{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-usmc-m7-colt-1911-45-shoulder-holster-rig-by-boyt-1945-dated-2","title":"Original U.S. WWII USMC M7 Colt 1911 .45 Shoulder Holster Rig by BOYT - 1945 Dated","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. Marines Corps equipment is some of the most difficult to acquire from World War Two, especially M7 holsters. This is an excellent original WWII USMC issue leather shoulder holster for the Colt M1911 .45 pistol. Adopted towards the end of the war in 1944, the M7 shoulder holster rig was designed to improve upon the earlier M3 shoulder holster. The M3 could only really be worn in one position, and was not ideal for carrying a pistol under a jacket, and also often placed the pistol against the wearer's ribcage. With two adjustable straps, the M7 allowed the wearer to customize exactly where they wanted the pistol sitting against the body, for both comfort and ease of reach. This holster was often used by officers who preferred it to the hip holster. In combat areas, all sorts of troops found ways to \"acquire\" handguns and the regulations as to who was and wasn't permitted to carry them was rarely enforced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal M7's were made in plain, \"natural\" leather. The dark chestnut brown color of this original is from oil, use, dirt, and age. It is offered in good service-worn condition with crazed leather cross straps and shoulder strap. All snaps and buckles are present and in good functional condition, although the leather is very raw and crazed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe holster is embossed on the front\u003cstrong\u003e U.S.\u003c\/strong\u003e, meaning it was military issues (not civilian) and is nicely stamped on the reverse:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSMC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOYT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e45\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in good condition with functional lift-the-dot and snap, making this an excellent genuine WWII upgrade for your Colt 1911. Please use care when handling the leather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Boyt Harness Company was founded in 1901, in Des Moines, Iowa, to manufacture leather saddles and harnesses, and quickly became known as the regional leader in quality products for the farmer and stockman. As word spread of the pride and craftsmanship with which Boyt products were made, the company was soon the standard bearer for leather products nationwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoyt expanded its line of leather products for the first time during World War I, when it contracted with the United States Government to supply leather goods to the American forces fighting overseas. These initial military contracts included Boyt's first production run of gun cases, holsters, and rifle slings. At the start of World War II, the Boyt Harness Company again contracted with the U.S. Government to design and manufacture high quality military equipment including Jeep scabbards, holsters, ammo belts, and paratrooper carbine cases. The production of wartime leather products made Boyt one of the largest employers in Iowa.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44358710329413,"sku":"ONSV25NFC031","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25NFC031__01.jpg?v=1765559198","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-usmc-m7-colt-1911-45-shoulder-holster-rig-by-boyt-1945-dated-2","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}