showing my age now.....................
Does anybody know if a P38 would fit in any Brit holsters?
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
Does anybody know if a P38 would fit in any Brit holsters?
I know a P08 and a Colt .45 do, but I've not got a P38 to tryout
Probably would then - what types of Brit holsters are there?
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
The two types I am aware of are the 1937 pattern pistol holster, and the tanker crew pistol holster. The first attaches to the belt and the second drops down and is attached around the thigh.
Here are the SoF piccies of them
I am sure that when all the knowledgeable PBI chappies return they will inform you of 8 other varieties, I think there was a different holster for the browning but am not sure.
Thanks Wlad.
You've got nothing to ein, zwei, drei, vier
I think there are two versions of the holster pictured on the left, small frame and large frame sizes.
There was a browning holster following the canadian pattern, repros are available.
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if you have a look at the vid of the arnhem game, webby is wearing a browning holster.
The two types I am aware of are the 1937 pattern pistol holster, and the tanker crew pistol holster. The first attaches to the belt and the second drops down and is attached around the thigh.
Here are the SoF piccies of them
I am sure that when all the knowledgeable PBI chappies return they will inform you of 8 other varieties, I think there was a different holster for the browning but am not sure.
There are two types of the tankys holster. The first pattern have the long 'drop leg' but this was deleted as it snagged on protusions in the vehicle, the MKII were either retro fitted or manufactured to have a simple webbing loop to go on the 37 belt like an MT pouch.
There are also quite a few variant holsters about as generally a pistol was an officers weapon and officers often (and were really supposed) to buy their own kit - consequently a few companies made 'private purchase' webbing sets and pieces for officers.
"I think we are in rats' alley - Where the dead men lost their bones."
More info on the differences between 'large frame' and 'small frame' standard 37patt holster here: http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/php/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=2992&p=48481&hilit=styles%2Fpatterns%2Fsizes#p48481
Ah thanks for that. I knew there were two styles/patterns/sizes of 37 pat holster, but I didn't know the details!
As a follow up to my previous post, here's some pics' I've dug out! (Sorry about big pics
)
First Variant:
Second Variant
EDIT: Don't get the round flap ones. They're a weird Canadian-designed version for the .455 Webley:
And there's a great pic of Gadge's later style tanker holster in the 'Kit Bible' thread, here: http://www.ww2airsoft.org.uk/php/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=5557&p=90725&hilit=+pictured+airsoft+M10+Smith+Wesson+revolver#p90725
2ND PATTERN ROYAL ARMOURED CORP HOLSTER
Open top tank crew holster, the 1st pattern had a long drop leg thigh strap, this was found to catch on vehicle interiors and so was omitted. Issued to tank crew throughout the war and occasionally privately acquired by officers and NCOs.
(also pictured is an airsoft M10 Smith and Wesson revolver - a common private purchase)
A Proud Member Of 'Team Spleen!' who play mainly at Gunman Airsoft, Tuddenham, Suffolk.
The "round ones" fit a Colt 1911 quite nicely tho...
The "round ones" fit a Colt 1911 quite nicely tho...
It's worth noting that there was quite a lot of variation in holster sizes between manufacturers too, one of my std. '37 pattern holster fits my 1911, whilst the other doesn't.
depends.... its a bit of a mine field with berets mate, they were really very late war, with exeptions( tank corps ETC) it was usually the GS cap/beret. best would be to get along to the regimental museum.
Berets were a different colour for different arms, Maroon for Airborne, Black for armoured, Green for commando.
The 'regular' infantry, as far as I am aware, wore the General Service Cap for a soft hat that was Khaki coloured. I know many officers privately purchased a Beret in Khaki as it was considered more stylish and comfortable then the GS cap.
and in early war it was the FS Cap instead...
Field Service Cap.
Not all badges have a backing... Y&L don't for instance...
For some reason the GS berets look fine in period pics but always look slightly 
in real life.
I like the forage caps / side caps / FS caps (whatever you call them). Were they only late war in some theatres? Loads of Brits in Italy '44 are seen wearing them.
Also they wear them a lot in Dad's Army (who were Queens Own Royal West Kent) so I say go FS mate 
italy 1944 was occupation forces, the second front( i.e. normandy ) had opened on june 6th(2 days after rome was occupied) , so all troops actually fighting( not that italy was cushy , they had a terrible time against die hard nazi forces .) had been in the uk and re-supplied with new kit, GS beret being new. GS service(side) caps were seen on the european mainland, but very very rarely. (P.S. my father lost his GS beret at villers bocage and was issued a black beret(( got 2 pics at my mothers of him in it)) as it was the only soft head gear the QM had. he was RE )
Interesting.
But did your dad really lose his GS beret or did he just bin it 'cos it looked too "musical"? 
he dived for cover as a burst of mg 42 fire came down the road , and landed in a dead, bloated cow......... would you keep your kit or ask nicely for some more? 