Ideal stock/holster rig

Dwight Gruber · 09-03-2003, 04:00 AM

At Reno I managed to make a couple of good trades and picked up an Ideal holster/stock and a set of grips.

The holster is well-used, the leather bears the imprint of having held a Luger and ridden on someone's hip for a long, long time.

Although it is not a prime specimen, it is completely appropriate to my hard-use 1900 American Eagle--buffed out, re-blued, original grips hand-worn, barrel shot smooth. As a rig they comprise a pistol and holster which have been used actively for much of their life, not kept pristine in a drawer somewhere. All things considered, this may be the most satisfying Luger acquisition I have made.

As can be seen, the holster does not have a belt clip, but I do have a line on one.

What steps should I take for conservation of this holster? The leather is clean, the interior of the holster and the exterior edges which the previous occupant pistol impressed (expressed?) have sueded. The leather is still somewhat flexible, but is beginning to harden as can be seen from the cracks beginning to form.

I don't know how flexible the leather on these holsters was originally (this is the only Ideal holster I have ever examined). What, if anything, would be best to do with this leather?

Also, what is that little steel loop at the top-rear of the holster for?

--Dwight

drbuster · 09-03-2003, 09:20 AM

Great find Dwight! Was this the holster Ralph had on his table? I guess Connely's Hide Food would be the stuff to use to condition the leather, at least that's what Jerry Burney has been telling me to use for other holster leather. It should fix up this great acquisition of yours. Good luck with it--enjoy. You have a great historical rig. As for the steel loop, maybe Ron Wood could help.

Dwight Gruber · 09-03-2003, 11:43 AM

Doc,

Nope, not Ralph's, Doug Coffey walked by and offered it to me. Its probably too beat up for Ralph.

--Dwight

Edward Tinker · 09-03-2003, 11:49 AM

Now you have a nice ensemble Dwight!

Ed

lugerholsterrepair · 09-03-2003, 12:33 PM

Dwight, Really nice setup.

To answer your question, the best way to preserve this leather is to not flex it any more than possible. Where it is sueded through the shiney outside epidermis, the leather is breaking down and nothing on the Planet will really improve this condition.

Most of us think in terms of applying something to improve leather but there is another side to leather preservation and that is storage and use. It is important not to flex the leather because every time it is bent the leather fibers that are left exposed seperate and break. Connoly's or any other leather treatment is not going to stop this from happening. Sadly leather gets into a condition that cannot be retrieved. It can only be preserved from getting worse.

I would treat the outside with a little Connoly's where it still has the shiney surface but would stay away from the sueded areas. I would not treat the inside at all. Proper storage and gentle handeling is going to be your best friend in this fight. Dark dry storage in a seperate container so it will not be crushed in any way. I gently stuff some plastic grocery bags into my holsters to retain their shape. Good Luck! Jerry Burney

Ron Wood · 09-03-2003, 12:49 PM

With respect to care of the holster, I would think that from the appearance of the leather, an application of Connoly's would be in order. I have never used that product (mostly because I haven't been able to find any locally and I haven't shopped the internet yet) but if Jerry recommends it, it has to be OK. Hardening of the leather is helped by treating with a leather care product, but to add extra support and maintain the shape, I made a wooden "shoe tree" to fit inside the holser. That guards against accidental crushing of the holster, and can be removed for demo or display. Probably overkill, but it seemed like a good idea.

That's a really nice looking rig Dwight. Looks like they have been together forever. I do not know for sure what the purpose of that little steel loop is, but I suspect it is for a supplemental lanyard or sholder strap. You will note that there is a small hole on the bottom rear on each side of the holster that seems to have no purpose. Actually there was a small threaded post with a ring (like a small key ring) attached that screwed into this hole on either side (could be switched like the belt clip) that could act as a second attachment point for a strap. Neither of my holsters have this post, and I have only seen them in pictures. The were not strongly attached, plus they rattled, so I think most of them have been removed and subsequently lost.

lugerholsterrepair · 09-03-2003, 07:33 PM

Ron, You certainly are the industrious type...A wood form.Sounds like quite a bit of work. I have thought of this but how do you avoid the lifting strap? Jerry Burney

Ron Wood · 09-03-2003, 07:50 PM

The Ideal holster doesn't have a lifting strap. I haven't made a wooden form for any of my other holsters, but they are in better condition than the Ideal holster. I figured it was a prudent move to stabilize the Ideal holster a bit because the leather is rather thin and subject to flexing when you hold it to extend the telescoping parts plus the little bit of tension that is exerted by the belt clip. Like I said, it is probably overkill, but it was fun to do.

Dwight Gruber · 09-03-2003, 09:44 PM

So -thats- what those little holes are for.

Thanks, guys, for the good advice.

--Dwight

lugerholsterrepair · 09-03-2003, 11:33 PM

Ron, OK I am the knucklehead here....For the Ideal Holster! I guess I should pay attention more often...Thanks, Jerry Burney

09-03-2003, 04:00 AM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Ideal stock/holster rig At Reno I managed to make a couple of good trades and picked up an Ideal holster/stock and a set of grips. The holster is well-used, the leather bears the imprint of having held a Luger and ridden on someone's hip for a long, long time. Although it is not a prime specimen, it is completely appropriate to my hard-use 1900 American Eagle--buffed out, re-blued, original grips hand-worn, barrel shot smooth. As a rig they comprise a pistol and holster which have been used actively for much of their life, not kept pristine in a drawer somewhere. All things considered, this may be the most satisfying Luger acquisition I have made. As can be seen, the holster does not have a belt clip, but I do have a line on one. What steps should I take for conservation of this holster? The leather is clean, the interior of the holster and the exterior edges which the previous occupant pistol impressed (expressed?) have sueded. The leather is still somewhat flexible, but is beginning to harden as can be seen from the cracks beginning to form. I don't know how flexible the leather on these holsters was originally (this is the only Ideal holster I have ever examined). What, if anything, would be best to do with this leather? Also, what is that little steel loop at the top-rear of the holster for? --Dwight

09-03-2003, 11:49 AM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,916 Thanks: 1,995 Thanked 4,507 Times in 2,081 Posts	Now you have a nice ensemble Dwight! Ed __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

09-03-2003, 12:33 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,868 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Dwight, Really nice setup. To answer your question, the best way to preserve this leather is to not flex it any more than possible. Where it is sueded through the shiney outside epidermis, the leather is breaking down and nothing on the Planet will really improve this condition. Most of us think in terms of applying something to improve leather but there is another side to leather preservation and that is storage and use. It is important not to flex the leather because every time it is bent the leather fibers that are left exposed seperate and break. Connoly's or any other leather treatment is not going to stop this from happening. Sadly leather gets into a condition that cannot be retrieved. It can only be preserved from getting worse. I would treat the outside with a little Connoly's where it still has the shiney surface but would stay away from the sueded areas. I would not treat the inside at all. Proper storage and gentle handeling is going to be your best friend in this fight. Dark dry storage in a seperate container so it will not be crushed in any way. I gently stuff some plastic grocery bags into my holsters to retain their shape. Good Luck! 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."

09-03-2003, 12:49 PM	#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: 6,989 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	With respect to care of the holster, I would think that from the appearance of the leather, an application of Connoly's would be in order. I have never used that product (mostly because I haven't been able to find any locally and I haven't shopped the internet yet) but if Jerry recommends it, it has to be OK. Hardening of the leather is helped by treating with a leather care product, but to add extra support and maintain the shape, I made a wooden "shoe tree" to fit inside the holser. That guards against accidental crushing of the holster, and can be removed for demo or display. Probably overkill, but it seemed like a good idea. That's a really nice looking rig Dwight. Looks like they have been together forever. I do not know for sure what the purpose of that little steel loop is, but I suspect it is for a supplemental lanyard or sholder strap. You will note that there is a small hole on the bottom rear on each side of the holster that seems to have no purpose. Actually there was a small threaded post with a ring (like a small key ring) attached that screwed into this hole on either side (could be switched like the belt clip) that could act as a second attachment point for a strap. Neither of my holsters have this post, and I have only seen them in pictures. The were not strongly attached, plus they rattled, so I think most of them have been removed and subsequently lost. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-03-2003, 07:33 PM	#7
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,868 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Ron, You certainly are the industrious type...A wood form.Sounds like quite a bit of work. I have thought of this but how do you avoid the lifting strap? 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."

09-03-2003, 09:20 AM	#2
drbuster User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Mateo, California Posts: 1,432 Thanks: 2 Thanked 71 Times in 56 Posts	Great find Dwight! Was this the holster Ralph had on his table? I guess Connely's Hide Food would be the stuff to use to condition the leather, at least that's what Jerry Burney has been telling me to use for other holster leather. It should fix up this great acquisition of yours. Good luck with it--enjoy. You have a great historical rig. As for the steel loop, maybe Ron Wood could help.

09-03-2003, 11:43 AM	#3
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	Doc, Nope, not Ralph's, Doug Coffey walked by and offered it to me. Its probably too beat up for Ralph. --Dwight

09-03-2003, 07:50 PM	#8
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: 6,989 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	The Ideal holster doesn't have a lifting strap. I haven't made a wooden form for any of my other holsters, but they are in better condition than the Ideal holster. I figured it was a prudent move to stabilize the Ideal holster a bit because the leather is rather thin and subject to flexing when you hold it to extend the telescoping parts plus the little bit of tension that is exerted by the belt clip. Like I said, it is probably overkill, but it was fun to do. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

09-03-2003, 09:44 PM	#9
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,890 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,282 Times in 424 Posts	So -thats- what those little holes are for. Thanks, guys, for the good advice. --Dwight

09-03-2003, 11:33 PM	#10
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,763 Thanks: 4,868 Thanked 3,105 Times in 1,429 Posts	Ron, OK I am the knucklehead here....For the Ideal Holster! I guess I should pay attention more often...Thanks, 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."