INTRODUCTION
With the issue of pistols to Generals, the need quickly arose for a holster and pistol belt to accommodate them. The belts and holsters became a badge of rank, as did the firearms they housed. Very shortly after the first Colt.380 pistols were issued, the brown leather belt with gilt brass buckle and the brown leather holster were issued at the same time as the pistol. There was to follow a brown leather clip pouch to hold two of the Colt pistol magazine clips. The principal contractor for the holsters and pouches was Atchison Leather Company. The belts were generally furnished by the Hickok Leather Company. Other contractors held contracts also, but these were the main two suppliers for the belts and holsters. The brown color was regulation until 1956 when the color was changed to black. A holster was also issued in brown or black with gold fittings for the Colt .45 automatic. The clip pouches also featured gold plated fittings.
The Air Force was under the army regulations until their separation as a new branch of the armed forced in 1947. From that time forward, they for all practical purposes followed Army guidelines, using the same pistol with some holster modifications. The only difference in the belts is the color of the buckles. The Air Force buckle is silver and the Army buckle is gold.
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GENERAL OFFICERS BELTS & HOLSTERS
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