Navy holster(s) ???
 

Any information you would be kind enough to share with me about these two holsters will be appreciated.

1) a P-38 holster elongated to accept a Navy pistol. Is this a post-war hack up of some kind or modified for military use in some way?
The acceptance stamp looks like an Eagle with no letter and the office WaA7(0or8or9) ? (too far under the strap to identify).
I have no idea what offices might have accepeted P-38s and could not find the exact proof in Costanzo or Still. (which may well have been my problem).

2) This appears to be a "made for a Navy" holster but is a little suspect as the back is brown while the rest is black--not real hard to do if you want black to go with the uniform or some such. [When I went to basic training in '59 we were issued brown boots and die.....]. But it does not look like the pictures of Navy holsters I have seen.

Hi Gary, Your first holster is a converted (lengthened) P38 holster. The second one is the real deal, a rare Type 2 Navy holster, designed to be belt worn for the ground war in Flanders. It's in decent shape, although the front has been died black and it's missing the ears on the rod sheath lid. The LZA marking is from one of the leather allocation offices that were set up late in the war.
Regards, Norm

on the navy holster (second holster shown) is the black coloured stitching that shows inside the holster something that is normal or does that indicate some restitching and repairs?

Norm;

1) Again my photography is poor. The back 'ear' is there, just bearly, litterly hanging by a thread. No trace of the front one.

2) Than the modified P-38 may be a Navy rework of some kind? I did see a picture of one somewhat like it years ago but can not remember where or any details about it.

Ben, good question, I didn't even notice the color but I think you are right as it would have been pretty hard to go in there and die the thread--and of no use.

Gary

Hi Gary, There's no way to tell who modified the P38 holster, but it was likely done post war and it has little value anyway. The Imperial Navy holster, on the other hand, is rare and very collectible. Don't sell it for less than $1,000.00.
Regards, Norm

Ben, The only repair I can spot is right behind the top on the rod sleeve. Someone has poorly tacked on the rod sleeve top with white thread.

I can say without doubt Imperial Navy holsters, both type 1 and 2 were made entirely with black thread.

So would it be more appropriate for me to put this with my 1916 Navy then?

Is is possible to find an appropriate front 'ear' and have it replaced (and the back one attached)?

Gary

Hi Gary, Yes, your Type 2 holster would be correct for a 1916 or 1917 Navy. You should send this holster to Jerry Burney (lugerholsterrepair), and ask him to replace any loose stitching as well as the ears. He has done this kind of repair for me in the past and I have been very pleased with the result.
Regards, Norm

Thanks Norm. I'll have to wait a bit but I will look him up and see if I can work something out.

Gary

Gary
Norm has that right. Jerry Burney has repaired many of my holsters. I would not consider sending them anywhere else. He is a perfectionist. And a pretty nice guy for an Army man. Bill