Display of Complete M12 Military Holster Development Project 1981 – 84

Description

For Militaria collectors, this is a unique, museum quality military pistol holster design project display. This collection illustrates the whole span of the four-year research and development project conducted by the U.S. Military and the Bianchi Company to produce a universal military handgun carry system for the then-newly adopted Beretta 9mm Combat pistol. The project required a holster system to be shock resistant, secure but comfortable, ambidextrous, and functional in all climate conditions.
The result was the Bianchi holster system or M12 holster. [Commercial versions are UM84 and UM92.] This Bianchi display depicts the painstaking research and development that went into achieving the final product. It shows every variation in the holster's development process, the trial and error, and the different materials that were tested in development and final versions of the M12. In other words, the board illustrates the evolution of the now successful holster system. The display was used in Bianchi's marketing and is featured in award-winning photojournalist Dennis Adler's book
John Bianchi: An American Legend, 50 years of Gunleather
beginning on page 67, with a photo of the resulting Bianchi military marketing material brochure on page 73. It is totally unique, with more than 80 pieces (the actual items, not pictures or facsimilies) that simply do not exist elsewhere or separately.
The display is tan felt with the items secured with Velcro mountings, so they can be detached and examined (or used) without damage. The Bianchi display plaque is original. Approximately 4' x 8', can be mounted on a large board or hung directly on the wall. Of course, you could simply pull off any of the 11 holsters and various mounting systems and try them for yourself; it’s interactive as well as illustrative.