1914 Artillery Holster

Big Norm · 12-14-2004, 03:16 PM

Recently, I purchased a 1914 artillery holster. I looks like a beauty and it also has a matching magazine pouch. Its color is a redish brown. But I am not a wizz bang on holsters and I would like to ask the members of this forum a question. After much eye balling of the manufacturers markings on the inside of the flap with some friends of mine, we have come to the conclusion that the markings on the holster read: "WUNDERLICH NACHF. 1914 BERLIN". While the markings are crisp, The semi roughness of the leather on the inside of the holster makes it difficult to read. Is this a legitimate manufacturer of that period? The magazine pouch does not have any markings.
Big Norm

lugerholsterrepair · 12-15-2004, 12:48 AM

Norm, I have a list of 228 holster makers compiled by Klaus Merzbach over ten years. He does list this maker.

Wunderlich NFG and A. Wunderlich Nf. Berlin S.W.

Hope this eases your mind.

Jerry Burney

Big Norm · 12-15-2004, 01:16 AM

Thank you Jerry. I didn't recognize the manufactures name and the holster looked just too good. I took a chance and paid dearly for the holster and the mag pouch. But if its authentic then it was worth the price, in my opinion. I plan to visit Ed Tinker one of these days. Maybe we could swing over to your place and I'll show you a hard to find date in very nice condition. You'll understand why I was concerned. I also have some work for you on some other artillery holsters. Mostly broken pull out straps.
Big Norm

Lugerdoc · 12-15-2004, 10:25 AM

Norm, A bit of water or spit applied by thumb to the maker's markings inside the flap of WW1 holsters, make them a lot easier to read. Happy Holidays, TH

mauro · 12-15-2004, 03:46 PM

Hello Big Norm,
My congratulations for your purchase. In fact, among the Artillery holsters the one made in the 1914 are the rarest. Right now I have meet not more than three 1914 artillery holsters.
I really hope your holster genuine.
Please share with us some photos.
Ciao.
Mauro

lugerholsterrepair · 12-15-2004, 03:47 PM

Norm, You are welcome to come anytime as long as it is in the Summer!

Shoot me a photo of it if you get time....

Whenever your ready for repairs, Let me know.

I have had good luck with sprinkling a little baking soda on hard to read stampings. It settles into the crevasses and outlines it so it is easier to decipher.

Tom is right too, the moisture will darken the top and outline it as well.

Jerry Burney

Big Norm · 12-15-2004, 04:27 PM

Everybody,
thank you for all the good advice. I am a little intimidated in monkeying too much with this treasure. Thanks to Jerry, I am sure that it along with the magazine pouch are original. Its just that the manufactures name of 'Wunderlich' had the sound of modern comercial. Thanks to Jerry, I feel a bit more at ease. At least as at ease that one could feel knowing that I have something is very hard to find and rare and is in such excellent condition.

I now have the holster, the magazine pouch and that navy stock in a special place where I won't do something stupid and damage anything.

I feel especially good about that navy stock that I recently bought. I have a Canadian friend who is of German decent that I showed the stock to. This gentleman was born in Danzig and I spent an hour drinking good Canadian beer listening to him tell me all about the Danzig shipyard.
Big Norm

12-14-2004, 03:16 PM	#1
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	1914 Artillery Holster Recently, I purchased a 1914 artillery holster. I looks like a beauty and it also has a matching magazine pouch. Its color is a redish brown. But I am not a wizz bang on holsters and I would like to ask the members of this forum a question. After much eye balling of the manufacturers markings on the inside of the flap with some friends of mine, we have come to the conclusion that the markings on the holster read: "WUNDERLICH NACHF. 1914 BERLIN". While the markings are crisp, The semi roughness of the leather on the inside of the holster makes it difficult to read. Is this a legitimate manufacturer of that period? The magazine pouch does not have any markings. Big Norm

12-15-2004, 12:48 AM	#2
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	Norm, I have a list of 228 holster makers compiled by Klaus Merzbach over ten years. He does list this maker. Wunderlich NFG and A. Wunderlich Nf. Berlin S.W. Hope this eases your mind. 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."

12-15-2004, 10:25 AM	#4
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Norm, A bit of water or spit applied by thumb to the maker's markings inside the flap of WW1 holsters, make them a lot easier to read. Happy Holidays, TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 [email protected]

12-15-2004, 03:46 PM	#5
mauro FIREARM HISTORIAN AND AUT Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belgium Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 106 Thanked 349 Times in 129 Posts	Hello Big Norm, My congratulations for your purchase. In fact, among the Artillery holsters the one made in the 1914 are the rarest. Right now I have meet not more than three 1914 artillery holsters. I really hope your holster genuine. Please share with us some photos. Ciao. Mauro __________________ Mauro Baudino - www.lugerlp08.com www.paul-mauser-archive.com Mauser Company and Firearm Historian - Mauser Parabellum Certification Service.

12-15-2004, 03:47 PM	#6
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	Norm, You are welcome to come anytime as long as it is in the Summer! Shoot me a photo of it if you get time.... Whenever your ready for repairs, Let me know. I have had good luck with sprinkling a little baking soda on hard to read stampings. It settles into the crevasses and outlines it so it is easier to decipher. Tom is right too, the moisture will darken the top and outline it as well. 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."

12-15-2004, 01:16 AM	#3
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Thank you Jerry. I didn't recognize the manufactures name and the holster looked just too good. I took a chance and paid dearly for the holster and the mag pouch. But if its authentic then it was worth the price, in my opinion. I plan to visit Ed Tinker one of these days. Maybe we could swing over to your place and I'll show you a hard to find date in very nice condition. You'll understand why I was concerned. I also have some work for you on some other artillery holsters. Mostly broken pull out straps. Big Norm

12-15-2004, 04:27 PM	#7
Big Norm RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 1,864 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Everybody, thank you for all the good advice. I am a little intimidated in monkeying too much with this treasure. Thanks to Jerry, I am sure that it along with the magazine pouch are original. Its just that the manufactures name of 'Wunderlich' had the sound of modern comercial. Thanks to Jerry, I feel a bit more at ease. At least as at ease that one could feel knowing that I have something is very hard to find and rare and is in such excellent condition. I now have the holster, the magazine pouch and that navy stock in a special place where I won't do something stupid and damage anything. I feel especially good about that navy stock that I recently bought. I have a Canadian friend who is of German decent that I showed the stock to. This gentleman was born in Danzig and I spent an hour drinking good Canadian beer listening to him tell me all about the Danzig shipyard. Big Norm