Can anyone ID this holster?

[Mike B]

A friend asked me what I thought of this holster. My first impression was that it was a home brew. I told him in order to satisify his and my curousity I would put it on the forum and get some expert opinions. It is rather interesting in that some GI took the time to write him name, address and serial number on the holster. His name is or was PVT. DeWitt Barefield, ASN 39075994, then his address, then the date of Sept 1st, '45. The person who owns the holster says when he first discovered it, there was a Luger in the holster, and he purchased it just that way. There are no other marks on the holster such as government or military stamps. There in no doubt that it is not a luger holster. My question is: does anyone recognize this holster? Or has anyone seen one like it before? Is this regular production from any country or army? Did this GI find an old holster someone made? Thanks Mike

[lugerholsterrepair]

Mike, are the rivets used hollow on the underside?
This holster shows some early charecteristics. The belt loops are similar to early Reichsrevolver straps in their placement. The long closure strap and buckle indicate early design as well. The toe is quite large for a thin barrel....I am guessing a private purchase as I know of no Government that produced a holster such as this. I also think it is German.
Let me know about the rivets. Jerry Burney

[Mike B]

Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the informative reply. The rivets are hollow. I do appreciate your interest and let me know if more pictures would help.

Mike

[lugerholsterrepair]

Mike, Hollow rivets put it in a later time frame. Solid rivets were the norm on German holsters at the turn of the Century to the late 1920's early thirties.You will see nice examples of solid rivets on Artillery holsters and the attaching leathers.
You will begin to see hollow rivets appear on many holsters produced in the WW2 era. I cannot say what this holster was made for originally but I can say it was made about 1935 or after, up to 1945.
It also has what might be termed a US 1911A1 type of top flap. Some holster maker might have been influenced by this US design. I suspect that the wide barrel and toe of the holster indicates it was made for an Auto pistol. All pure speculation of course....Jerry Burney

[Edward Tinker]

I was hoping Jerry would reply. My first impression when I saw this the other day, was that it was US GI based. It looks like something a GI would tell a leather or holster maker in Germany to make at the GI's direction and thoughts of a "secure" holster.

Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

I expect Ed is as right as any. You might try a 1911A1 in it and see if it fits. The angle of the grip will fit better than a Luger I suspect. Jerry Burney