~~~ Browning Hi-Power MP web holster ~~~

[gravis]

I just acquired this holster today and am wondering if anybody can estimate a date range for it... and potential value

The guy I got it off of said he had it for at least 30 years, and got it off of an RC buddy of his... he thought it was an RC duty holster.

After I get home and do some digging around on the 'ol interwebs lo and behold it's for Browning Hi-Power Military Police Issue.

Secondly any idea whether this would house a 5" 1911 ? they look close to the same size to me...








LEATHER WAS QUITE DRY

....POST MOISTURIZING

Thanks in advance for the assistance

Joel

 

[BrockPython]

yeah that for sure is a Military Police first generation Widow Maker as we called them I know for a fact its Pre 1988 because when i got my first one it was the exact same thing only it had a swivel in it so you couls sit down in a patrol vehicle. There were replaced by Level 2 Open holsters in about 1991-92 and those came in two versions a high ride and a low ride. As there is no inner retension inside any pistol of the same size as a Browning High Power will work. We used to cut the metal mag pouch insert out of a combat holter and slide it into the back af the holster which is actually supposed to be a mag pouch. THis would stop the holster from looking flat. The belt it comes with is leater 2 1/2 inches wide with a Sam Brown Strap. I don't ever recal wearing the cros strap. I think the poor guys Posted to NDHQ back in the day had to wear Full CF dress complete with Sam Brown on day shifts. Alot of guys in the late 80 and 90s used to put leather luster on them so they would look like patent leather. Some guys would modify the inner flap by cutting away the leather so you could get at the trigger right away. They were never carried cocked and locked it was usually at half #### on and empty chamber and the you had to draw and rack the slide. I have all 4 holsters if you would like picks or any other info feel free to PM me

 

[highlander]

Yep, a first generation MP holster for the Browning HP. Not only do I remember it well, I think I still have mine. When I was in back in the early 70's, we did wear the cross strap. The swivel came with the second generation holster due to complaints from the officers that the holsters were too awkward when sitting in a car; the holster would jam up into your ribs.

In my day, we did carry cocked and locked. I recall a shiny new infantry captain once nearly pissed himself when he saw me carry that way. He not only insisted that I not carry that way, he wanted me to carry with the magazine out of the gun. I had to show him in CFAO's how the MP were supposed to carry their sidearm before he shut up.

Yours looks like it was never issued. As for value, your looking at between 30 - 50 dollars. P&S is selling the complete rig (belt, cross-strap, handcuff case, etc) for $95.00.

It should take the 1911 no problem; the holsters were generously built. They were made in the days before form fitting holsters.

Nice find.

 

[gravis]

Thanks for the info and personal stories guys yup it seems as though it's in really good shape, and I'm happy to hear it should work for a 1911. You just never know what you'll find at garage sales lol

 

[gravis]

Anyone interested in a trade ? I found a nice 1911 holster for my war horse