Q; is 1943 Police Banners Holster are really rare?
 

Found this listing on GB... does really just 3 reported?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1067608411

I'll bet there are way more than three of these babies around! This is a reproduction--observe the warbly stitching when viewed from behind.

A holster guy will know more about whether the claims in the ad about the originals are substantiated.

I may be wrong but that thing screams REPRODUCTION. I don't believe it's original.

My vote is reproduction. Bill

I'll add my vote as a fake, as well.

Said Original guaranteed...

He must be right, then.

Sure it's original. Original what? Originally made in India?...
It's a "fake".

Said it is Original Guaranteed, and if it is original does it cost $1500?

Got to go against the grain here. This example has every characteristic of an original late Police holster. Fakers just don't pay close enough attention to details of construction that this holster has in spades. The studs. NO faker does these correctly. The short shape of the tool pouch top. Only Police holsters had these. The stitching is perfect where it's perfect and it was stitched along the edge with a chain stitch machine that left it raises, it's 1943 and Germany, especially Berlin was under extreme conditions. The white underside of the top. The correct slant of the loops. The slim profile of the magazine pouch. The correct stamp of the maker mark and date. The quality of the leather. This holster SCREAMS original to me. In 1943 it would not surprise me that this urban police holster saw little use and remains in great condition. Likely issued in Berlin..Take a look at the back bottom of the mag pouch..A VERY difficult area to stitch and NO fake holster gets this right. Perfect.
I can't say about rarity or price. Not my area of study. I do know construction though and this is no fake.

I have no connection to this holster or seller but he IS correct. It's original and made in 1943 IMO.

If Jerry says it's original then I'm willing to bet that it is. I stand corrected.

As do I. I will defer to a far more expert opinion than my own.

Wow, when I first looked at this holster I immediately thought reproduction but I have to defer to the holster expert. Unfortunately for the seller it will be a tough sell as mostly everyone will think it’s not original, unless of course they read this thread. Price is still high I think especially since it’s going to be mistaken for a repro almost every time.
Jim

Thanks for the scoop, Jerry! This was a tough one, and your verdict was certainly a surprise--to me, anyway. There's always something to learn.

I only offer the reasons I think it's original. The experience of years of observations of both real and fakes. This example shows a dozen reasons why it's an original and I cannot find one reason it's a fake except what has been pointed out..nice condition. But even,m then..the leather is top quality and not something seen on reproductions.

Will it sell at such a price? I have no clue. Is it rare? Again..somebody knows but I do not.

I welcome dissenting opinions. If anyone has contrary thoughts, please present them.

I thought Police P08 holsters were stamped with the serial number of the issued Luger? Did this practice go away by 1943? or is this an unissued holster? I did not note a serial number on the referenced holster.

I can't answer your questions with any accuracy but this holster shows no signs of ever having a pistol in it. To have a serial # it would have to have a pistol. It likely was never seen by a Police armorer..maybe even stored then captured?