Ideal stock/holster rig

[Dwight Gruber]

At Reno I managed to make a couple of good trades and picked up an Ideal holster/stock and a set of grips.



The holster is well-used, the leather bears the imprint of having held a Luger and ridden on someone's hip for a long, long time.



Although it is not a prime specimen, it is completely appropriate to my hard-use 1900 American Eagle--buffed out, re-blued, original grips hand-worn, barrel shot smooth. As a rig they comprise a pistol and holster which have been used actively for much of their life, not kept pristine in a drawer somewhere. All things considered, this may be the most satisfying Luger acquisition I have made.



As can be seen, the holster does not have a belt clip, but I do have a line on one.

What steps should I take for conservation of this holster? The leather is clean, the interior of the holster and the exterior edges which the previous occupant pistol impressed (expressed?) have sueded. The leather is still somewhat flexible, but is beginning to harden as can be seen from the cracks beginning to form.

I don't know how flexible the leather on these holsters was originally (this is the only Ideal holster I have ever examined). What, if anything, would be best to do with this leather?

Also, what is that little steel loop at the top-rear of the holster for?

--Dwight