Odd Holster, Opinions?
 

This holster appeared on eBay and I don't think it's a pistol holster at all.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2231827539&ca tegory=36049&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

This sack is undoubtably German in origin. It has all the hallmarks of German manufacture. I have my doubts that it is a pistol holster at all. I have no doubt that it once held a pistol but I think it was originally made for some other purpose, such as an instrument case, say for a surveying instrument or some such. No German Sattler in his right mind would make this thing up as a PPK holster. In the sellers description it is purported to be a high party official holster! What a load of crap...No high party official would be caught dead wearing this for his pistol. The straps on the rear are poorly done and don't even look like they belong there. They were deffinately added later.

I would really like to know why someone coughed up 212 smackers for it....

I am interested to see what the Forum Members have to say about this one...Thanks, Jerry Burney

Do you know who 'aeroriv' is?

Pretty easy to find out :

1. From his buying history on e-Bay, he buys lots of $ 1200 Navy holsters...

2. Same poster-name appear on Jan Still's site in the Navy section...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Actually...I was worried about "out-ing" this fellow. But since he uses both his monkier and his real name on the Still Forum, I thought it was okay...

Maybe someone who has Derek's email could ask him about this curious holster and what pistol (or other item) belongs to it...

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Although I do not know Derek personally I do know he is a very reputable and highly regarded Navy Luger collector held in high esteem by Tom Armstrong, who dosen't like anybody very much.

Yes, I know who aroriv is...I will have to ask Derek about this piece. Maybe I will get my comeuppance and learn something I didn't know.....

Heinz, What makes you think Tom Armstrong dosen't like anybody very much? He is one of the most likeable people I know and generous to a fault as well as one of the most knowlegable people there is about German holsters and pistols. While I can't speak for Tom about his ability or desire to like anybody, I think making a statement like this is demeaning to yourself and in my opinion dead wrong. I am hoping you were saying this in a lighthearted manner with a toe or two sticking out of your mouth....Tom is a Luger Forum Member as well as active on Jan Still Forum and I have seen him bend over backwards to provide information and help to many members when I am sure he had other pursuits that demand his attention. He is as honest as the day is long and is seen as one of the foremost Imperial Navy Luger collectors in the U.S. today. I am sure he could not pursue his many endeavors if he did not like anybody.

Do you have any personal experiences with Tom that could explain your statement? Enquiring minds want to know.....I consider you a valuble friend and would not broach this subject if I did not think it important for many reasons. Thanks and looking forward to hearing from you, Jerry Burney

Jerry, It was meant as a joke! I thought everybody that knew Tom knew he was a great guy. I should have put a smiley face on it.

I personally think Tom Armstrong is one of the best people I know. He has been one of my chief mentors in Luger collecting.

Derek I do not know well but do respect his expertise. If Derek bought that "holster" I would guess it is because he knows what it really is.

Sorry for my poorly phrased jest.

PS. I hope all goes well with you Jerry. I have said a prayer.

Heinz, Thank the good Lord! I knew it must be something like that....My sincere apologies.Sorry I got my hackels up but Tom is a good and true friend as well as a fellow paratrooper.I would do the same for you if I thought someone was slandering your good name. All is well with the World and I thank you for thinking of me.Again, my apologies for stepping up on my soapbox unnessarily, however well intentioned. Warm Regards, Jerry

Jerry no apology needed I was not as clear as I should have been. I should just have mentioned that Tom has a penchant for jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. . . Nah, probably should not say that either :-)

Hah! A tempest in a teapot! It just goes to show you how easy it is to get a misunderstanding going over a slip of the lip and this is not something that should take place among friends.I am happy this is cleared up. Thanks my friend...

It's not the jumping out that is the problem, from what I am told, it's the landing. AIRBORNE! Jerry Burney

Don't quote me on this, but, I think that's refered to as, either a "Coin Purse Holster" or a "Pistol Purse". I don't recall for sure. Worn mainly by some of the Prussian Arostocracy. It was often considered barbaric to wear a pistol in polite company. So they made them to appear as a belt coin pouch. A "wallet holster" of sorts.Or a fanny pack

Ron

"It's often wiser to remain silent, and be thought a fool. Than to speak, and be proven one."

*Mark Twain*

So! I have spoken!!

and I STRONGLY recommmend that when comments are made tongue in cheek, that you check over the selection of SMILIES and use them. The written word is certainly more difficult to interpret because you can't hear the "tone" of originator.

:)

Lieber Johann (Dear John)

Lest some of us forget, you can't use smilies if you do the "QuickReply" bit. You have to go to the "postreply" button to get those critters. But, no worries...if you forget, all you have to do is edit your post and viola! <img border="0" alt="[jumper]" title="" src="graemlins/jumper.gif" /> (or is that voila? I get those mixed up all the time :p ) you can add smilies. That is exactly what I did for this post.

Ron, Thank you for this thought on the coin purse pistol holster of the aristocracy. This might have some validity when you think on it. This would seem to be civilian in nature and not Military. I wonder how one would go about running down more information on this? Anyone have any ideas?

As far as smiley faces or other such truck goes, I prefer to use English as my primary method of communication. I admire those who choose to use smiley faces if they think it improves their communication with others. It's all good...Jerry Burney

The holster looked very obviously used for carrying a PPK or similar, since the signature was prominent. On the smiley faces (I know, you can't say anything these days without getting a hundred opinions), please don't encourage their use. I know it seems like a good idea, but posters all over the net on forum after forum are using smilies to get away with ugly, spiteful comments. That way, you can say what you really mean and get away with it, or so they think. I'm with Lugerholster on this, and never use them as communication or to alter the meaning of my text. I will use one to accent my meaning once in awhile, like a laugher after a funny, for example. But, to make a disparaging remark and then show a stupid smiley is adding insult to injury. Make your meaning clear with your words.

I think I saw one with an explaination , in an old 1950's Golden State Arms catalog. I used to have two, a 1958 issue and an older one. I think I saw one with a Sauer and Sons 7.65 pistol. If I remember correctly, it was like, $21.95 for the pistol and pistol purse. Those were neat catalogs.Talk about a "dream book"! WWI "coal skuttle" helmets for $2.98. WWII paratroopers were $7.50. Prussian WWI Spiked officers were a whopping $35.00.

Saxman, just so you know and to put your mind at ease about the future on the forum, the use of smilies on this forum would not mitigate the use of ugly spiteful comments... they simply aren't tolerated.

... and the admin and moderator staff are diligent in their enforcement of the golden rule. Treat others with the same respect that you would request of others... it isn't a hard rule to follow... as the presence of over 2000 members can attest...In the entire history of the Lugerforum, there have been only three cases of banishment for unmannered behavior... one repented and was allowed to return after more than a year of being on the outside... the other two are still gone, and not expected back.

I do not know that much of German society. Could you direct me to some books that might demonstrate the lack of sidearms display at social functions?(considering that Prussian society admired the display of a facial scar, which were proudly worn as a badge of honor by conflict)

I'm not an expert on Germanic customs either. I am merely recalling what the ad said. However it stands to reason. That if you hold a diplomatic position. And show up at a high function "packing iron" someone may assume that you have ulterior motives.
I have had the pleasure of knowing a German gentleman named Heinz Kothe, who lost his leg on the Eastern front.And survived a Russian prison camp. He told me much, of the mind set of the German people during the war. These were extremely paranoid times.
Not all Germans were Nazis. Alot of the old Prussian Arostocracy,"High Germans", thought Hitler and the boys were "Low German" scum.I believe, they derived his nickname, "The Little Paperhanger".
A fencing scar, was considered a badge of honor by some. A pistol, is a weapon. And a potential threat.