My "new" old 1916 Artillery holster by Hermann Floehr, Cologne
 

This ebay buy it now arrived today. I'm pleased to say better than expected. :)The seller described it as "no markings", except the scratches on the back of a previous owner. I can't decide what "they" were trying to inscribe, a name- then #13 frame? - then
#2824 Ret., puzzling.
:confused:
I was hoping for a date, and sure enough, in a little bit unusual place is the marking for Hermann Floehr, 1916, Coeln. :)

This identical mark is to be found in the green edition of Goertz and Sturgess on page 1351(volume III). For the red edition you can probably find the same picture in the chapter on "Military Holsters/Stocks".

Also received with an original cleaning rod, but not marked. No tool left in the pouch.

Holster stitching and leather in super condition save the closure strap which is pretty fragile and worn.

Don, Nice! Strap that beauty onto a stock and all that GI graffitti will disappear!

Thanks Jerry.

I put it on the last "loose" stock I had; now I'm even stocks/holsters.

Still need two sets of straps, I keep hoping I'll get lucky and find an original set; but I'll probably be to you for them.

Still have my Navy stock that "needs" a holster though.;)

Floer is one of the lesser known saddlers of the Imperial era. I believe they were involved in the leather garment business before the war. Below are photos of a 1915 dated LP08 holster made by Floehr. I know of only two others like it, one in the US and another in France.

Nice one , I own one stamped like this and a more stamp on the back
Somebody seen other like that ?
Have a look :

Is that pigskin??? :confused:

No it's pebble-grained calf.

Very nice holsters George and Patrice; they each survived in amazing condition!

Thanks for the pictures.

Interesting. It sure looks like goat skin to me. USN leather flight jackets are traditionally done in goat skin and that leather looks very similar, but lighter in color. I love that pebble textured leather. George you have a beautiful and unique holster there! Thanks for sharing a photo of it.

George, if I am not mistaken you also have a matching H.FLOHR pebble-grained calf (and not pigskin..) double mag pouch ?

Well, it looks like a football so I asked... :rolleyes:

Maybe footballs are really leather with pebble impressions??? :confused:

Some {not all) USAF 'leather' flight jackets are horsehide... :)

(I wonder if the Russians made their holsters out of rathide???) :p

I have a couple of them as I recall.

Got army and navy pouch both pebble grained , no maker mark seen ..