Radom holster (pre-war)

lew1 · 02-25-2004, 08:36 AM

I saw another interesting holster on ebay. A pre-war Radom holster.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EBBI%3AIT&rd=1

The bidding is up to $511, with the reserve not being met yet. An interesting side light is that the bidders identities are not listed, which keeps them from talking to each other.

It looks like it is in too good a shape to be over 65 years old.

Doubs · 02-25-2004, 12:37 PM

"It looks like it is in too good a shape to be over 65 years old."

There's a 1915 Luger holster on Jan's site that's under discussion and, if anything, it's in even nicer condition. Jerry (Lugerholsterrepair) could give a better explaination of how some leather survives in almost new condition after nearly 90 years. Most obviously doesn't and IMO storage conditions is everything.

Pete Ebbink · 02-25-2004, 02:42 PM

This one has been for sale for some time at nearly $ 1300 :

http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/P...s/hol_0002.JPG

Regards,

Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

Steve Richards · 02-25-2004, 08:05 PM

For coming up with one of the best designs for a pistol, they sure left a lot to be desired for the looks of the holster. It looks perfectly functional, which is the main thing, but the holster lacks in the grace department. Just my opinion.

I have owned a late war version of the gun in the past and it was a great pistol to shoot!

Steve

lugerholsterrepair · 02-25-2004, 08:32 PM

Steve, Holsters in this era were built with utilitarian purposes in mind. The Luger holster was developed when there were no automobiles to speak of and most Soldiering was done in very harsh weather. If you have ever been on a horse on muddy roads you would see, mud is flung everywhere!Wagons would do the same or worse. In the trench warfare of WW1 it was very important to protect the pistol from the elements. The Luger is succeptable to malfunction when dirty and I am sure the Germans had this in mind when designing their excellent holster. The Polish Cavalry obviously saw this as a concern as well.

This Radom holster is very nicely made and while not the most elegant, it serves very well to store the pistol and two extra magazines securely and out of the weather and mud with eight more rounds than the Luger rig had. Could be a life saver in dire circumstances and that is worth a little less elegance don't you think?

This holster was used primarily for the Polish Cavalry as I understand it and was slung around the neck on a strap. Probably held close to the body with the waist belt, like the German
Artillery model. If one were to have a holster for combat duties in harsh conditions I don't believe you could wish for a better one than this.

If one wanted to discuss clunky looking holsters with no style he would have to start with the British or Canadian canvass holsters.

Doubs, You are right, storage and environmental conditions are extremely important. This one is certainly a beauty and very rare as well. It has not seen much use and probably most importantly, someone has not put any oils or goo on it.

Jerry Burney

Steve Richards · 02-26-2004, 08:57 PM

Jerry,

You are undoubtably correct on the fact that the Poles came up with a very good holster for a gun to be carried by cavalry in the field. It will keep the gun and magazines very well protected and fairly easy to draw. Sometimes, utility (the main concern) and good looks can conflict.

I was not trying to demean the holster design. If I was ever to carry a gun into combat I would certainly want it in a holster that will keep it clean and ready for use when my life depends on it.

It is just that the Luger and P-38 holsters do the same thing and look much more elegant (in my opinion).

lew1 · 02-26-2004, 11:57 PM

The holster sold for $1,000.00.

lugerholsterrepair · 02-27-2004, 11:50 AM

Steve, You are certainly right about the P-38 and Luger Holster being much more elegant. The best of the lot are the Artillery and the Imperial 6" Navy holsters. I think it may have a lot to do with the slim barrel portion. The radom does not have that.
Probably just a typo but Calvary is where Jesus died, Cavalry are horse mounted troops....Interesting discussion! Thanks, Jerry Burney

Steve Richards · 02-27-2004, 08:44 PM

Jerry,
You are correct on the spelling mistake! I know better and should have caught it in checking my post.

Congrats to the person who bought the holster. A pre-war Vis is quite rare and the holster is even more so. They had to survive being issued to the Polish troops, fighting the Germans, 6 years of war, and capture after that. It is a miracle even a small number survived!

02-25-2004, 08:36 AM	#1
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	Radom holster (pre-war) I saw another interesting holster on ebay. A pre-war Radom holster. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...EBBI%3AIT&rd=1 The bidding is up to $511, with the reserve not being met yet. An interesting side light is that the bidders identities are not listed, which keeps them from talking to each other. It looks like it is in too good a shape to be over 65 years old. __________________ charlie

02-25-2004, 08:32 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,850 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,426 Posts	Steve, Holsters in this era were built with utilitarian purposes in mind. The Luger holster was developed when there were no automobiles to speak of and most Soldiering was done in very harsh weather. If you have ever been on a horse on muddy roads you would see, mud is flung everywhere!Wagons would do the same or worse. In the trench warfare of WW1 it was very important to protect the pistol from the elements. The Luger is succeptable to malfunction when dirty and I am sure the Germans had this in mind when designing their excellent holster. The Polish Cavalry obviously saw this as a concern as well. This Radom holster is very nicely made and while not the most elegant, it serves very well to store the pistol and two extra magazines securely and out of the weather and mud with eight more rounds than the Luger rig had. Could be a life saver in dire circumstances and that is worth a little less elegance don't you think? This holster was used primarily for the Polish Cavalry as I understand it and was slung around the neck on a strap. Probably held close to the body with the waist belt, like the German Artillery model. If one were to have a holster for combat duties in harsh conditions I don't believe you could wish for a better one than this. If one wanted to discuss clunky looking holsters with no style he would have to start with the British or Canadian canvass holsters. Doubs, You are right, storage and environmental conditions are extremely important. This one is certainly a beauty and very rare as well. It has not seen much use and probably most importantly, someone has not put any oils or goo on it. 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."

02-26-2004, 11:57 PM	#7
lew1 Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 1,108 Thanks: 82 Thanked 204 Times in 112 Posts	The holster sold for $1,000.00. __________________ charlie

02-27-2004, 11:50 AM	#8
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,850 Thanked 3,100 Times in 1,426 Posts	Steve, You are certainly right about the P-38 and Luger Holster being much more elegant. The best of the lot are the Artillery and the Imperial 6" Navy holsters. I think it may have a lot to do with the slim barrel portion. The radom does not have that. Probably just a typo but Calvary is where Jesus died, Cavalry are horse mounted troops....Interesting discussion! 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."

02-25-2004, 12:37 PM	#2
Doubs User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Byron, Georgia Posts: 1,670 Thanks: 769 Thanked 1,614 Times in 525 Posts	"It looks like it is in too good a shape to be over 65 years old." There's a 1915 Luger holster on Jan's site that's under discussion and, if anything, it's in even nicer condition. Jerry (Lugerholsterrepair) could give a better explaination of how some leather survives in almost new condition after nearly 90 years. Most obviously doesn't and IMO storage conditions is everything.

02-25-2004, 02:42 PM	#3
Pete Ebbink User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The USA Posts: 5,919 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 4 Posts	This one has been for sale for some time at nearly $ 1300 : http://www.collectiblefirearms.com/P...s/hol_0002.JPG Regards, Pete... <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" />

02-25-2004, 08:05 PM	#4
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	For coming up with one of the best designs for a pistol, they sure left a lot to be desired for the looks of the holster. It looks perfectly functional, which is the main thing, but the holster lacks in the grace department. Just my opinion. I have owned a late war version of the gun in the past and it was a great pistol to shoot! Steve

02-26-2004, 08:57 PM	#6
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jerry, You are undoubtably correct on the fact that the Poles came up with a very good holster for a gun to be carried by cavalry in the field. It will keep the gun and magazines very well protected and fairly easy to draw. Sometimes, utility (the main concern) and good looks can conflict. I was not trying to demean the holster design. If I was ever to carry a gun into combat I would certainly want it in a holster that will keep it clean and ready for use when my life depends on it. It is just that the Luger and P-38 holsters do the same thing and look much more elegant (in my opinion).

02-27-2004, 08:44 PM	#9
Steve Richards User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Beaverton, Oregon Posts: 487 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jerry, You are correct on the spelling mistake! I know better and should have caught it in checking my post. Congrats to the person who bought the holster. A pre-war Vis is quite rare and the holster is even more so. They had to survive being issued to the Polish troops, fighting the Germans, 6 years of war, and capture after that. It is a miracle even a small number survived!