*British, WW2-1944, MILCO Very Pistol (Flare Gun) Leather Shoulder Holster, Re-Issued MA 1954 Australia*
A superb, completely original Second World War leather Very Pistol shoulder holster, clearly stamped MILCO 1944 and retaining its full-length 1-inch leather shoulder sling, brass roller buckle and front brass fastening stud. Constructed in thick, stiff saddle-brown hide, the holster is formed in the classic wartime “Sam Browne” pattern with a butt-stitched body and a large box-stitched circular muzzle cap designed specifically to house a a 1-inch British/Canadian Very pistol such as the Webley No.1 Mk II, Mk III, Mk V or the aluminium No.1 Mk II. The interior remains clean and unmodified, and the holster shows exactly the large 5 cm muzzle that only the Very pistol family requires. The additional ‘MA ↑ 54’ stamp is the Australian Lithgow inspection and re-issue mark, applied by the Small Arms Factory’s Main Armoury to signify acceptance back into service in 1954.
Historical Note: MILCO-produced Very Pistol cases are documented on Karkee Web’s authoritative guide to Pattern ’37 equipment, where examples dated 1943 are identified as British/Commonwealth wartime flare pistol holsters made in leather and carried by aircrew, naval personnel, landing craft crews, artillery observation parties, and signals detachments. These holsters followed a standardised Sam Browne-style layout, with a butt-stitched body, box-stitched muzzle cap, brass stud closure and permanently stitched adjustable shoulder sling—all features present here. The Very Pistol itself was the universal distress, signalling and illumination arm of British and Commonwealth forces, with the 1-inch Webley patterns serving throughout North Africa, Europe and the Pacific. The MA ↑ 54 re-acceptance mark shows this holster continued in service post-war, most likely with RAAF or Australian Army units during the Korean War and early Cold War era, when large stocks of wartime flare pistols and equipment were refurbished for continued use.
*Condition* Excellent wartime condition with a strong, smooth surface, minor age-related rubbing, and an attractive deep brown patina. Stitching remains tight throughout, including the critical butt seam and box-stitched muzzle. Shoulder strap supple and complete with original brass buckle; closure tab sound; interior clean. Handling marks consistent with careful service use. A particularly well-preserved example of a scarce wartime MILCO-marked Very Pistol holster. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
