45 holster modifications

[JohnK83882]

Two US M1916 WW2 holsters. One has the end clipped. The other had the belt hook and hanger removed.

 

 

 

[JohnK83882]

The embossed US on the tan holster has a U where one side's skinnier and the outline is more square. I guess each manufacturer has slight variations only a collector would know.

[Retired Army Noncom]

I have a M1912 cavalry model dated 1915, the block inside was removed and another block for a luger field modified sewn in.

[JohnK83882]

8 minutes ago, Retired Army Noncom said:

I have a M1912 cavalry model dated 1915, the block inside was removed and another block for a luger field modified sewn in.

The US Army was looking at the luger at one point. Might have been a prototype.

[doyler]

Often the blocks were removed to accommodate a revolver and the ends cut off due to the revolver or pistols having a longer barrel. See this done a lot post war as surplus holsters were plentiful and cheap. I do have a holster from a vet where the block/wedge was removed. There was a trials holster for the Luger and they are fairly scarce to source. I found one several years ago and posted it here on the forum. They were made at Rock Island I recall.  I also have a GI holster that had a Luger in it with the flap trimmed to just a strap. The bottom wasnt cut open as the barrel is the stanand length for a Luger. 

[Retired Army Noncom]

Correction, I will post photos tomorrow. RIA 1912, H.E.K.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread.

[JohnK83882]

4 minutes ago, Retired Army Noncom said:

Correction, I will post photos tomorrow. RIA 1912, H.E.K.

 

Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack this thread.

 

You're kidding, right? I'm done. Just wanted to post my pic.

[Retired Army Noncom]

Here are the photos of the RIA 1912 H.E.K

[Retired Army Noncom]

Could this have been modified by the troop saddler?

[Retired Army Noncom]

I don't think it was a trials modified holster. 1000 were made for 1000 test Lugers.

 

POTD: We Almost Had The Luger - Trial Luger Pistol Holster

[JohnK83882]

I just sold a 9mm us made cartridge here a few months back. Might have been for this run of the American Eagle Luger. https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/american-eagle-luger-tests-by-us-army/464295

 

[Retired Army Noncom]

What I think I might do is, just north of me is Simpsons LTD. I use to buy lugers from him years ago when I collected WWI unit marked lugers. He has a vast majority of handguns available for sale. I might take a drive up with this holster and see what the modification was for, I honestly think it was for a luger. I'll find out there if I'm right or not.

[JohnK83882]

Would these leather straps be for holster lanyards? It's in a pile of vietnam era stuff. 

 

[JohnK83882]

A pack of belt hooks for the holster, from an ebay ad. https://www.ebay.com/itm/192981114855

 

[Charlie Flick]

On 10/26/2025 at 6:09 PM, JohnK83882 said:

Would these leather straps be for holster lanyards? It's in a pile of vietnam era stuff. 

 

 

They would not be lanyards.  Rather, they might be the elk-skin leather thongs that were used as tie downs on the M1916 and other USGI holsters.  The dark color seen here is consistent with the M1916 holsters made in black post-1956.  The earlier ones were russet.

 

Regards,

Charlie

[JohnK83882]

1 minute ago, Charlie Flick said:

 

They would not be lanyards.  Rather, they might be the elk-skin leather thongs that were used as tie downs on the M1916 and other USGI holsters.  The dark color seen here is consistent with the M1916 holsters made in black post-1956.  The earlier ones were russet.

 

Regards,

Charlie

Thong. Okay. They aren't called lanyards. And they probaby are Vietnam era issue if they're even issue items. Thanks, Charlie. 

[Charlie Flick]

You are most welcome.  Happy to be of assistance.

 

Charlie

[JohnK83882]

[doyler]

One I have  that came with WW2 BHP 

 

[JohnK83882]

Interesting modification!

[JohnK83882]

On 11/5/2025 at 10:59 AM, JohnK83882 said:

About 76 inches long, by the way.

[doyler]

This was posted on the forum by Charlie, I have seen a handful over the years still in the packing

 

[doyler]

11 minutes ago, JohnK83882 said:

About 76 inches long, by the way.

 

 

Laces for jump boots are 72 inches I recall and rawhide or elk laces were often used for jumpboots in WW2 and post war. 

[JohnK83882]

2 minutes ago, doyler said:

 

 

Laces for jump boots are 72 inches I recall and rawhide or elk laces were often used for jumpboots in WW2 and post war. 

The ones I'm seeing look a little different but might be. https://www.ebay.com/itm/176350056179

[JohnK83882]

5 minutes ago, doyler said:

This was posted on the forum by Charlie, I have seen a handful over the years still in the packing

 

length and pics of the end so I can see the cross section would help.