Any ideas as to age of this service holster rig?

[jmace57]

I ran across this police holster rig in an auction a couple of weeks ago, and had a feeling that my Houston Police Department-marked Colt Army Special might fit right in it...it does - perfectly. The Colt is a 1927 model, and wondered if anyone had any idea as to the age of this holster, belt, etc. When I eye-ball it, I just think 1940s or 50s, but have no basis for that other than a feeling. Anyone have any ideas? Second question, I see the handcuff holder, but anyone have an idea what would have been carried in the square holder? Thanks all.

 

[Lucky Derby]

Other than to say the first half of the 20th century, I really don't know. Vintage leather is not my forte.
I would guess the box is an ammo pouch. Cops didn't carry much but their sidearm, cuffs & ammo back then. Oh and a blackjack, but that obviously is not for a blackjack.
Nice complement to your Colt.

 

[Archie]

Probably close to the same time the pistol was acquired; late thirties, perhaps the forties.

The box is interesting. The Marine Corps used to issue a similar size pouch for web gear containing a pressure bandage and called it a 'first aid kit'. It could be an ammo pouch unless there are loops hiding behind the holster in the photo. Does the box have any sort of internal structure? It doesn't look big enough to hold a box of ammo, but it's hard to tell. Looks too small for a ticket book; perhaps a note book carrier? (Which seems a bit of overkill, since usually a shirt pocket works.)

Take it off the belt and see if there's any identification on the rear of the box.

 

[jmace57]

Archie - I looked and there are no compartments in the "box" - nor any markings. I did find a faint oval stamp on the belt that says "Custom Leather" and "Made in Canada" - above these words appears to be what looks like the knight piece in chess with a saber below it.

I took a shot at searching RCMP and found this: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/unif/sam-sb-cb-eng.htm Looks an AWFUL lot like what I have. There are metal rings there the holster is that looks like the shoulder belt would hook onto.

I also saw this site where a guy is selling some RCMP stuff. The "box" and handcuff holder look almost identical. http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=75495

Thanks

 

[rcmodel]

The 'box' is a cartridge box for loose rounds.

rc

 

[blindhari]

In 1957 my family went to Canada on vacation. I went back through old family photos and found one I remembered of a Mountie putting a waxed balloon type seal on the barrel of my father's High Standard Field King. Not a real good picture after all these years but holster and belt seem to match yours. Mountie also had on the baldric strap.

blindhari

 

[royal barnes]

Just saw this thread today. A friend had a holster rig in his collection exactly like the one in the photo. Don't know where the rig is now as he passed on five years ago.His was a RCMP rig from the early 40's.

 

[jmace57]

Thank you all for you insights. Jim