Revolver Holster ID

[MichiganGWY]

Hello!
I am a new member to the forum however have always enjoyed learning about the American Civil War as like so many Americans, my family has roots within both the blue and gray ranks. On one side my 5th Great Grandfather served as a Corporal in the Union Army. On the other, my 6th Great Grandfather was executed by the Union Army for being a Confederate marauder. Now on to the reason for my post!

I picked this up from a garage sale two or so years ago. The seller stated it was from her late husbands militaria collection which had for the most part been sold. This and some small German knives were all that was left. I passed on the knives and nabbed this pretty cheap.

I've studied this as much as I could however I'm still at a loss. By the indentation in the leather it obviously held a revolver of some kind, however what kind eludes me. It appears to be 19th century and is stamped with a "36" on the back. I suspect it may be from the Civil War era, however I could be completely wrong.

I hope to gain some information regarding this interesting piece from the folks who are truly experts in this field and to learn more about this fascinating category of American military collectables in the process. Thank you for your consideration!

 

[major bill]

I will let others chime in but I do believe this to be post Civil War by more than a few years.

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy. I also do not think this to be Civil War Era. The snap jumps out at me

 

[MichiganGWY]

Thank you both for your replies and kind words!

 

[UCVRelics]

Happy New Year and Welcome From The Heart Of Dixie. It appears to be post war with the flap snap.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

Definitely agree with the above.

Stylistically it looks to me to be very late nineteenth/ early twentieth century (c.1890-1920) but without seeing it I can do no better. Possibly it was designed to be worn with a Sam Browne (belt). Unfortunately these things can be difficult to date (watch someone come along and give you carte blanche on the thing...)

 

[UCVRelics]

I don't believe its a US Military holster as most were mark US such as the one below.

 

[Hussar Yeomanry]

The more I look at it the more the pattern kind of looks British/ Canadian... (Photos 3 and 4 especially so)

Perhaps for a Webley? Or one of the Webley clones.

Of course there is a problem. The leather. So, to the original poster, how badly has that leather worn/ discolored over time as leather is wont to do? Specifically could it have once been dark brown? A longshot perhaps... except... I've just had a sudden thought... some British stuff towards the end of WW1 was turned out in black leather due to a shortage of brown...

Anyway, that's my best guess. Again without seeing it hard to say.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome to the forum from South Florida

 

[Patrick H]

Welcome from Missouri. My hunch is also that it is post Civil War, but I'm not expert. Regardless, it's a nice holster.

 

[MichiganGWY]

The more I look at it the more the pattern kind of looks British/ Canadian... (Photos 3 and 4 especially so)

Perhaps for a Webley? Or one of the Webley clones.

Of course there is a problem. The leather. So, to the original poster, how badly has that leather worn/ discolored over time as leather is wont to do? Specifically could it have once been dark brown? A longshot perhaps... except... I've just had a sudden thought... some British stuff towards the end of WW1 was turned out in black leather due to a shortage of brown...

Anyway, that's my best guess. Again without seeing it hard to say.

I believe it has always been a solid black. As others are saying, I too am gravitating away from my original assumption that it was US made. I cannot thank you and the rest of the folks who have commented for your information!

 

[Copperhead-mi]

I've had these two holsters and the original Iver Johnson top break 32 and 38 caliber revolvers that came with each holster. These holsters were made in the 1920's as were the revolvers. One holster is marked "32" and "3-1/2" on the back while the other is marked "38" "4" and "8350" on the back.

 

[Frederick14Va]

The snap button closure would date the item no earlier than the late 1880's when they first came around. The stamped numbers on the backside of the belt loop tend to suggest this was likely a commercially produced item. It might not have had a military application as it could have been produced for law enforcement or other security type of use as well amongst others.

 

[moosedog]

Welcome from Michigan. The two pictured by Copperheadmi are what was known as "hardware store holsters" These were made by various manufacturers and were not maker marked. They were sold in any number of stores up thru pre WWII. The only marking seen are size or caliber markings. The OP's holster is post WWII I believe and looks to be early police equipment.