Early Luger Holster

abukafura · 01-09-2008, 02:48 PM

I just picked up this holster and would like any ideas Forum members could offer about it. It is totally UNMARKED. It has thread holes on the front where it appears a former strap has been removed, perhaps similar to an artillery closing strap. Leather is in beautiful condition. Buckle part of the closing strap is also unusual, as it is not sewed on tightly to the body but has about 1" of loose leather. Leather is an unusual pebble grain. If anyone has "Luger: The International Pistol" book, the leather is almost exactly the same as on page 95 of the book. The holster came with a 4 digit ns serialed 1st Issue millitary, also in very nice condition. I have not seen an early Luger holster with this type of leather before. Is it an early holster ....or what? Any ideas/comments?

John Sabato · 01-09-2008, 04:54 PM

Please attempt to post photos of your holster... without actually seeing it, I am afraid that a guess is all you will receive. A photo of the front, back, and top open would provide a wealth of information that could define when and by whom it was made and for what purpose...

Edward Tinker · 01-09-2008, 05:00 PM

John, Herman just caught me away from my house

he takes good pictures, the posting of them he has trouble

Ed

abukafura · 01-09-2008, 06:25 PM

I tried to have the photos and narrative arrive on the website at the same time. I made a mistake in the address when I asked Ed to insert photos for me on the Forum and, as a result, there was a delay in getting them posted. Other Forum members must have the same thoughts as you did. Sorry!!! And....thanks again, Ed, for the help.

Lugerdoc · 01-10-2008, 09:53 AM

Herman, Your holster certainly does appear to have been reworked from a pull down closure strap (presumably with a stud on flap) to a later PO8 style strap & buckle system. I wonder if the new closure strap is sewn over the previous hole for the stud, or whether the whole top has been replaced? If so, that is where the previous issue/maker marks were placed. I see stitching holes where a cleaning rod pouch was previously installed, so that would rule out conversion from a Navy or LPO8 holster, so probably just a later conversion of a non-standard WW1 PO8 holster. TH

abukafura · 01-10-2008, 12:35 PM

Tom: I have relooked this holster again. I don't see the stitching holes for the cleaning rod you mentioned. Also, there is no evidence of a closing stud ever having been on the flap, no evidence outside or on inside. Stitching on the closing strap and buckle strap is orginal and very nicely done. That leaves the question of the stitching holes on the front body. I can't help but think this holster was made/converted from something else and the holes on the body front are left over from whatever it was made from. I don't think that once this holster was put together it was ever modified again. I think the stitching holes were there when this holster was put into its current configuration. Here are a couple other points: the corners of the flap are SEWN with four stitches, not totally moulded like most holsters, and the mag pouch is not pebble grained like the rest of the holster, but has more of the courduroy texture and appearance we saw on another recent posting on the Forum. I really like this holster, I just am not sure what it is. Thanks for your input.

John Sabato · 01-10-2008, 01:24 PM

It is my opinion that this is a commercial aftermarket or reproduction holster. The belt loops are installed to make the holster hang straight and they are normally installed at a slight angle... It looks too new inside to me for a holster as old at the gun... Just my $0.02

01-09-2008, 02:48 PM	#1
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	Early Luger Holster I just picked up this holster and would like any ideas Forum members could offer about it. It is totally UNMARKED. It has thread holes on the front where it appears a former strap has been removed, perhaps similar to an artillery closing strap. Leather is in beautiful condition. Buckle part of the closing strap is also unusual, as it is not sewed on tightly to the body but has about 1" of loose leather. Leather is an unusual pebble grain. If anyone has "Luger: The International Pistol" book, the leather is almost exactly the same as on page 95 of the book. The holster came with a 4 digit ns serialed 1st Issue millitary, also in very nice condition. I have not seen an early Luger holster with this type of leather before. Is it an early holster ....or what? Any ideas/comments?

01-09-2008, 04:54 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Please attempt to post photos of your holster... without actually seeing it, I am afraid that a guess is all you will receive. A photo of the front, back, and top open would provide a wealth of information that could define when and by whom it was made and for what purpose... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-09-2008, 05:00 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	John, Herman just caught me away from my house he takes good pictures, the posting of them he has trouble 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

01-10-2008, 09:53 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Herman, Your holster certainly does appear to have been reworked from a pull down closure strap (presumably with a stud on flap) to a later PO8 style strap & buckle system. I wonder if the new closure strap is sewn over the previous hole for the stud, or whether the whole top has been replaced? If so, that is where the previous issue/maker marks were placed. I see stitching holes where a cleaning rod pouch was previously installed, so that would rule out conversion from a Navy or LPO8 holster, so probably just a later conversion of a non-standard WW1 PO8 holster. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

01-10-2008, 01:24 PM	#7
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	It is my opinion that this is a commercial aftermarket or reproduction holster. The belt loops are installed to make the holster hang straight and they are normally installed at a slight angle... It looks too new inside to me for a holster as old at the gun... Just my $0.02 __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

01-09-2008, 06:25 PM	#4
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	I tried to have the photos and narrative arrive on the website at the same time. I made a mistake in the address when I asked Ed to insert photos for me on the Forum and, as a result, there was a delay in getting them posted. Other Forum members must have the same thoughts as you did. Sorry!!! And....thanks again, Ed, for the help.

01-10-2008, 12:35 PM	#6
abukafura Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, near Greeen Bay Posts: 327 Thanks: 1,314 Thanked 89 Times in 57 Posts	Tom: I have relooked this holster again. I don't see the stitching holes for the cleaning rod you mentioned. Also, there is no evidence of a closing stud ever having been on the flap, no evidence outside or on inside. Stitching on the closing strap and buckle strap is orginal and very nicely done. That leaves the question of the stitching holes on the front body. I can't help but think this holster was made/converted from something else and the holes on the body front are left over from whatever it was made from. I don't think that once this holster was put together it was ever modified again. I think the stitching holes were there when this holster was put into its current configuration. Here are a couple other points: the corners of the flap are SEWN with four stitches, not totally moulded like most holsters, and the mag pouch is not pebble grained like the rest of the holster, but has more of the courduroy texture and appearance we saw on another recent posting on the Forum. I really like this holster, I just am not sure what it is. Thanks for your input.