GUU-1/P US Contract Holster and service holsters

[Major 2]

Reaching out to maybe St. George
I have two Vietnam era issue revolver holsters
One seen below is USAF for the S&W Mod 15 dated 1965.
The other has no makers mark just 41 over 4 
Shown with my post WW2 pre-Mod 10.
note: the subtle difference in the Mod 15 holster circa 1965,
and one with an open toe and mid-pouch stitch detail Dated 1966.
Who were the US leather contractors in the Vietnam era?

Hunter ? or  Cathey Enterprise maybe ?

EDIT: 41 is a code + size
As I have further researched (the 4 is as suspected 4" Barrel)
note: the unknown maker holster is not relieved for the adjustable sight on the S&W Mod. 15. Rather for the trough style rear sight on the Mod. 10.
S&W Mod. 10's were issued the Army Helo pilots & crewmen.
Further, digging notes 41-4 could be another maker's code
for 4" Colt Official Police Positive Special 
(also issued)
Anyway, I found it noteworthy and interesting. 

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It would appear that the J. M. Bucheimer Co. made the top one but it'll be interesting to hear just how many contractors there were for these holsters.

[Major 2]

Will,  so far, I've found

VIET NAM

J. M. Bucheimer Co.
Hunter Corporation
Cathey Enterprises
Bolen Leather Products
Don Hume

POST VIET NAM

Bolen Leather Products
Cathey Enterprises
Nordac MFG. CO.

and
WORLD WAR II

A.L.P. CO. (Atchison Leather Products Co., Atchison, Kansas)
BRAUER (Brauer Brothers Mfg. Co., St. Louis, Missouri)
BOYT (Boyt Harness Company, Des Moines, Iowa)
CRAIGHEAD (John R. Craighead Co., Inc., Denver, Colorado)
CRUMP (Benjamin T. Crump & Co., Richmond, Virginia)
ENGER-KRESS (Enger-Kress Company, West Bend, Wisconsin)
FINK (Fink Leather Shops, Kansas City, Missouri)
G.P.& S. (Australian manufacturer for US forces, full name and precise location unknown)
GRATON & KNIGHT CO. (Graton & Knight Manufacturing Co., Worcester, Mass.)
HARPHAM BROS. (Harpham Brothers Co., Lincoln, Nebraska)
MILWAUKEE SADDLERY CO. (Milwaukee Saddlery Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
JOSEPH H. MOSSER (Joseph H. Mosser Leather Co., Williamsport, PA)
S-B CO. (Straus-Bodenheimer Saddlery Co., Houston , Texas)
SEARS (Sears Saddlery Co., Davenport, Iowa)
TEXTAN (Texas Tanning & Manufacturing Co., Yoakum, Texas)
WALSH (Walsh Harness Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
WARREN LEATHER GOODS CO. (Warren Leather Goods Co., Worcester, Mass.)

KOREAN WAR (For US Air Force Only)

BLOOMBERG LEATHER GDS. (Bloomberg Leather Goods Co., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin)
BOYT (Boyt Harness Company, Des Moines, Iowa)

[Major 2]

My Pre-10 M&P circa 10/46
and the new to me 15-2 circa 1967

With the *unknown maker* & Bucheimer holsters

* No Makers mark

EDIT now researched the Maker is <SMG> Service MFG Co. Yonkers NY
                               

[Marshal Will Wingam]

More good information, Major.

[Johnny McCrae]

A BIG LIKE

[Major 2]

Here is another interesting Vietnam War Era USAF Pilot's Leather .38 Cal. Revolver Holster.
Note: the double straps, it was determined revolvers were thrown loose after Ejection seat launch.

This holster has no maker marks or part number, probable field made. component issued separate.

I also have seen Contractor 38 revolver holsters field modified with a second strap.

[St. George]

'Not' field-made, but a component issued separately.

This one's designed to be sewn to the SRU21/P Survival Vest - that's what the 'flange' is for - the rest of the stitching follows the holster's edge, and goes through the body of the vest with a canvas backing to help lock the stitching.

They install these by the wearer's desires - mine's sewn on the left and worn slightly butt-forward, with the Pilot's Survival Knife a bit above and handle down.

Others wore their scabbard on the opposite side - between the pouches - the point being ease of access for the individual.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

I was hoping for you to respond.

 Thank you 

[Major 2]

Here is a Bucheimer with the added second strap possibly in the war zone,
 This was added security to retain the revolver in the event of punch out ejection.

Click on photo to ordinate the holster view vertical

[Major 2]

I believe this is what St. George is describing.

[St. George]

It is - save for the fact that my own vest carries the piece further forward and there's a Pilot's Survival Knife in front of it and a couple more pouches added - that's the SRU21/P of the war and for about a decade after that.

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

Another view of the Vietnam era thru late 80's Pilot Survival Vest,
These were still in some use during the Gulf War.
But had seen modification and newer versions issued.
The S&W Mod-15 and in early 60's Colts Commando were
replace pretty much entirely by the Issue Beretta 9MM.
by the late eighties.

[Major 2]

I'm still trying to identify the maker of 41 4 Duty/ Military holster.

I was led by error to Bianchi.

The 41 over 4 is for a Colt Official Police Special 4-inch barrel.

I have now ruled out Bianchi, Safariland, and Jay-Pee as those makers would have their makers marks stamped, I believe.

The quest is what is fun to me, as I continue to chase this rabbit down his hole.

Looking now at Don Hume and Hunter leather.

[St. George]

The rabbit hole ends over at 'The Colt Forum'...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Major 2]

The rabbit hole ends over at 'The Colt Forum'...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Spot On Robert     I saw rednickols reply to my post.

 The catalogue cut page from SMC's 1960 catalogue.
Pretty much points to SMC (Service Mfg Co) Service MFG Co. Yonkers NY
Style 1562 on the RH inside the red square

[Major 2]

You never know where a quest for knowledge might lead.

Thanks to a gent on the Colt Board. (Led me where to look, Google is your Huckelberry)
I now know the maker of 41 4 Service holster as SMG = Service MFG Co. Yonkers NY

I have further found the SMG was the Heir to H&D. Folsom Co.
Folsom took over for the Audley family (which dates to the turn
of 1900's) became Folsom-Audley
after Frank Audley's death, in 1920.



Note: Vintage Folsom-Audley makers mark circa early 1930's from Google.
      This particular mark is first shown in a 1932 advertisement; there were many marks for Audley, before and after Folsom Arms, and they all can be dated. By this time the original Audley patents were expiring, and Folsom enlisted the skills of inventor Franz to create more patented designs to replace the old.

* 1938 Catalog page - Franz design spring safety lock

*  Mid 1920's Folsom-Audley maker's mark

[Major 2]

Safariland Viet Nam War Era US Army / US Marine Corp. Helicopter Pilot /Aircrew Shoulder Holster shown with a S&W Victory Model.
The holster was designed for medium frame revolvers with 4-inch barrels such as the Colt Commando,
Smith & Wesson Model 10 or USAF issued S&W model 15/ Combat Masterpiece.

[Major 2]

If there is still interest 
I'll show some other Service Holsters makers in my collection,

[Lucky R. K.]

Please do.
Lucky