P08 Holsters - were they ever serialed?

byf43 · 03-19-2005, 02:40 PM

I've heard people talking about P08 holsters serialed to the pistol. Were P08 holsters ever serialed to the pistol? Somehow I find that very unlikely.

Just want to know once and for all if this is all rumors or if those "crazy" Germans really went through all the trouble to serial holsters?

George Anderson · 03-19-2005, 03:06 PM

Mikkel, Parabellum holsters were quite often numbered to the pistol during the Kaiserzeit and Weimar period. Sometimes the holsters were numbered with the pistol's serial number and sometimes with the pistol's unit property number.

The most commonly found numbered holsters are Weimar Police followed by Reichswehr.

Navy · 03-19-2005, 03:09 PM

hi byf43,

Yes, those "crazy" germans did serial number holsters to guns.

Almost ALL German police rigs I have seen had serialed holsters and it is not uncommon to find the "skate key" serialed also.

The Imperial German navy did not as a general rule serial holsters to guns, but I have several that are exceptions. During the Weimar years, serial numbers were sometimes applied to Army pieces and I have owned sereval Weimar Navy rigs that were likewise marked.

As a general rule of thumb, for which exceptions will be found, serial numbering of holsters to guns seems to have died out in the military post 1936.

Just my observations; your mileage may vary, sic semper tyranis, keep out of the reach of children, if symptoms persist, consult your physician, pay no attention to the voices in my head.

Tom A.

tom A.

byf43 · 03-19-2005, 03:30 PM

Thanks a lot. Those answers came quickly

Amazing that they went through the trouble. So it was common before, during and after WWI I presume? What about the 1933-1945 period? This is the period that I mostly deal with. Would a byf42 have a serialed holster?

A related question: Do you know any homepages where P08 holsters are explained, production, markings, colour, types etc.?

Navy · 03-19-2005, 03:49 PM

Hi Again,

Serial numbering of holsters was more than common with polezi; it was virtually universal. I have encountered Imperial and Weimar Army and Navy holsters that were numbered. The Navy ones seem to be more common than the Armys.

During the III Reich, numbering of holsters began to vanish from the military although the odd Navy numbered one pops up from time to time. I haven't seen but a handful of III Reich Heer holsters that were serialed. I believe I have a Luftwaffe holster that is serialed, also. Will check when I get back home.

A byf42 holster would be serial numbered if it were to be polezi issue, however I have seen twogen eral categories of polezi pistols that weren't: Exceptionally late war and Mint, unissued pieces. Bfy military would be out of the ordinary if it was serialed, however exceptions may occurr. One of the things about Lugers is that the conventional wisdom is frequently dead wrong.

Am unaware of any holster pages, but there are some world class Luger lether experts on this board and also on Jan's.

Tom A.

Heinz · 03-19-2005, 04:13 PM

My Weimar police holster has two serial numbers. One matches the current pistol, the other presumably matches an earlier occupant. This holster also has two Unit Ids x'd out on the back of the holster.

Navy · 03-19-2005, 04:14 PM

Heinz,

I remember that rig well.

Tom A.

03-19-2005, 02:40 PM	#1
byf43 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 69 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	P08 Holsters - were they ever serialed? I've heard people talking about P08 holsters serialed to the pistol. Were P08 holsters ever serialed to the pistol? Somehow I find that very unlikely. Just want to know once and for all if this is all rumors or if those "crazy" Germans really went through all the trouble to serial holsters?

03-19-2005, 03:06 PM	#2
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,528 Times in 787 Posts	Mikkel, Parabellum holsters were quite often numbered to the pistol during the Kaiserzeit and Weimar period. Sometimes the holsters were numbered with the pistol's serial number and sometimes with the pistol's unit property number. The most commonly found numbered holsters are Weimar Police followed by Reichswehr.

03-19-2005, 03:09 PM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	hi byf43, Yes, those "crazy" germans did serial number holsters to guns. Almost ALL German police rigs I have seen had serialed holsters and it is not uncommon to find the "skate key" serialed also. The Imperial German navy did not as a general rule serial holsters to guns, but I have several that are exceptions. During the Weimar years, serial numbers were sometimes applied to Army pieces and I have owned sereval Weimar Navy rigs that were likewise marked. As a general rule of thumb, for which exceptions will be found, serial numbering of holsters to guns seems to have died out in the military post 1936. Just my observations; your mileage may vary, sic semper tyranis, keep out of the reach of children, if symptoms persist, consult your physician, pay no attention to the voices in my head. Tom A. tom A.

03-19-2005, 03:30 PM	#4
byf43 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 69 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks a lot. Those answers came quickly Amazing that they went through the trouble. So it was common before, during and after WWI I presume? What about the 1933-1945 period? This is the period that I mostly deal with. Would a byf42 have a serialed holster? A related question: Do you know any homepages where P08 holsters are explained, production, markings, colour, types etc.?

03-19-2005, 03:49 PM	#5
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Hi Again, Serial numbering of holsters was more than common with polezi; it was virtually universal. I have encountered Imperial and Weimar Army and Navy holsters that were numbered. The Navy ones seem to be more common than the Armys. During the III Reich, numbering of holsters began to vanish from the military although the odd Navy numbered one pops up from time to time. I haven't seen but a handful of III Reich Heer holsters that were serialed. I believe I have a Luftwaffe holster that is serialed, also. Will check when I get back home. A byf42 holster would be serial numbered if it were to be polezi issue, however I have seen twogen eral categories of polezi pistols that weren't: Exceptionally late war and Mint, unissued pieces. Bfy military would be out of the ordinary if it was serialed, however exceptions may occurr. One of the things about Lugers is that the conventional wisdom is frequently dead wrong. Am unaware of any holster pages, but there are some world class Luger lether experts on this board and also on Jan's. Tom A.

03-19-2005, 04:13 PM	#6
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 410 Times in 180 Posts	My Weimar police holster has two serial numbers. One matches the current pistol, the other presumably matches an earlier occupant. This holster also has two Unit Ids x'd out on the back of the holster.

03-19-2005, 04:14 PM	#7
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Heinz, I remember that rig well. Tom A.