Dreyse Holsters converted for P08s
 

I recently purchased a holster that was originally manufactured for a 9-mm Dreyse pistol for the Imperial-era Prussian Landgendarmerie and later converted to a P08 holster for the Weimar-era Schutzpolizei of K�¶ln. Although the holster is not in great shape, it is a rare example of these conversions. I have recorded only a few of these in my book.

In 1912, the Prussian Landgendarmerie ordered 5,600 9-mm pistols from Dreyse. Evidence strongly suggests that these pistols were never delivered as no example of a 9-mm Dreyse with L.G. Landgendarmerie markings has been observed. However, the holsters for these pistols apparently were delivered. The first series of images (courtesy of Fritz M�¼ller of Germany) shows one of these holsters in its original form and apparently unused. Note the L.G. property stamp inside the holster.

The rest of the photos show my holster that was converted for use with a P08. The closure strap has been changed to the â??police-styleâ?� closure. In the photo of the inside of the cover, you can see the plugged hole where the original stud had been. The two-piece pouch for the Dreyse spare magazine inside the cover has been replaced with a pouch for a P08 take-down tool and a new pouch added on the outside for the spare magazine. However, the most obvious feature of these holsters, the deeper cutout on the front, remains.

This particular holster apparently was modified for use by the Schupo of K�¶ln sometime after the end of British occupation in 1926 when the Mauser C96s of this police force were replaced with P08s. This may have been as late as 1930. The unit marking on the back has been partially obliterated but the serial number of the P08 it housed is clear. Similar holster conversions have been observed for the Schupo of the D�¼sseldorf and Stralsund administrative districts.

Don, A very interesting holster..I spotted it on Ebay and was tempted. It is similar in some ways to the RG holsters.
It has an interesting tool pouch cover..stitched around the edge. Is this a double layer of leather?
Very nice writeup and comparison. This will be a great learning tool for those interested in these holsters. Myself included.

Jerry Burney

Don
Thanks for sharing. Holsters are as much fun to study as lugers. Bill

Jerry,

I haven't received the holster yet so only have the photos posted on eBay. When I get it, I'll check the tool pouch. I'm glad you and Bill found this interesting. These have intriqued me for some time.

Don
When is your book coming out? Will you offer it here ? Always anxious for a new reference book. Bill

Don, Yes..I would be interested to see the underside of the tool pouch top! I cannot emagine why it would be stitched unless there were two layers..They are so thin anyway I wonder?

Thanks..I will await further inspection!

Jerry Burney

Bill, I hope History Writ in Steel will be available some time in April. You will get an email when it may be pre-ordered.

Great info and holsters. I agree with Bill....the holsters are very exciting. Great leather.

Jerry,

I have received the holster and have examined the tool pouch. I have included a couple of photos. It appears that the pouch was made from the two-piece mag holder in the original holster. The flap of the pouch looks like the studded piece in the photo of an unmodified holster. The leather from this part is about 2 mm thick and I cannot see any obvious indication that it is two pieces stitched together. The leather forming the front of the pouch may be slightly thinner but not by much.

Don, How very interesting! The stud on this pouch has a sewn circle around it too...I guess they were improvising but I can't figure why they would make it like that. It's a mystery.

Jerry

They didn't add a pull strap to the holster. I guess the deeper cutout on the front gave adequate access to the pistol.

Don, Yes exactly. The deep cut front and the lowered sweeping top is a distinctive feature of these very interesting Police holsters. You have to wonder why this simpler design was not adopted into the military.

Jerry Burney

Jerry, I have read somewhere that the main objective in the design of the Luger holster was to protect it from water, dirt, etc. Certainly, the buckle closure was not designed for a "fast draw!" It may have been felt that deeper cut would let in more dirt. Pure speculation!

Don, Quite true..I have seen photo's of German Cavalry in the mud and horses sling mud everywhere! No paved roads..Then there was trench warfare...I can imagine that turn of the century Army's were exposed to some harsh elements. It's actually amazing to me there are holsters that survived in like new condition...

Jerry Burney