Hip Holster and the M3 Tanker Holster.
These leather carry rigs are perfect for your Springfield 1911 or SA-35 pistols.
Holsters were provided to the author for review by 1791 Gunleather.
According to the author, the M1916 and M3 holsters from 1791 Gunleather are impressive reproductions of these classic holsters that are nicer than the originals. Image: Carson McDaniel
This amazing stuff wont stain, break, fade or warp.
It could likely survive a nearby nuclear blast.
However, its also fairly antiseptic.
The author says his wife’s grandfather fashioned this grip from a piece of Luftwaffe Plexiglas and a picture of his wife, and carried it throughout World War II. The grip is on a Springfield Mil-Spec in a 1791 Gunleather G.I. Hip Holster.
For me at least, its tough to develop a visceral attachment to a piece of Kydex.
By contrast, there remain leather-working artisans who craft classic carry rigs the way our forebears did.
Their team spans four generations, and they use only premium American steerhide in their leather goods.
The M3 Tanker Holster keeps this Springfield Armory 1911 Mil-Spec handy and accessible, but out of the way.
But more on that in a moment.
War Story
My wifes grandfather died several years ago at the ripe old age of 96.
If you passed him in Walmart or Olive Garden, youd think he was just some old guy.
The 1791 Gunleather G.I. Hip Holster looks right at home with other G.I. gear. The “US” embossing on the leather flap is precise and clean.
And there youd be wrong.
Eventually, he was homeless, riding the rails looking for work.
In 1940, he enlisted in the U.S. Army because it was a reliable source of food.
The M3 Tanker Holster uses a single leather strap to carry your 1911 across your body. It has the standard “US” embossing. Image: Carson McDaniel
He ultimately fought in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Just prior to his deployment overseas, he met a girl.
They dated for about three weeks and were married.
The M1916-style G.I. Hip Holster uses high-quality tan leather and can attach to a G.I. web belt or a standard belt. Image: Carson McDaniel
They lived together for maybe three months, and then he shipped out overseas.
During that brief time, his young wife became pregnant.
That sacrifice ensured that his daughters world would be free from Nazi death camps and Aryan supermen.
The G.I. Hip Holster will attach to a pistol belt via this wire hanger, or to a thinner conventional belt through these slots. Image: Carson McDaniel
He took a snapshot of his gorgeous young wife off to war as a memento.
At one point he came across a crashed German Fieseler Fi-156 Storch observation plane.
That hallowed item is my most prized possession today.
The author found that 1791 Gunleather holsters feature better materials and construction than original G.I. holsters.
They were ultimately married for 72 years.
He was a great man from a generation of great men.
1791 Gunleather G.I.
Rigs
John Moses Brownings M1911 pistol reflected the ethos of the nation that birthed it.
Where the Germans were satisfied to build a 9mm combat pistol pushing a 115-gr.
FMJ bullet, John Browning simply doubled that weight.
[Dont miss Massad AyoobsSpringfield 1911 Mil-Spec review.]
[Be sure to catch ourSpringfield SA-35 review.]
There were basically two ways to carry the standard M1911 pistol during World War II.
A shoulder holster, or a hip holster.
There were two different shoulder holsters issued to U.S. troops during WWII.
The M3 Tanker served until 1944, when it was replaced by the M7.
The M7 remains in limited issue today.
WWII-vintage shoulder rigs were russet brown.
The color changed to black in 1956.
The M3 hangs vertically via a single shoulder strap.
The M7 was adjustable for a variety of carry angles, and included a chest strap.
The hip holster option was the M1916.
The M1916 was an evolutionary development of the previous M1912.
The M1912 was a low-ride rig sporting a full leather flap that hung from a pivoting hanger.
Four years later, the M1912 was simplified into the M1916.
There were 16 manufacturers of the M1916 holster during WWII.
Originals sport makers marks stamped into the back.
M1916 is the familiar full-flap leather holster that attaches directly to the pistol belt via a heavy wire hanger.
Many G.I.s wrapped the thong around the bottom of the holster and secured it in place.
Part of that was to keep it handy if needed.
It also just looked really cool.
The color swapped from brown to black in the 1950s.
Once broken in they were things of beauty.
1791 Gunleather Treatment of Military Holsters
1791 Gunleather offers reproductions of both the M1916 G.I.
Issue Hip Holster and M3 Tanker G.I.
carry rigs, newly made out of premium components.
I was immediately impressed by the holsters.
The stitching and leather on these two holsters eclipses anything Uncle Sam ever issued in my experience.
Both are designed to accept standard full-size 5 1911 pistols without rails, and are available in right-hand configuration.
The M1916 in particular is tight at the beginning, but loosens up nicely over time.
Just leave your gun in it for a while, and the leather trains itself accordingly.
Once broken in, these two premium carry solutions are both functional and attractive in comparable measure.
Issue Hip Holster and M3 Tanker Holster by 1791 Gunleather will scratch that itch.
They are the perfect companions to Springfield Armorys expansive line of M1911 handguns.
The MSRP is $99.99 for each, and they are both available now on the Springfield Armory Webstore.
Thats a whole lot of holster for the money.
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