[lugerholsterrepair]

Wes, I would be interested to see the photo's of lanyards but when I click on this link: Guntensperger 1906 Swiss
I get sent back to the Luger Forum page....What am I doing wrong?

Rod, To answer your question, there are quite a few period lanyards. German, Swiss, Dutch and one I have heard rumors about but have never been able to track down , the elusive Portugese.

The German was made of round leather for the main carrying strap, about the thickness of a slim pencil. This was braided onto a very dainty brass swivel. The end of the swivel had either sewn or brass rivet and stud a flap which connected to the lanyard ring affixed to the pistol. This went through the pistol ring and back onto itself and clasped onto the brass stud. A neat little connector. One that would not mar the pistol in any way.

Original German Lanyards are quite rare and I know of only a handfull in the US. They are relatively common in European collections. I suspect they did not survive very well as they are quite similar to sewing machine belts and might have been salvaged during lean years between wars as leather for this purpose must have been scarce.

Another lanyard often employed was the strap of the German bread bag. This was popular as an ersatz lanyard among Soldiers as it was plentiful. Everyone had one. I have been told by German Soldiers that it was put through the trigger guard. String was also used or perhaps shoelaces. Period photo's show Soldiers using all of these methods.

The Germans actually issued a P08 lanyard in WW1. There is archival military documents to support this, describing it's use and storage under the flap of the holster.

They were issued to Stosstrupp troops, Cavalry and motorcycle troops primarily. The Stosstrupp models I have observed were short, worn around the neck and came about waist high. This enabled the wearer to have close access to the pistol at all times yet have enough room to fully extend the pistol out front and fire it in a normal manner. This was important to these shock troops who operated in the front lines of no mans land, often at night on raiding parties to capture prisoners.
The Cavalry style was longer and worn over the shoulder, affixed to the pistol while holstered.This enabled a mounted Cavalryman to keep the pistol secure even when drawn and used apon a galloping horse. You can imagine the same for motorcycle troops.

You mention that a lanyard could be used to steady the pistol for shooting. I agree it could be used for that purpose if it is the shorter lanyard but I do not believe this was of any use to the aformentioned troops. This would be more along the target shooting use and these troops used the Luger pistol for much more closeup work.

The board stock fit the purpose you are referring to and I have fired many rounds with the ones I have. It is extremely useful for turning an Artillery or Navy pistol into a long range target model. I would NOT want any marksman shooting at me with one. At any distance.

Thanks, Jerry Burney