue and
use, and it presents in excellent, solid condition with
all of the stitching and all of the seams intact. The
overall surface of the leather is smooth with only very
minor flexing evident on the upper portion of the flap
where this flexing is prone to occur. The leather has a
nice even russet color and a shiny surface overall.
Complete with the proper iron wire belt hanger, the
leather that passes over the roller shows very little
wear on the edges of the leather where these holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing. The swivel
component does not turn freely – this is a common
occurrence as these holsters aged. A real added value
in this holster is that the leg strap is present, intact
and in full length – a component that is more often than
not, missing.
The “US” in the oval is very strong and the hole in the
flap that closes over the final shows none of the
characteristic wear. The arsenal stamp on the
reverse, “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, 1911” is bright and fully
legible, and it includes the inspector’s initial stamp,
“H.E.K.”.
This early production Model 1912
Holster presents in excellent condition, and it is a
specimen that would be almost impossible to upgrade.
(0580) $1150
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NO. 2
MODEL 1912 .45 ACP HOLSTER - ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL, dtd 1914 – EXCELLENT CONDITION: This
holster, while showing signs of issue and use, is in
excellent, solid condition with all of the stitching and
all of the seams intact. The overall surface of the
leather is smooth with minor flexing only evident on the
upper portion of the flap and on the lower face of the
body where it molded around the barrel assembly of the
pistol – areas where this flexing is prone to occur.
The leather has a nice even russet color and a shiny
surface overall. The arsenal stamp on the reverse,
“ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, 1914” is light, but legible and
the date is discernable. Complete with the proper iron
wire belt hanger, the belt hanger loop shows very little
wear on the edges of the loop where there holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing. The swivel
moves freely, a component that is normally frozen in
place as these holsters aged. The “US” in the oval is
very strong and the hole in the flap that closes over
the final shows minimal wear. A real added value in
this holster is that the leg strap is present, intact
and in full length – a component that is more often than
not, missing. There is some legend stamped along the
bottom curve of the flap, a little difficult to read,
but it appears that it might be the soldier's name.
All in all, this is a very nice
early Model 1912 Holster, produced at the Rock Island
Arsenal, and is a specimen that would be difficult to
upgrade. (0581) $750
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NO. 3
MODEL 1912 .45 ACP HOLSTER - ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL – EXCELLENT CONDITION: This holster,
while showing signs of issue and use, is in excellent,
solid condition with all of the stitching and all of the
seams intact. The overall surface of the leather is
excellent - smooth with no crazing or flexing that is
normally found. The leather has a nice even russet
color and a shiny surface overall. Complete with the
proper brass wire belt hanger, indicative of the later
manufacture. The belt hanger loop shows very little
wear on the edges of the loop where there holsters
normally show excessive wear or tearing. The swivel
component does not turn freely – this is a common
occurrence as these holsters aged. The “US” in the oval
is fully legible and the hole in the flap that closes
over the final shows no wear. The flap is also bears a
unit applied inventory stamp “MG 3 23”, indicating
issue within a mounted machine gun company. The arsenal
stamp on the reverse, “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL” is partially
legible. The date of manufacture is there, but
difficult to read – possibly 1915 or 1916.
A real added value in this
holster is that the leg strap is present, intact and in
full length – a component that is more often than not,
missing.
All in all, this is a very nice
Model 1912 Holster, produced at the Rock Island Arsenal,
and is a specimen that would be difficult to upgrade.
(0582) $700
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