1920-30 Commercial Artillery

lugerholsterrepair · 12-07-2007, 10:14 PM

Here is a beautiful example of a rare holster. I cannot say for sure that it is German, in fact some of it's construction points make me believe it might be Dutch. There are no markings on it.
I believe it was made in the 1920-30 era. The snap over the cleaning rod top is found on Dutch KNIL holsters. Of course this type of decorative snap was probably commercially available on the whole European Continent at the time.
I base my Dutch theory of origin on construction details.
The female snap already mentioned is one point. The fineness of the stitching found on the cleaning rod sleeve is the second. This stitching is really much more close together than most German holsters display. In fact it is as fine as the stitching found on Dutch KNIL Luger holsters.
Another interesting point is the closed end of the cleaning rod sleeve. It is very decorative, pointed and closed, unlike the German habit of leaving them open.
The last point which indicates some other country than Germany is the brass closure stud. It is rounded at the top but then flat underneath. The Germans used a much more bulbeous closure stud. This one is quite foreign in comparison to a German closure stud.
Wherever it was made, it is of a very high quality. The leather is thick and supple. Very healthy after all these years.
Military Artillery Luger holsters were made during WW1 literally by the thousands. It is understandable that commercial Artillery's made up only a fraction of these numbers.
There is a close example of this holster found in Anthony Vanderlinden's fine book Holsters and Shoulder Stocks of The World on page 125, middle photograph. It is listed as being Navy marked.
I would be interested to see a photo of similar holsters if any member has any. Enjoy!

Jerry Burney

Edward Tinker · 12-08-2007, 02:38 AM

VeRy CoOl looking Jerry; is this a keeper, or will you pass it along? I would guess something this unusualy that you figure it should be in the best of hands

Ed

mauro · 12-08-2007, 12:46 PM

Really nice find!
I like this holster.

Mauro

Big Norm · 12-08-2007, 06:39 PM

Wow! This could probably go very nice with a commercial marked artillery of that period that I have. Too bad that I have a dentist bill that I have to cover. The dentist threatened to take my jaw back if I didn't pay him. Methinks he could do that.
Big 'Best of Hands' Norm
_______________________________________
Success is fooling ALL of the people ALL of the time.

lugerholsterrepair · 12-08-2007, 09:22 PM

Gentlemen I want to ease your envy and lust. It has been offered on the for sale section for some time and was bought and paid for today. It is one of the best Commercial Artillery holsters I have ever encountered. From now on, like the rest, I will have to be satisfied with the photo's!
Jerry Burney

12-07-2007, 10:14 PM	#1
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	1920-30 Commercial Artillery Here is a beautiful example of a rare holster. I cannot say for sure that it is German, in fact some of it's construction points make me believe it might be Dutch. There are no markings on it. I believe it was made in the 1920-30 era. The snap over the cleaning rod top is found on Dutch KNIL holsters. Of course this type of decorative snap was probably commercially available on the whole European Continent at the time. I base my Dutch theory of origin on construction details. The female snap already mentioned is one point. The fineness of the stitching found on the cleaning rod sleeve is the second. This stitching is really much more close together than most German holsters display. In fact it is as fine as the stitching found on Dutch KNIL Luger holsters. Another interesting point is the closed end of the cleaning rod sleeve. It is very decorative, pointed and closed, unlike the German habit of leaving them open. The last point which indicates some other country than Germany is the brass closure stud. It is rounded at the top but then flat underneath. The Germans used a much more bulbeous closure stud. This one is quite foreign in comparison to a German closure stud. Wherever it was made, it is of a very high quality. The leather is thick and supple. Very healthy after all these years. Military Artillery Luger holsters were made during WW1 literally by the thousands. It is understandable that commercial Artillery's made up only a fraction of these numbers. There is a close example of this holster found in Anthony Vanderlinden's fine book Holsters and Shoulder Stocks of The World on page 125, middle photograph. It is listed as being Navy marked. I would be interested to see a photo of similar holsters if any member has any. Enjoy! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 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."

12-08-2007, 02:38 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	VeRy CoOl looking Jerry; is this a keeper, or will you pass it along? I would guess something this unusualy that you figure it should be in the best of hands 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

12-08-2007, 12:46 PM	#3
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Really nice find! I like this holster. Mauro __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

12-08-2007, 09:22 PM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,772 Thanks: 4,940 Thanked 3,124 Times in 1,434 Posts	Gentlemen I want to ease your envy and lust. It has been offered on the for sale section for some time and was bought and paid for today. It is one of the best Commercial Artillery holsters I have ever encountered. From now on, like the rest, I will have to be satisfied with the photo's! Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 l[email protected] 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."

12-08-2007, 06:39 PM	#4
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Wow! This could probably go very nice with a commercial marked artillery of that period that I have. Too bad that I have a dentist bill that I have to cover. The dentist threatened to take my jaw back if I didn't pay him. Methinks he could do that. Big 'Best of Hands' Norm _______________________________________ Success is fooling ALL of the people ALL of the time.