matching luger and holster date fact or fiction

[Johnny Peppers]

The sad fact is that once the holster is swapped, no one from then on will know whether it is correct for the pistol or not. I tend to believe that the holster should pre-date the pistol rather than the other way around. The barrels of M1 Rifles were dated, and will normally pre-date the receiver by from one to three months. The barrels could be made up for use at any time, but as soon as a receiver was manufactured it was assembled into a rifle. I would have doubts that a 1939 Luger lay around for two years without being issued. Along the same lines, the most beautiful rig that I have ever seen is a 1938 S/42 that is all matching. The pistol is in a strong 99% condition with a 1938 dated holster in the same condition. This was bought by a friend from the veteran that brought it back. With all components being matching, it would indicate that the pistol was just as issued with a holster built during the same time frame.