Holster finish black/brown?

k1mri · 10-06-2005, 11:37 AM

I've been hunting around for a WWII Luger holster and the many I've seen some are black, some are brown and some are what looks like black over brown.

My question is did they make brown leather then dyed them black and many years later the black color has is been worn off? Or did they make both brown and black?

Thanks very much for helping me clear this up.

Edward Tinker · 10-06-2005, 01:05 PM

yes and no...

In WW1 they were brown, then later they were to be dyed black. Although there are exceptions, there were black and brown police holsters, depending on their location and job. I beleive that luftwaffe were brown also, but not positive if that is true or one of those persistent remuors.

ed

Navy · 10-06-2005, 04:53 PM

I have Luftwaffe holsters in both brown and black. All the Lufty FN 1910/22 and femaru holsters I have encountered are brown except those made of fabric.

Tom A

lugerholsterrepair · 10-06-2005, 05:18 PM

Mike, Many holsters were dyed black during the WW2 era to comply with a German Army High command directive. Some were not affected, Police, special units or Luftwaffe perhaps. The Army was the Army and did not necessarily overlap into other services.
Remember, holsters are sort of naturally brown leather before any dye is applied. When this rubs off over the years it can leave a very pleasant brown color on the high spots. This is a patina and I would not change it unless more severe factors dictated it. Jerry Burney

10-06-2005, 11:37 AM	#1
k1mri User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Holster finish black/brown? I've been hunting around for a WWII Luger holster and the many I've seen some are black, some are brown and some are what looks like black over brown. My question is did they make brown leather then dyed them black and many years later the black color has is been worn off? Or did they make both brown and black? Thanks very much for helping me clear this up.

10-06-2005, 01:05 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	yes and no... In WW1 they were brown, then later they were to be dyed black. Although there are exceptions, there were black and brown police holsters, depending on their location and job. I beleive that luftwaffe were brown also, but not positive if that is true or one of those persistent remuors. 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

10-06-2005, 05:18 PM	#4
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,775 Thanks: 4,995 Thanked 3,133 Times in 1,439 Posts	Mike, Many holsters were dyed black during the WW2 era to comply with a German Army High command directive. Some were not affected, Police, special units or Luftwaffe perhaps. The Army was the Army and did not necessarily overlap into other services. Remember, holsters are sort of naturally brown leather before any dye is applied. When this rubs off over the years it can leave a very pleasant brown color on the high spots. This is a patina and I would not change it unless more severe factors dictated 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."

10-06-2005, 04:53 PM	#3
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	I have Luftwaffe holsters in both brown and black. All the Lufty FN 1910/22 and femaru holsters I have encountered are brown except those made of fabric. Tom A