{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-m3-colt-1911-45-tanker-shoulder-holster-by-boyt-5","title":"Original U.S. WWII M3 Colt 1911 .45 Tanker Shoulder Holster by Boyt","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is a good original U.S. WWII M3 leather shoulder holster for the Colt M1911 and M1911A1 .45 caliber pistol. Adopted during WWII for personnel who needed a sidearm carried clear of the waist, the M3 became closely associated with armored vehicle crews, aircrew, and officers, although it was used more broadly wherever the shoulder configuration proved practical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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 has been through very heavy service use and is now a very dark brown color. Leather is still pliable, though there is definitely heavy wear and some very minor dry rot on the leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe holster is embossed on the front \u003cb\u003eU.S.\u003c\/b\u003e in an oval, meaning it was military issues (not civilian) and it is nicely stamped on the reverse:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBOYT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoyt was one of the wartime manufacturers of U.S. military leather equipment and produced M3 shoulder holsters for government issue. The front side of the holster is marked \u003cb\u003eA49\u003c\/b\u003e, possibly a unit marking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll original brass snaps and buckles remain present. They are still functional but show considerable wear. Heavy verdigris is present across the metal fittings and has transferred into some of the surrounding leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe M3 shoulder holster was designed to suspend the pistol beneath the wearer’s arm, keeping it accessible while avoiding interference with seated duties, vehicle equipment, parachute harnesses, and other field gear. This made the pattern especially useful to tank crews and aviation personnel, which led to its familiar collector description as a “tanker” or aircrew holster. The shoulder holster was also used by officers and other personnel who preferred it to the standard belt-mounted M1916 holster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Boyt-marked example shows the type of heavy service wear expected from a holster that saw prolonged use. The very darkened leather, worn but functional hardware, minor dry rot, and heavy verdigris are all significant condition factors, while the clear U.S. \/ BOYT markings and retained original fittings make it a solid representative example of the WWII M3 pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45527759487045,"sku":"ONSV26CC268","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CC268__01.jpg?v=1786385983","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-m3-colt-1911-45-tanker-shoulder-holster-by-boyt-5","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}