Is this police holster legit

[grapppa]

I am offering for your inspection and expert opinion a police holster that I'd like to know if its a repro or real. The holster is very light (weightwise), ie. lighter than some repros I've seen. The stud is steel not brass. There is no tool pouch. (I did ask the esteemed Mr. Burney for an opinion which I will post if its all right with Mr B.) Thanks for your time.

Note the dark stitching and the light thread stitching....

[Edward Tinker]

I am not excited by it... But, the stud would be either aluminum or brass, (by memory)

I don't believe made in steel, does a magnet stick to it?

I don't like how the holster loop is so "fresh" looking....

but then I would simply go with what Jerry said....

Could be they "cleaned" it up a lot, i.e. used lots of polish on it...


Ed

[Ron Smith]

Hi Paul,
I regret saying this, but I am 99% certain that it's a repro. The stitching is the give away. It is machine stitched with a synthetic. Notice how even the stitching is and the material is black and shiney. The stitching should look somewhat uneven and the material like twisted flax or hemp, and somewhat flattened.

The leather also looks too crisp and new. It should have some wear and less shine to it. Police holsters were used and abused.

Ron

[lugerholsterrepair]

Paul, It certainly looks original but I have some reservations about some parts of it. There are no markings, the inside color looks unusual,although it looks normal in the out of focus photo. there is no loading tool pouch in the top lid. It has been opened up from the left side to under the mag pouch and repaired with white stitching. The holster was originally made with black. This usually indicates a belt loop replacement. The belt loops look more like WW1 or commercial loops.If they were replaced it was done very well.
The closure tab on the front of the top is sewn with two lines on either side..Not the way they were usually made, only one stitch on a side. This was more appropo for P-38 holsters post war. I cannot see a full view of the front nor the side of the magazine pouch to see if it is notched for a P-08 magazine. The magazine pouch seems quite wide for a Luger and may be wide enough for a P-38.
There is probably another half dozen little peculiarities about it but I don't have time to go into much more detail. It is certainly unusual. It is deffinately not a reproduction in the normal sense. It is a very high quality holster made by an experienced German Saddler. While it has some peculiarities, I believe it is not a Military holster but perhaps a commercial. There are many things right with it and these things are not found on foreign made holsters. The lack of any marking on the back indicate it has never been accepted by the military.
As for the stitching, I cannot see it well enough to state for a certainty that it is linen or cotton or what. It looks to be what it should be except for the white repair stitching. Of note is the stitching accross the back that holds in the bottom of the interior liner panel. Look on either side and you will observe the typical German backstitch of three spaces. You will never see this detail on anything but a period German holster.
The stud is steel...This is not out of the ordinary..These Police holster models were made from the early thirties to the mid 40's and I have seen every type of metal there is used for closure studs. I guess the Saddler used whatever was to hand. Steel, brass, aluminum or cheap zink. I have seen them all.
I could go on and on with small things I see pro and con but I believe this is no repro!
Don't believe a word Ron Smith says unless it's about unit marks....Jerry Burney

[George Anderson]

I agree with Jerry on all the points he made. A full side view of the mag pouch would be most helpful. The most troubling aspect is the lack of maker's marks.

In the end, I think it's a P38 holster. Maybe one of the early transition jobs from 41-42 made up from left over P08 prepared stock.

[Navy]

The mag pouch just screams P-38. I agree with George; it was probably cobbled together from on-hand parts.

Tom A.

[Ron Smith]

Okay Fine,
I'll butt out now! I apologize for being too suspicious. It sure looks a lot like one that I bought a year or so ago. And was told that it was a repro.

I have been put in my place!!

[grapppa]

The mag pouch is notched for a P.08, in fact, it came to me with an excellent G-date era sn 2187-d series WaA 211 magazine.

Jerry,

I will send it to you for inspection and pay for the return postage if you're game.

Pls advise.

[lugerholsterrepair]

Paul, I have many collectors do just that and of course I would not mind but it really seems unnecessary. It is in my opinion a nice holster and it is what it is. You have provided very good photo's and I am sure it is what both Tom and George have aluded too. The parts started out as P08 and they needed P-38's so it is A late conversion. Jerry Burney

[grapppa]

Any guesses on value ?

[Navy]

About $175

Tom A.