what did the soldiers do?
 

i've been reading the post on leather care and they are very interesting. couple of questions, 1) why is shoe polish so bad for holsters? holds up well on my 30 year old bass loafers? 2) and what did the actual german soldiers use in the field and off to keep the holsters up? i'm sure they had no pecards?

also i recently got an older holster in good shape but minus the straps. i got some straps but what is the best way to put them onto the back?

thanks
tom <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Tom,

Reason #1
Soldiers that have a Holster (or other equipment for that matter) that wears beyond reasonable servicable use or finish in combat are just discard them or turn them in to supply and a new one gets issued...

Reason #2
As for what the German soldiers during WW2 used to look spiffy in their leather accessories... probably boot polish because of reason number one they weren't concened about long term leather deterioration and breakdown......only soldier breakdown [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

...from an Old Soldier who knows...

TC,

You have a lot of respect for history. Are you into black powder rendezvous?

i'm not sure, but was i just insulted? <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" />

I have no idea what Wes meant by his comment, but mine was intended to be solely informative TC... no offense intended...

If one hasn't served in the military, how would one be expected to know? I just presumed that most of the younger members 9you included, basd on your question) have not served and therefore wouldn't know...

as an antedote, I have an uncle, who keeps his 1911A1 in my personal military holster... I gave it to him back in the early 1970's... I am sure he doesn't polish it, (but I did on active duty...) and it isn't falling apart yet. But who is to say what it will be like another 25 years from now?

[img]rolleyes.gif[/img]

Due to my lack of intellect, I cannot insult anyone without the liberal use of profanities and crudeties. There was no insult intended.

I always live by the axiom: No insult can be given, where none will be taken.

wes, good point on the language issue. i feel your pain.

as for the holster issue, you're right too young to serve - but i did register at 18 [img]smile.gif[/img]

my dad was a marine in the late 50's, he said they used to spit shine and use shoe polish. when the shoe polish got to waxy and built up, they'ed take lighter fluid to it. they'd use it to wipe off the build up and sometimes even "burn" it off. i guess they never really cared about keeping a collection up? <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

TC, you mean no one will ever want my combat boots that we burnt wax into and on?

When you are pulling a shift or working the street, I want it to look nice and I am afraid that I didn't worry too much about a collection piece for your grandson [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

If it looked good, then we did it. [img]eek.gif[/img]

Funny stuff.

Back in 1944 an old Peace time Regular Army First Sgt. told me to Burn the polish in the can till it liquified and paint it on. Then burn the boots abt 10 seconds and blow it out, Spit polish to a rich Rust Brown.
Would Knock your eyeballs out.
Thats all that Ize Learnt in de Mud soldiers Army cuz dey Moved me to de US Army Air Corps.
Where I learnt to Flie. And dats tough widout Wings cuz dey wudnt issu me nun.
ViggoG

ViggoG,

Glad to see you are making progress on navigating the new forum...

We hope to hear more from you in the future...

best to you,

This one will blow your mind. Back in naval OCS in the fifties we used to polish our shoes by swabbing them with Five Day Deodorant Pads. Just a single pass, no rubbing, and you had a gleaming inspection shine. Not good for the leather, though.

When I was in JROTC we cheated and used Corfam shoes. Never heard of a Corfam holster though. [img]smile.gif[/img]

MarkC

There were Corfam holsters that were used for parade and color guard duty... Instead of fine leather, they looked like they were made of plastic (cause they were!) and they were UGLY...

Give me real leather anyday...

There is a very good article in the current issue of Auto Mag on leather preservation. Another good reason to join the NAPCA. check their web site. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Tom, No one answered your question about back belt loop straps. This is a very difficult thing to do if you are not knowledgeble about Luger holsters and their construction. It is necessary to dismantle the holster by undoing the left seam all the way to the toe first of all. Then the left loop is connected to the pullup strap and all of this stitching must be carefully removed. Then the straps and the pullup strap must be carefully stitched bac onto the holster with the proper color linen thread. Then the left seam you undid must be stitched back. There are small leather slits in the inside lining. Care must be taken with these as they are part of the stitching system and are used to hide the stitching from abuse by the pistol being inserted. Unless you know what you are doing this operation can result in a butchered holster. I get holsters every week that some person tried to repair with wire, glue, cording , nails, or staples. If you attempt this repair yourself take the time to research the project completely. Then go very slowly because even a small slip with a razor knife can ruin the attempt. Jerry Burney