Holster Mark Question
 

I have a question about the very large Crown over Roman Numeral stamp found on the back of some holsters. I don't have a picture of it, it is the mark noted in Costanzo, p.188, 104 and 104a. Costanzo calls them Weimar Military Police holster proofs.

I have seen two recently, one on a holster currently on Ebay and one in a shop near to me which I suspect may be bogus. Both holsters are military style with buckle closure.

Is this the proper holster to find these proofs on? Is there a history of counterfeiting these marks?

--Dwight

Dwight,

Costanzo not withstanding, those Crowns superimposed over Roman numerals denote Royal Bavarian Army Corps I, II, & III.

I have never heard of them being faked, but have over the years run into several holsters with the mark that were in unissued condition. I surmise this was because they were stored in Muenchen and simply never got sent to the front.

Tom A.

It is not a Weimar Police holster proof. It is a Bavarian Corps marking. I have one and there have been a couple of other examples posted on the forum from time to time.

http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfuploa...ianholster.jpg

Ron and Tom, thanks much.

--Dwight

I have one, C/1 proofed on back, that I believe is unissued, buckle strap, and period dyed black. Perhaps at one time it was taken out of storage, dyed black and never issued?, we'll never know for sure.

Most that I have seen were either in unissued condition or very good condition. All were dated 1918 or not dated or maker marked at all. Was this a marking that the Bavrians adopted late in the war?

Forget about the meaning of the proof! Hey Ron, that's one hell of a fine holster! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Cheers,
Albert

Thank you Albert. For a guy that doesn't concentrate much on accessories, I did pretty well on this one.

It's funny how things just accumulate. I have never had much interest (or money) for accessories, but the other day I was going through some things and was surprised what holsters have accumulated over the years.

1900 Swiss Dated 1904
1900 US Test Trials Holster
WWI Bavarian (Date?)
1906 M2 Portuguese
1934 GNR Portuguese
1906 KNIL Dutch First Type
1908 Bulgarian

Now, all of a sudden, I have an interest in holsters. HELP! I don't need any more stuff! <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> (At least they are cheaper than Lugers - usually)