Hi guys. Can someone identify the holster worn by Capt. Marks. Also the modification worn by Capt. Conron.
Thanks.


http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/faces/001048-119.01-e.php?&mikan_nbr=3205393&&PHPSESSID=0t3qibd80nk8hki39aplh10kh3

The fellow at left has stuck his weapon into the web case for a set of wire cutters.

Anyone who has ever watched a Western movie will recognize the method of carriage of individual rounds as worn by the fellow at right. Probably got a fitter to sew some spare webbing or canvas onto his web belt, though I wonder if you couldn't just flip the 37 Pattern web belt inside out and force the cartridges into the web loops? Probably not, but there is almost always more than one way to skin a cat.

Given those guys were on the continent for 11 months and in England for 4 years on average, and damned little of it was spent actually fighting, no surprise that they would spend a little bit of time personalizing their kit...

Thank you, Michael

This General (famiiar face but I can't put a name to him) wears a Colt 1911 in a wire-cutter frog. Interesting that the officer shown in the earlier posting also has a Colt pistol. As the Canadian Army's War Establishmnt was for the revolver, No.2 it is possible that Canadian Stores did not hold appropriate holsters for the large frame semi-auto pistols. From my research a number of Canadian officers brought their father's WWI handgun to war. In the case of the 1st Ddn Div (CEF) they were provided with the Colt 1911.
A small number of Colt 1911 pistols in .45 calibre were obtained and these were provided to the 1st Cdn Para Bn. Even fewer Colt 1911 pistols in .455 were provided to the RCN.

I believe the previous photo pre-dated the issue of automatic pistols to the Canadians (it was taken in June 1944, and IIRC the 9mm was not issued out in NW Europe until the autumn?), which would suggest to me that fellow is carrying a U.S. .45 calibre pistol he traded for or otherwise obtained though unofficial channels.

Another point, possibly adding weight to the inheritance theory. Whilst I can't make out the revolver, the hefty cleaning rod on show looks like the version for the older, longer, .455in revolvers.

Keith

The gentleman in question is Major-General Rod Keller.