Holster Mark Question

Dwight Gruber · 11-12-2003, 11:47 AM

I have a question about the very large Crown over Roman Numeral stamp found on the back of some holsters. I don't have a picture of it, it is the mark noted in Costanzo, p.188, 104 and 104a. Costanzo calls them Weimar Military Police holster proofs.

I have seen two recently, one on a holster currently on Ebay and one in a shop near to me which I suspect may be bogus. Both holsters are military style with buckle closure.

Is this the proper holster to find these proofs on? Is there a history of counterfeiting these marks?

--Dwight

Navy · 11-12-2003, 12:10 PM

Dwight,

Costanzo not withstanding, those Crowns superimposed over Roman numerals denote Royal Bavarian Army Corps I, II, & III.

I have never heard of them being faked, but have over the years run into several holsters with the mark that were in unissued condition. I surmise this was because they were stored in Muenchen and simply never got sent to the front.

Tom A.

Ron Wood · 11-12-2003, 12:11 PM

It is not a Weimar Police holster proof. It is a Bavarian Corps marking. I have one and there have been a couple of other examples posted on the forum from time to time.

Dwight Gruber · 11-12-2003, 09:57 PM

Ron and Tom, thanks much.

--Dwight

policeluger · 11-12-2003, 10:12 PM

I have one, C/1 proofed on back, that I believe is unissued, buckle strap, and period dyed black. Perhaps at one time it was taken out of storage, dyed black and never issued?, we'll never know for sure.

George Anderson · 11-12-2003, 10:26 PM

Most that I have seen were either in unissued condition or very good condition. All were dated 1918 or not dated or maker marked at all. Was this a marking that the Bavrians adopted late in the war?

Imperial Arms · 11-12-2003, 11:24 PM

Forget about the meaning of the proof! Hey Ron, that's one hell of a fine holster! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

Cheers,
Albert

Ron Wood · 11-12-2003, 11:53 PM

Thank you Albert. For a guy that doesn't concentrate much on accessories, I did pretty well on this one.

It's funny how things just accumulate. I have never had much interest (or money) for accessories, but the other day I was going through some things and was surprised what holsters have accumulated over the years.

1900 Swiss Dated 1904
1900 US Test Trials Holster
WWI Bavarian (Date?)
1906 M2 Portuguese
1934 GNR Portuguese
1906 KNIL Dutch First Type
1908 Bulgarian

Now, all of a sudden, I have an interest in holsters. HELP! I don't need any more stuff! <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> (At least they are cheaper than Lugers - usually)

11-12-2003, 11:47 AM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Holster Mark Question I have a question about the very large Crown over Roman Numeral stamp found on the back of some holsters. I don't have a picture of it, it is the mark noted in Costanzo, p.188, 104 and 104a. Costanzo calls them Weimar Military Police holster proofs. I have seen two recently, one on a holster currently on Ebay and one in a shop near to me which I suspect may be bogus. Both holsters are military style with buckle closure. Is this the proper holster to find these proofs on? Is there a history of counterfeiting these marks? --Dwight

11-12-2003, 12:11 PM	#3
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	It is not a Weimar Police holster proof. It is a Bavarian Corps marking. I have one and there have been a couple of other examples posted on the forum from time to time. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-12-2003, 11:53 PM	#8
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,022 Thanks: 1,090 Thanked 5,179 Times in 1,703 Posts	Thank you Albert. For a guy that doesn't concentrate much on accessories, I did pretty well on this one. It's funny how things just accumulate. I have never had much interest (or money) for accessories, but the other day I was going through some things and was surprised what holsters have accumulated over the years. 1900 Swiss Dated 1904 1900 US Test Trials Holster WWI Bavarian (Date?) 1906 M2 Portuguese 1934 GNR Portuguese 1906 KNIL Dutch First Type 1908 Bulgarian Now, all of a sudden, I have an interest in holsters. HELP! I don't need any more stuff! <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> (At least they are cheaper than Lugers - usually) __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

11-12-2003, 12:10 PM	#2
Navy RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dc 'burbs in Virginia Posts: 2,482 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 10 Posts	Dwight, Costanzo not withstanding, those Crowns superimposed over Roman numerals denote Royal Bavarian Army Corps I, II, & III. I have never heard of them being faked, but have over the years run into several holsters with the mark that were in unissued condition. I surmise this was because they were stored in Muenchen and simply never got sent to the front. Tom A.

11-12-2003, 09:57 PM	#4
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,318 Times in 431 Posts	Ron and Tom, thanks much. --Dwight

11-12-2003, 10:12 PM	#5
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	I have one, C/1 proofed on back, that I believe is unissued, buckle strap, and period dyed black. Perhaps at one time it was taken out of storage, dyed black and never issued?, we'll never know for sure.

11-12-2003, 10:26 PM	#6
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	Most that I have seen were either in unissued condition or very good condition. All were dated 1918 or not dated or maker marked at all. Was this a marking that the Bavrians adopted late in the war?

11-12-2003, 11:24 PM	#7
Imperial Arms Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Malta, EU Posts: 579 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Forget about the meaning of the proof! Hey Ron, that's one hell of a fine holster! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Cheers, Albert