Death's Head holster #1

mp44 · 07-22-2007, 07:47 PM

I know these are controversial. I saw this one at the gunshow yesterday. The guy said his wife's father brought it back from the war. It was not for sale. Thanks.

lugerholsterrepair · 07-22-2007, 08:30 PM

Danny, Quite the holster! I would love to see a photo of the back. These are not as controversial as you might believe. There is a very nice period photo of a German Policeman wearing one.
Without holding this holster I could not comment on it's authenticity 100%.
From what I see here it looks to be authentic. One would have to compare known examples to this one...
I have never seen a DH stamped this deeply. It is in the right place and about the right size. The newness of it and it's depth concerns me...
Do you know if the fellow also had the pistol that came in it?
Do you have any other photo's?
Thanks for sharing. Jerry Burney

Navy · 07-22-2007, 08:33 PM

I agree with my airborne comrade. I have owned several and it looks, superficially at least, legit.

The key would be the small, stitching and a couple of other points that I will keep under my hat.

Tom A

Ron Wood · 07-22-2007, 08:46 PM

These have been around for a while. I saw my first one in 1980. It had a DH Luger in it. The hoster was good, I'm not so sure about the Luger.

Pete Ebbink · 07-22-2007, 09:09 PM

Here's one on Leon DeSpain's web site in his gallery section :

http://lmd-militaria.com/page74.html

Imperial Arms · 07-23-2007, 12:23 PM

This is outside my field of expertise, but if I compare the DH with features I have observed on other (Third Reich) holsters, it looks legit to me, but I could be wrong. The details, such as the teeth marks, appear sharp which is a positive mark. The DH holster on Leon's web site also appears correct, and in some cases, the detail on the stamp/logo will 'lift' as the leather 'swells'. This 'swelling' could be the result of exposure to excessive humidity from the environment (during the war) or the use of wrong cleaning products. I have observed similar reactions to markings such as those on NSDAP holsters (i.e. PL, NSKK and SA) where the stamp is rather large.

If this DH holster is a fake, I would expect to see more holsters with the same exact marking because I do not believe that somebody would go to the trouble of making a perfect stamp just for one holster.

Albert

mp44 · 07-23-2007, 08:39 PM

Sorry for the delay, I'm trying to find out more about the Luger. A friend of mine described it as a 1929 Sneek. The gun was in the 7000 # serial range. Grip strap was marked, "P.D." with a 3 digit #. Gun was overall excellent with the exception of the stock lug being ground. Jerry, I should see the holster again in about a month. I'll get a picture of the back and hopefully some pictures of the gun. Thanks for everybody's replies.

lugerholsterrepair · 07-23-2007, 08:58 PM

Danny, That would be much appreciated. Also inside the top where the stamp is would be helpful. Interesting piece..Too bad about the stock lug...Jerry Burney

07-22-2007, 08:30 PM	#2
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,865 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Danny, Quite the holster! I would love to see a photo of the back. These are not as controversial as you might believe. There is a very nice period photo of a German Policeman wearing one. Without holding this holster I could not comment on it's authenticity 100%. From what I see here it looks to be authentic. One would have to compare known examples to this one... I have never seen a DH stamped this deeply. It is in the right place and about the right size. The newness of it and it's depth concerns me... Do you know if the fellow also had the pistol that came in it? Do you have any other photo's? Thanks for sharing. Jerry Burney __________________ 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."

07-22-2007, 08:46 PM	#4
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	These have been around for a while. I saw my first one in 1980. It had a DH Luger in it. The hoster was good, I'm not so sure about the Luger. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

07-23-2007, 08:58 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,865 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Danny, That would be much appreciated. Also inside the top where the stamp is would be helpful. Interesting piece..Too bad about the stock lug...Jerry Burney __________________ 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."

07-22-2007, 07:47 PM	#1
mp44 User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: usa Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Death's Head holster #1 I know these are controversial. I saw this one at the gunshow yesterday. The guy said his wife's father brought it back from the war. It was not for sale. Thanks.

07-22-2007, 08:33 PM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	I agree with my airborne comrade. I have owned several and it looks, superficially at least, legit. The key would be the small, stitching and a couple of other points that I will keep under my hat. Tom A

07-22-2007, 09:09 PM	#5
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Here's one on Leon DeSpain's web site in his gallery section : http://lmd-militaria.com/page74.html

07-23-2007, 12:23 PM	#6
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	This is outside my field of expertise, but if I compare the DH with features I have observed on other (Third Reich) holsters, it looks legit to me, but I could be wrong. The details, such as the teeth marks, appear sharp which is a positive mark. The DH holster on Leon's web site also appears correct, and in some cases, the detail on the stamp/logo will 'lift' as the leather 'swells'. This 'swelling' could be the result of exposure to excessive humidity from the environment (during the war) or the use of wrong cleaning products. I have observed similar reactions to markings such as those on NSDAP holsters (i.e. PL, NSKK and SA) where the stamp is rather large. If this DH holster is a fake, I would expect to see more holsters with the same exact marking because I do not believe that somebody would go to the trouble of making a perfect stamp just for one holster. Albert

07-23-2007, 08:39 PM	#7
mp44 User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: usa Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry for the delay, I'm trying to find out more about the Luger. A friend of mine described it as a 1929 Sneek. The gun was in the 7000 # serial range. Grip strap was marked, "P.D." with a 3 digit #. Gun was overall excellent with the exception of the stock lug being ground. Jerry, I should see the holster again in about a month. I'll get a picture of the back and hopefully some pictures of the gun. Thanks for everybody's replies.