I work at an army surplus store and I am always finding cool stuff. One of the recent finds are a whole bunch of Sam Browne style MP belts one of which is complete with a holster. I want to find out what gun the holster or more properly "pistol case" is for. My uneducated guess would be a browning High Power. The belts are black thick leather , the buckle and fittings are solid brass and some are marked made in England. The belt has a number S 1529791 and under that 1989 and under that a 9.5
What handgun did CF mp"s use in the 1980's
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- WMU248 near Edmonton
Browning Inglis Hi-Powers
I was an MP in the late 80's and I carried either an Inlgis Hi-power or a sterling SMG, Hi-power would be the answer for you 
Or we also had some S&W 38 revolvers of some sort for those that couldn't get a grip on the Inglis due to small hands but I can't remember anyone ever using them, they just sat in the lock up and gathered dust from what I can recall.
Or we also had some S&W 38 revolvers of some sort for those that couldn't get a grip on the Inglis due to small hands but I can't remember anyone ever using them, they just sat in the lock up and gathered dust from what I can recall.
gunplumberr
Regular
the revolvers were S&W Model 36 and Colt Cobra
Thanks this site is such a good resource because so many people on here were there and know the facts. I have always liked the pistol case as a carry method better than a holster on the belt because the over the shoulder strap keeps your heavy belt from falling. I love the look as well and as soon as I saw the belt and case I thought it looked like the one the british officer was wearing in the latest G&A surplus annual sixguns of empire article but black instead of brown and no sword. Unfortunatly we only got one complete mp belt ,shoulder strap and holster but we did get a bunch of spare belts and a few extra shoulder straps and I think I might rig something up to carry my katana. Now all I need is a jacket with epalets.
As an MP who joined in the mid-80s, I can confirm the handguns and holsters used by military police during that era:
- The 9mm Browning HP (Inglis) was the general issue sidearm for male MPs. In garrison, it was carried in the black leather holster (shown above) on a Sam Browne belt. In the early 80s, most units stopped requiring MPs to wear the cross strap on their Sam Brown belt for partol duties, although they were still worn for some ceremonial occasions until the late 80s/early 90s. These full flap hosters were disparagingly referred to as "widowmakers" by the MPs who wore them-- they were bulky and uncomfortable, particularly when siting in a patrol car. While wearing combat uniforms in the field, MPs wore the standard CF issue 1982 pattern holster (olive nylon webbing).
- The 5-shot .38 Special S&W Model 36 with 3" barrel was the general issue sidearm for female MPs. In garrison, it was carried in a smaller version of the full flap black leather holster. For field duties in Military Police Platoons, female MPs carried the Browning HP in the '82 pattern holster.
- The 6-shot .38 Special Colt Cobra with 3'' barrel was standard issue to investigators who worked in plain clothes. Some commissioned MP officers chose to carry the Colt instead of the Browning. Several different types of leather and nylon belt and shoulder holsters were issued, and many investigators purchased their own holsters.
- In 1992, the full flap leather holsters were replaced with a Case Tech level 1retention holsters for patol use. MPs had the choice of wearing either a low rise or a high rise version.
- In the mid-90s, the military police replaced all the above pistols with the 9mm Sig-Sauer P225. For garrison patrol, we now carry these in Safariland level III retention holsters. The Bianchi M12 (Universal Military Holster) is the standard field holster for MP Sigs. It can be configured as a belt holster, shoulder holster, or drop-leg holster. Several non-standard types of drop-leg holster are in use by MPs on deployment.
TC
- The 9mm Browning HP (Inglis) was the general issue sidearm for male MPs. In garrison, it was carried in the black leather holster (shown above) on a Sam Browne belt. In the early 80s, most units stopped requiring MPs to wear the cross strap on their Sam Brown belt for partol duties, although they were still worn for some ceremonial occasions until the late 80s/early 90s. These full flap hosters were disparagingly referred to as "widowmakers" by the MPs who wore them-- they were bulky and uncomfortable, particularly when siting in a patrol car. While wearing combat uniforms in the field, MPs wore the standard CF issue 1982 pattern holster (olive nylon webbing).
- The 5-shot .38 Special S&W Model 36 with 3" barrel was the general issue sidearm for female MPs. In garrison, it was carried in a smaller version of the full flap black leather holster. For field duties in Military Police Platoons, female MPs carried the Browning HP in the '82 pattern holster.
- The 6-shot .38 Special Colt Cobra with 3'' barrel was standard issue to investigators who worked in plain clothes. Some commissioned MP officers chose to carry the Colt instead of the Browning. Several different types of leather and nylon belt and shoulder holsters were issued, and many investigators purchased their own holsters.
- In 1992, the full flap leather holsters were replaced with a Case Tech level 1retention holsters for patol use. MPs had the choice of wearing either a low rise or a high rise version.
- In the mid-90s, the military police replaced all the above pistols with the 9mm Sig-Sauer P225. For garrison patrol, we now carry these in Safariland level III retention holsters. The Bianchi M12 (Universal Military Holster) is the standard field holster for MP Sigs. It can be configured as a belt holster, shoulder holster, or drop-leg holster. Several non-standard types of drop-leg holster are in use by MPs on deployment.
TC
I don't know GrantR I don't think you have got out of hand until you start buying a matching bridle for the charger you have had your eye on. I would love to get some background on your uniforms and swords ,my uneducated guess would be boer war era highlanders. I have a sam brown belt and shoulder strap but I have gained some weight lately and look a little to much like Herman Goering for my liking. I love that everyone on this site will get the Goering reference it is shocking how little the general public knows or cares about history.
I wanted to say thanks to PVTC for putting the MP holster into historical perspective. The rig looks way to 19th century to have been worn into the late 80's
What do the people on here think is a fair price to sell the holster ,belt and shoulder strap for? We only have 1 holster but we have lots of belts and shoulderstraps with the nice brass fittings made in england so any reenacters out there give me a PM. I would like to reunite the holster to a Browning HP preferably J inglis.
I wanted to say thanks to PVTC for putting the MP holster into historical perspective. The rig looks way to 19th century to have been worn into the late 80's
What do the people on here think is a fair price to sell the holster ,belt and shoulder strap for? We only have 1 holster but we have lots of belts and shoulderstraps with the nice brass fittings made in england so any reenacters out there give me a PM. I would like to reunite the holster to a Browning HP preferably J inglis.
