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Rare 1912 Pattern USMC Marked Leather Holster with Leg Strap

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Rare 1912 Pattern USMC Marked Leather Holster with Leg Strap
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Rare 1912 Pattern USMC Marked Leather Holster with Leg Strap

This is an example of one of the rarest variants of M1912 leather holsters produced for the standard M1911 semi-automatic pistol. There were approximately 8,787 USMC marked M1911 pistols produced under contract for the USMC in 1912 that would have required a corresponding "USMC" marked leather holster. It is estimated that approximately 1,300-1,500 of these "USMC" marked leather holsters were manufactured by the Rock Island Arsenal in the 1912-13 time frame. Eventually all M1911 pistols and leather holsters were standardized with "U.S. Army and U.S." markings respectively. With the survival rate of the early 1912 holster being very low, the actual survival rate of original "USMC" marked holsters has to be astronomically "LOW" as these could have been used in both Nicaragua in 1912 and again in Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1914. The heat and humidity literally destroyed these early leather holsters, making them extremely rare. This example is even more rare in that it is the 2nd variation as shown on page 363 of the book "U.S. Military Holster" by Scott Meadows. This rare example is clearly marked "USMC" inside an oval on the front flap, with the drop-down belt hanger on the front side of the holster loop, with the lower leg strap still intact. There are no markings on the holster exactly as described in the noted reference.

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Fine condition overall with clear sharp markings, with all the stitching intact. The only detriment to the holster is that it has sat somewhere for the last 80 years and needs a gentle saddle soap cleaning combined with a coat of leather oil/preservative to ensure its future survivability. A sure rare early pre-WWI USMC leather holster.