1900 Commercial Holster?

Mark1 · 06-10-2018, 04:00 AM

I've owned this holster for a while but have never seen an other one exactly like it. It came with my 1900 Commercial Luger and is similar to a P08 holster in some ways but the main points of difference are...
*from top to toe is about 10mm more than a P08 holster
*the stitching is much closer spacing than a P08
*the lifting strap and finger grip are wider
*there is a tool pouch and another loop inside the lid
*the belt loops are spaced closer together
The holster is well made and seems old but has no markings at all. Is it an early Commercial model? I would be most interested to hear any comments from the forum members.

JTD · 06-10-2018, 09:40 AM

Mark, that is what I would call it. With the rod holder, I would think it is a bit later than turn of the century, possibly the 1920 or so era. Jerry or Geo may have some input on this one. They probably can nail down when this holder first started showing up. It is a nice looking holster. Thanks for sharing with the group, John

klaus 3338 · 06-13-2018, 03:52 AM

It looks like the typical commercial holster made by AKaH (Albrecht Kind aus Hunstig, a German holster maker and dealer since 1853) from the 1920th.

klaus 3338 · 06-13-2018, 03:59 AM

It seems that some were issued to the Army. This one has a Luftwaffen stamp.

MP38 · 06-13-2018, 11:32 AM

Yes, I've seen them unmarked, and also marked with "eagle/2" as well, just above the closure stud.

Matt

Mark1 · 06-14-2018, 05:01 AM

Thanks for the photos Klaus and Matt.
Very similar to my holster for sure. Apart from the colour the only obvious difference is the absence of the line of stitching below the belt loops.
Do your holsters have the same tool arrangement inside the lid?
Mark

klaus 3338 · 06-14-2018, 07:24 AM

one has one not...

DonVoigt · 06-14-2018, 10:08 AM

That "line" of stitching holds the lift strap in place; in one case it is stitched separately, in the other it is stitched as the front belt loop is stitched.

I would think an "improvement" to reduce handling steps in production.

Mark1 · 06-15-2018, 04:52 AM

Don,
Yes I see what you mean and that had not occurred to me before.
Perhaps I should have said "the line of stitching across the back panel, about 10mm down from the belt loops". That's the stitching I was referring to and it is present on Klaus's second example. Thanks.
Mark

Norme · 06-15-2018, 08:51 AM

Hi Mark,
The "horizontal line of stitching across the back panel" that you refer to secures the lower edge of the interior liner of the back panel. It was mandated on military holsters very late in 1918, too late to appear on WW1 military holsters, at least I've never come across one with this feature. It is a convenient way to date holsters, those with the line are post-war, as Klaus meant when he said "from the 1920th".
Regards, Norm

DonVoigt · 06-15-2018, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark1

Don,
Yes I see what you mean and that had not occurred to me before.
Perhaps I should have said "the line of stitching across the back panel, about 10mm down from the belt loops". That's the stitching I was referring to and it is present on Klaus's second example. Thanks.
Mark

Yes,
I "assumed" you meant the partial "short" line above and behind the front loop.

Norm explained the lower row of stitching.

Mark1 · 06-15-2018, 09:20 PM

Well, I'm pleased that I posted my holster on the forum. I've learned some interesting facts, seen some pictures of similar holsters and you know, that's how the forum works for us.
Many thanks to all who have contributed.

06-10-2018, 04:00 AM	#1
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	1900 Commercial Holster? I've owned this holster for a while but have never seen an other one exactly like it. It came with my 1900 Commercial Luger and is similar to a P08 holster in some ways but the main points of difference are... from top to toe is about 10mm more than a P08 holster the stitching is much closer spacing than a P08 the lifting strap and finger grip are wider there is a tool pouch and another loop inside the lid *the belt loops are spaced closer together The holster is well made and seems old but has no markings at all. Is it an early Commercial model? I would be most interested to hear any comments from the forum members. Attached Thumbnails

06-13-2018, 03:52 AM	#3
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 411 Times in 160 Posts	It looks like the typical commercial holster made by AKaH (Albrecht Kind aus Hunstig, a German holster maker and dealer since 1853) from the 1920th. Last edited by klaus 3338; 06-14-2018 at 06:32 AM.

06-13-2018, 03:59 AM	#4
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 411 Times in 160 Posts	It seems that some were issued to the Army. This one has a Luftwaffen stamp. Attached Thumbnails

06-13-2018, 11:32 AM	#5
MP38 User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 464 Thanks: 36 Thanked 113 Times in 60 Posts	Yes, I've seen them unmarked, and also marked with "eagle/2" as well, just above the closure stud. Matt Attached Thumbnails

06-14-2018, 07:24 AM	#7
klaus 3338 User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 411 Times in 160 Posts	one has one not... Attached Thumbnails

06-10-2018, 09:40 AM	#2
JTD User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 425 Thanks: 217 Thanked 408 Times in 149 Posts	Mark, that is what I would call it. With the rod holder, I would think it is a bit later than turn of the century, possibly the 1920 or so era. Jerry or Geo may have some input on this one. They probably can nail down when this holder first started showing up. It is a nice looking holster. Thanks for sharing with the group, John

06-14-2018, 05:01 AM	#6
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	Thanks for the photos Klaus and Matt. Very similar to my holster for sure. Apart from the colour the only obvious difference is the absence of the line of stitching below the belt loops. Do your holsters have the same tool arrangement inside the lid? Mark

06-14-2018, 10:08 AM	#8
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,350 Times in 2,040 Posts	That "line" of stitching holds the lift strap in place; in one case it is stitched separately, in the other it is stitched as the front belt loop is stitched. I would think an "improvement" to reduce handling steps in production. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

06-15-2018, 04:52 AM	#9
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	Don, Yes I see what you mean and that had not occurred to me before. Perhaps I should have said "the line of stitching across the back panel, about 10mm down from the belt loops". That's the stitching I was referring to and it is present on Klaus's second example. Thanks. Mark Last edited by Mark1; 06-15-2018 at 04:56 AM. Reason: Additional

06-15-2018, 08:51 AM	#10
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,417 Thanks: 226 Thanked 2,603 Times in 933 Posts	Hi Mark, The "horizontal line of stitching across the back panel" that you refer to secures the lower edge of the interior liner of the back panel. It was mandated on military holsters very late in 1918, too late to appear on WW1 military holsters, at least I've never come across one with this feature. It is a convenient way to date holsters, those with the line are post-war, as Klaus meant when he said "from the 1920th". Regards, Norm

06-15-2018, 09:20 PM	#12
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	Well, I'm pleased that I posted my holster on the forum. I've learned some interesting facts, seen some pictures of similar holsters and you know, that's how the forum works for us. Many thanks to all who have contributed.