Holster, Pistol
General Information
Name: Holster, Pistol.
Country of Origin: Canada.
Manufacturer: Yet to be identified.
Date of manufacture: c 1955.
Stock No: NATO Stock Number (NSN): Yet to be identified.
Colour: Olive Drab (OD).
Equipment Family: 51-Pattern Web Equipment.
Size: The Holster Fits a- 9-mm Browning High-Power automatic pistol, or similar sized pistols.
Number Of compartments: Two.
Weight:
Waterproof: No.
Draw Side: Right-hand draw.
Similar Objects
History
First issued in 1951 alongside the Canadian 51-Pattern web equipment, this holster was designed specifically for soldiers carrying the 9mm Browning Hi-Power pistol. It was also exported to countries that purchased the Inglis 9mm Browning pistols from Canada.
This holster was distinct from the Case, Pistol, previously issued with the 37-Pattern Web Equipment, differing in both design and function, particularly with the inclusion of an additional magazine pouch for the Browning pistol.
By the mid-1960s, the holster was phased out in Canada as they adopted the 64-pattern web equipment.
Several countries used the 51-pattern holster, with the United Kingdom being one of the first. They relied on it until they produced their own holster for the 58-Pattern web equipment.
Australia and New Zealand were also significant users. New Zealand continued using the 51-pattern holster until the late 1980s, when it was replaced by the UM84 holster after adopting the Sig Sauer P226 9mm pistol.
However, Australia copied and modified the holster’s design, integrating it into their version of the US M-1956 Load Bearing Equipment in the late 1960s.
Description
The holster itself is made from woven olive drab cotton webbing, cut and sewn to shape. It features a lid that secures the pistol with a webbing pull-tab.
On the front, a thin webbing pouch with a metal snap closure, lined with stainless steel, holds a single 13-round magazine for the Browning pistol. The inner side of the holster includes a thin webbing sleeve to store a cleaning rod.
On the back, there is a 50mm webbing loop along with an “M-10” style wire hanger, both angled for a cross-draw fit.
Examples
Example One
Object Number: 2442-124-44101.
