Description
WW2 M1911A1 Dark Brown Leather Flap Holster – Graton & Knight Co. 1943 Marked
This is an original WWII U.S. M1916 leather holster, manufactured in 1943 by Graton & Knight Company, purpose-built for the Colt M1911A1 .45 ACP service pistol. Crafted from dark brown, nearly cordovan-finished leather, this is a classic mid-war example—issued at the height of American combat operations across Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific.
The M1911A1 dark brown holster features the standard full-flap military design with a brass stud closure, reinforced toe plug, contoured pistol body, and wide belt loop. The front bears a crisp “U.S.” in oval cartouche, and the back is clearly marked “GRATON & KNIGHT CO. / 1943,” one of several wartime leather contractors supplying the rapidly expanding U.S. military.
The leather is rich and well-aged, showing honest service wear and darkening from use and handling. Stitching is tight and fully intact throughout. The flap opens and closes securely, and the overall structure remains firm with no soft spots, rot, or damage. This example retains the deeper, darker finish often associated with mid-war production, setting it apart from the lighter russet tones seen earlier in the conflict.
Graton & Knight holsters were widely issued but less frequently encountered today in this condition, especially with sharp maker markings and untouched originality. A perfect match for a 1943-production Remington Rand, Ithaca, or Colt M1911A1.
Issued, original, and war-proven—this is a complete example of the combat rig carried by thousands of American servicemen during WWII.
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