Milsurp After Hours

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?

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

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.

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

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.