Question about older British pistols

The 17's and 19's have a hole in the grip. I usually just thread a piece of paracord through it for a lanyard, and have also used a USGI lanyard with a hook.

Ive seen those loops in the link, which I believe tie into the hole that's already there, but I think just using the existing hole would likely be more secure. Id be leery that the bigger loop might rip out.

25-5 said:

The color of the lanyard had significance. For instance WWII RAF was blue.

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The entire RAF web gear (Pattern '37) was blue-gray.

I dropped a handgun once and didn't realize it til a bit later. Went back and found it. After that any handgun that can be fitted with a lanyard is. Obviously there are a few exceptions but that goes for anything.

The Colt New Services I bought all had the lanyard ring in the butt. I removed them as I was using the "cup and saucer" grip when shooting and that device got slammed into the palm of my hand!

Bob Wright

Original 1911 magazines were also fitted with lanyard loops, and imagining all those loops of cord occasionally beggars imagination.

I've never seen a contemporary photo showing magazines "dummy corded" though--so I'm guessing the notion was something a chair-bound functionary at the War Department added to the original 1911 contract language without asking Higher beforehand.

Check out the S&W 327PD in my avatar!
It’s got a screw eye in the grip base of the Hogue grip and a home made lanyard with a brass swivel clip attaching it.
Lose 1 gun over board hunting/working from a boat and you’ll appreciate it.
US Navy SEALS use a pistol “leash” on their M9’s...
See Wikipedia; Colt 1911. Shows lanyard ring on main spring housing!

The lanyard rings on the 1911’s was mounted on the mainspring housing, not the magazine’s.

I sold one I had to a collector...

Proper use of a lanyard involves the use of the epaulettes on uniform shirts and jackets. A common feature on l.e. And military uniforms to this day, though lanyards haven’t been used in over 75yrs by most agencies.

Flap holsters just go with lanyard attached pistols!,

GooseGestapo said:

Proper use of a lanyard involves the use of the epaulettes on uniform shirts and jackets.

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It could be secured over the shoulder, around the neck, or to the belt. I believe the British Commandos favored the latter. The web holster, which was part of the Pattern 37 equipment, was generally worn on the left side, in a crossdraw fashion. If the lanyard was looped over the right shoulder, it would cross the body awkwardly. Also, it would have made it difficult to drop equipment quickly.

The German P38 had a lanyard loop, but I haven't seen pictures of Germans in WW2 using lanyards. (The shell holster, that fully enclosed the gun, would have made that difficult.)

The following picture shows the British Pattern 37 belt, set up with the "patrol pouches," holster, and No. 4 bayonet. Note how the lanyard would have been secured.

I remember seeing this Bowen adaptation of a Model 1917 and just thinking if I ever won the lottery.