M7 Shoulder Holster

So I just finished up on making a leather M7 Shoulder Holster that I have been thinking about for many years. This is just the holster right now. I haven't completed the straps that go with it yet. I'm considering 1" nylon straps as the support system for this holster. It's more about comfort at this stage of the game. However, I will make leather straps just in case the nylon is too sloppy. I used premium leather and lined it with a quality thin leather liner. It's all hand stitched and I think it's close to what an original would look like, as I remember it. I did look at pictures on this one! I wore one of these for many years while in the Marines. Nostalgia has imposed itself once again on my soul!

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

So I just finished up on making a leather M7 Shoulder Holster that I have been thinking about for many years. This is just the holster right now. I haven't completed the straps that go with it yet. I'm considering 1" nylon straps as the support system for this holster. It's more about comfort at this stage of the game. However, I will make leather straps just in case the nylon is too sloppy. I used premium leather and lined it with a quality thin leather liner. It's all hand stitched and I think it's close to what an original would look like, as I remember it. I did look at pictures on this one! I wore one of these for many years while in the Marines. Nostalgia has imposed itself once again on my soul!

Attachment 353320

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Very nice!

Great work! :chapeau

I really like the look and the workmanship and have never worn one but have one question.

Why the extra leather to the left side in the picture?

Is it for comfort and distibuting the weight?

Just thinking out loud again!:hmmm:

I think it like an anchor, Tim.
Holster itself is close-fitting to the pistol. Support for straps going 3 (or 4?) directions, I think...
Looks very functional if the fit is not too tight

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Originally Posted by 32t

I really like the look and the workmanship and have never worn one but have one question.

Why the extra leather to the left side in the picture?

Is it for comfort and distibuting the weight?

Just thinking out loud again!:hmmm:

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That's an excellent question. To the best of my knowledge it provides support to the ribs and without it, would probably dig into your rib cage. It also acts as a balancing piece to offset the weight of the .45. The original .45's were all steel and when loaded with a full magazine, they were pretty heavy. I have decided to go with leather support straps. The nylon I don't think would give enough support.

These type of holsters were typically used during air ops in Vietnam. Pilots and door gunners were authorized to wear these. I wasn't a pilot so that kind of narrows it down. I'll post pictures of the finished product when I'm done.

Very nicely done John. You gave great care to the workmanship and it really shows. Outstanding job well done. Just in case I've never said it before, thank you for your service.

Also, i really like the wood of those grips. Is that walnut? It has a beautiful grain, what i can see of it.

Those are indeed walnut grips. They didn't come with the gun. Originals are plastic. Still working on strap system. Be finished soon, I hope.

Incredible, John. Beautiful craftsmanship.

Sooo....you were the , Getsum guy. Like in full metal jacket. :nj

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Originally Posted by outback

Incredible, John. Beautiful craftsmanship.

Sooo....you were the , Getsum guy. Like in full metal jacket. :nj

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Unfortunately yes. I was only 18 at the time and scared to death always. Every time that we went up on a fire mission, I prayed that I would come back. Most of my friends didn't. However, that seems like a lifetime ago and one that I would not wish on anyone. I still ask myself this question," What strategic value did Vietnam have that we needed?" I believe it was Johnson that said for us to bomb them back into the stone age. They never got out of the stone age to begin with. Such a waste of life, both American and Vietnamese. All they wanted was to be left alone.

I'll tell you something that no one ever tells you about. Those who were there will understand. The civilian people of Vietnam were doomed. They had us on one side killing them because they were supporting the VC and you had the VC on the other side killing them for supporting the Americans. It was a no win situation for them. No matter what, they were going to die. They were simple rice farming people caught up in the middle. The brass told us we were doing an outstanding duty protecting America and that we were patriots. What they didn't tell us was it was all a lie! After I came home, I realized it was all a lie! That troubles me greatly to this day!

I apologize to all of you. After 50 years, I still have scars from this that just don't seem to heal and I needed to let go some feelings.

It all started with the old phony "Domino Theory" if one went they would all go communist. That and the also phony Gulf of Tonkin incident. I used to help control the Phantom jets when they came back to the carriers after their sorties in Nam.

So many good men died for nothing.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

It all started with the old phony "Domino Theory" if one went they would all go communist. That and the also phony Gulf of Tonkin incident. I used to help control the Phantom jets when they came back to the carriers after their sorties in Nam.

So many good men died for nothing.

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That is so true. It's unfortunate that we have this mentality still today. What kind of world will my grand children live in?

Why I never joined the military. None of the wars but I and II had anything to do with Americans freedom or liberty.

I always felt my duty was to stay here, and do what I could to protect our country while the enlisted were gone somewhere else for corporate America

Okay, all finished with the M7 shoulder holster. Straps are made of leather. This is the 1944 version of this holster in WWII. I'm considering dying it black. That was the Vietnam era type of holster. WWII was my fathers era. Anyway here are a couple of pictures. Don't pay any attention to that old man you see in one of the pictures. I grabbed him off the street to get a picture of how it looks when worn properly according to the USMC.

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Nice work John. I'm really impressed.

Except for cosmetic reasons the only color I can think of changing is the shiny hardware.

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Originally Posted by 32t

Except for cosmetic reasons the only color I can think of changing is the shiny hardware.

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As soon as I can find some black hardware I plan on changing it out. That was all they had at Tandy at the time. Trying to find hardware for this thing is difficult. Or maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

Tossing the hardware in a tumbler for a bit....Try some vinegar/lemon juice to induce patina. That evaporrust works great leaving in to soak till desired results.
You can get the look...

I bought a repro bayonet frog and sling for a Jap 99. Tossed them out in the back yard for 6 months. Moved them around with the weedeater on occasion.
They display pretty good! :D

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Tossing the hardware in a tumbler for a bit....Try some vinegar/lemon juice to induce patina. That evaporrust works great leaving in to soak till desired results.
You can get the look...

I bought a repro bayonet frog and sling for a Jap 99. Tossed them out in the back yard for 6 months. Moved them around with the weedeater on occasion.
They display pretty good! :D

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We are going to give the vinegar and lemon juice a try. Don't have a tumbler.

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

As soon as I can find some black hardware I plan on changing it out. That was all they had at Tandy at the time. Trying to find hardware for this thing is difficult. Or maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.

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Maybe you are looking at the wrong places. My wife has been getting into felting purses and other things. Maybe you should look at a purse hardware site.......

Here is one that I came across very quickly. I have never ordered from them and no affiliation!

https://www.buckleguy.com/swivel-snap-hooks/

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

We are going to give the vinegar and lemon juice a try. Don't have a tumbler.

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If it has clear on it, you might try soaking in mineral spirits or acetone/nail polish remover first. Maybe a little sanding......