USMC HMM 362 M1916 Holster Photo

[doyler]

Pilot wearing hip holster with ammo loops added to belt. Shows not all holsters were dyed brown / black

 

1st Lt. Al West USMC HMM-362 1968

Shot down 3 times. Two of those downed aircraft were retrieved - one destroyed by NVA as they were escaping over the tree line in wingman's aircraft. He received the Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam.

Photos: 1st Lt. Al West USMC

 

 

[Justin]

Really nice photo 

[Charlie Flick]

That is indeed a neat pic, Ron.  Thanks for the post.

 

I think the modified pistol belt is just as interesting as the un-dyed M1916 .45 holster.  I have seen similar belts modified to hold .38 Special ammunition for the S&W Victory Model but this is the first I have seen for the .45 ACP cartridge.  Maybe the Marine just liked the "cowboy" look as the Western was a major genre in motion pictures and TV at the time.   But I would think that the better solution would have been to have the usual double mag pouch on the belt rather than the bullet loops.  Reloading the pistol would have been a heck of a lot faster using the mag pouch filled with already loaded magazines.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[jerry_k]

Killer photo. The rigger mod. belt is very nice. 

 

A lot of option is there. Maybe he have a .38 S&W in .45 holster. I noticed something similar but in different way: .45 in .38 shoulder holster but of course in WW2 photo of VMF-222 pilot:

 

Another WW2 example of .45 holster with ammo loops which as Charlie pointed is not for sure very practical:

VMF-223

My old rigger made holster for .45 with ammo loops:

 

Similar post war modified rig for .38

 

[kwill]

Why do you think the shoulder holster in the first picture is for a .38 revolver?  The M3 was made in two sizes and was popular for both guns.

[doyler]

48 minutes ago, kwill said:

Why do you think the shoulder holster in the first picture is for a .38 revolver?  The M3 was made in two sizes and was popular for both guns.

 

To me the length of the strap over the grip is shorter and space different for the 1911 holster verses the 38 revolver holster as well as the stud location for the strap to snap.The 1911 holster seem to be higher than the studs for the 38 holsters. Also the stitching for the barrel width is different on the 1911 holster looking a little wider. The cut of the openeing at the top is slightly different and the 38 revolves also used a rivet on the top cprner where the 45 didnt. The last picture is a post war 50s era holster for a 38 revolver by BOYT. I have owned several dated and marked  BOYT (oval stamp) MRT-1963 

 

 

[iron bender]

This is the holster my dad carried in the field as a platoon leader and later company commander of B/C companies 17th Infantry in 1968-69. He had my mom purchase this holster near Ft. Hood and ship it to him as all leather goods in inventory were rotten junk. It was NOS when he received it. Took pics of the pistol too as I know someone will ask. He purchased this at a pawn shop in Coperas Cove (already plated) in 1968 and had it engraved when he was working for 1st AD at Hood... I'll have to dig but I know I've got some color pics of him in the field wearing this holster

[dustin]

As Charlie mentioned, carrying .45 ACP in loose rounds for an automatic pistol may seem very disadvantageous but we do see occurrences. Here are some select images from WWII.

 

First is Ens. D.C. Brandt of VF-2 (F6F Hellcat pilot) while aboard the USS Hornet, June 1944. He has .45 ACP rounds in a leather thong over what I presume to be an M3 shoulder holster.

 

 

The next two images are USAAF.

Paymaster on Iwo Jima. M3 shoulder holster with loops and individual .45 ACP rounds.

 

 

Aircrew of the 490th Bomb Squadron, India, c.1944.

 

He seems to have a commercial leather ammunition belt, cut down and attached to the standard pistol belt. I do believe that is an M-1916 hip holster on his right.

 

[Ronnie]

5 hours ago, kwill said:

Why do you think the shoulder holster in the first picture is for a .38 revolver?  The M3 was made in two sizes and was popular for both guns.

The picture is definitely a 45 in a 38 holster. Easy to see.

[doyler]

I actually have a holster for the 45 with sewn loops on the chest strap

[dustin]

Difficult to find AAF personnel with applied loops. Here is another from the 6th Photo Group, SWPA.  

 

 

 

[jerry_k]

Killer photos as always Dustin!

[Blacksmith]

On 8/11/2021 at 6:47 PM, iron bender said:

This is the holster my dad carried in the field as a platoon leader and later company commander of B/C companies 17th Infantry in 1968-69. He had my mom purchase this holster near Ft. Hood and ship it to him as all leather goods in inventory were rotten junk. It was NOS when he received it. Took pics of the pistol too as I know someone will ask. He purchased this at a pawn shop in Coperas Cove (already plated) in 1968 and had it engraved when he was working for 1st AD at Hood... I'll have to dig but I know I've got some color pics of him in the field wearing this holster

That is a really sweet old warhorse.  Union Switch and Signal slide, on a late-war Colt frame.  Small parts are a mix of manufacturers, with the grip safety looking to be WWI.  If I may ask, what barrel is in it?

[iron bender]

I'll check when I get home. Thanks!

[iron bender]

Field stripped pic. Barrel only has P marking. I originally posted the holster as Doyler had mentioned not all holsters were black/dyed black.