WWII M3 Shoulder Holster "ENGER-KRESS" (.45 ACP) Airborne, Tanker, USMC Unissued

Description: WWII M3 Shoulder Holster "ENGER-KRESS" (for the M1911 and the M1911A1 .45 ACP) Paratroopers, Airborne, Pilots/Aviators, Tankers, USMC, Officers. Mint NOS Unissued!!! SCARCE to find in this NICE UNISSUED condition! This is a very handsome example! + There are no personalized markings or any signs of significant wear, only the authenticating 'patina' of very, very long term storage and a tiny, extremely faint, light blue 'Army-Navy surplus store' price from the later 1940s stamped in numerals 3/16" in height on the rear of the holster. + This M3 Shoulder Holster, even more than the M1916 hip holster was preferred by paratroopers, officers (of both the Army and the USMC -- in addition to the Marine Corps' later modified M7 model with the perforated waist strap and wire snap hook, introduced in late 1944), fighter pilots and USMC aviators, crew members of B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-24 Liberators, etc., as well as tank crews, armored personnel, and other ground troops with crew-served weapons. Some pilots and officers wore the M3 Shoulder Holster around the waist as a "hip holster" -- see the photo of CPT John Myers of the 386 Bomb Group (9th Air Force) taken in St. Trond, Belgium, in early 1945 (from Jeffrey Ethel's AIR COMMAND, page 76). + The natural russet M3 Shoulder Holster was made by only three companies:Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company, the Boyt Harness Company, and Sears Saddlery. And only in the 1944 and 1945 production years. The Enger-Kress holsters are found both undated and dated 1945 on the reverse. This may have been manufactured in either 1944 or 1945, but most probably 1944.(NOTE: The photograph of the 17th Airborne Division paratrooper wearing an M3 Shoulder Holster, walking through the snow-covered rubble in La Roche, Ardennes in 1944, appeared in Alec Tulfoff's exceptional volume, GRUNT GEAR: USMC Combat Infantry Equipment of WWII, James R. Bender Publishing, credited to George Peterson) This is an undated wartime ORIGINAL! + NOTE: This is NOT to be confused with modern reproductions with the intentionally altered spelling of the company's name! Neither was this holster designed to accommodate any pistol other than the M1911 or the M1911A1 .45 cal. ACP! + As with many of the Enger-Kress M3 Holsters, this was manufactured without a date on the reverse, which is entirely correct for the Enger-Kress contracts for 1944 or possibly early 1945.+ True LINEN thread with a slight orange-cast is used for the stitching throughout, not white nylon as seen on more recent and commercial models. + The wide Shoulder Strap is attached to the body of the holster with the rectangular stitching and the iconic "V" on the edge closest to the border, not a simple rectangular stitching as seen on more recent and commercial models.+ The adjustable "Conway" BUCKLE with the single stud is "oval" not rectangular as seen on more recent and commercial models..+ All of the hardware is blackened brass, not plastic.+ The leather is made of undyed Top Grain Cowhide, not Asian "water buffalo" hide (as in the current imports), or dyed or painted black (as was done in the 1960s when all of the services switched from being "brown shoe," to adopting black as the uniform color for shoes, visors, sword knots, holsters and and any other leather accessories).+ The U.S.M.C. introduced the modified M7 with the secondary perforated waist strap and the sliding shoulder pad in 1945, but the U.S.M.C. also used the M3 throughout its Pacific Campaigns from Guadalcanal through Okinawa. PARTICULARS OF CONDITION: + ZERO cracks, crazing in the Original natural light colored leather BODY and STRAP. It has never been oiled, marked, stenciled, dyed or treated with 'neatsfoot' oil! The leather is somewhat dry but unstained and still strong and supple! + Deeply embossed "U.S." surcharge within the oval on the front, and the "U.S." surcharge in serif font repeated and the contractor's name in san serif font on the reverse. U.S. ENGER-KRESS + ZERO serious verdigris build-up. + ZERO corrosion. Excellent finish on the oval "Conway" BUCKLE, the "Lift-the-Dot" FASTENER, and the GLOVE SNAP on the shorter BELT LOOP, typical of the M3 Holsters. + The GLOVE SNAP on the Belt Loop is still firmly anchored and has NOT pulled loose which occurs on so many holsters due to verdigris build up over the years! *****The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company of West Bend, Wisconsin, began business in America in 1882 by two German immigrants, George Enger and August Kress. Imagine two Germans owning a company producing war materials for Americans. Their original factory was in Milwaukee, but it burned to the ground. The city of West Bend offered them $20,000 to move the factory there. The history of the company is quite interesting in that they were among the first to hire women during the war. They also permitted the women to carry work home, which proved convenient for families at the time. The company also provided two beer breaks per day in which young boys brought cold beers on the factory floor. Quite innovative.During WWII, Enger-Kress manufactured 800,000 pistol holsters, 500,000 machine gun cases, 1.7 million helmet liners, and 1.3 million helmet chin straps. The company finally closed in 2006 having succumbed to foreign products flooding the marketplace. *****From the TOWER HERITAGE CENTER (The Washington County Historical Society) The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. One of the most prominent early industries of Washington County, The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Company, vastly impacted the local economy and overall prosperity of the community. In a region chiefly devoted to agriculture, industries claimed less than a tenth of the population’s pursuit. This made the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. all that more significant. The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. was at one point one of the largest pocketbook factories in the world. And rather, the business resembled more of a park than a factory. Clearly successful, the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. is known for reliable manufacturing and honest business. This post will explore the unique workplace of the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. while depicting how it came to be in West Bend. A DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP & EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT In 1884, the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. was established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was a small-scale, factory-driven industry. George Enger was the first president of the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. He was known to be intellectual and apt in sales and management. Because of these traits, he often traveled for business. The first secretary and treasurer was August Kress, whose vast technical understanding of the business complimented Enger’s skills. Enger and Kress made a dynamic pair, working together to efficiently manage the business. In doing so, they earned a reputation as reliable manufacturers, honest businessmen, and effective managers.DANCE HALL TURNED FACTORY In 1894 the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. moved from its starting factory in Milwaukee to West Bend through the persuasion and initiative of local businessmen, Mr. Andrew Pick and Mr. E. Frankburg. At first, the industry was stationed in an unused school building. Later, they purchased Moser’s Dance Hall. As real estate prices were substantially lower outside of Milwaukee, the company could afford the nice park-like property. Once they moved, the dance hall was renovated and refurbished into a functional factory which sufficed until 1910 when a fire damaged the building beyond repair. In its place, a similarly beautiful factory was built. Only this time fireproof. The same building remains there today, repurposed into senior citizen apartments. From the exterior, the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. appears to be more of a park than a factory. Cement walkways careen across the manicured lawn and geranium garden. The factory, three stories high, is built of bricks in an L-shaped manner. There are ample windows and three entrances, one of which is centered in stone, beneath the carved words ‘Enger Kress.’ Inside are spacious workrooms with abundant windows, often opened for a fresh breeze. Equipment was efficient, with most machines being electric. Down the first floor were offices, storage for countless models of pocketbooks, the riveting room, and a shipping center. The second floor was designated for machine work and finishing. Glazing machines, button machines, sewing machines, and thinning machines filled the space. Each product made its way through the rooms as workers strove to complete it. PRODUCTION The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. manufactured pocketbooks of all kinds. Some include wallets, briefcases, bill books, card cases, cigar cases, and advertising novelties. The materials ranged from leather to cowhide and even alligator skin. It is estimated that the factory maintained $200,000 worth of leather in stock. Most of it came from the Hartford tanneries. Each product was thoughtfully created and intentionally planned. Most are original designs aimed to construct quality pieces that are equally attractive and practical. This approach is noticeably one of the company’s keys to success.LABOR CONQUERS EVERYTHING Labor omnia vincit are the words displayed in the main hall of the factory. It is Latin for ‘labor conquers everything.’ The motto of both the workmen who toiled to build the place and those who continued to work earnestly for the company. Passing down that hall, people notice the industry’s reason for success. It is the 400 dedicated employees of the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. that worked together, creating quality products. And as they supported each other, they uplifted their community by bringing business into Washington County, providing career opportunities, and promoting a diverse economy. And so, it is undoubtedly true that labor conquers everything. This phrase perfectly captures the ethics and the reason for the success of the Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. PARTING WORDS The Enger-Kress Pocketbook Co. was a place of reputable manufacturing, effective management, and most importantly, honest hard work. Their efforts impacted the early economy and environment of Washington County, and we are grateful to them for it.

Price: 205 USD

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

End Time: 2024-12-18T22:35:09.000Z

Shipping Cost: 12.45 USD