Ebay 1915 holster came today.
 

I got this via UPS today. I won it on ebay. The sellers photos were lousy and barely any discription. I just had that gut feeling not to pass it up.I'm glad I did'nt. I've been looking for a nice holster to go with my minty 1915 DWM.
It's dark brown with orange stitching. Stamped under flap "FLATOW & PRIEMER BERLIN 1915". It has a combination pin punch? and tool pocket.Beautifull cond. Three stiches have come loose on left side of flap. Everything else is sound. Now I need to find a nice tool and punch. Ron
http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/101_0129.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/101_0130.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/101_0136.jpg http://forums.lugerforum.com/lfupload/101_0137.jpg

Nice Ron, although I believe the orange is because someone applied brown at one time to make it look nicer?

Ed

Ed, I suppose that's possible, but they must have submerged it. All of the stitching is the same color. Inside and out. I'm probably going to send it to Jerry for a minor stitching repair,cleaning and buffing.

Ron

You will find some early military holsters with this orange thread. The thread was soaked in Mercurochrome (merbromin), an antiseptic, which was intended to prevent mold and bacterial deterioration and prolong the life of the stitching in less than favorable conditions. Evidently it worked pretty well. (I hope Jerry Burney can back me up on this.) At any rate, I think your holster is totally original, properly stitched and a nice find. Congratulations.

Good to know! Didn't know that, thanks Ron and even better for you Ron!

ed

Ron, I was trying to pin down that smell. That's it! The holster reeks of it. When I opened the box, that was the first thing I smelled. Did they emerse them in it, I wonder?

Thanks! Ron
Ed , I was'nt sure whether it had been dyed or not. I suspected it. The price was right and I figured Jerry could remedy most of it.
Ron

Ron-The-Younger,
As far as I know, only the thread was treated. I do not think leather would respond well to being soaked in Mercurochrome.
Ron-The-Ancient

Ron-The-Learned,

Thankyou!

Ron-The-Student

Both Ron's..Yes, Ron is correct. The thread was treated and for the reasons he states.
Ron, beautiful holster..rare to find these old Imperials in such great condition. Congratulations.The date indicates a military but that is at odds with the interior tool pocket and pin punch pocket.I don't believe I have ever seen one quite like it. Very unusual.The offset closure stud is really odd. Anyone else ever seen this configuration? Jerry Burney

I have never seen on like it... and the offset closure stud is very unusual. I don't see any evidence (stretching or creases) that indicate that this pocket ever held a takedown/loading tool?

Jerry and John, Just discovered that there has never been a tool in the pocket. Because...a tool won't fit in the pocket. At least not a conventional tool. It won't slide in far enough to close the flap. It appears that at one time or other, it has had a punch or? In the lower pocket.Could there be another purpose for it?

Ron

Ed, Nice find. I do have original DWM mag loading tools and pin punches available @$25 each. Lugerdoc

Was just thinking(ouch!!) Could it be possible that the flap, was designed for an Artillery holster,(sight tool and pin punch).And inadvertently put on a P.08 holster,instead of an LP.08 holster or as war time expedient? Just a thought.

Ron