Help to Identify Period Correct 1943 Boyt 1911 M3 Holster - correct hardware?

[texnairsa]

Hi,

 

Just purchased  this 1911 M3 Boyt holster.......The holster itself is stamped Boyt 43, but I don't know if the  button, snap and buckle are original or correct for the holster....

 

I believe the buckle is post WW2 ( Korea?) and I've seen the snap stamped with "one dot" and others with out on various WW2 issued M3's and M7 holsters

 

Any clarification would be appreciated 

 

[Charlie Flick]

Hello Tex:

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

You have a very nice example of the M3 holster.  Although an eyeball examination would be required for me to be 100% certain, I am confident that your holster is USGI and original in all respects.  The Conway buckle is the correct buckle for your holster, assuming that it is blackened brass and not steel. 

 

I hope that answers your questions.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[texnairsa]

Thanks Charlie! Wealth of info on these posts

 

my concern or confusion is related to the buckle

I’ve seen Conway buckles that are more oval in shape vs the one I have 

I.e 2 different styles….. mine is blacken steel and thinner and more rectangular 

the blackened brass ones are more oval in shape,  shallower and the cross piece  is flatter and wider

I guess what I’m trying to find out is if both Styles of Conways are period correct (WW2 issue) or is the steel one from a latter time -Korea or later? 

 

[Charlie Flick]

Tex:

 

Rather than relying upon my memory to answer your question I just pulled out 10 WW2 era M3 holsters, a mix of Boyt and Enger Kress made holsters.  All of the E-K holsters had the oval style of Conway buckle.  The Boyts had a mixture of oval and square buckles.  All were steel rather than blackened brass.  Not very scientific, I'm afraid, with a small sample size.  I note also that the Ordnance Department drawing for the M3 holster shows a square buckle. 

 

My opinion is that your buckle is correct and USGI.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[texnairsa]

Awesome Charlie! really appreciate you going to that length to verify

this puts my mind at ease!

I am building a 1911 tribute display to my father who was a bombardier navigator on B17s in WW2

probably being a little an@l retentive but I want all items to be authentic and original down to the last detail

 again thank you so much for your efforts and response 

Tex