Help With Military Holster ID

[38OVI]

" 83rd Field Artillery was part of the 8th Division, equipped with French 75's. 83rd FA (organized from the 25th Cavalry in 1917). August 3, 1918, the transfer of about 100 Officers and 5,000 enlisted men to the Russian Siberian Force is ordered. {many volunteered but one would have to look at the muster rolls to see who went from what units.}
 November 2, 8th FA Brigade sails from Hoboken and New York, arriving on November 9, 1918 at Brest, France. November 15, 8th FA Brig moves to Ploermel, Germany; camp duties.  January 4, 1919 8th FA leaves Brest, arrives , January 18, at Hoboken, and moves to Camp Mills.  January 20, 1919, 8th FA Brigade leaves Camp Mills and arrives January 22 at Camp Knox.  The entire Division is Demobilized and discharged between February 15 and September 15, 1919.  The 8th FA Brigade remains active for the time being." 1
 8th Division: The "Pathfinder Division" was organized at Camp Fremont, California in December of 1917.  It never reached France as a Division.  Nevertheless, those units which did go across sustained 6 KIA and 29 WIA.2

1. Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces ...AEF: Divisions  Washington, 1931  PP 106-111.

2. World War One Collectors Handbook  1988   PP.14 & 19

[Rube Burrows]

" 83rd Field Artillery was part of the 8th Division, equipped with French 75's. 83rd FA (organized from the 25th Cavalry in 1917). August 3, 1918, the transfer of about 100 Officers and 5,000 enlisted men to the Russian Siberian Force is ordered. {many volunteered but one would have to look at the muster rolls to see who went from what units.}
 November 2, 8th FA Brigade sails from Hoboken and New York, arriving on November 9, 1918 at Brest, France. November 15, 8th FA Brig moves to Ploermel, Germany; camp duties.  January 4, 1919 8th FA leaves Brest, arrives , January 18, at Hoboken, and moves to Camp Mills.  January 20, 1919, 8th FA Brigade leaves Camp Mills and arrives January 22 at Camp Knox.  The entire Division is Demobilized and discharged between February 15 and September 15, 1919.  The 8th FA Brigade remains active for the time being." 1
 8th Division: The "Pathfinder Division" was organized at Camp Fremont, California in December of 1917.  It never reached France as a Division.  Nevertheless, those units which did go across sustained 6 KIA and 29 WIA.2

1. Order of Battle of the United States Land Forces ...AEF: Divisions  Washington, 1931  PP 106-111.

2. World War One Collectors Handbook  1988   PP.14 & 19

Thank you for this. Always interested in the history.

[Major 2]

Thank you for this. Always interested in the history.

As am I, Will you letter those Colts ?

[Rube Burrows]

As am I, Will you letter those Colts ?

I think I will. I have never got one lettered. I have only had one real Colt before these and didn't have it long enough to letter it. I think I will get these lettered.

[Major 2]

It will be interesting to see what your letters show.



I'd have two Colt and one S&W letter from S&W Historian Roy Jinks
The Colts are a Colt Police Positive Special and Colt Commando.

 Only the Jenks lettered Smith is dated as old as your two guns, a 2nd Model #3 Russian.

[Rube Burrows]

It will be interesting to see what your letters show.



I'd have two Colt and one S&W letter from S&W Historian Roy Jinks
The Colts are a Colt Police Positive Special and Colt Commando.

 Only the Jenks lettered Smith is dated as old as your two guns, a 2nd Model #3 Russian.

I think it will be neat to know a little more history on the guns.

[Major 2]

IMHO it is 1/2 the fun of stewardship...
 To research and have something of the item's provenance.


 

[Rube Burrows]

IMHO it is 1/2 the fun of stewardship...
 To research and have something of the item's provenance.


 

Very true.

[Major 2]

I began my quest many years ago, with Colt 1960.
My research found it was circa 1862 with in the serial number range
purchased by the 5th Iowa Cavalry.
Then using "The Compendium of the War of Rebelion" I discovered Muster dates & Service (I:E encampments and battles) of the 5th Iowa Cavalry.
I follow that with my Spencer Carbine serving in a New York Cavalry Regiment.
My journey has added a modest grouping of Veteran bring backs, SpanAm, WW 1 & II and some Veteran personal items.
Though eclectic the collection is under a heading of "Militaria"
from Arms to a uniform from WW II, and few holsters.

       

[Rube Burrows]

I began my quest many years ago, with Colt 1960.
My research found it was circa 1862 with in the serial number range
purchased by the 5th Iowa Cavalry.
Then using "The Compendium of the War of Rebelion" I discovered Muster dates & Service (I:E encampments and battles) of the 5th Iowa Cavalry.
I follow that with my Spencer Carbine serving in a New York Cavalry Regiment.
My journey has added a modest grouping of Veteran bring backs, SpanAm, WW 1 & II and some Veteran personal items.
Though eclectic the collection is under a heading of "Militaria"
from Arms to a uniform from WW II, and few holsters.

       

That is pretty amazing. The best I guess I ever done was when I was about 18 I bought a Swiss K31 and while working on it I found it had a paper in the buttstock that had the soldiers name, rank and even his address. After lots of research by a friend of mine who knew that area I was able to talk to the soldier's family. My goal was to give the rifle back to him but unfortunately he had passed already and the family had no way of accepting a rifle. It was neat to hear stories of him though. I just with the internet would have been around as prevalent as it is today so I could have documented it better.

I do have a revolver that my Great Grandmother used to kill her husband though and after many years of searching for a firing pin I found one and recently got to shoot the gun myself.

[Major 2]

That is so very COOL, I've heard of notes found in the butt of Rifles.

I have letter obtained with an Erfurt (1917) Luger P08.
It authenticates where the Luger was found.
The letter states it was recovered (found) Aug. 23 in Falaise (France) in a destroyed stone building and by whom. 
> circling back to holsters <
This holster has been with the gun since 1944.
          

[Rube Burrows]

That is so very COOL, I've heard of notes found in the butt of Rifles.

I have letter obtained with an Erfurt (1917) Luger P08.
It authenticates where the Luger was found.
The letter states it was recovered (found) Aug. 23 in Falaise (France) in a destroyed stone building and by whom. 
> circling back to holsters <
This holster has been with the gun since 1944.
          

That is pretty awesome to have.

You know, I think the only logical thing for me to do about this holster is to find myself a Colt or S&W Model 1917.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Yeah, they are very nice to hold on too. I hope the 78 shoots good.

If you shoot it, please let us know how it does.

I think I will. I have never got one lettered. I have only had one real Colt before these and didn't have it long enough to letter it. I think I will get these lettered.

The letter is well worth it. That shows provenance for the piece. It's always nice to see where it went originally. It also increases the value of the piece if you go to sell it.

[Rube Burrows]

If you shoot it, please let us know how it does.
The letter is well worth it. That shows provenance for the piece. It's always nice to see where it went originally. It also increases the value of the piece if you go to sell it.

I am definitely planning to shoot it and likely will make a video for youtube.

I will do the letter also.

[Major 2]

That is pretty awesome to have.

You know, I think the only logical thing for me to do about this holster is to find myself a Colt or S&W Model 1917.

That is a symptom of "gunaholicism"... yep you got it 

I have my S&W Model 1917, one day I'll add a Colt 1917.

I do have a Lettered Colt Commando from WW2 era.
And the Lettered Colt Police Positive w/ the Cop that carrying it in the 1930's .

I'm a Gunaholic and a gear-head love that Indian MC

[Rube Burrows]

That is a symptom of "gunaholicism"... yep you got it 

I have my S&W Model 1917, one day I'll add a Colt 1917.

I do have a Lettered Colt Commando from WW2 era.
And the Lettered Colt Police Positive w/ the Cop that carrying it in the 1930's .

I'm a Gunaholic and a gear-head love that Indian MC

Yeah, I have come down with it many years ago and I don't think there is a cure.

Love the photos with the guns that you have. Makes them even more interesting.

[mtmarfield]

      Greetings, All!

   RB: About twenty years ago, Dad and I stopped off at Ron Peterson's in Albuquerque, and I found a reblued Colt's 1902 Philippine Constabulary for a "can't say no" price. Even with a little 'salt&pepper' bore, it shot well with BP.
   My reloads comprised Ideal #454190, 35gr GOEX 2Fg, and Lg Magnum Primers ( CCI #350? ). I've also found that the NEI #323A(?) Mould / .454-230Gr HB bullets at about 10BHN shoot very well. If You choose to handled for your Colt's 1878 ( & 1877! ), keep Us posted!

          Be Well!

               MTM