What is this MILLS holster?

[stan4]

What does the date look like? (Sept 19XX?) Did the US Military ever purchase MILLS cloth holsters? How many different styles of cloth holsters did MILLS make?

Thanks for any help.

[emmagee1917]

They were pat. in 1914 . They were available for private purchase , but not adopted by the US . Canada did get some ( and maybe other Commonwealth ) .
Chris

[dave]

Mills, I understand, was a Brit company, was it not?

[emmagee1917]

No , it was not . Anson Mills was born in Boone County , In. His plant was opened in Worcester , Mass. This does not mean he did not open more over time nor allow others to use his process .
Chris

[JBinIll]

Mills made several types of woven holsters and pistol belts.All were available for private purchase right out of their catalog.

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Ordnanceguy/media/Holsters/MillsCatalog.jpg.html

The U.S.Army tested the M1912 style of holster w/swivel with unsatisfactory results as did the Marine Corp whose model did not have the swivel,poor fit,rusting,difficult to dry out.The ones you often see with the U.S. stencil on the flap are fakes.

[Johnny P]

In late 1913 early 1914 the holsters were issued for testing for six months and reports turned in on them at the end of this time. The holster received 7 favorable ratings and 6 unfavorable, and true to military tradition of not liking change, they were not adopted.

[stan4]

Yes, I always believed the military did not purchase MILLS cloth holsters. And, I had one collector tell me there are several pictures of Marine Corps units wearing the above pictured style holster. The information in this thread supports this.

The patented date on the pictured holster is 1914. The stamped date on the inside flap looks like SEPT 1918.? Does anyone know how long MILLS made this (Catalog No 305) holster? When did they start making the catalog No 306 swivel cloth holster? And, how long did they make it?

I know they made and the military purchased pistol belts and magazine pouches. I have examined 1912, 1913,1918 pistol belts, and 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1918 mag pouches. Did the MILLS belts and pouches (for the 1911) start in 1912 or 1911? Anyone know what dates they sold to the military?

Thank you for any help and the posted information.

[dave]

Go on the internet and you will get much info on the Brit company, which seems to have started in 1906, altho the time line is not clear. The US Mills is only mentioned in passing. They show multiple items they made to interest the Brit military but according to the article none was officely adopted till WW11.