I am restoring a 1940's style police belt for a display. I bought a very old suspension style holster with the GI style hook rings as shown below. It's not a GI holster, but was used by police in the 1940's/50's. It's should fit a M&P/K frame 4 inch S&W.

My question is what is the belt that this would attach to called? I know it's like a web belt, but is not military and is leather with eyelets to attach the holster. I'm sure it has a cartridge loop that would slide on the belt with it, which is easy enough to find on Ebay cheap.

I have seen these belts before, but I have searched Ebay and it bogs you down looking at page after page of belts that don't have eyelets.

Anybody have an idea?

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	Holster2.jpg (48.9 KB, 43 views)

There are leather belts with eyelets like the web belts. Not common but they're out there. There are also "adapters" that slide on a leather belt and have the eyelets. US military used a system like that, somewhat common.

Here’s a questionable museum display with the slide-on adapter on a Web Belt.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I have seen those type hangers before for the GI 1911 holsters..I think they were called M1912 Cavalry type holsters? I also remember them in black for MP's in the 1970's.

The Trooper posted is supposed to be typical for the -
The Pancho Villa Expedition—now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, but originally referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, U.S. Army"—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa.
The actual Trooper probably looked more this -

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Not unusual. I've seen these in the old NYPD photos, mainly Mounted had them although some highway guys. I've attached an image of a flap one. Notre the PDNY approval stamping to the right of the swivel.

Best,
RM Vivas

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Holster, Flap, Swivel, Frog.jpg (43.5 KB, 45 views)

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RM Vivas
SWCA#1482L, SWHF#837

Thank you sir....Do you have any examples of the belt that this would have attached to? I'd like to get an idea of what brand/model to look for in a sea of leather.

Try searching for "Sam Browne belts". That is what we called the usual police duty belt that was 2.25 inches wide and had the double holes. You will still find the this belt used today with a shoulder strap for dress or Honor Guards.

That was my first try and it brought up a ton of older duty belts, many with holsters, but none with GI style grommets to fit this holster...All of them had slip over holsters with or without cartridge loops.

I wouldn't think the belt I am looking for would be worth anything more massive than a regular older duty belt unless a person were using this holster I have and going my route with it.

I haven't had any luck looking for a matching leather belt that directly mates with the military style holster attachment. I have, however, found the adapter on Amazon

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Ain't This Fun Though?

voigt (1).jpgOutatthedge had your answer. Sam Browne belts came into use in the U.S. (it is a British invention) for the First World War, for officers only and meant for the cavalry in particular. They are never meant to have eyelets in them, were you to find one you'd have a rarity. Use the adapator. When i want to buy gunleather I use eBay; the search is easy enough, even 'sam browne' will turn them up; add 'vintage' and you'll get an old JayPee or Service Mfg make.

The true Sam Browne was a sabre belt so has a shoulder strap early in the 20th century. Those without are most likely police issue for the period after that. The oldest ones are made of horsehide and are brown not black with Voigt being the first-quality maker. The sabre was worn on the left and the holster on the right, hence many period holster are 'twist' or 'cavalry' draw: a l/h holster worn on the right. And there are no lefties in the US Army, when equipment is concerned.

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Red Nichols The Holstorian

The “ little dummy” was put together by another dummy. Guess no one has reference books???.

That’s a G.I. Joe! But I like the holster.

Bucheimer made belts with 4-6 holes on the bottom of the right side of the belt. I would assume others did too.