This is the US Model 1912 holster, the first model of holster for the new Colt M 1911 automatic pistol. It was designed for the cavalry since they were the only ones using the pisol as an offensive weapon; everyone else carried it for personal protection. It was a drop down design with a swivel, made for horse mounted soldiers. It had two leg straps, missing on this specimen (anyone know where I can get either originals or reproductions?).
It was widely unpopular among everyone except mounted troops. The next model, the M 1916, lasted until the Colt was replaced by the Beretta in the 1970s, and everyone who carried a 45, including myself, did so with that holster or the M3 or M5 shoulder holster.
The picture is of the officers of my fathers company during training at Camp Wadsworth, SC, in 1917. They are wearing the M 1912, since this was a National Guard Division (the 27th) and were equipped with whatever the Active Army didn't want any more. They presumably took them to France a little later.
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