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Ok, I'm new here. I do not collect military items or have any knowledge on military items, but I love guns. I have a question, but there is a bit of a story that goes along with it so that you may be able to answer my question. I am the only one in my family who has an appreciation for firearms. With that being said, My uncle (Dad's half brother) gave me a gun. The gun is a Colt Model 17, government issue. My uncle inherited the gun from his uncle (no blood relation to me) some time ago. His uncle was a Seebee in the Navy WWII. My uncle gave this gun to a friend of his with a safe in the 70's. This friend of his was getting older and felt that after 40 years or so, he should return the gun to my uncle. My uncle immediately gave the gun to me. I own quite a few guns, enjoy hunting and am a novice collector. My uncle shipped the gun to me. The gun came with 4 different holsters. One was very worn. Probably the one that he used to carry in the field. 2 were purchased aftermarket. The other holster is a government issued holster for the Colt 1917. This holster appears to be brand new. It is so nice that I am questioning the authenticity. The only marks inside the holster are from me testing the fit on the 1917. The thing that I am stuck on is why would somebody make a perfect reproduction holster for a gun that has limited collector value? I have searched the net high and low for information on this holster. There are several authentic holsters that have been sold on ebay, and several forums where the holster is mentioned. I have also searched the net for reproduction holsters. The only reproduction that I found that almost matches what I have is from Pacific Canvas and Leather. The difference is mine is stamped with the maker and inspector initials. At least I think they are the inspector initials. The Pacific Canvas holster says that it is an exact replica of the government issued holster. It does look identical, except for the stamp. I wish that I could talk to somebody who actually knows this gun and this holster, but they have been dead for decades. I mainly want to know if I have a genuine piece of history. In all of my looking, I have not seen a single holster that is in the condition that mine is in. I am NOT trying to obtain a value to sell the holster. If the holster is genuine, I do feel that should belong to a collector or museum. It really is that nice, and It does not have the same personal value that the gun has to me. To me, the worn black holster is more special because I can see the wear and can vision this gun and holster being carried in the field. The black holster matches the condition of the gun. My THEORY, is that the black worn holster was exactly that. Worn out. My uncle's uncle requested a new holster and was given one that he never used, and its just been stored. I emailed a couple of guys who sell this kind stuff on ebay last night. The response i received today was that it looks genuine, but pictures are not good enough to establish that without doubt. He told me to smell it. If it smells like new leather, then its more than likely a reproduction. The holster does not smell like anything. It smells like my gun safe, where its been stored. I have attached pictures and could provide more if needed. Any questions, comments or concerns would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for looking at this post.