Hello All,
I bought a Fink brand 1917 style holster dated 1942 yesterday. The holster is in good shape but missing the leather drop ( leg tie )that comes fron the bottom brass ring. The question is, does anyone have a picture or the method of tieing the strap on the ring. I can't find anything in the search area to show the proper method for securing this,and I think it really finishes the overall look.
I can wing it, but would like to do it correctly, also what diameter were the thongs
Thanks for any and all advice.
Pete

Hello All,
I bought a Fink brand 1917 style holster dated 1942 yesterday. The holster is in good shape but missing the leather drop ( leg tie )that comes fron the bottom brass ring. The question is, does anyone have a picture or the method of tieing the strap on the ring. I can't find anything in the search area to show the proper method for securing this,and I think it really finishes the overall look.
I can wing it, but would like to do it correctly, also what diameter were the thongs
Thanks for any and all advice.
Pete

Pete, Take a look at the Bible on Military Holster, "U.S.Military Holsters and Pistol Cartridge Boxes" by Scott Meadows. Page 219 shows the Rock Island Arsenal Pattern drawings for the holster you have and how the "Smoked Elkskin Thong" is attached to the ring ( Fold thong in 1/2 - push fold thru the ring and thread the ends thru the loop of the fold." The thong is 50 in. long, giving 25 in. each end hanging down from the holster ring. Page 224 shows a Fink/1942 WW2 holster with thong attached. Having said all that above, you will seldom see a holster with the loose thong ends, as shown in the pattern drawings, as G.I.s tended to braid these ends or tie fancy knots with them, or remove them all together. I always cut off, or took off, the thong on my holsters, as it was a hassle to take off your web belt, with all the gear you had attached thereto, and find out you still have the holster tied around your leg. All WW2 holsters for the Model 1917 are reversed from the WW1 style in that they are worn on the right side with butt to the rear. Ed.

Hello Ed,
I would like to thake you for your detailed discription, as usual the facts and straight to the point. I really appreciate your taking the time. Now I have to get another book!!, but you can't have to many. Was the point of reversing the draw on the revolver due to the fact that the swords were being phased out?

Ed,

Tell us about carrying the 1860 Colt, or did you have the 1858 Remington?

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I think he started with a sling, and five smooth, slick river rocks.......

FWIW- I have NEVER seen a WW II holster with the thong still attached, and I have seen "a few". As Ed says, it's a pain in the butt, or leg, maybe.....

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Recycler, etc. Supposedly the decline of the saber/sword as an issue weapon was the reason for the change in the holster design for WW2. Now, as to the questions of Lee & Muley - It seems like just yesterday, when ole "Iron Butt' ( Custer , to you Pilgrims!) said he was goin' out & chase some Injuns. I told him wait abit and hang around the O club a little longer - there might be a couple of Squaws I can line up for us tonite. He didn't listen. So the old G.I. rule applied - "If you don't come back from patrol, we get to divide up your gear!" And that's how I got Custer's Registered Magnum in my collection. True story , Lee. All my guns got true stories! Ed.

I'm collecting US martial holsters and I have about fifty of them with some minty among them. It's true holsters were shipped with leg thong loose and most people took off or braided them so the problem is if you want display the holster alone or as part of complete revolver rig. In the first circumstance I prefer to remove the leg thong while in the second I find it's better to braid it just to have the holster completely functional.
BTW the Fink leather thong is identical to the WWII era M1916 holsters.

Thanks for all the help.
I was just wondering the technique used to weave/wrap/ or braid that they used to secure the thong. I thought there might have been a military procedure required to make everyone look standard.
I will just try and weave something that looks simular and go for the best.
I would have thought there would have been a manual with step by step directions. Ha, Ha
Thanks, Pete

I tried to have instructions with no success cause it depends on artistic attitude of the single GI.

The thong can be "whipped". I haven't done one in years, but I seem to recall that you begin by folding one end, the entire finished length, and wind the balance loosely around to resemble a coil, so that end becomes the center or core. When you reach the end of the desired length, you slip the remaining lace end through the center to the opposite end and pull both exposed ends tightly. If you wet case the thong first, it will dry in very tightly. I think you might have to loop the exposed ends to prevent it from unravelling. As I said, it's been awhile since I did this.

I realize this sounds difficult without an illustration to guide you. I believe I have one around the shop someplace, in a book on braiding or hitching. I'll try to find it and post it if I am successful.

Artu;

That is one hell of a nice collection!

Old Flat Foot,
I took Ed's advice and pulled a 50" thong through the ring and doubled it back, wraping the flat edge's back around the doubled center thong. It seems to work pretty good, but I need to make some length adjustments.
It's one of those trial and error projects but it makes the holster look pretty darn good. I will figure out the actual technique and post it if anyone is interested.
I do believe your right though, the owners just made what they liked and what dolled up their rig to fit their personal likes.
Thanks for all the help, it was kind of fun.
Thanks, Pete

Here's one of mine with the strap just the way it was on it when I got it. I copied the way it was tied for the strap on the knife.

on the subject of 1917 holsters - as the guns were designed to be used with rounds on half moon clips - what was the correct carry method of that pre-loaded ammo?

was there a specific pouch for these and/or who makes that item today?

A 3 tier canvas pouch, each tier held 2 half moon clips for a total of 3 full reloads

Now there's a piece of equipment that screams for a good quality reproduction.

__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

Here's a pic of my 1917 with vintage 3-tier ammo pouch.

Linda
SWCA #1965

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Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245

Pouch open with markings

A 1917 G & K and unused web gear out of a WW1 Dough Boy's foot locker.

Bob