WWII holsters for 1911 in black?

[ElmerKeith]

On a German internet auction a holster is offerd as follows: http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=1395531

Is this orginal? I always thought that they were tan or brown during WWII and were made of black leather after WWII.

[Hawkmoon]

They were tan in WW2. My father was a WW2 veteran. He was in what is sometimes referred to as the "brown boot Army." The change to black was in the 50s or 60s ... I should remember which, but my brain took a rest day for the 4th of July. Many holsters that were in use by the military at the time of the change were simply re-dyed (anyone know the correct spelling for the past tense of "dye"?) from tan to black, so it is possible that a black holster dates to WW2 ... but not in black.

[ElmerKeith]

Would it be possible to re-redye a holster that was dyed into black after WWII? There is another one at an auction which was redyed. Would it be possible to get the black color off?

[Rich-D]

Many holsters that were in use by the military at the time of the change were simply re-dyed (anyone know the correct spelling for the past tense of "dye"?) from tan to black, so it is possible that a black holster dates to WW2 ... but not in black.

You were correct, the past tense of dye is dyed.

[Rich-D]

Would it be possible to re-redye a holster that was dyed into black after WWII? There is another one at an auction which was redyed. Would it be possible to get the black color off?

You can purchase dye striping liquid where you purchase the dye. Some better shoe stores, luggage stores or leather shops have it in stock. How well it works depends on the how the black dye was applied. If it were soaked in a bath, the change will be more difficult. If it were a surface dye, you have a better chance of stripping and dyeing it brown.

While the black to brown is more difficult, you will have a easy time going back to black if it doesn't work out.

[Balder]

I've had this Sears 1942 holster for many years now. The black color seems to have been painted on, is it possible to bring it back to tan?

Balder

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/Holsters/P1060439.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/Balder_/Holsters/P1060441.jpg

[Rich-D]

[QUOTE=Balder]I've had this Sears 1942 holster for many years now. The black color seems to have been painted on, is it possible to bring it back to tan?

Balder

[QUOTE]

From the photo the black is only a surface coating and can be removed by stripping. See my previous post # 5 in this thread.

[Balder]

Thanks Rich, I noted your post after I posted mine. I remember having seen pictures of US MPs carrying black holsters, but I'm not sure if it was WW2 or after. I'll try to get some stripping liquid and see how it works out.

Balder

[Scott Gahimer]

The change from tan to black took place in the mid-1950s.

[RED]

The change from tan to black took place in the mid-1950s.

Correct date : 1956.

Red

[Thom m]

I was issued a tan holster in 1963 (3rd. Mar. Div.) we were instructed to dye them black. All the new ones were tan.