ORIGINAL, RARE VG+ Cond M1881,Type 4 Holster Modified For 5.5" BBL Arty Revolver

Description

ORIGINAL, RARE VG+ Cond M1881,Type 4 Holster Modified For 5.5" BBL Arty Revolver
ORIGINAL, RARE VG+ Cond M1881,Type 4 Holster Modified For 5.5" BBL Arty Revolver
Click images to enlarge
Description
This is an ORIGINAL and RARE example of the M1881 "Type 4" holster issued to all cavalry officers and enlisted mean who carried either the M1873 Colt SAA or the Model 1875 Smith Wesson Schofield Revolvers. To do this, the flap had two, rather than one, holes on it for the differing butts of the two revolvers. The holster is made of russet leather and is dyed black, with extensive crazing on the surface. The holster is marked "U.S." below the flap, with very faint Rock Island Arsenal stamping on the flap (See image below). The holster overall is in VERY GOOD used condition for its 125+ year age and is fully functional for carrying either the Smith & Wesson or Colt .45 revolvers (if you dare do that).  The "Type 4" holster is distinguishable from the earlier patterns by the use of a 3.5" belt loop on the back, which was designed to permit the placement of the holster on a
loaded
Mills web belt, which was not possible with the earlier Type 3 holster. The Type 4 was approved by the Chief of Ordnance on May 5, 1890.
Most interestingly, this holster was later modified at Rock Island Arsenal for the 5.5" barrel "Artillery Model" revolver by truncating its length and sewing a circular leather disk to the bottom (See close-up image below)!
The trooper or artilleryman who carried this holster carved the initials "J.S." on the belt loop.
Best of all, this holster came from the collection of noted holster expert Scott Meadows, author of
U.S. Military Holster and Cartridge Boxes,
the definitive reference book on U.S. military holsters!
I purchased it from him on May 21, 1990 through an ad in
The Shotgun News
, after Mr. Meadows began disposing of his holster collection following the publication of his book,
which is fortunately now back in print under a different title
.  I believe this holster is pictured in the book, but my copy of the book is in storage and I'm unable to verify that.
Here's a chance for the advanced Indian Wars holster or martial revolver collector to obtain a rare holster in very good condition. The buyer will have my usual unconditional guarantee of authenticity and a five-day (
not the 14-days which eBay injects into my listings without my consent
) right of inspection and return/refund privilege, excluding postage.
Condition:
Used
Payment
Paypal
Paypal:
PayPal is gladly accepted and is accommodated through the checkout or may be made directly from PayPal's website at www.paypal.com. Your item will be mailed the next business/mailing day after your Payapl payment is received, unless I happen to be out of my office.
Payment Policy:
PayPal: PayPal is gladly accepted and is accommodated through the checkout or may be made directly from PayPal's website at www.paypal.com. Your item will be mailed the next business/mailing day after your Payapl payment is received, unless I happen to be out of my office.
Shipping
Domestic shipping: Weight based Shipping Charges.
Domestic Carriers are: Usps Priority
International shipping: Weight based Shipping Charges.
International Carriers are: Usps Priority Intl
I will ship to:
United States, Worldwide
Weight:
1 lbs. 12 oz.
Shipping and Handling:
Please check eBay's Shipping & Payment tab
Hello! I'm a militaria collector like you and I do this as a sideline to my own collecting.  Nonetheless, I'll handle your order in a business-like and professional manner.  Thanks for your business!
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