Shoulder Holster
 

I was wondering if there was ever an official shoulder holster made for any model of Luger ?
I mean the type we would normally see in a gun store nowadys, like the ones from say Bianci.

<img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />
Do you mean like these?
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/LU...DERHOLSTER.JPG
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/lu...erholster2.JPG
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/LUGERSHHOL-1.JPG
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/LUGERSHHOL-F.JPG
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/BASKIN1.JPG

Why YES Hugh just like those !

I guess if you ask a question someone will jump on it fast !
Thanks for the answer, I really didn't expect that fast of a response with pics also..........

You guy's here are awesome !!!!

Here is another for you:

http://www.lugerforum.com/images/FrontPage/mar02.jpg

Guys with those neat shoulder holsters :

Were any of these "official" ordnance issue ? Or did the soldiers and officers just get them on their own ?

John D.; I can't remember if yours was HK stamped or not ?

Thanks in advance for helping educate this beginner !!!

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

OK! Where can I buy a new reproduction? Does Lugerholsterrepair make them?

[quote]Originally posted by Wm. Pete Ebbink:
<strong>...John D.; I can't remember if yours was HK stamped or not ?..</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Pete..

Yes - this one is is part of the "36" HK Rig (that's the "36" shown in the photo) - the holster is stamped 1936 with acceptance stamp above it. Here is a photo of the back of the holster (Luftwaffe Acceptance Stamp (LWaA2) just above the "1936" Date Stamp). Also - the digit dies match the "1936" on my "1936" HK - even to how the "3" and the "6" are slightly canted). Therefore, it is reasonable to deduce that this the holster was made after the production run of the "36" HKs and after the "1936" dies were available at the factory - in fact, it looks like there were actually 3 dies used - "19" die, a "3" and a "6"):


http://www.p38forum.com/HK/36web/2.jpg

Is it possible that this holster (John D's) might me a Luftwaffe pilot's holster? I know that on The Black Sheep Squadron whenever the pilots rushed to their planes they would grab their Pistols all in shoulder holsters. I don't know if the German pilots even carried a sidearm, I was just thinking and was kinda curious. [img]confused.gif[/img]

Brandon

[quote]Originally posted by Brandon:
<strong>Is it possible that this holster...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Brandon,

It's always fun to imagine - but if this RIG belonged to a Fighter Pilot - he sure didn't get scrambled too often [img]eek.gif[/img] The RIG is in excellent shape. Anyway, and more seriously - the Luger was a bit bulky for the confined cockpit of the fighters, and along with the rest of their gear - a fighter pilot usually opted for smaller firearms then the Luger. There are some pictures of pilots with Lugers - but usually they were of bomber pilots/crews/etc. Also - the paratroopers and the FLAK corps (and other groups) were also part of the Luftwaffe - and typically they would have been issued Lugers when a sidearm was required.

Anyway - thanks for the note and comments!!!

Oh well....Maybe someday I'll get something right! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

Brandon

[quote]Originally posted by Brandon:
<strong>Oh well....Maybe someday I'll get something right! [img]biggrin.gif[/img] </strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey Brandon..!!

We are all still learning about Lugers - it's what makes this hobby so fascinating, as there is always more to learn and new things to be discovered..!!
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Here's three more. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/lu...rholster-4.jpg
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/lsh-1.jpg
http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/lsh-2.jpg

I don't know of any repros; but you can get a US surplus shoulder holster for the Colt 45 Auto and easily convert it for the Luger.
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Hello Brandon,

What you "have gotten right" is your keen interest in lugers at your age !!!

If you buy one luger a year from now on until you are 70; you will have most of us beat, hands down !!! And if you hang in there and keep reading and learning, you might be the expert others are in awe of...

No need to apologize when your enthusiasm makes up for it...

<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Brandon, To answere your question, no, I do not make this holster. The reason being is,I do not use a sewing machine in my luger holster repair business and to make one of these with the speed necessary to sell it cheaply on the open market would require a $1500 dollar machine. The Luger collecting market is so small that it just would not pay to build a couple of newer holsters a year. I make almost everything emaginable such as artillery boots and double magazine pouches etc. but you would not believe how time consuming it is. I make them to museum quality specifications, such as hand hammering on brass or steel studs just as the Germans did at the turn of the century. This results in a higher price for these items and consequently it is only the descriminating collector who wants to pay for, and get, the best available in the world today. While I would certainly make almost anything a client asks of me it would not be the quality of items made in Poland or India , nor would the price be the same. Thanks for thinking of me, Jerry Burney

OOPs, I meant Wes instead of Brandon. Also John D I have seen several of these shoulder holsters without the round cutout for the Luger magazine...yours included, What do you make of this? Jerry Burney

A few years ago I bought a number of new shoulder holsters at a government surplus auction. They were made for the S&W Model 15 revolver that was standard US Air Force issue at one time. A 4" barrel Luger fits these holsters perfectly. I can post a picture of them if you like. They're made of black leather and I still have six, new in unopened boxes. I'll post them on the new "For Sale" forum if anyone is interested in one.

Doubs,

You're right! I have one of those and it fits the Luger like it was made for it! That must have been what I was thinking about when I mentioned converting the 1911 holster. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

The discussion on Luftwaffe Pilots wearing a shoulder holster was probably true for the smaller handguns like the Walther PP, PPK, and the Hungarian .32 auto. The Luger would have been very bulky for a pilot.

The Panzer Truppen wore shoulder hosters too. This would probably be where most of the Luger shoulder holster came from. The Panzer crewman had a small hatch to get into and out of and a pistol on the belt could hang in the opening. A Luger in a shoulder holster would not hang quite as bad.

After the war was over, there were a lot of shoulder holster made for the American troops because we did like that type holster. The German civilians during this time would make anything for a few dollars so they could have food on the table, so many of these are actually post war made, with wartime materials.

Marvin

Wes, To answer your question, shoulder holsters were individually procured, rather than on a military contract. That's why most are not maker marked and dated as required for WaA acceptance. I probably have 2 dozen of these in stock in the $75 price range, and have never seen a WaAed one that I thought was right. Tom H. PS. Quite a few of mine have belt attachment straps, that make getting in or out of tight places, a lot easier.

[quote]Originally posted by lugerholsterrepair:
<strong>.. John D I have seen several of these shoulder holsters without the round cutout for the Luger magazine......</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hi Jerry..!

Sorry - I almost missed your note.. Do you have a picture of one of those - I'd love to take a look at one!!! On mine - all the stiching matches exactly - so it would appear to my "untrained" eye on holsters (remember - I'm an HK bigot, and do *not* collect hosters [img]smile.gif[/img] ) that it was all done at the same time..?? Also - the hardware is correct for that period? And, as I mentioned - the digit stamps are correct as is the proof/orientation.

However - if you would like to look at it in person, and give me your opinion - I'd love to do that as well..!! Just let me know, OK???

For a repro holster try http://www.northridgeinc.com click on parts in the left panel then Luger, but they are belt types. In John Walters book, the Luger Story, ppg 140-141 he states essentially that the pistol lange, or what we call the artillery model was to be issued with a sholder holster to non-commissioned officers and mounted men of the infantry and artillery munitions columns who have previously carried revolvers are to be armed with the lange Pistol 08. There is also an indication that it was intended to be issued to airmen and field artillery, and to equip fortifications. A good book at a reasonable price for your library.

John D, Well, about half of the Luger shoulder holsters Hugh posted do not have the cut-out for the Luger magazine. Yours does not have it and I was wondering , if this was truly made for the Luger pistol it would have been quite an oversight to have left out this important detail. I am not saying the holster is not correct but that this missing detail is a mystery to me. I would guess there would have to be a study of the piece to determine some answers to what it might have been for originally. Such as, will any other pistol fit in it? Is the magazine pouch correct in every demension for a Luger mag except for the cut-out? Will any other type of magazine fit into the mag pouch? Things like this that would come to mind to solve the question of why this is the way it is. I thank you for the offer to examine this fine piece personally but I think it is a little early to go to that extreme. While I am not a Luger holster expert by any stretch of the emagination, I do see many more of them than most people because of the nature of my business. I take them apart on a daily basis and am familiar with them from the inside out you might say. Jerry Burney

Hi Jerry..!

Thanks for the response... OK - what I know is that when I bought this RIG, that the holster is documented as being "as it was brought back". That being said - and given GI's propensity for shoulder holsters - it appears to be as original (I am the second owner from the VET). Anyway - if you look at the angle of the magazine cut-out - it follows the lines of the Luger mag angle, rather then other mags I have tried to "insert" (P-38, BHP, etc.). Also, it is interesting that where the mag would "ride" - there is discoloration where the Mag round bottom would ride (a definate "0" outline). Also - all the stitching matches, so the holster appears to be constructed at the same time (The mag pouch wasn't "added on" at a later time, that I can tell..?)

As well - the hardware is to the period, correct as well. As is the Digit Stamps for the date and the LWaA2 stamp.

However - all THAT SAID!!! [img]smile.gif[/img] You are more then welcomed to take a look in person (I'll send it down to you!!) and give me your thoughts/impressions..!! It's what this forum and collecting is all about!!!

Best to you Jerry..!!!

John, Thanks for the thumbnail bio...It is right as you say, The mag pouch is slanted for the Luger magazine. I guess the designers could have reasoned that the magazine would be easier to remove without the cutout. Another thing I do not fully understand is the date stamp on your 1936 holster. There is a slight box around the left of the date stamp. This is quite unusual for date stamps. I do appreciate your offer again John of a personal inspection but it is fairly expensive to ship back and forth with insurance etc. and I am not a holster expert, just a student. There are certain facets of holster construction that are very interesting to me, such as thread tie-offs, types and thicknesses of thread and how metal parts are attached. All of which tell a story of the era they were applied. Of course there was the standard military way of doing things and the other markets varied some. I would not want to risk what appears to be a very fine and original holster for my idle curiosity.. I will ask you this however, what is wrong with the lifting strap on the holster you use as a prop in your first photograph? Or is that just a blemish? Thanks , Jerry

Hi Jerry..!

Thanks again for the feedback - but I think you are "sandbagging" a bit - when you sad "..I am not a holster expert, just a student..." [img]smile.gif[/img] Anyway - I think it is a BLEM you are noticing, as here is a close-up of the strap in the closed position... Any thoughts/comments would be very welcomed!!!

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/HK_holster.jpg

[quote]Originally posted by lugerholsterrepair:
<strong>....what is wrong with the lifting strap on the holster you use as a prop in your first photograph? Or is that just a blemish? Thanks , Jerry</strong><hr></blockquote>

Hey Jerry.....!

I just re-read your post - and my reply - and I *think* you were talking about this lifting strap? If so - *excellent* catch..!!! [img]eek.gif[/img] Ummm - It's not a "blem" - it's *broken* - as the leather was so dry - the "rolled end" of the lifting leather broke off long ago. I still have the rolled end, though... I'm guessing it can't be fixed with the original pieces??

Anyway - is this the one you were referring to?

http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/s_f1.jpg

Jan Stil shows a black leather should holster with a Black Widow Luger in it in "Third Reich Lugers?. I love the design of this rig and almost asked Jerry Burney to make me one just for fun! Maybe someday!

John D, Yes that's the one. Sorry I got confused on which thread I was looking at. No, The end cannot be put back on. Even if it could , as you say the leather is so dry it would not be servicable.

John, send me this holster and I will put you on a new pull-up as a favor for all the expense and work you put into the Luger Forum. I would be happy to do this for you. It is a small thing for me to do and I would consider it an honor. Jerry Burney


Jerry Burney
0636 Scenic Lane
Howard CO 81233

719-942-4781

Just slightly off topic...

Jerry, I noticed that you made a slight error up above and then posted under it to correct your mistake..

There seem to be a lot of these type errors being made since we moved to the new forum...by many including me.

I guess not many folks have realized that you can use the EDIT feature (only on your own posts) and make corrections instead of double posting.

Just use the Pencil and Paper icon on your post and you can make whatever corrections are necessary.

Best to you,

[quote]Originally posted by lugerholsterrepair:
<strong>John D, Yes that's the one. ...
John, send me this holster and I will put you on a new pull-up as a favor for all ...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jerry,

My thanks for your kind and generous offer. Honestly, I am a little speechless - but please know you have my thanks, more then you could know. You see - the holster that has the frayed end-strap is the one I got my Dad when I was 18 and new to collecting. It goes with a "G" date that I got him for Christmas in 1975 - as he'd never owned a Luger, and always wanted one.

Today - I have that same "G" date in my collection - as time "moves on" as they say.

It would be an honor and pleasure to send you this holster. Know now - how much your offer to repair it means...

My thanks for that....

John D, Excellent! Just send it to the address I show but be sure you send it U.S. Priority mail as I have it on good authority that UPS will soon be on strike unless they reach an agreement. I will keep an eye out for it and let you know when it arrives. Thanks for your trust and confidence and I will take good care of your Fathers holster. Jerry Burney