Help with tanker holster

[Haplo]

Should be this picture The Saint is referring to.

http://www.ww2incolor.com/britain/Pic_Killick_1.html

[Adrian Stevenson]

That will be the well known picture refered to.

However, the use of the tankers holster was common within one unit: 1st Indep Para Platoon (Pathfinders). It was almost standard issue within the platoon. I know all the surviving members of the unit and have many photos of it in use. I even have seen one photo of Pte Geordie Wood wearing one on each leg!

Another one here of the Platoon in Italy.

Cheers, Ade.

[Styblo]

Beatiful photo!

Many thanks, Ade

George

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi George, thanks, I know you will like this one too.

Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

My late good friend Mike Compton on the boat to Greece in 1944. The unit used both Colt .45 Autos and Browning HP's.

[happy maca]

Ade thanks mate ,top PERIOD Photos, last one is a perfect shot of that holster rig

[The Saint]

Cheers, Ade, for those pics. Rare and interesting shots.
For instance, in the first two photos, the lads appear to wear RAC denim overalls.

[Haplo]

Great photo's Ade.
Thanks fore sharing these.

Sipke

[dragnet]

Zephyr Looms & Textiles is indeed a Canadian factory.
The buttons should read united carr.
After the war in 1946 TIL took it over from ZL&T.
Textile Industries Limited.
Although the holster appears to be dated 1946, I am pretty sure it is 1940.
Namely that the holster is a first pattern.
A second pattern (although cut down) is shown by ROBB.
More rounded.
All and all, a very nice and original Canadian made holster.

Spike, id like your opinion on the canadian ''cut'' of there holsters, its been my opinion that there tankers holsters were cut like there norman pistol holster, a rounded left top corner as posted by Robb, id like to know the button maker o this holster . All adds to the collectors understanding of the hobby. Pete.

seems you have already answered the question spike, sorry for this useless post. Pete.

[Haplo]

Sometimes you can miss something reading.
So no worries there Pete.
We are all here to learn and to share the knowledge.
At least, that is what i am trying to do.

There are 2 patterns of holsters.
At least, as we talk about the RAC holster.

First pattern is more square in the corners.
The second pattern is more rounded.

They switched from pattern in 1941/1942.
I haven't seen a second pattern dated before 1942 and a first dated after 1941.

Here is a picture of my second pattern.
Made by Zephyr Looms & Textiles in 1942.
The button maker is United-Carr Canada.
I haven't seen any other maker yet.


The same goes for the normal holsters.
2 patterns.
The first more square and the second more rounded in the corners.

[dragnet]

Cheers spike!!

[jjgarcia]

Hi guys,
I have a British '43 Enfield No.2 Mk 1** that I inherited from my late grandfather. I've been wanting to get a holster to go with it. To my understanding, the Mk1**'s were normally used with a tanker holster? Or were they common with the tradition P37 holsters? From reading the previous posts and other articles, Canadian-made holsters and other gear was used by the British and all Allies? I found a tanker holster for sale after looking for quite a while. From the attached pictures, is it a WWII era holster and what can you derive from the markings?

Many thanks for any and all help!

Joe

[tinlid]

Holster

Hi Joe, It looks like it is dated 1955, I know they made them post war. You can normally tell when the brass fittings have been blackened, that they were made during the fifties. Aaron.