Reproductions and value deterioration?
 

This question occurred to me while reading the discussion about the reproduction Test Eagle holsters http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...threadid=14587. This is a real question, I am not doing this to make a value judgement or cast aspersions on the activities of anyone involved.

During a phone conversation last weekend I was informed that the blueprint-perfect copies of the Aberman .45 Luger currently in production, have seriously adversly affected the value of that gun (and presumably the Norton .45, as well).

Why is it, I wonder, that the pattern-perfect copies of the 1900 Test Eagle holsters have not appeared to have a similar effect on the originals?

--Dwight

I seriously question that the .45 reproductions have had any effect whatsoever on the value of either the Aberman or Norton .45s.

Dwight, There are many types of collectors. There are those who would not have a repro holster in their collection. They are willing to wait untill a high dollar holster comes along. There are those of lesser demands who can afford only repro's. When it comes to reproduction Test Eagle holsters , it's like oil and water. The two collectors are not within miles of one another.
Jerry Burney

Hi Dwight,

As I know in this life I will never own the Aberman or the Norton .45 luger, a Krause-built .45 luger is very attractive. One day I might get one and even ask Mike to place a Swiss cross/sunburst on the chamber, if he were willing...that would be nifty !

Regarding the Test holsters...since 1,000 or so original holsters were made, chances a collector could locate and secure one is still in the realm of possiblity...IMO..albiet pricey. So if I had a Test Eagle, I would hold out for the real leather.

From my POV I don't think it could be stated a lot better than Pete did it.

I agree with Pete. Having said that, I also think that the repros have their place. I have a 1906 AE which was a comercial built gun with no "official" holster. My replica from El Paso Saddelry is just fine and is as real as any other for that gun (even if newer than the gun itself).

As long as they are marked properly, I see nothing wrong with modern leather. I also don't think that they will have much effect on the price of vintage holsters. If anything, they will help to raise the prices. If someone has a vintage gun and buys a new holster, chances are that at some point in time they will want a holster from the same time period as the gun.

Steve