Howdy here are several photos of Air Force M13 Aircrewman flap holsters [ and issued with the model 10 2 inchs issued in 1960 and the model 56 ] , one is a odd ball in that it not marked USAF , I had believed until now only Milsp [ Milawalee Saddley] and Servise MFG of Yonkers were the only manufactures of these holsters .Milsup holsers are not marked Milsp , but do have the 55D3513 part number on the side and are not of the quality of the Servise MFG holsters .Servise MFG of Yonkers are marked Servise MFG of Yonkers.
This odd has no marking and is again not marked USAF , has anyone else seen a holster like this ??
please post , robbt

heres the odd ball with shoulder strap


here are two Service MFG holsters


heres a MILsup


here are a Milsup on the left and Service MFG on the right , compare the flap studs and snaps see how they different .


and heres un unnamed odd ball its like a cross between to ones above ,


any thoughts please post , robbt

Howdy here are several photos of Air Force M13 Aircrewman flap holsters [ and issued with the model 10 2 inchs issued in 1960 and the model 56 ] , one is a odd ball in that it not marked USAF , I had believed until now only Milsp [ Milawalee Saddley] and Servise MFG of Yonkers were the only manufactures of these holsters .Milsup holsers are not marked Milsp , but do have the 55D3513 part number on the side and are not of the quality of the Servise MFG holsters .Servise MFG of Yonkers are marked Servise MFG of Yonkers.
This odd has no marking and is again not marked USAF , has anyone else seen a holster like this ??
please post , robbt

heres the odd ball with shoulder strap


here are two Service MFG holsters


heres a MILsup


here are a Milsup on the left and Service MFG on the right , compare the flap studs and snaps see how they different .


and heres un unnamed odd ball its like a cross between to ones above ,


any thoughts please post , robbt

I was issued one just like that with a Victory model .38 for the Cuban Missle Crisis.

Hope this helps.

Bill

What do the snaps say on them?

__________________
Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

A good clue is what the snaps say, as Kevin has asked. The pattern is the standard Murray Patent holster, as used by Milsup & Service Mfg. Co, but obviously stiched on a different machine that their production holsters. It may be a sample or prototype holster submitted to the Gov't in an attempt to get a contract. It's not shown in Meadows book on US Holsters.

I have a few of these Model 13 flap holsters. None of them bear a makers stamp or mark. Each one is double row stitched on the mainseam, has aluminum Sam Browne studs to close the flap and has one way directional brass snaps ("Pull The Dot") type. Single line branch stamp USAF on flap. Pictured in center of photo.



As for your questions. I suspect several defense contract vendors produced these for the Air Force over the years. There will sometimes be, minor variations in features despite the Defense Contract specifications concerning stitches per inch, type of thread, thread weight, leather weight, finish color etc. The aluminum studs may have been a weight reduction consideration for aviators or perhaps, just an inexpensive alternative to solid brass. I believe during the "cold war" years these were manufactured in fair number, however, they have become somewhat scarce in recent years at gun shows. They were cleverly designed and perform very well. Sorry I can't offer you more information.

Hello Robbt:

As mentioned earlier this holster was designed for use with the 2" barrel, M13 S&W Aircrewman and the similar Colt Aircrewman lightweight, 6-shot, .38 Special revolvers. The holster was designed and patented by Norris N. Murray of Dayton, OH. I have not confirmed this but I suspect that Mr. Murray may have been employed at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton. The patent was applied for in 1956 and granted in 1958.

The chief design characteristic is that the holster is capable of being worn in a variety of positions, ie, as a shoulder holster, a belt holster, and strapped to the right leg. Its designer touted its versatility in positioning the holster as one of its major attributes.

I have several examples of this holster, both black and brown, in my own collection. As far as I can determine the only makers of this holster were Milwaukee Saddlery Co. (later known as Milsco) and Service Manufacturing Co. of Yonkers, NY. While most of these holsters are black, I have seen some in brown and you show one such example in your photo above. The brown holsters are somewhat of an anomaly as the US Air Force had moved to black leather equipments by 1950. These holsters are also found in a version that will accommodate a 4" barreled revolver.

You asked about your example that was unmarked. I don't know why it is unmarked. My guess is that it was either an early version or more likely that it was an overrun or intended for sale on the civilian market. The AF specification probably called for the holster to be marked USAF, and both makers did in fact mark theirs as such. Failure to comply with a specification like that would likely cause the product to be rejected. I also have brown, 2" unmarked examples in my collection.

BTW, I believe the 55D3513 marking is not a part number but rather a drawing number.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life
S&WHF

__________________
Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Charlie-

I was very interested to learn that they had been made in brown, and also for four-inch barrels.

I gather that they were loose enough in fit to take the M-56, which was a military version of the M-15 snub. The ramp sight and adj. rear sight would need more room in the holster than the M-13 Aircrewman.

Can you confirm if they will fit the M-56?

I think the double fasteners on the flap were to prevent loss of the gun upon ejection from the aircraft.

T-Star

Hi T-Star:

I looked into the question of whether these holsters will accommodate a USAF Model 56 some years ago, but right now I can't remember what I found out. They were not originally designed to do so.

I will have to get my M56 out of the safe and try it in one of these holsters. If it fits it will be tight as, in addition to the adjustable sights, the barrel is heavier on the M56 as compared to the M13 and it is a square butt rather than a round butt revolver.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life
S&WHF

__________________
Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Hi T-Star:

Yes, the brown ones actually come in several flavors. Here is one in my collection that I happened to have a photo of. Note the differences in the lettering style of the USAF marking and the leather, rather than the usual nylon, thong. The holster is otherwise unmarked.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life
S&WHF

__________________
Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Kevin:

The snaps say "PULL THE DOT".

Regards,
Charlie

__________________
Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

howdy guys , I am back , on a previous post within this forum, a former Airman that served at a missle site was issued a model 56 with a black M13 flap holster , also issue with the m13 were a series of shoulder holsters , both again black and tan ,really neat stuff, many thanks robbt

howdt guys , I have received a post for another forum and its makes some sense as the Air Crewman manuel I have [ will post a pic in a day or so] has printed for both USAF and US Army , neat stuff, robbt


Yes, supposely it came from the army at a Ft Sill,Prop. disposal sale, according to the dealer from Lawton(Ft sill), it was used with some repairs, but had brass studs like yours and no USAF.but no sling

Sorry to dredge-up this old post but I have another example of one of these holsters.

Fit's a post-war 4" M&P perfectly.

No markings at all (USAF or drawing number) on the leather. Snaps are marked on the underside of them RAU Fastener Co., Prov, RI.

It has the same coiled tie-down as my black 2" USAF air crewman holster.

Is there a market for these things ? I have one like the 4th from left in your photo in excellent shape that I'm thinking of listing on the forum

__________________
John