1895 Navy Holster Pattern

[Niederlander]

Hello!
     Does anyone have a copy of the drawings of the Navy Pattern holsters?  I'm talking about drawings like the ones produced by the Rock Island Arsenal for the Army's holsters.  A friend of mine is trying to make one or two and the original drawings would be very helpful.  If anyone has a fairly large copy of the Army holsters, that might also be helpful.  Thanks!

[Trailrider]

About the best I can suggest is to get ahold of a copy of Meadows' "U.S. Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes".  There doesn't seem to be any mention of a Pattern 1895 holster, but some span the period of 1881-1889 in the Army holsters. The Navy didn't adopt the .38 Colts revolvers until 1889, and there are photos on p. 346, but no drawings.  There is a comment in the Army revolver holster section stating that the Navy holsters for the .38 revolver were similar to the Pattern 1881 Army holsters, but without the second hole in the flap (for the S&W Schofields).  Also, if I'm reading this right, the Navy holsters were worn butt rearward.

Hope this helps a bit.

Your obdt servant,

[Texas Lawdog]

I knew Trailrider would know the answer to that question.

[Drydock]

 Prior to the adoption of the 1889, Naval revolvers were worn in short open scabbards called "Frogs" with the butt to the rear.  Indeed, with the adoption of the 1889, the navy pretty much adopted a modified Army pattern M1881 Mod 5, altered by rotating the body to place the butt to the rear, shorting it for the 6" barrel and with only one hole in the flap, as noted.  Trailrider is a fine source, Buck at Coon Creek Old West might have a pattern you could use too.

[Trailrider]

I could probably come up with a reasonable facimilie of the 1889 Navy holster, but currently I am so behind with everything (not to mention I am typing this on my laptop after my desktop confuser got poluted by some hyenas from England...at least that's what their Trojan horse wanting me to buy some of their anti-virus software, wrote.  Don't worry, this one is "clean".  Was checked out by the pros who are de-lousing the desktop.

If you can wait until sometime in mid-April, I can probably lay out a pattern.  Oh, BTW, is this for the M1889 .38 revolver?  I think I made a pattern for one of the new S&W's that approximate the M1889's.

Check "six" frequently!

[Grapeshot]

When did the Navy adopt the Canvas "Mills" holster?

[Trailrider]

When did the Navy adopt the Canvas "Mills" holster?

According to Meadows' (pp350) in 1905.  One pattern date range 1905-1911, another 1909-1912 or so.