1916 franz herrmann
 

I recieved this holster with a Luger I purchased.

My question is, could this have originally been brown since it seems that at some point in time someone spilled black ink inside the holster.

Any idea what it's value is?

I have one similarly treated. But mostly the underside of the flap. I'm theorizing that this was done to hide the flash of the lighter leather when opening the holster. But then it could as easily have been some kid with Daddy's holster and a magic marker....

FN

It was brown, but dyed by the German Army. It was mandated that all Luger holsters be dyed black late in WWI, I believe. I don't have a ready reference as to the specific date.

Since thousands of holsters had to be dyed. I doubt that the armorers cared as to how neatly it was done. Many holsters are found with dye spatter on the inside.

Ron