This is an M3 shoulder holster for the M1911A1 pistol used during World War II. The M3 was designed to be worn by air crews and armored crewmen. The M3 has only one strap and thus allowed the weapon to hang vertically along the wearers rib cage. The short belt loop at the bottom of the holster helped keep the holstered weapon from flopping around. This was a short coming that was corrected with the introduction of the M7 holster. This M3 holster is in good condition. The leather is stiff and dry, but it is still pliable. There are no tears in the leather anywhere. There is a US embossed on the front of the holster, and the back side is dated and maker marked. The back is stamped in three lines, U.S./ENGER-KRESS/1943. The snap for the strap that retains the pistol has had all the anodized black worn off. This thing has seen some honest wear, then like many other WWII items that returned home with the veterans, packed away and forgotten about for decades. A little elbow grease and some saddle soap and this holster will be good as new.

Item # AA1015

(Sold)