Curious Shoulder Holster...

[Pete Ebbink]

This one was on e-Bay last week and finally closed for $ 320.00 (I dropped out 3/4 of the way...).

Not sure if it was really a bonefide WWII piece or not...but I thought it looked "period" and certainly well made.

I am posting the photos, here, in case some members might have missed the e-Bay posting...







Regards,

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

[wterrell]

That is a strange 'put-together' for what should be a simple holster. There is more stitching than can be justified by necessity.
Reminds me of cowboy boots.
Without knowing more of this holster, I would not date it to pre-1950.

[Imperial Arms]

Hello Pete,

In my opinion, it appears to be a commercial shoulder holster marketed in the US around the mid 1920's or maybe early 1930's. I draw this opinion because the stitching does not appear to be German.

Best wishes,
Albert

[Pete Ebbink]

Guys,

I noticed the use of real linen threading...and Jerry B. noticed (off Forum) that the leather might have been something else in a former life...thus the "extra" stitching lines with no threads...

I liked the fact that is was fully lined...

I was willing to throw away some money on this "curio", but not when it went over $ 280...

Regards,

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

[Pete Ebbink]

Well...the first auction sale fell through and it was offered again...

I won at just a bit over $ 200...should have it home this week.

I know this is not a Germany period piece (got a nice warning email from a LF member).

I just wanted it for its "curio" status and thought it well-made...nothing more.

I will plan to travel with this one to the Tulsa gun show in April if any folks want to see it in person...

Regards,

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

[lugerholsterrepair]

Pete, Congrats! Nice holster whatever it is. I agree with Wes that the method of construction is overkill and a difficult way to make a holster.

Albert, Just out of curiosity, what are your reasonings to determine that the stitching is not German? Thanks, Jerry Burney

[Imperial Arms]

Hello Jerry,
I have never seen 'angled' stitching on a German holster, and the main thread around the edges appears too thick, unless it is a very late period holster. I could be wrong in my assumption/opinion, but just my two cents worth.

Cheers,
Albert

[lugerholsterrepair]

Albert, Thanks, Always curious to find out other peoples take on a particular item.

The angled stitching does seem peculiar to me as well but in general the stitching is certainly German in appearance. The way the thread comes over the edges, the flat stitching on the straps etc all look like common German patterns.

Actually the angled stitching is found on many pre 45 German leather items, such as the Artillery boot and Sniper scope covers to name just two that come to mind immediately.

Thick thread is more common in later holsters from the 1940's on. Earlier holsters seem to have thinner thread as a rule and Imperial Navy holsters use very thin thread. I don't see that many German Commercial holsters so cannot really determine their charecteristics for sure.

What is odd about this holster, which supports Wes's timeline, is the closure snap. This was not a commonly used method of closure on pre 45 holsters. If this is original to the holster, which it looks like, I would have to agree that it might be post war.

It seems like an unusual holster for a shoulder carry, too long and too thick for concealment.

Interesting holster at any rate. Thanks for your opinion, I appreciate it. Jerry Burney

[Lugerdoc]

Ed, Admittedly a strange, but well constructed holster. It appears to be for a broomhandle of some type, possibly of Chinese construction. Th

[Imperial Arms]

Hello Jerry,

I do agree with your previous post regarding the thicker thread used in the 1940's, but I must admit that I have not examined other German leather items to make a useful opinion regarding the various styles of stitching used during that era - I guess that I am just an old imperial fellow!

Cheers,
Albert

[Pete Ebbink]

Hello Tom,

Your eye may have caught something we all missed...as soon as this holster comes home, I will try her out with some 4" and 4-3/4" pistols and will report back...

The amount of leather around the trigger guard does look like it has a bit too much real estate for a luger...

If it is for a broomhandle-type pistol, I may bring it to Tulsa and try to trade/sell it off. But I will wait to see how it fits with a luger first...

Albert/Jerry; I appreciate your thoughts and opinions. Love how I learn stuff from you guys all the time...!

Regards,

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

[Imperial Arms]

Hello Pete,

I doubt it is for a Mauser Broomhandle, unless it can fit a Bolo 6-Shot which was not made in the 1940's. According to the image, a 10-shot Broomandle will not fit in the shoulder holster.

Let us know the results of your fitting.

All the best,
Albert

[Lugerdoc]

Albert, I agree that a standard C96 or M1930 broom, probably won't fit this holster, but the wear marks at the top rear front could indicate either a bolo bolo stop, a luger toggle or perhaps even a T14 Nambu, which best fit the outline of the grips. Any experts out there an expert on Japanese made shoulder holsters? TH

[Pete Ebbink]

Well the holster is "home" and here is the update :

It fits a 4" bbl like a glove on the hand. Very tight but yet easy to remove/replace the luger. The luger's trigger guard fills out this portion of the holster in true custom-fit fashion. Will take a 4-3/4" bbl. luger but the top flap will then no longer snap closed.

The inside surfaces of the holster has two "rusted" imprints where a luger and its toggle knobs sat for a long time (I hate to think about the condition of the luger...)

The coarser stitching is composed of linen-hemp thread as one can see the individual fibers that comprise the stitching. There is also a very fine stitching that runs along the chest-strap of the holster...which is also made up of very fine linen-hemp and one can see the fibers as well (under a 10x loupe...). And some of the "lines" that appear to be sticthing holes with their sticthing removed are acutally lines of the more fine stitching in place...

No markings or stampings on the leather at all. It is fully lined all the way down the inside of the hoster to where the tip of the barrel would come to rest. The inside of the leather does smell like a old pair of worn shoes...

On the inside of the metal snap/button (on the back side of the stud half), the metal is struck with "United CARR"...(so I am guessing British???)..the brass is very old and patina'd.

One more thing...this shoulder rig was made for a very "slightly" built person. Maybe a suit size 36 or 38 mens. I am 5'9" and weigh 175# and wear a suit size 43 regular. I can barely get my arm and shoulder into the rig and I fill out the chest strap (too much time in the gym...)...so maybe it was built for a very small, slender pilot...?

Anyways...I am happy with this curio and have decided to keep her...

Regards,

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

[lugerholsterrepair]

Pete, Thanks for the update on this unusual holster. Glad you like it.

I would suspect it was made for a slight build. Most of the young men fighting wars are slightly built compared to us! Jerry Burney

[Pete Ebbink]

Here are some photos showing how my "Black Widow" fits in the shoudler holster. Looks like it had a magazine pouch sew to the front of the holster, a pouch with a closure flap. Or maybe a pouch for a pilot's cigar...?





Regards,

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

[Adam]

Pete, This looks like an excellent holster, too bad the straps are not sized correctly for you. Still it is a very interesting peice. I have looked over the pics closely and I feel the "extra stitching" is for a mag (correct me if I am wrong). If at one time it was for a mag, it would be nice to find pictures of another one like it (if there was another ever made) and have Jerry Burney complete it for you.

[Pete Ebbink]

Just noticed on Chuck Whittaker's web site, he shows a M1900 commerical holster made by a firm in Oregon with metal snaps made by "United CARR" as well...same as my odd little shoulder holster...

Look in his "Accessories" and "Holster" sections :

http://landofborchardt.com/

Regards,

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