mint holsters

[lugerholsterrepair]

Tom has helped me on many occasions to determine the authenticity of a holster and I consider him to be one of the few authorities I know on the subject. What he says is true not only for holsters but pistols as well. I have been in a few gunstores around the country in my travels and they have six or eight lugers in the case. I ask why do you have so many? The guy says either old guys bring them in because no one in the family wants his old war trophy or the survivors of an old soldier are bringing them in.


As for telling old from new, that is a study of it's own but if you study as many photos as you can you will begin to get a feel for old and new. Of course I specialize in P08 holsters but I get plenty of others accross my work bench too. Study up and trust your gut. If it's actually "mint" then examine it all the more closely. Even a holster right out of a Sadtlers shop from 1939 Germany can't resist all of the elements that effect it through the years. Color is one determining factor. Look at the color and condition of the inside as you open the top. This is generally left alone and not messed with. Compare that with what you see on Ebay since you know many of those are old and not mint. If you see the piece close up, smell it. Smell every old holster you come accross. They have a distinct smell if they are original and old. (now there's a perversion for all you luger nuts to hang your hat on!)There are many facets of the art that I will not bore you with here but take a good in depth look and if it's suspicious in any way , stay away.Jerry Burney