Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII-production M1916 leather pistol holster, manufactured by Milwaukee Saddlery Co. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and dated 1942. Originally introduced during WWI for the M1911 .45 automatic pistol, the M1916 pattern remained standard equipment through WWII for both the M1911 and M1911A1. This example survives in particularly strong condition, retaining its honey-brown leather, steel belt hanger, brass hardware, intact stitching, and original braided leg tie-down. Museum examples confirm the formal designation Holster, Pistol, Cal. .45, M-1916 for this pattern.

The reverse is clearly stamped MILWAUKEE SADDLERY CO / 1942, while the flap is embossed with a large U S within an oval, identifying it as U.S. military property. Surviving 1942-dated examples by Milwaukee Saddlery Co. are documented, confirming the firm as a wartime producer of the M1916 pattern.

The leather body of the holster is a lovely honey brown, while the belt loop / clip holder has just a bit of age staining from the clip. There is some cracking at the top of the lid, probably due to pressure from storage. All stitches still intact, all brass parts still present with a bit of verdigris, and a steel WWII style belt clip. The leather is still supple as well, and the leg tie down is still intact and is beautifully braided as shown!

This example is particularly noteworthy for the combination of its 1942 Milwaukee Saddlery Co. maker marking, oval U.S. flap embossing, original honey-brown leather finish, steel belt hanger, intact brass hardware, and surviving braided leg tie-down. It is a very strong example of the WWI-designed M1916 holster as manufactured for continued U.S. military service during WWII.