mint holsters

Thanks for your vote of confidence, Jerry.


In my view, one has to exercise all of one's facilities when examining old holsters and old guns, especially those that are subject to being "Improved" by Americanishe Waffen Fabrik, as is often the case with toggle tops.


As an example, at the MAX show several years back, I saw a P-08 with a VERY rare party organizational mark. Fortunately, the vendor table was near the windows in the Expo hall, so the light was good. The piece looked *right*; somewhat worn, about 85% blue remaining, some, but not excessive wear to the grips.


It was an absolute fake.


How could I determine this in about 2o seconds(and have two other advanced collectors agree with me)?


Well, first of all, it was a P-08 and party organizations were provided Walther PP and PPK, as is well documented, despite what some dealers would have one believe.


Secondly, a quick pass of the piece under my nose revealed the very distinct smell of cold blue from the area where the unit markings were. Thirdly, it had a very nice matching magazine, only it was the wrong type for this particular vintage P-08.


If it seems too good to be true, it probably is, but you knew that already.


Folks, holsters are pretty much the same way. Use ALL your facilties, including your BRAIN.


A mint, unissued holster should still smell somewhat musty from storage and should be very dry. Check the makers mark and Waffen and compare what you have versus what is on record as having been made by whom and when. A used holster

will smell like a combination of old pipe tobacco and the inside of your grandmother's purse; it will taste somewhat bitter/sour/salty from the oak tannins used to cure the leather. And most importantly, it will show obvious signs of use, both internally and externally.


Check the stitching colors. If the piece is a World War I veteran, the stitching should not be white. If W.W.II, bright white stitching should wave a flag. If the piece has *any* markings, stampings, etc that make it appear that the piece was issued to the SS, simply assume it is a post war addition and do not pay any premium based on that alone; if anything, deduct from the asking price. Look for verdegreis and other "Crud" that should have accumulated over the last 50 years or so. If you aren't getting these indications, simply walk away from the piece.


Examine the texture of the leather from the inside; pre-1945 leather has a distinctively different look and feel than post war leather; the difference is even more pronounced in Imperial era holsters.


Do all of this PLUS buy LOTS of BOOKS and study them, (Stills, Whittington, Bender, etc, etc) and guess what, you may still be fooled. It just won't happen nearly as often.


Flame away,


Tom