08 shoulder holster ??

Shake Rag · 10-02-2014, 03:53 PM

Hi, I'm new to the forum and hoping someone could shed some light on a question I've had for a while.

I have always wondered if a story about how my Luger was acquired was correct. I received it from the widow of a Chaplin who was with Patton's 3rd Army. This I have verified.

The Luger is original and fits the story, but I wonder if the Chaplin replaced the holster at a later date. If it is WW2, the story would be 99% correct.

Any opinions on whether this holster dates to WW2.

I'll share the story, if I feel it might be correct.

Thanks

http://s248.photobucket.com/user/jac...w/08%20holster

DavidJayUden · 10-02-2014, 04:55 PM

This one is different than the usual ones that we see. The markings on the hardware are also seen on Nazi daggers, so I suspect that the hooks were originally dagger hangers.
Now let's see how those knowledgable in this area respond. I suspect that they will conclude that this is a non-issue item.
I, however, issue or non-issue, see it as part of your Luger and it should be treated as such.
Welcome aboard!
dju

Shake Rag · 10-02-2014, 07:59 PM

I was just looking at the holster and noticed it's left-handed. It must have been custom made. Who knows...maybe the experts on this forum can give a clue.

sheepherder · 10-02-2014, 08:34 PM

Let me see if I have this right...It's a Luger shoulder holster worn by Patton's left-handed chaplain...Is that it???

Presumably he blessed the troops with his right hand, so that makes sense...

Let's hear the story...

Shake Rag · 10-02-2014, 09:24 PM

Sheepherder:

I never posted this question to do any more than get some answers on the holster. Yes, there is a story behind it, but I'm not trying to sell something. I was only looking to verify the holster was WW2 vintage.

The "08" was in this holster when it was given to me. The event he got it was related by his wife to me. I, like you, take any story with a grain of salt. Therefore, my question on the holster. I don't want to think I have something that I assumed was WW2 and find out it was a post war souvenir. He brought this weapon home from Europe and it reportedly stayed in his old footlocker until he died.

I was merely trying to ascertain the holster matched the time frame the 08 was liberated.

Shake Rag

BTW, he wasn't Patton's Chaplain.

sheepherder · 10-02-2014, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shake Rag

Yes, there is a story behind it...

There is a gentleman on this forum who collects war stories, especially of bring-backs. I believe he has published three books about them.

The stories are always interesting. Patton had a fondness for sidearms, and it's reasonable to believe his close associates did also. Whether captured or made by post-war locals, your holster should prove interesting.

ithacaartist · 10-04-2014, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Presumably he blessed the troops with his right hand, so that makes sense...

Yes, while he's holding them at gunpoint with his strong hand!

lugerholsterrepair · 10-02-2014, 10:08 PM

Jack, There are almost no period pics of combat troops using shoulder holsters. Tankers or Luftwaffe. Shoulder holsters were not any kind of regular issue. There were cataloged shoulder holsters for undercover Bankers, postal workers and such. They WERE a standard offered item but only for the small auto .32's. None were cataloged for the Luger that I am aware of.

IMO shoulder holsters like this one were likely immediate post war made for a carton of smokes. The German hardware was available to most small German leather shops. Many shoulder holsters were made along the line of the US type..modeled after the 1911A1 .45 shoulder holster popular with the US Army. Of course you see all kinds..Regardless..it's a treasure. Welcome to the Forum.

Lugerdoc · 10-03-2014, 09:47 AM

SR. I've never found a genuine WaAed (military accepted contract) WW2 shoulder holster. IMHO, all WW2 shoulder holsters were private purchased either from a catalog or custom made for the buyer. TH

John Sabato · 10-04-2014, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lugerdoc

SR. I've never found a genuine WaAed (military accepted contract) WW2 shoulder holster. IMHO, all WW2 shoulder holsters were private purchased either from a catalog or custom made for the buyer. TH

I wonder if any member has one of those catalogs to show us and pictures

rolandtg · 10-03-2014, 07:33 PM

Very nice holster! That one would be great to use as a pattern to make copies.
If that German soldier really saw the whole war he certainly would have wanted to "optimize" his gear.

10-02-2014, 03:53 PM	#1
Shake Rag New User Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	08 shoulder holster ?? Hi, I'm new to the forum and hoping someone could shed some light on a question I've had for a while. I have always wondered if a story about how my Luger was acquired was correct. I received it from the widow of a Chaplin who was with Patton's 3rd Army. This I have verified. The Luger is original and fits the story, but I wonder if the Chaplin replaced the holster at a later date. If it is WW2, the story would be 99% correct. Any opinions on whether this holster dates to WW2. I'll share the story, if I feel it might be correct. Thanks http://s248.photobucket.com/user/jac...w/08%20holster Last edited by Shake Rag; 10-02-2014 at 08:03 PM.

10-02-2014, 08:34 PM	#4
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,208 Thanks: 1,425 Thanked 4,474 Times in 2,343 Posts	Let me see if I have this right...It's a Luger shoulder holster worn by Patton's left-handed chaplain...Is that it??? Presumably he blessed the troops with his right hand, so that makes sense... Let's hear the story... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

10-02-2014, 10:08 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,134 Times in 1,439 Posts	Jack, There are almost no period pics of combat troops using shoulder holsters. Tankers or Luftwaffe. Shoulder holsters were not any kind of regular issue. There were cataloged shoulder holsters for undercover Bankers, postal workers and such. They WERE a standard offered item but only for the small auto .32's. None were cataloged for the Luger that I am aware of. IMO shoulder holsters like this one were likely immediate post war made for a carton of smokes. The German hardware was available to most small German leather shops. Many shoulder holsters were made along the line of the US type..modeled after the 1911A1 .45 shoulder holster popular with the US Army. Of course you see all kinds..Regardless..it's a treasure. Welcome to the Forum. __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

10-03-2014, 09:47 AM	#9
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	SR. I've never found a genuine WaAed (military accepted contract) WW2 shoulder holster. IMHO, all WW2 shoulder holsters were private purchased either from a catalog or custom made for the buyer. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

10-02-2014, 04:55 PM	#2
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	This one is different than the usual ones that we see. The markings on the hardware are also seen on Nazi daggers, so I suspect that the hooks were originally dagger hangers. Now let's see how those knowledgable in this area respond. I suspect that they will conclude that this is a non-issue item. I, however, issue or non-issue, see it as part of your Luger and it should be treated as such. Welcome aboard! dju

10-02-2014, 07:59 PM	#3
Shake Rag New User Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	I was just looking at the holster and noticed it's left-handed. It must have been custom made. Who knows...maybe the experts on this forum can give a clue.

10-02-2014, 09:24 PM	#5
Shake Rag New User Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Sheepherder: I never posted this question to do any more than get some answers on the holster. Yes, there is a story behind it, but I'm not trying to sell something. I was only looking to verify the holster was WW2 vintage. The "08" was in this holster when it was given to me. The event he got it was related by his wife to me. I, like you, take any story with a grain of salt. Therefore, my question on the holster. I don't want to think I have something that I assumed was WW2 and find out it was a post war souvenir. He brought this weapon home from Europe and it reportedly stayed in his old footlocker until he died. I was merely trying to ascertain the holster matched the time frame the 08 was liberated. Shake Rag BTW, he wasn't Patton's Chaplain.

10-03-2014, 07:33 PM	#11
rolandtg User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 480 Thanks: 394 Thanked 266 Times in 115 Posts	Very nice holster! That one would be great to use as a pattern to make copies. If that German soldier really saw the whole war he certainly would have wanted to "optimize" his gear.