I have a Navy Victory on the way with a holster that looks very much like a El Paso Tanker style. The story is that it saw Viet Nam service. Didn't pay anything extra for either the holster or story.

My question is did anyone make this style holster during the 60's/70's? Would likely been a private purchase and not issued.

Attached Images

	tanker2.jpg (66.3 KB, 193 views)
	tanker 1.jpg (73.7 KB, 162 views)

The Navy issued one very much like it during WWII, early on I think


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That would be the M-3, have one marked USN/Boyt/44.

Since the pictured holster is (appears to be) stamped Python, and is lined, it is an after market replica of an M-3. It is not military. It could very well have been a private purchase item used during the Viet Nam War, but there is no way of knowing without testimony of the original purchaser! If it were an El Paso product it should be clearly marked as such! I assume it is not or OP would have pictured that!

While EPS calls its version of this holster the "Tanker" it is correctly an "Aircrewman's Holster" as that is what it was originally designed as during WWII. Later modified to accommodate the Model 1911 but still called the M-3.

There are several current sources of replica M-3 and M-7 holsters including Pacific Canvas and Leather. Quality Functioning Firearm Holsters,Cases,& Accessories Reproductions – Pacific Canvas and Leather

__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961

I was issued one in Vietnam in 1969. Mine was made by Boyt.

Stamped PYTHON, my guess would be an El Paso from the last decade or two.

These were probably sourced by USN and USMC from 1942-until at least the 1960's, when I saw Naval aircrew wearing them.
The S&W Victory Model .38 was standard, but they had a few Colt .38's, too.

There's also a .45 auto model, largely for USAAF and tank crews.
But some preferred belt holsters.