P08 to p38 conversion?

blockislander · 03-09-2014, 10:06 PM

I just picked up this 1942 P08 holster and have some questions. I was told that it was converted to hold a P38 pistol. I read online that some holsters were converted late in the war. The stiching and craftsmanship looks excellent, maybe too good. The shortened mag pouch is of a darker color than the holster. There is a small cut in the top to make it close a little narrower. It is in nice shape as you will see from the photos. I would like to know if it is a genuine military conversion or done in some leather shop stateside.
Thanks,

blockislander · 03-09-2014, 10:18 PM

Here are more photos

blockislander · 03-09-2014, 10:24 PM

Here are a few more

John Sabato · 03-10-2014, 09:12 AM

Lugerholsterrepair,... Jerry Burney, can restore you holster to P.08 configuration. His work will be well worth the investment.

blockislander · 03-10-2014, 09:42 AM

Thanks Jerry.
I wonder when it was converted? The stitching looks really good.
Paul

Edward Tinker · 03-10-2014, 10:43 AM

I have seen post war ones converted, but not to often, as you point out the mag pouch is very much wider and if you convert back, you'll have extra holes....

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2014, 12:36 PM

I have seen a fair number of these over the years. One has to wonder about a plethora of things..were they done by the Germans? The stitching seems to indicate they were. That and it's a witch kitty to change a magazine pouch on a Luger holster. The whole holster has to come apart as the rear flange of the pouch is sandwiched in between the back panel and the interior panel. One of the only parts that are glued on a Luger holster. Not something you want to try at home as they say!
It's odd that they would go to that trouble..a P-38 mag WILL fit..eventually it will bulge the luger mag pouch out pretty good and be tight for sure. Then why wouldn't they remove the Luger tool pouch? AND..why continue the stitching past the end of the new pouch up to the body edge? Most German stitching would demand a stop at the edge of the top of the mag pouch and double back.
So it's somewhat of a mystery but it has been done professionally Might have been an East German conversion too?
Back to it ain't easy to do...I would hesitate to recommend changing it back to a Luger pouch. As Ed says there would be a line of holes exposed due to the smaller Luger pouch..then there is the expense. I appreciate what John has said but my advice would be to leave it as it is and if you need a good Luger holster find one.

blockislander · 03-10-2014, 04:24 PM

Thanks Jerry,
This really looks like a professional repair as you suggested. I will keep it this way as it is part of history I'm sure. Let see if I get any other replies.
Paul

wlyon · 03-10-2014, 04:52 PM

Just another of the luger mysteries. We will never know why, where or when. Very professional anyway. Agree keep it like it is. Bill

George Anderson · 03-10-2014, 05:01 PM

I have two 1941 dated P08 holsters that were finished by the saddler as dual purpose holsters with a slant cut top on the mag pouch to accommodate a P38 magazine. The original guide holes at the top of the holster where the pouch is sewn were never used. I also had another years ago. Given the transition from P08 to P38 in the early 1940s it makes perfect sense to me.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2014, 05:48 PM

George is correct of course..That was one question I had for Paul I couldn't get an answer to from the pics.
Has there EVER been a P08 pouch installed in this holster? Look inside the pouch..are there old holes alongside the interior edge? Where the old pouch was taken off?

blockislander · 03-10-2014, 06:18 PM

It has a pouch for the tool.

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2014, 07:12 PM

Has there EVER been a P08 MAGAZINE pouch installed in this holster? Look inside the MAGAZINE pouch..are there old holes alongside the interior edge of the MAGAZINE pouch?? Where the old MAGAZINE pouch was taken off? I thought we were discussing a MAGAZINE pouch?
______

blockislander · 03-10-2014, 07:28 PM

This mag pouch is original to the holster! There are no additional sticking holes inside. Absolutely positive.

blockislander · 03-10-2014, 07:30 PM

So is this a rare Holster P38 holster?

lugerholsterrepair · 03-10-2014, 08:35 PM

This mag pouch is original to the holster..Another piece of the puzzle..I guess you could call it rare. I have seen them on and off over the years. Rare to not common?

03-09-2014, 10:06 PM	#1
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	P08 to p38 conversion? I just picked up this 1942 P08 holster and have some questions. I was told that it was converted to hold a P38 pistol. I read online that some holsters were converted late in the war. The stiching and craftsmanship looks excellent, maybe too good. The shortened mag pouch is of a darker color than the holster. There is a small cut in the top to make it close a little narrower. It is in nice shape as you will see from the photos. I would like to know if it is a genuine military conversion or done in some leather shop stateside. Thanks, Attached Thumbnails

03-09-2014, 10:18 PM	#2
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	Here are more photos Here are more photos Attached Thumbnails

03-09-2014, 10:24 PM	#3
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	couple more Here are a few more Attached Thumbnails

03-10-2014, 09:12 AM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,154 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,306 Times in 1,097 Posts	Lugerholsterrepair,... Jerry Burney, can restore you holster to P.08 configuration. His work will be well worth the investment. __________________ 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..."*

03-10-2014, 09:42 AM	#5
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Thanks Jerry. I wonder when it was converted? The stitching looks really good. Paul

03-10-2014, 10:43 AM	#6
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	I have seen post war ones converted, but not to often, as you point out the mag pouch is very much wider and if you convert back, you'll have extra holes.... __________________ 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

03-10-2014, 12:36 PM	#7
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	I have seen a fair number of these over the years. One has to wonder about a plethora of things..were they done by the Germans? The stitching seems to indicate they were. That and it's a witch kitty to change a magazine pouch on a Luger holster. The whole holster has to come apart as the rear flange of the pouch is sandwiched in between the back panel and the interior panel. One of the only parts that are glued on a Luger holster. Not something you want to try at home as they say! It's odd that they would go to that trouble..a P-38 mag WILL fit..eventually it will bulge the luger mag pouch out pretty good and be tight for sure. Then why wouldn't they remove the Luger tool pouch? AND..why continue the stitching past the end of the new pouch up to the body edge? Most German stitching would demand a stop at the edge of the top of the mag pouch and double back. So it's somewhat of a mystery but it has been done professionally Might have been an East German conversion too? Back to it ain't easy to do...I would hesitate to recommend changing it back to a Luger pouch. As Ed says there would be a line of holes exposed due to the smaller Luger pouch..then there is the expense. I appreciate what John has said but my advice would be to leave it as it is and if you need a good Luger holster find one. __________________ 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."

03-10-2014, 04:24 PM	#8
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks Thanks Jerry, This really looks like a professional repair as you suggested. I will keep it this way as it is part of history I'm sure. Let see if I get any other replies. Paul

03-10-2014, 04:52 PM	#9
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	Just another of the luger mysteries. We will never know why, where or when. Very professional anyway. Agree keep it like it is. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

03-10-2014, 05:01 PM	#10
George Anderson Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: VA Posts: 3,592 Thanks: 1,773 Thanked 2,529 Times in 787 Posts	I have two 1941 dated P08 holsters that were finished by the saddler as dual purpose holsters with a slant cut top on the mag pouch to accommodate a P38 magazine. The original guide holes at the top of the holster where the pouch is sewn were never used. I also had another years ago. Given the transition from P08 to P38 in the early 1940s it makes perfect sense to me.

03-10-2014, 05:48 PM	#11
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	George is correct of course..That was one question I had for Paul I couldn't get an answer to from the pics. Has there EVER been a P08 pouch installed in this holster? Look inside the pouch..are there old holes alongside the interior edge? Where the old pouch was taken off? __________________ 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."

03-10-2014, 06:18 PM	#12
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	Here is the inside It has a pouch for the tool. Attached Thumbnails

03-10-2014, 07:12 PM	#13
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	Has there EVER been a P08 MAGAZINE pouch installed in this holster? Look inside the MAGAZINE pouch..are there old holes alongside the interior edge of the MAGAZINE pouch?? Where the old MAGAZINE pouch was taken off? I thought we were discussing a MAGAZINE pouch? ______ __________________ 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."

03-10-2014, 07:28 PM	#14
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	No Holes This mag pouch is original to the holster! There are no additional sticking holes inside. Absolutely positive.

03-10-2014, 07:30 PM	#15
blockislander User Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 32 Thanks: 5 Thanked 10 Times in 2 Posts	So is this a rare Holster P38 holster?

03-10-2014, 08:35 PM	#16
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	This mag pouch is original to the holster..Another piece of the puzzle..I guess you could call it rare. I have seen them on and off over the years. Rare to not common? __________________ 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."