Original British WWI Officer’s Webley .455 Holster dated 1917 with Original Sam Browne Belt Rig Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a really good example of a British WW1 Officer’s leather holster intended for use with a .455 caliber Revolver like a Webley MK. VI, a Colt New Service or a Smith and Wesson. Constructed of thick brown Cow leather, this holster is designed to be worn with the standard Sam Browne waist belt. The rear of the holster still has the original manufacturer markings:

HEATH MACHIN & CO
WALSALL
1917

Heath Machin & Co was one of many companies in Walsall,  a town in the north of England where a lot of companies were specialized in leather products. It was a private purchase, which was common for officers at that time. The leather is still soft and most of the stitching is intact. The overall condition is very good.

It comes with a Sam Browne waist belt rig with cross strap, which is in good condition and perfectly fits with the Webley holster. It has been made with leather and been well preserved but it does show signs of heavy use. It measures approximately 40 inches from the buckle to the last set of holes on the belt.

General Sir Sam Browne V.C. was a nineteenth century British Indian Army official who had lost his arm to a sword cut during the Sepoy Rebellion. This made it hard for him to draw his blade, because the left hand was regularly used to consistent the casing while the right drew out the sword.

Browne came up with the idea of wearing a second belt which went over his right shoulder to hold the holster steady. This would guide into a midriff belt with D-rings for connecting accessories. It additionally safely holds a gun in a holster on his right hip and incorporates a binocular case with a neck-lash. Different officials started wearing a comparable belt and at last it turned out to be important for the standard uniform.

Ready to add to your collection and display!