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EARLY INDIAN WAR
“US”
EMBOSSED HOLSTER
– CIVIL WAR HOLSTER
REISSUED DURING THE EARLY INDIAN WARS FOR THE CARTRIDGE
REVOLVERS - VERY RARE HOLSTER:
As pictured and discussed
on page 84 of US MILITARY HOLSTERS AND PISTOL
CARTRIDGE BOXES by Scott Meadows, this is a
particularly rare specimen of the US Army Civil War
revolver holsters that were embossed with the large “US”
in an oval in the style of the other accoutrements of
the period, and reissued in the early 1870’s with the
various metallic cartridge revolvers.
This holster features a large, embossed “US” in the oval
positioned high on the flap, above the point of
attachment for the closing tab. Though showing signs
of use and wear, the “US” is plainly legible. There are
also a series of initials, primarily the letter “A”,
lighting carved into the surface of the leather – likely
the initials of the soldier who carried the holster.
The condition of this rare holster is overall excellent,
with all the seams intact, and all of the components
present and intact to include the closing tab and plug.
The flap, belt loop and holster body all hold their
shape and still retain the characteristics of strong,
live leather. The overall finish is very good with a
strong bright shiny finish overall.
There is some crazing on the belt loop and some crazing
and surface loss on the flap – both consistent with
these holsters that saw early use on the frontier.
There is a soldier applied modification to the body of
the holster wherein the soldier made a neatly executed
cut to remove an arc of leather on the front of the body
and above the closing finial in order to expose the
trigger guard of the pistol. This modification has been
noted on a number of holsters, and is easily understood
given how deeply the pistols rested in the holsters.
The soldiers were conscious of the importance of gaining
quick access to the pistol and removing this piece of
leather allowed them to grip and draw the pistol more
rapidly.
This is a rare opportunity to obtain an excellent,
complete example of an important and desirable early
Indian War modification of surplus Civil War equipment
and this holster will be the perfect addition to display
with your Colt Richard Conversion, Smith and Wesson
American, or Model 1871 Remington Single Shot Army
Pistol. (0906) $2250
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