Searching british leather maker

artu44 · Post by **artu44** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 7:03 am

I had the occasion to see a picture of a military holster for the Colt 1911 bearing the broad arrow with an "H" (inspector mark?) and marked G.P.&S. (I suppose he would be a maker). Strange enough this holster is a classic 1916 model with the big oval stamp "US" on the flap. Is there anybody could tell me something more? It's a "british made" for the US Army (as a lot of WWII web gear) or it's an US british buy for their .455 Colt 1911?

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 1:59 pm

In the Great War, a British Officer was responsible for providing his own side arm - anything was acceptible providing it was in the standard .455" calibre, and, as there was a shortage of 'Home' built weapons, US gunsmiths stepped in to fill the gap in the market, hence there we a number of 1911 Colt Automatics in .455", however, I can see no reason why an British Officer, ordering a handgun (and presumably a holster) from the USA would order one stamped "US", nor why the War Office would do anything similar.

Is the holster set up to fit on a standard British pattern "Sam Browne" belt?

If there is a British connection, then I suspect that it is your other suggestion "British made for the US Army"

Any chance of photos of this holster (front and back) please?

Regards

Tom

artu44 · Post by **artu44** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 2:45 pm

There are pictures. As you can see it's a regular 1916 holster. I cannot say WWI or WWII. My interest is to know what mean "H" and G.P.&S.

Tom-May · Post by **Tom-May** » Fri Sep 09, 2005 8:28 pm

The back of the piece is set up for the American webbing system, so I suspect that it was not made for the British market at all.

At a guess, you were right, the "Devils Claw" and H are some form of inspector's mark (I've no idea what it means) while GP&S is probably the maker's stamp (most likely GP & Sons - whoever GP was).

I'm sorry, I can't help, except to agree with your suppopsitions. I'm more involved with the patterns of kit than the manufacturers.

By the way, if you ever come across a piece of equipment marked as "Norfolk & Goode", it's a reproduction (just try saying the name aloud

), it's a name used by some friends for reproduction Great War pattern kit for re-enactors.

Tom

artu44 · Post by **artu44** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 1:12 am

Many thanks Tom. I have another quiz for you about an australian made copy of US hoster for M1917 revolvers. I'll post it soon.