Opinions what do you read here

[Major 2]

I have a photo of an original military holster.

What do you see written here !  I have my own idea but am I seeing/reading correctly.

I'm not showing what pattern holster or reference to its era, it is however US.

HLR
4- 9- 69
9- 7- 74

What do you think ?

[Mogorilla]

Hi Major,
That is what I see as well.   Downloaded and played with contrast, and it seems you have it translated.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It looks like you have it correct. It brings up some interesting questions. What theater of operations? Would that be 1869 to 1874 or 1969 to 1974?  What pistol is it for?

[DeaconKC]

I think you are on the right track. Someone's initials and possibly the dates he carried that gun/holster?

[Major 2]

 Will,  it would be 1968 -1974,  It is a WW2 Era Commando holster w/ Vietnam dates 

that's my take too, Deacon.
I am quite sure... but I was questioning the last line

69 - 74 74

which does not compute, why duplicate the 74  and change the " font of the 4"
I tried the contrast thing, Mog suggested, it was better, but inconclusive.
  The holster is one I'm considering purchasing, so it's not in my hands (only the photos)
It is solid sewn but does need some TLC in the rear keeper area and is missing the web belt wire hanger.
an easy fix... 

[PAMuzzleshooter]

I'm seeing

HLR
4-9-69
69-7479. (Maybe a service number?). Mine was my SSN in 1973

[Major 2]

69-7479   hmmm , perhaps  7479    the 9's do look quite similar.

[St. George]

That style of holster used 'Lift The Dot' fasteners and the M1910 belt hook - not a stud.

They're dated fairly deeply with the manufacturer's nomenclature and late holsters will also have 'MRT' inked or stamped', along with a 'US' in an oval on the holster body.

Looks more like a civilian 'sportsman' holster.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

I appreciate your comment, you're describing the 1943 holster .... I've seen both,
I think the stud/post is earlier and use with both the Commando & S&W M&P.

Colt Commando revolvers were purchased by the government and used by defense plant guards, police departments and security personnel of various government organizations.
Perhaps this is the design holster used in that application.
My particular Commando "Colt" Letters to the Hood Rubber Co. plant guards and one of four purchased for that service. I believe this would be the accompanying issue holster.
Hood was major government contractor in both WW1 & WW 2 and a division of BF Goodrich Co.

I have even seen a snap I believe is MP and post war.
I have also seen the Web belt hanger with and in conjunction with a sewn belt slip.

"MRT" you mentioned stands for Mildew Resistant Treatment" and the MRT date is the date it was applied, not necessarily when the item was actually made.

[Major 2]

The holster in my first post sold, but not to me... I opened the bid at the initial opening suggested $
but was outbid a few hours later.
I decided to watch the remaining two days rather than enter a bidding escalation, turned out 3 other bidders were involved.
When it exceeded my max. cap I was out.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It looked like a good holster. Too bad you got outbid. Well, on to the next one, then.

[Major 2]

It's fine, it had flaws (like the split pin rivet on the front) 

There will be more and perhaps better, no rush

here is one with both style belt attachments slide slots and 1910 hangers

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Talk about versatile, that's it.

U.S.
SEMS
43

What does "SEMS" on it actually stand for? The "U.S." and "43" are obvious. I know you see it on WW2 items but never new what it is an acronym for. A military standard, perhaps?

[Major 2]

Sems Inc. US Military contractor ?, aside from holsters
I've seen Bomber Jackets, M3 fighting knife Leather Sheath, Paratrooper Jump Jackets.

Sems Inc.  Cartersville, Ga 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Thanks. I also saw an axe with that on it listed on ebay.

[Major 2]

Looks like Sems Inc. may be a reproduction maker ?

Perhaps, a WW 2 reenactor might shed light on Sems

your Ax looks reproduction...the Holster I show is...and here is a Web Belt
Also, on eBay I saw a M3 fighting knife Leather Sheath and a replica jump jacket with Sems.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334806437705?hash=item4df404cf49:g:Ue0AAOSwAx9kH0WL&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwMviqDx1Guf6f53Yv5yjV%2Foaf45GG21IZd8koj43oPSlEp5%2Fd4h%2FTun1xba%2BEVxLKi844XthldyNDcEmbTMTD4xUVXkFXTOgXgreqO0fSuvBM%2FYJI30hm7iQC%2BEssnS0CkbR6Cv41Zg3ExbH%2B6yeTPpDP7QUa4%2FHhFrP5x1AJ147zzwhFKV9lzsHOjQfJyOlidaxy8xFHu9ZBQGY%2FrQhAzd%2Bn3VKjOeBgxiuqjehVQUMRDeYRrcoP4gF32ge7yxs8Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR871mvOEYg

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ww2-m1942-m42-paratrooper-jacket-1795168778

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I guess it's possible that SEMS is a reproduction maker. There sure is a lot of reproduction items with that on them.

[Major 2]

I have conducted a limited search for Sems Inc. as A US wartime contractor.
What I did find were the various replica items with the logo, and they seem to be considered high quality. But I don't see the Maker Mark as yet on any defined original gear. 
I would be interested in any impute from the WW1 WW2 reenactors.
Maybe,  "St. George" will have some impute on "Sems"  Robert ?

On the 1911 board I did see a large list of USGI 1916 holsters contractors.
https://www.1911forum.com/threads/list-of-makers-of-usgi-m1916-holsters.195041/

From that list I personally own several contractors' examples including...
BOYT
BRAUER Bros.
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
ENGER-KRESS
S-B CO.

and some 50's-60's vintage Police Dept Duty revolver Holsters:
Jay-Pee
BRAUER Bros.
Safariland
and a Vietnam era,  Bianchi MP US 1911 Holster...

I also have a few German, Russian, Italian & Swedish police duty holsters...

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That's quite a list just from your own collection. It does seem that SEMS is a replica maker.