Rare holster on eBay

Ron Smith · 02-01-2009, 10:13 AM

I just ran across this holster on eBay. It's a 1936 production holster in so,so condition.

It is scarce , if not rare, in that it's unit marked as per Reichswehr format. I can't make out the Company number / Pioneer Batallion 32.

This is one of the first, if not the first, holster of this vintage that I have seen with a unit mark. Unit marking of Army small arms and equipment was ordered to cease in 1934.

Ron

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=110342846819

Don M · 02-01-2009, 02:52 PM

Ron,

I have come to the firm conclusion that the police continued to mark pistols and holsters after the 1937 order to terminate such marking if it was a replacement for a pistol or holster that had been previously marked. In these instances, the marking from the old item was reproduced on the new. Presumably, this would be done only if the old item had been destroyed or lost. The Army may have done something similar.

Ron Smith · 02-01-2009, 03:01 PM

Hi Don,

I suppose it's possible. I've never seen an Army holster with a late (post 1934) date with a unit mark, that I recall. It kind of surprised me when I found it.

Ron

George Anderson · 02-01-2009, 06:14 PM

Ron, there are a few things about that holster that make me very uneasy. First is the size of the numerals and letters. Second the chronology...a 1936 dated holster?

lugerholsterrepair · 02-01-2009, 10:11 PM

I have to agree with George..I don't particularly like the unit mark. Could be legit but it looks hinkey.

Jerry Burney

Ron Smith · 02-01-2009, 10:47 PM

I agree that the numbers look a bit odd. the Pi is correct. It's not being sold as a unit marked holster, and I can't imgine why a booster would choose a Reichswehr mark to put on a Third Reich holster. I also doubt that it would be force matched to a Reichswehr marked pistol since there wouldn't be one marked to the 32nd Pioneers. Hard to say for certain.

Ron

02-01-2009, 10:13 AM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Rare holster on eBay I just ran across this holster on eBay. It's a 1936 production holster in so,so condition. It is scarce , if not rare, in that it's unit marked as per Reichswehr format. I can't make out the Company number / Pioneer Batallion 32. This is one of the first, if not the first, holster of this vintage that I have seen with a unit mark. Unit marking of Army small arms and equipment was ordered to cease in 1934. Ron http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=110342846819 Attached Images __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said... Last edited by Ron Smith; 02-01-2009 at 03:03 PM.

02-01-2009, 02:52 PM	#2
Don M Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,429 Thanks: 67 Thanked 292 Times in 191 Posts	Ron, I have come to the firm conclusion that the police continued to mark pistols and holsters after the 1937 order to terminate such marking if it was a replacement for a pistol or holster that had been previously marked. In these instances, the marking from the old item was reproduced on the new. Presumably, this would be done only if the old item had been destroyed or lost. The Army may have done something similar. __________________ Regards, Don donmaus1@aol.com Author of History Writ in Steel: German Police Markings 1900-1936 http://www.historywritinsteel.com

02-01-2009, 03:01 PM	#3
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Hi Don, I suppose it's possible. I've never seen an Army holster with a late (post 1934) date with a unit mark, that I recall. It kind of surprised me when I found it. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-01-2009, 10:11 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	I have to agree with George..I don't particularly like the unit mark. Could be legit but it looks hinkey. 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."

02-01-2009, 10:47 PM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	I agree that the numbers look a bit odd. the Pi is correct. It's not being sold as a unit marked holster, and I can't imgine why a booster would choose a Reichswehr mark to put on a Third Reich holster. I also doubt that it would be force matched to a Reichswehr marked pistol since there wouldn't be one marked to the 32nd Pioneers. Hard to say for certain. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-01-2009, 06:14 PM	#4
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,771 Thanked 2,527 Times in 786 Posts	Ron, there are a few things about that holster that make me very uneasy. First is the size of the numerals and letters. Second the chronology...a 1936 dated holster?