Need Help Identifying Holster

Aaron · 03-18-2001, 02:58 PM

I have an unusual Luger holster which I would like identified. The front strap appears to be of police configuration in that it is attached to the lower part of the holster and snaps over a brass button on the flap. The back has a nice, clear eagle swastika over WaA 145, and a sharp 1937 date. Instead of a maker's name there is a large script letter "L" intertwined with a smaller script letter "B" which is a marking I have never seen before(I may be wrong on what the letters are, but they do look like an L and a B). The holster is in good shape except for some loose stitching on the flap, and I will be putting it up for sale soon, but would like to put a name to it. Anyone know what I have?

Marvin · 03-18-2001, 04:57 PM

Aaron,

From your description, it does sound like a Police holster. Prior to about 1939/1940 time, the manufacturer stamped his name on the back of the holster and after this a code. This was for the miltary. The Police holsters normally had the name stamped after this time frame. The Waffenamt stamp, WaA/145 was the inspector assigned to Karl Barth and Deutsche Lederwarkstatten GmbH. It sounds like yours is the later manufacturer. These holsters normally have the letters "DWLP" stamped. It is possible that they only stamped 2 letters as you described, and could they be a "D" intertwined with an "L"? I feel that yours is a standard Police holster by Deutsche Lederwarkstatten GmbH.

Marvin

bill m · 03-18-2001, 05:11 PM

Marvin,

You are confusing military holsters with Police holster and they are totally different. Police holsters have the strap running upwards and do not have a buckle closure. Also, No police holsters have a WaA mark on the back, as that is a military inspectin mark and not a police. This is a very odd holster in my opinion with the police closure and a WaA mark. It is not a common issue police holster, that's for sure!

Aaron · 03-18-2001, 10:34 PM

The letters are definitely a large "L" (about 3/4") encompassing a small "B". Will try to take some photos and hope we can solve this mystery.

Aaron · 03-18-2001, 11:48 PM

Let's see if I did it correctly:

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...222&p=44141853

Aaron · 03-18-2001, 11:57 PM

Overall front view of holster:

http://http://albums.photopoint.com/...222&p=44141851

03-19-2001, 10:49 AM

Aaron, I agree with Johnnie P. that your 1937 military holster has been modified, probably in the field for quicker opening. I would interpete the letters on the back as "CL" rather LB because of the curved back of what you are calling a B. CL could be Cottbusser Lederwarenfabrik, later know as Curt Vogel or fuq located in the city of Cottbus.

Aaron · 03-19-2001, 04:34 PM

It look like we probably know about as much as we can determine on this holster, and I am deeply grateful for all your valuable opinions. One last thing, the script letters were examined under ultraviolet light, and are now believed to be "LR."

03-18-2001, 02:58 PM	#1
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Need Help Identifying Holster I have an unusual Luger holster which I would like identified. The front strap appears to be of police configuration in that it is attached to the lower part of the holster and snaps over a brass button on the flap. The back has a nice, clear eagle swastika over WaA 145, and a sharp 1937 date. Instead of a maker's name there is a large script letter "L" intertwined with a smaller script letter "B" which is a marking I have never seen before(I may be wrong on what the letters are, but they do look like an L and a B). The holster is in good shape except for some loose stitching on the flap, and I will be putting it up for sale soon, but would like to put a name to it. Anyone know what I have?

03-18-2001, 04:57 PM	#2
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster Aaron, From your description, it does sound like a Police holster. Prior to about 1939/1940 time, the manufacturer stamped his name on the back of the holster and after this a code. This was for the miltary. The Police holsters normally had the name stamped after this time frame. The Waffenamt stamp, WaA/145 was the inspector assigned to Karl Barth and Deutsche Lederwarkstatten GmbH. It sounds like yours is the later manufacturer. These holsters normally have the letters "DWLP" stamped. It is possible that they only stamped 2 letters as you described, and could they be a "D" intertwined with an "L"? I feel that yours is a standard Police holster by Deutsche Lederwarkstatten GmbH. Marvin

03-18-2001, 05:11 PM	#3
bill m User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 385 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster Marvin, You are confusing military holsters with Police holster and they are totally different. Police holsters have the strap running upwards and do not have a buckle closure. Also, No police holsters have a WaA mark on the back, as that is a military inspectin mark and not a police. This is a very odd holster in my opinion with the police closure and a WaA mark. It is not a common issue police holster, that's for sure!

03-18-2001, 10:34 PM	#4
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster The letters are definitely a large "L" (about 3/4") encompassing a small "B". Will try to take some photos and hope we can solve this mystery.

03-18-2001, 11:48 PM	#5
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster Let's see if I did it correctly: http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...222&p=44141853

03-18-2001, 11:57 PM	#6
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster Overall front view of holster: http://http://albums.photopoint.com/...222&p=44141851

03-18-2001, 11:58 PM	#7
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster (EOM)

03-19-2001, 10:49 AM	#11
tom heller Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster Aaron, I agree with Johnnie P. that your 1937 military holster has been modified, probably in the field for quicker opening. I would interpete the letters on the back as "CL" rather LB because of the curved back of what you are calling a B. CL could be Cottbusser Lederwarenfabrik, later know as Curt Vogel or fuq located in the city of Cottbus.

03-19-2001, 04:34 PM	#12
Aaron Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,008 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Need Help Identifying Holster It look like we probably know about as much as we can determine on this holster, and I am deeply grateful for all your valuable opinions. One last thing, the script letters were examined under ultraviolet light, and are now believed to be "LR."