Recent purchase of complete Rig: Questions
 

I went to a gun show this past weekend and purchased a complete rig for my excellent condition 1936 S/42 and have some questions about the holster and the value of the whole rig.

The holster is marked on the rear P08. Between the belt straps are the following markings: bml/41 under which is the german eagle and swastika under which is the marking WaA788. The strap closest to the magazine holder has been field repaired and has evidently seen heavy use since repair. The holster is in very good overall condition. The pull is worn somewhat thin, but is intact and strong. The underside of the holster bears the faint fountain pen written name of a man under which is what I believe is his 8 digit World War II serial number and his home town, Princeton, West Virginia. The color of the holster is black with a lot of brown showing under the worn black finish.

I bought a brown (it may have been black at one time, but the finish is worn down) tunic belt. It is in very good condition with the metal end piece intact and the sewed adustment piece in good condition. I deliberately bought a moderately worn Wermacht buckle ("GOTT MITT UNS") to go with the belt with the letters C.T.D. on the inside.

I also got a take-down loading tool for the holder inside the holster flap. It is marked with the german eagle over the numbers 655.

Can any forum members give me any info on the holster to include its maker and retail value?

Also I'm welcome to comments as to whether this is a correct rig for my Luger despite the year difference. I'd also like comments as to the value of each of the other components as described and the value of the overall rig. If I'm not too embarassed by what you tell me I'll tell you what I paid for everything.

I don't have any means to post pictures at this time. Thanks in advance for any information you may provide me.

When I was in President Nixon's army I was issued a 1943 dated 1911A1 made by Remington Rand and a 1969 manufactured shoulder holster.
I would say your rig is just right.

The value of the holster depends upon its condition and scarcity. I can not help you there.

I believe your buckle is for a police rig?
Lonnie

Sherlock,
* "bml" was the Maker's code assigned to Hans Romer Company of Neu Ulm. Romer is a well recognized leather firm of the WW2 era.
* WaA788 was a correct Army Waffenamt Inspector's number for Hans Romer's product in 1941.
* The sE/655 tool acceptance was contemporary to Mauser Lugers accepted in (essentially) 1940-1941.
* Hence, the holster and tool would be considered most correct with a 42 code-1940 dated P.08 or a byf coded-41 dated Army Luger.
* That being said, please re-read George's response as his counsel embodies a sound measure of the pramatism & unlikely combinations experienced from a war time supply chain and combat environment.
* If the holster's closure strap is attached to the top flap and loops thru a buckle sewn to the left front seam of the holster, it is a standard Army configuration. If the closure strap is attached to the middle of the front body of the holster and holes up over a stud attached to the top flap, it is a classic Police configuration. The P.08 mark on the holster's rear suggests this example started as an Army holster.
* I may have missed you mentioning the extra mag; but, a WW2 "rig" is expected to have the second mag.
* Component value & any synergistic "rig" value is dependent on so many factors, I feel it would be misleading to fire numbers off without a much better dialog and personal evaluation. Of course pictures are a start.
* Trust this helps somewhat.
Respectfully,
Bob

Thanks for the input on my holster rig purchase.

I got the pistol from my father. It is a WWII bringback captured in Belgium sometime during the course of the Battle of the Bulge. When brought back it originally had the holster and extra magazine it was captured with, but when I was a child my much older sister took the holster with the extra mag to use as a prop in a high school play and it was never returned. I thought to put the pisol back with a full rig and in addition to the holster, belt, buckle and tool I also seperately purchased a matching mag to the one already with the pistol. The original mag is blued with an aluminum base and is marked FXO with an eagle over the number 37. The aluminum base is serial numbered. The magazine I purchased is identical and similarly marked except the serial number is different and has a plus symbol with it. I paid $250 for the holster, belt, buckle and tool. I paid $60 for the magazine.

Regards,
Dave Riley aka: "Sherlock"

You did well Sherlock... on all accessories... really sorry your sister lost the original ones...

Please post photos when you get the chance.