The Sam Browne equipment set is one I have not really focused on over the years, however I am now trying to put together a representative set. The set was produced for many years and privately purchased from commercial retailers so there are a lot of subtle variations, although the government did set out some patterns so most manufacturers produced similar items. I already have a couple of belts, so the next key component is the holster and it is this we are looking at today:

This is made of brown leather and sized to fit a large .455 revolver. It has a deep top flap to protect the weapon, this securing with a leather tab and a brass stud fastener:

The rear of the holster is fitted with a loop to fit over a belt, with a distinctive tab running off this to one side:

The brass loop is to allow the shoulder strap to be attached should it be required to help support the weight of the pistol. The tab is fitted with a brass hook that engages with the belt to prevent the holster from sliding along the belt:

As one would expect, the leather and manufacture are both of excellent quality. These holsters were used by officers from the late Victorian period through until the Second World War. Since then, although the belts have been retained for ceremonial wear, the holsters have been consigned to the history books.