I just bought this one today took a bit of research to figure out the maker. It has a very faint circle consistent with Craghead and the US logo also looks correct for a Craighead. From what I have read these are rare.
WWII U.S. M1916 Craighead Holster Questions
- Thread starter merl67
- Start date
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REM 3200
US Veteran
Have you ever stopped to think who may have worn that holster through out it's history?
Who were all the soldiers?
Who were all the soldiers?
Good find. They are definitely less common than most, if not all, the other WW2 M1916 holster manufacturers. Off hand, I can't recall what I once heard or read about their total production.
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Craighead of Denver, Colorado, was a producer of US M1916 Dismounted Holsters during WW2, as were about 8 other companies. Craighead was not among the highest volume producers (Boyt, Sears, Graton & Knight were probably the largest producers), but Craighead's production was significant. What is truly rare these days is finding one in original, unaltered condition and still functional!
Nice find! Well worth conserving for the future.
Nice find! Well worth conserving for the future.
OP
Thank you guys. I knew enough to know finding any M1916 holster still wearing its brown color was worth picking up even though I don't have an appropriate 1911 for it.
OP
Any thoughts on value on this one given condition ?
LoboGunLeather
US Veteran
Values are all over the board in recent years. With the CMP release of surplus pistols now taking place I would expect demand to be strong over the next few years, as people will try to "accessorize" their CMP pistols with period-correct holsters, belts, mag pouches, etc.
Craighead is not as common as Sears, Boyt, G&K, or a few others, but they are seen pretty regularly. In excellent-to-unissued condition I wouldn't be surprised to see one bring $200, maybe a little more. In well used, but solid and original condition (like yours) I would expect buyers in the range of $80 to $110 or so.
Whatever you do, do not alter or attempt to improve that holster! Leather conditioners or other treatments might provide a cosmetic benefit for the uninitiated buyer, but a collector will spot the attempt from 10 feet away. Leave it just "as found" if you expect to attract collector interest.
Well, you need to get one! Problem solved, simple.
OP
I like the way you think !
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