Advice on first Luger purchase, please?

Vlim · 08-18-2008, 05:41 PM

Hi Bob,

The Holster itself, including the markings is German Army production (epf: Koenigs- u. Bismarckhuette AG, Werk FalvaHuette in Schwientochlowitz, Poland). When the Germans left Norway, a whole stockpile of equipment was left behind and the Norwegians took a very pragmatic view. They just started using the old German equipment themselves.

When they switched to the US-Style NATO field gear, including the US style web belts, the holsters had to be modified to make sure they could be attached to the US style belts. The leather loops on the back of the holster were cut off and a square leather piece, holding a metal web belt attaching piece was rivited to the back of the holster.

Norwegian soldiers in the 1970s. Note the P08 holster and the belt.

These holsters came on the market the last 10 years or so and many were restored to their former configuration. The web belt attachment was removed, the loops were replaced and the holes left behind by the rivets were plugged in. Since many different people worked on these holsters, the quality of the alterations differs from 'vary bad' to 'very good'. This holster is somewhere in between, it seems. Not too badly done.

In my opinion the 'Norwegian' hoster in the Norwegian configuration (with the web belt hanger in place) has a certain, although low, collector version. The restored holsters are just that: restored and in my eyes have a value that's lower than the Norwegian configuration and much, much lower than a holster in original condition.

This is how the back of the holster would have looked while in Norwegian service:

08-18-2008, 05:41 PM	#4
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,053 Thanks: 1,036 Thanked 3,991 Times in 1,205 Posts	Hi Bob, The Holster itself, including the markings is German Army production (epf: Koenigs- u. Bismarckhuette AG, Werk FalvaHuette in Schwientochlowitz, Poland). When the Germans left Norway, a whole stockpile of equipment was left behind and the Norwegians took a very pragmatic view. They just started using the old German equipment themselves. When they switched to the US-Style NATO field gear, including the US style web belts, the holsters had to be modified to make sure they could be attached to the US style belts. The leather loops on the back of the holster were cut off and a square leather piece, holding a metal web belt attaching piece was rivited to the back of the holster. Norwegian soldiers in the 1970s. Note the P08 holster and the belt. These holsters came on the market the last 10 years or so and many were restored to their former configuration. The web belt attachment was removed, the loops were replaced and the holes left behind by the rivets were plugged in. Since many different people worked on these holsters, the quality of the alterations differs from 'vary bad' to 'very good'. This holster is somewhere in between, it seems. Not too badly done. In my opinion the 'Norwegian' hoster in the Norwegian configuration (with the web belt hanger in place) has a certain, although low, collector version. The restored holsters are just that: restored and in my eyes have a value that's lower than the Norwegian configuration and much, much lower than a holster in original condition. This is how the back of the holster would have looked while in Norwegian service: