Luger Lanyard on ebay
 

Item number: 2250215340 http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/c8_12_sb.jpg

I was wondering if anyone would notice this and Ron has come through! As many of you know I have been studying the Luger Lanyard for many years and started out my Luger holster repair business by making reproductions of it for those who could not find or afford an original.
This one is probably just what the seller says it is. One made by a private Saddler for someone who wanted a lanyard for his Luger.
It is miles away from the official Military issue lanyard issued to Stosstrup troops, Cavalry and motorcycle troops in WW1.
The round leather strap is similar but the attaching end differs greatly. It has no swivel. The wrapped leather loop is un necessarily cumbersome as is the buckle and strap. I notice the buckle strap has at least four adjusting holes...What for? The Military issue has one closing stud. That's all that is needed as there is no adjustment required.
The original Lanyards were quite dainty and slim at the swivel end, the instructions for use required the lanyard be attached to the pistol in the holster and it needed to fit inside the holster top flap when not worn. This required that it be small.
I have only seen a handfull of original Military lanyards in the U.S. over the last 10 years and as they are one of the least recognized Luger accoutrements(but very rare) they have all gone incredibly cheap. In fact they are so rare I can name almost every collector in the U.S. that owns one. And that would not take up all of my fingers.
I did not own an original untill this Spring when George Anderson was generous enough to offer me one of his. Thanks George...I owe you one.
Jerry Burney

Call me crazy but... as I understood it neither the German Navy nor the German Army ever adopted a standard issue lanyard. I thought they were all just private pieces or shoestrings???? I thought this was even mentioned somewhere on this site, possibly in "general info."? I dunno. --Tom.

I think that is one of those myths... But Jerry can correct me. I think they were not general issue, but that they did have lanyards for lugers.

Ed

In the e-bay post, the seller acknowledges that this is probably a private aquisition piece. Found in a leather shop in France.

Ron

Ed, Tom..It is true that the German Luger lanyard was issued to German troops. I have documentation from the Heerswaffenamt found in Germany. There were relatively few issued and the documentation I have does not state a number manufactured or issued. The lanyard is described and directions are given for it's use.
It's also true, since so few official lanyards made it to troops, that they employed whatever was handy to use as a makeshift lanyard, bread bag straps, string etc.
Private party lanyards were popular as well but they were not the standard issue. These were made up on an individual basis and can be any type of design.
The issue lanyard used a very slim round leather strap, a dainty brass swivel and a leather strap with stud closure to affix it to the lanyard ring on the Luger.The end with the swivel where the two ends of the round leather strap meet is woven into itself in a fascinating way. Slits are cut into the middle of the thin round strap and the ends are threaded back into itself. It looks small but the whole lanyard is very strong.

There are many issue lanyards in European collections but not here in the U.S. It has been overlooked here, I suspect, because people erronously believe they were not an issue item.

There were actually two different types used. The one used for Stosstrup troops was short enough to be worn around the neck to let the Luger hang at waist level. This was handy on the front when on raids into no mans land at night. One could snatch prisoners , throw grenades or whatever else was necessary without fear of losing one's pistol.

The other was the Cavalry lanyard. It was worn over the shoulder and attached to the pistol in the holster. Handy on horseback as the pistol could be easily retrieved if dropped.
I find them fascinating and very usefull at the range for controlling your Luger. I use the Stosstrup type when shooting as it is long enough to extend the shooting arm, yet the pistol is always handy and safe from being dropped onto the concrete apron or in the gravel. I have on many an occasion watched shooting partners drop weapons at the range and break grips or other parts. Since most of my shooting Lugers are pretty nice I guard against dropping them any way I can. Jerry Burney

If I am not mistaken, I believe one way a lanyard is worn by calvery is that it goes over the shoulder and there is a flap on the shoulder of the uniform with a button that secures the lanyard to the soldier.

Can't remember the name of that flap.

Does "epaulett" ring a bell?

I have a feeling that the truth about this lanyard is hidden within the long sleeve near the strap. I would bet it's an original that has lost the keeper and swivel. It's been pieced back together and the little belt strap added. Mind you, this is just my guess, but I wouldn't drop any big bucks on it.

Dean, Calvary is where Jesus died. Cavalry are horse mounted troops...Typo?

George..Quite possibly although the round leather looks to be in pretty good shape otherwise. Bulky and cumbersome way to make a lanyard. And with no swivel which is somewhat important. Jerry Burney

Yes, "Calvary" was a typo, just like Ron mistyped "epaulette".

In any case, I would like to know more about the history and origin of the lanyard & epaulette.

Searched the web, could not find anything substantial. Just some curious questions in my mind like: Were lanyards first used with swords? Were men on horseback the first to use lanyards?

I suspect epaulettes & lanyards were around long before firearms. The names seem to be French in origin, but that does not mean they were the first to use such things.

Dean, epaulette, like many military terms comes from french. Lanyard, according to Webster, is Middle English from Middle french.

The word describes several maritime devices used for securing stuff on sailing ships. Also used around the neck to secure whistles and knives. Military use with pistols is more modern.

I believe they were almost always used in a manner where the lanyard was secured around the neck outside of the collar much like the Fangenschnur of Tschapkas and Busbies.

I have seen breadbag straps used as lanyards by German troops and these were secured under the epaulette and around the shoulder.

"Fangenschnurr of Tschapkas and Busbies."

George, I just LOVE IT when you talk like that!

Tom A.

When I find out what that means...(as he frantically looks through his ancient German dictionary), I am probably going to wash out George's message post with soap! :D

The lanyard pictured, is the type that was advertised 30 years ago as Portugese. TH

John, a Fangenschnur is an aiguillette. I'll send you a photo of a Fangenschnur on a Tschapka.

Tom, I have spent the last ten years trying to establish what a Portugese lanyard looks like...I still don't know for sure. Jerry Burney

Tom, Do you by any chance have a copy of this advertisement or know the publication to find it?

By the way I like your new Lugerdoc emblem!

Thanks, Jerry Burney

Hello Jerry,

Please check your PM's when you have a moment...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Pete, Go for it! I quit. I have two already...Jerry