P-08 Artillery holster price check

Hello,


I have an opportunity to buy a P-08 Artillery holster that is in VG overall condition. Unfortunately, the lanyard (flap)is missing. Markings are: 1917, Berlin and the manufacturer's name (hardly decipherable). It was not part of a rig: the holster has belt loops. It comes with original loading tool and cleaning rod with wooden handle. I am puzzled by the fact this holster is black: weren't German Imperial holsters brown? The owner wants me to make an offer. How much should I offer? Thanks in advance.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Gaetan, This is puzzeling to me. Lanyard flap? What exactly is missing? This makes a big difference as to how easy it would be to repair. Do you mean the top flap to the cleaning rod pouch on the outside? The small screwdriver tool is worth $40.00 ballpark depending on markings if original. The 8" long cleaning rod would be worth $65.00 to $100.00 if original and maybe a little more if marked. The holster is a subject that needs study. Condition of the leather is a factor. Scrapes,scratched in names, other damage detracts from the price. The holster has been modified from it's original configuration from a board stock model. Depending on the quality of that work and the desirability to you affects the price. Did you want one for a board stock or belt use? The Germans directed that all eguiptment be dyed black at some date that escapes me at present but quite a few holsters that started out brown got this treatment so it is not unusual to see an Artillery dyed black. A brown one gives it a little more value though.Without seeing this rig it is almost impossible to give you a figure as to actual worth on the market today. I can tell you what a repair to this would be if I knew what the part is that needs repair and you could figure that into your offer. I would guess that $200.00 would be a good starting bid and you probably could not get hurt too bad. Jerry Burney

Jerry,


Thanks a lot for a prompt reply.


By the missing lanyard I mean the lanyard that keeps the main, large holster flap closed. Actually, I don't own a P-08 Artillery Luger, only a standard DWM one so I don't really need it. However P-08 Artillery pistols are desirable collector items and I thought it would be a good idea to buy a holster readily available should I come across an Arty in the future and acquire it too. From your reply I understand this holster has been modified. I thought it was a different original variation so I never checked the quality of the work involved. All I know is that the owner acquired the complete set (holster, pistol and accessories) years ago and sold separately the P-08 recently (the buyer probably didn't want to spend more money on a holster he knew was not entirely original). To sum up I am definitely less interested in what appears to be a modified item. Probably better to wait for an all original one to show. Thanks again for this great info.

[Johnny Peppers]

The strap with the stud that originally came over the top of the flap was screwed to the stock board. There was a strap sewed to the body of the holster that went over the stud on the top strap to keep it closed. Maybe someone modified it for belt wear, but did not have the complete rig. This would explain the missing top strap.

[Aaron]

Sorry for the confusion stemming from my incomplete or inaccurate description of the holster in question. Besides, French is my native language (I'm posting from Qu�©bec) and it probably doesn't help. The holster I'm talking about is similar to any other standard P-08 holster (in fact, it is almost identical to the one described on page 184 of Robert D. Whittington's book "German pistols and holsters 1934-1945") except it is longer and obviously manufactured to fit a P-08 with a 8" barrel. What is missing is the lanyard seen on the P-08 holster on that same page, that is, the lanyard that keeps the holster flap closed by the stud. At first glance there are no traces of repairs on this holster that has two belt loops but an expert might possibly find otherwise. Although I have never seen the true Artillery holster except on pictures, this one possibly has been manufactured or modified as is so as not to be part of a rig; this is why it is quite different. Just thought it was a variation to be used without the wooden stock and strap as there is no provision to retain the stock and strap. In other words, this holster is intended to be worn on the soldier's belt without the rest of the rig just like any other P-08 holster except for a pistol fitted with a 8" barrel. Hope this helps.

The WW1 LP08 ("artillery" is a slang term applied by collectors because artillery unit personnel were thought to use these lugers) holsters had two "lanyards" that kept the lid closed. That is probably where the confusion is arising. One strap comes up from the body of the holster and the other comes from the board stock (or the rear--I have no holster here to check for sure). The rear strap had the stud and the front strap slipped over the stud. The back of the holster sounds like it was modified for belt loops--it originally was set up for a neck strap and you should be able to see the holes for this on back between the belt loops.


Some holsters were blackened, it is believed (Still--Imperial Lugers) by a 1916 German military order. I have seen other holsters blackened, it seems, by shoe polish or other collectors trying to make the holster pretty.


The front strap (lanyard) is relatively easy to replace and repair. The belt loops are difficult to return to original configuration (though not impossible).


Your holster might be one of many modified after WW2 for use as a belt holster.


dave