Description
WW1 Brown Leather M1912 Rock Island Arsenal 1912 – H.E.K. Marked
This is an original and extremely early M1912 mounted holster for the Colt M1911 .45 ACP pistol, manufactured by Rock Island Arsenal and dated 1912—the very first year of official U.S. military production for the 1911 service pistol. This rare example bears the inspector’s initials “H.E.K.” for Henry E. Kelsey, a U.S. Ordnance officer active during the transitional years before World War I.
Constructed from high-grade russet brown leather, the M1912 holster was originally designed for mounted cavalry use and features a longer body, swivel belt hanger, extended toe plug, and brass wire hooks for the standard Mills pistol cartridge belt. The front flap displays a sharply struck “U.S.” in oval cartouche, while the reverse is clearly stamped “ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL / 1912 / H.E.K.”, making this a highly desirable first-year production example.
The leather remains supple yet firm, with excellent stitching and only minor surface wear consistent with age. The original toe plug is intact, and the swivel hanger moves freely. The brass belt hooks and flap stud closure are fully functional, and the body retains the long, tapered shape associated with early M1911 pistols and their mounted rigs.
Holsters with 1912 dates are scarce, and Rock Island Arsenal examples with complete inspector markings are prized by collectors of early U.S. military gear. This piece would be a perfect match for a first-year Colt 1911 or early pre-WWI military impression.
A foundational piece of U.S. military sidearm history—original, complete, and exceptionally early.
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