Original Item: Only One Available. This is a WWI AEF US Army/USMC M1909 Leather Belt Holster for the Colt or S&W M1917 .45 Revolver.

The holster is in good condition, with the leather mostly soft but a bit stiff in some places, with light wear around the edges. The bottom ring for the leg tie down is present, but not the elkhide tie string. It has a faint US oval logo on the front. It is missing the tie string in the belt loop.

The leather is still soft, solid with great intact stitching. There is only minor staining, with some verdigris on the metal fittings, but other than that, this is still a very serviceable, attractive holster.

On the rear of the holster there are additional markings, which were not stamped well, so they are hard to read:

G & K
1917
A.G.

"G&K" is the marking of Graton & Knight Manufacturing Co., Worcester, Massachusetts, who made this holster in 1917. A.G. is the marking from the inspector at that location: usually it was their initials.

This holster is not a left hand design. It was originally designed to be carried on the right side of the waist with the gun in the "Butt Forward" position known as the Cavalry Draw. The right hand would be used for holding a sword. (Please see: page #216 in Edward Scott Meadows book US Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes).

A very good condition authentic example of an over 100 year old holster for your WWI collection. This would go great with an original WWI era M1917 pistol.