Thread: 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!

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!

Very nice!

Great work!

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!

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

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!

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.

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.

Nice work John. I'm really impressed.

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