WWI US ARMY LEATHER M1916 SWIVEL HOLSTER - COLT 1911 & Belt

Description

For sale is an superb original WWI US ARMY LEATHER M1916 SWIVEL HOLSTER manufactured by the Western Manufacturing Company, San Francisco, California. This holster was made to hold a COLT 1911 - 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. The holster flap is marked "US" and the back of the holster is stamped "Western MFG. Co. 1917". The Western Manufacturing Company was one of the authorized company's to manufactured the model M1916 holster. The brown holster has brass belt hooks. The back of the holster is also stamped "H.A.B." in two places which indicates the initials of the company employee who inspected the holster. Condition of the leather is in excellent condition. Sale includes a leather belt and shoulder strap which appear to be reproductions. The distinctive M1916 holster is a great military collectible.
While there are reproductions of M1917 Swivel Holster, the holster for sale is an original. One way an original holster can be differentiated from a reproduction is by examining the stitching around the metal 1910 hanger. Stitching on reproductions run straight across the entire back under the hanger but all originals have a gap in the stitching. Virtually all WWI holsters are dated and have either an inspector's initials or piece workers initials. The brass belt hook is also another indication of the holster's authenticity.
World War I or the First World War was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 until 11 November 1918. Contemporaneously known as the Great War or "the war to end all wars". The U.S. declared war on Germany on 6 April 1917 but trained American forces did not begin arriving at the front in large numbers until mid-1918. The American Expeditionary Force ultimately reached some two million troops.