Holster finish black/brown?
 

I've been hunting around for a WWII Luger holster and the many I've seen some are black, some are brown and some are what looks like black over brown.

My question is did they make brown leather then dyed them black and many years later the black color has is been worn off? Or did they make both brown and black?

Thanks very much for helping me clear this up.

yes and no...

In WW1 they were brown, then later they were to be dyed black. Although there are exceptions, there were black and brown police holsters, depending on their location and job. I beleive that luftwaffe were brown also, but not positive if that is true or one of those persistent remuors.

ed

I have Luftwaffe holsters in both brown and black. All the Lufty FN 1910/22 and femaru holsters I have encountered are brown except those made of fabric.

Tom A

Mike, Many holsters were dyed black during the WW2 era to comply with a German Army High command directive. Some were not affected, Police, special units or Luftwaffe perhaps. The Army was the Army and did not necessarily overlap into other services.
Remember, holsters are sort of naturally brown leather before any dye is applied. When this rubs off over the years it can leave a very pleasant brown color on the high spots. This is a patina and I would not change it unless more severe factors dictated it. Jerry Burney