Original U.S. Vietnam War WWII Style .38 Victory Revolver M3 Shoulder Holster by Western Mfg. Co. with Harness in Original Packing Box - Dated 1965
In stock
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. military Vietnam War-era .38 caliber revolver shoulder holster, manufactured by Western Mfg. Co. of San Francisco, California, complete with its original harness and original packing box dated December 1965. The design is the familiar WWII-style shoulder holster used with 4-inch Colt and Smith & Wesson service revolvers, particularly the Smith & Wesson Victory Model, but this example represents later military production in black leather.
The pattern was developed during WWII for military .38 caliber revolvers including the Smith & Wesson Military & Police / Victory Model and comparable Colt service revolvers. The shoulder configuration kept the sidearm close to the body and reduced interference with other equipment, making it particularly useful to aircrew, armored personnel, and other servicemen for whom a conventional belt holster could be inconvenient.
Original M3's were made in plain, "natural" leather, as they age they can darken through exposure to oil, dirt, and sweat that turns holsters a russet brown color. This example was made in black leather, with a great finish retention. The holster is embossed on the front U.S. in an oval, meaning it was military issue (not civilian) and it is nicely stamped on the reverse:
WESTERN MFG. CO.
S.F. CALIF.
1095-714-2700
The original harness is in good shape with some crazing as shown. The holster comes in unissued condition in its original issue packing box, which is marked on the side 12-65 for December 1965, perfect for Vietnam War issue.
The combination of the Western Mfg. Co. marking, U.S. oval embossing, black leather construction, original shoulder harness, stock number 1095-714-2700, and exceptionally desirable original packing box dated December 1965 makes this a particularly strong Vietnam War-era example. The minor crazing to the harness is the principal condition issue, while the boxed and apparently little-used state of the holster remains its most significant collector feature.
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