AE holster question

Steve Richards · 09-12-2002, 08:41 PM

What holster is apropriate for a 1906 American Eagle with a 4-3/4 inch barrel? It obviously will not fit in a standard hard shell.

Johnny Peppers · 09-12-2002, 09:12 PM

Being a commercial pistol, there was no standard issue holster for the 1906 AE. The holsters were made by many commercial firms in a variety of styles. H.H.Heiser of Denver, Colorado made a lot of holsters for the Luger, but they were in no way patterned after the hardshell holsters. Eugene Bender's book on Luger holsters and accessories has quite a few pictures of holsters made by American manufacturers.

wterrell · 09-12-2002, 10:05 PM

Steve,

Get a message to lugerholsterrepair. He can show you exactly how an American holster should appear. Other than that Bender's book is the best resource (and Johnny is correct).

lugerholsterrepair · 09-13-2002, 12:04 AM

Steve, I am not really an expert on holsters per se but you can find a photo of the U.S. test trials holster in Benders book under U.S. holsters. If I can find the time I will post a photo here tomorrow. Wes says the commercial holster should be like this one but no U.S. stamp on the front. Should work for that type and length of pistol. I do not know of any company that makes a repro of this holster so I am trying to get measurements of one and if I do I will see if I can make a reasonable copy. Will post it on the Forum when I come up with one. Jerry Burney

Doubs · 09-13-2002, 12:40 AM

Steve, a holster that will work perfectly is the Portugese holster for their 1906 model Lugers that they adopted in 1909. They look almost identical to the holster that Lugerholsterrepair illustrates his postings with.

Ron Wood · 09-13-2002, 01:06 AM

Steve,
Don't know what style you are looking for, but El Paso Saddlery makes a very good copy of the 1900 US Test Trials holster. The owner made the pattern from an original trials holster that was brought in to be re-sewn (the holster belonged to the late John Morgan, a long time Luger and early automatic collector. You can see John's consecutive numbered prototype Lugers in Kenyon's Lugers at Random).
The El Paso Saddlery holster can be purchased with and without the US stamp on the flap. I don't have a current catalog, so I can't quote a price.
The El Paso Saddlery address is 2025 E. Yandell, El Paso, TX 79903. Phone (915)544-2233. Web site is www.epsaddlery.com, click on the Military link. There appears to be a problem with their site right now. When you click on an image, the enlarged image and information does not come up.

Jerry,
I have an original Trials holster. Send me an e-mail if you are interested in pursuing making a copy.

Johnny Peppers · 09-13-2002, 10:09 AM

In Bender's book there is a picture of a beautiful holster made by Abercrombie & Fitch for the 4 3/4" barrel Luger and would be approprite for your commercial Luger and could probably be reproduced by Jerry. If you prefer a military holster for your commercial, the holster sold by El Paso Saddlery copied from the Test Trials holster would at least be of US origin.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-13-2002, 09:05 PM

Ron, Johnny, I was not aware that El Paso Saddlery reproduced this holster and I am happy to hear it. I think they make pretty good stuff from what I hear. I really do not want to make anything that is presently on the market as a reproduction. It takes me days to make a holster and they can do it in hours so generally I cannot compete. Getting an original to pattern off of was beginning to become a problem as well. I cannot imagine that there are enough people who collect this type of Luger that making many repro's would be profitable. But as Ellie says, what do I know anyway?

Wes will be happy to hear this as he wants one for a commercial model he has and does not want the U.S. mark .

Ron, Thanks for your generous offer. I may yet talk to you about it someday. I think for right now I will stick to my repairs. They seem to keep me busy enough! Jerry Burney

Johnny Peppers · 09-13-2002, 10:31 PM

Jerry,
Should you ever get Ron's holster and take it apart to make a pattern, please post pictures of the holster spread out on the floor.

Ron Wood · 09-13-2002, 10:37 PM

But don't show them to me! [img]eek.gif[/img]

lugerholsterrepair · 09-14-2002, 12:27 PM

Johnny, While I do indeed have holster parts spread all over my bench and floor it is not necessary to take a holster like the AE apart to pattern it. A few measurements and a paper pattern from the outside will generally do the job. None of the parts are formed and molded such as on the P-08 as it is all flat leather folded over to shape it. No harm would come to the holster from taking a pattern. Jerry Burney

Johnny Peppers · 09-14-2002, 12:47 PM

Jerry,
Just kidding. Hope you knew that I was not serious about taking the hoster apart.

wterrell · 09-14-2002, 04:17 PM

You mean, I didn't have to.......!?

lugerholsterrepair · 09-14-2002, 11:51 PM

Johnny, WHAT? Not serious? I just wanted to enter into a discussion of how you go about such a thing. I have patterned many Luger leather items such as carbine cases. It is of great interest to me and I cannot believe anyone would joke around about such a thing! Why that's akin to blasphemy in my book. I'll have to think over this for awhile and see if I want to continue this conversation if it's going to include jokes! My word! This must be first on the Forum! I will get back to you later , I will be searching the database of the Forum for others who may have perpetrated more of this tomfoolery while I was out buying beer...Jerry

[img]wink.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img]

Steve Richards · 09-17-2002, 08:32 PM

Thank you to all who have answered. I just sent an email to El Paso with some questions. For the price they look like the way to go.

Johnny Peppers · 09-17-2002, 10:31 PM

Jerry,
Take your time in getting back to me. Your explaination of how you make a pattern was most interesting and will keep me entertained for the foreseeable future.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-18-2002, 11:29 AM

Well, Johnny that's better! I was not able, through a diligent search, to find any more hilarity in the forum so your attempt must have been an abnormality. I will have to postpone any discussion of pattern making due to several factors, one I am leaving for Yuma in a week or so and two, it would put most people to sleep.

I am currently sewing together an artillery holster I am making from scratch so that is keeping me busy. Jerry Burney

Johnny Peppers · 09-18-2002, 04:42 PM

Jerry,
As with humor, I guess abnormality is also in the eye of the beholder. Apparently that was your reason for giving me the detailed explaination as to why you wouldn't have to take Ron's holster apart when I apparently made a feeble attempt at humor. I will put one of the little smiley faces on my next attempt at humor to prevent any additional abnormalities.

09-12-2002, 08:41 PM	#1
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	AE holster question What holster is apropriate for a 1906 American Eagle with a 4-3/4 inch barrel? It obviously will not fit in a standard hard shell.

09-12-2002, 10:05 PM	#3
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Steve, Get a message to lugerholsterrepair. He can show you exactly how an American holster should appear. Other than that Bender's book is the best resource (and Johnny is correct). __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

09-13-2002, 12:04 AM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Steve, I am not really an expert on holsters per se but you can find a photo of the U.S. test trials holster in Benders book under U.S. holsters. If I can find the time I will post a photo here tomorrow. Wes says the commercial holster should be like this one but no U.S. stamp on the front. Should work for that type and length of pistol. I do not know of any company that makes a repro of this holster so I am trying to get measurements of one and if I do I will see if I can make a reasonable copy. Will post it on the Forum when I come up with one. 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."

09-13-2002, 01:06 AM	#6
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	Steve, Don't know what style you are looking for, but El Paso Saddlery makes a very good copy of the 1900 US Test Trials holster. The owner made the pattern from an original trials holster that was brought in to be re-sewn (the holster belonged to the late John Morgan, a long time Luger and early automatic collector. You can see John's consecutive numbered prototype Lugers in Kenyon's Lugers at Random). The El Paso Saddlery holster can be purchased with and without the US stamp on the flap. I don't have a current catalog, so I can't quote a price. The El Paso Saddlery address is 2025 E. Yandell, El Paso, TX 79903. Phone (915)544-2233. Web site is www.epsaddlery.com, click on the Military link. There appears to be a problem with their site right now. When you click on an image, the enlarged image and information does not come up. Jerry, I have an original Trials holster. Send me an e-mail if you are interested in pursuing making a copy. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-13-2002, 09:05 PM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Ron, Johnny, I was not aware that El Paso Saddlery reproduced this holster and I am happy to hear it. I think they make pretty good stuff from what I hear. I really do not want to make anything that is presently on the market as a reproduction. It takes me days to make a holster and they can do it in hours so generally I cannot compete. Getting an original to pattern off of was beginning to become a problem as well. I cannot imagine that there are enough people who collect this type of Luger that making many repro's would be profitable. But as Ellie says, what do I know anyway? Wes will be happy to hear this as he wants one for a commercial model he has and does not want the U.S. mark . Ron, Thanks for your generous offer. I may yet talk to you about it someday. I think for right now I will stick to my repairs. They seem to keep me busy enough! 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."

09-12-2002, 09:12 PM	#2
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Being a commercial pistol, there was no standard issue holster for the 1906 AE. The holsters were made by many commercial firms in a variety of styles. H.H.Heiser of Denver, Colorado made a lot of holsters for the Luger, but they were in no way patterned after the hardshell holsters. Eugene Bender's book on Luger holsters and accessories has quite a few pictures of holsters made by American manufacturers.

09-13-2002, 12:40 AM	#5
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,671 Thanks: 772 Thanked 1,617 Times in 526 Posts	Steve, a holster that will work perfectly is the Portugese holster for their 1906 model Lugers that they adopted in 1909. They look almost identical to the holster that Lugerholsterrepair illustrates his postings with.

09-13-2002, 10:09 AM	#7
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	In Bender's book there is a picture of a beautiful holster made by Abercrombie & Fitch for the 4 3/4" barrel Luger and would be approprite for your commercial Luger and could probably be reproduced by Jerry. If you prefer a military holster for your commercial, the holster sold by El Paso Saddlery copied from the Test Trials holster would at least be of US origin.

09-13-2002, 10:31 PM	#9
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Jerry, Should you ever get Ron's holster and take it apart to make a pattern, please post pictures of the holster spread out on the floor.

09-13-2002, 10:37 PM	#10
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	But don't show them to me! [img]eek.gif[/img] __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-14-2002, 12:27 PM	#11
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Johnny, While I do indeed have holster parts spread all over my bench and floor it is not necessary to take a holster like the AE apart to pattern it. A few measurements and a paper pattern from the outside will generally do the job. None of the parts are formed and molded such as on the P-08 as it is all flat leather folded over to shape it. No harm would come to the holster from taking a pattern. 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."

09-14-2002, 12:47 PM	#12
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Jerry, Just kidding. Hope you knew that I was not serious about taking the hoster apart.

09-14-2002, 04:17 PM	#13
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	You mean, I didn't have to.......!? __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

09-14-2002, 11:51 PM	#14
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Johnny, WHAT? Not serious? I just wanted to enter into a discussion of how you go about such a thing. I have patterned many Luger leather items such as carbine cases. It is of great interest to me and I cannot believe anyone would joke around about such a thing! Why that's akin to blasphemy in my book. I'll have to think over this for awhile and see if I want to continue this conversation if it's going to include jokes! My word! This must be first on the Forum! I will get back to you later , I will be searching the database of the Forum for others who may have perpetrated more of this tomfoolery while I was out buying beer...Jerry [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img] [img]wink.gif[/img] __________________ 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."

09-17-2002, 08:32 PM	#15
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thank you to all who have answered. I just sent an email to El Paso with some questions. For the price they look like the way to go.

09-17-2002, 10:31 PM	#16
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Jerry, Take your time in getting back to me. Your explaination of how you make a pattern was most interesting and will keep me entertained for the foreseeable future.

09-18-2002, 11:29 AM	#17
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,761 Thanks: 4,863 Thanked 3,101 Times in 1,427 Posts	Well, Johnny that's better! I was not able, through a diligent search, to find any more hilarity in the forum so your attempt must have been an abnormality. I will have to postpone any discussion of pattern making due to several factors, one I am leaving for Yuma in a week or so and two, it would put most people to sleep. I am currently sewing together an artillery holster I am making from scratch so that is keeping me busy. 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."

09-18-2002, 04:42 PM	#18
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Jerry, As with humor, I guess abnormality is also in the eye of the beholder. Apparently that was your reason for giving me the detailed explaination as to why you wouldn't have to take Ron's holster apart when I apparently made a feeble attempt at humor. I will put one of the little smiley faces on my next attempt at humor to prevent any additional abnormalities.