Did I just find a WWII holster for $2.50?!!

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greyhound

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So I am out playing the dutiful boyfriend, trooping around through the antique shops in Westminster, MD, when I come across a leather holster with the distinctive circled "US" on it. At $2.50, I eagerly snap it up and takie it home (that'll teach me to scoff at antiqueing!).

When I examine it, it apperas to be a .45 holster, since my S&W Model 64 (same as a blued Model 10 in WWII) doesn't fit.

The sainted GF knocked me down a peg by saying, "Well, you know it might be a prop or something". Sheesh.

But then I see stamped on the back "Boyt, E.T.O." First I thought, "Huh, it was manufactured in Boyt", but then I realized that Boyt was a name and "E.T.O." was European Theater of Operations.

So, looks like I scored a little piece of history for $2.50!

(It has a metal bracket of some sort at the top of the back, does anyone know how that was used to attach to the belt?)

Now I gotta get a GI .45 to fit the holster!
 
The Boyt Harness Company /Partnership was located at 212 Court Avenue in DeMoines, Iowa, and advertised themselves to be a "Manufacturer of Ordndnce & Quartermaster Equipment.

They contracted to make a number of different holsters for various 45 & 38 pistols and revolvers during World War Two. I think the "E.T.O." is a government inspector's mark, not European Theater of Operation." I would also expect that it might be dated with two numbers, such as "42" or "43." Then too, Boyt made holsters for the government both before and after World War Two.

It is most likely made to fit either a Government Model .45 pistol or a S&W Victory model revolver. However it could also fit lesser known guns, such as the Colt Commando/Official Police or Colt 1903/08 pocket automatic.

World War One and Two web pistol belts had eyelets through which the metal hooks could be inserted. These belts are stiil available today from some surplus dealers.

In any case, you got your money's worth
 
Dang, I thought I had it all figured out!:D (though I knew someone here would know more than me).

Thanks for the info, I still feel I got my $2.50 worth!

On the inside flap, I can see a stamp that the first # I can make out as a "4" but the second letter is too blurry.

IIRC, the Marines in the Pacific didn't use leather holsters (at least not for long) due to "jungle rot".

I'll probably clean the bluish green gunk off the metal and enjoy my find!
 
>>The Marines in the Pacific didn't use leather holsters (at least not for long) due to "jungle rot" <<

Sure they did. Uncle Sam didn't issue anything else at the time. With few exceptions, "Grunts" who were issued sidearms carried 1911-A1 .45 pistols in Model 1916 leather holsters mounted on web pistol belts. Magazine pouches could be leather, but were usually web. Did the leather sometime rot? Sure. Then what? It was replaced. Not much choice in the matter.
 
BluesBear-

Looks exactly like yours, but with no lanyard.

Cripes, I did a "Google" and people are selling them for $75-$150 (in great shape, which mine wasn't).

Funny, in all the pictures I saw, where they had the date mine has the "E.T.O."
 
I don't think so Gary, unless it's something a owner added. Lacking detailed pictures I think it is most likely a government inspector's stamp. I have neither seen nor heard of G.I. holsters being marked for a particular Theater of Operation. They're was nothing in their construction that made them Theater specific. So far as Uncle Sam was concerned, a holster, was a holster, was a holster ....
 
Lacking detailed pictures
Click to expand...

Technology impaired me, making note to either get a digital camera or a scanner or somesuch...:D

Very interesting, as the "E.T.O." is in the same type face/perfectly lined up with the "Boyt" (i.e. doesn't look like a homemade add-on). I guess it will just be a mystery.

I always scoop up military surplus wherever I find it.

Just last weekend I scarfed an East German engineer unit officer & enlisted man's caps I saw at the local Sunny's.

Collecting this stuff is almost as addictive as collecting guns!
 
greyhound:

Tell ya what ....

The Boyt Harness Company is still in business.

Boyt Harness Co.
220 South Main Street.
Osceola, IA. 50213

www.boytharness.com

Why don't ya see what they might have to say?
 
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