Repro vs Original

[Minnepiper]

who makes a good repro holster? is a repro holster acceptable for a restored shooter, or should one try and match up the right original holster with the gun? it won't spend much time in the holster anyway. just wondering what you collector types think. thanks! dan

[George Anderson]

repro holsters are primarily for guys who want to "play army", reenactors that is. Original holsters like original guns require a degree of conservation and care.

[Herb]

Dan, in my opinion buying an original holster at the going price now-a-days of $200 to $1,000 or more depending on rarity is a waste of money if it is to be the temporary house for a shooter. Nearly every day there are good repro's on ebay for a decent price, watch the shipping cost's, some are really high......

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...rclo=&saprchi=

[Edward Tinker]

Dan, not to go against what my friend Herb said, but I just simply quit buying repro, if I have an old gun, I want a worn i.e. obviously used, looking item with it...

Just my two cents,


Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

Most repro holsters are like having a rubber blow up doll instead of a real hot girl. Depends on your collecting preferences...Jerry Burney

[Herb]

Minniepiper, perhaps the two previous posters have a good used original holster that they will sell you for $50. But then you could just stick the Luger in your pocket.

[Johnny C. Kitchens]

I bought a holster from IMA and they even offered to stamp it to match my pistol, as far as the year markings go. It is well made and looks great. They no longer offer that particular unit any more but still offer a few others...

Go here to see...

http://tinyurl.com/acrkz

[Don M]

Jerry, have you seen what they can do with those dolls these days?

[Edward Tinker]

Minniepiper, perhaps the two previous posters have a good used original holster that they will sell you for $50. But then you could just stick the Luger in your pocket.

I never said he could get one for $50.00. I said that the repros suck and that I wouldn't own one.

I have seen holsters for less than $200. Now if you only want a really nice example, then yes, pay $200 and up. I would never suggest he buy a $1,000 krieghoff holster anyway??

Here are some off of e-bay, all are Luger army holsters and in decent shape;

24 Jan : Winning bid: US $78.77

30 Jan : Winning bid: US $97.32

28 Jan: Winning bid: US $148.82

Checkpoint charlies, neither is correct for what he wants, but for less than $200.00:

LUGER P08 RUSSIAN HOLSTER
SKU: 203
In Stock: Yes
Price: $69.00

LUGER P08 POLICE REWORK HOLSTER
SKU: 184
In Stock: Yes
Price: $169.00

Randy Bessler:
Not correct but for less:
Holster. M1906 Portuguese. 'AE' Marked. Brown/Black. Excellent. $150. Item: LI-179

The norweigian holsters can still be picked up for under $100.00 if you look, but I have been seeing them fixed with the holes in the rear filled and them selling.

Randy again;
Holster. 1937. 'Romer' Black. Ex Norwegian. Restored belt loops. Excellent. $150.

Holster. 1938. 'Genchow'. Black. Excellent-. Closure Strap needs repair. $150. Item: LI-263

Holster. 1939. 'Kimnach/Kaiserlautern. Brown. Repaired strap. Excellent. $150. Item: LI-37.


Ed

[lugerholsterrepair]

Herb, Collecting and collectors are like snowflakes. No two are quite the same.
Like Ed, I detest the average run of the mill made in Pakistan repro holster.
This does not make me an elitist. I appreciate the fine points of turn of the Century German leatherwork. It is pleasing to the eye and holds value. I don't want anything less where I look at it every day.
There is a place for other collectors to aquire reproduction holsters. Those who only want a holster to approximate the shape of a Luger holster.
To argue that it is only economics is a specious argument. Genuine Luger holsters of collector quality have been increasing in value at a rapid rate. Buy one today at market price and you will see it hold it's value and possibly go up.
I have no dog in this fight. I wish original holsters were 50 bucks a pop for everyone who wants one. BUT...I believe you will be much better off with an original than a repro. The repro will always be a repro and always worth 29 bucks. Everytime you look at it or handle it you will not be holding a piece of history but an example of poor craftsmanship.
The unfortunate thing about the repro's is that with even the slightest attention to detail the people who make them could make a pretty decent holster. From what I have been able to observe, no makers make a luger holster worth squat compared to an original German piece.
Jerry Burney

[Navy]

Folks,

Repops DECREASE in value over time; originals INCREASE AT ABOUT 12-15% ANNUALLY. What part of this is confusing? Also, as my airborne comrade in arms has mentioned, the originals are art in leather, as the pistols are art in steel and wood. If you are going to do loogers, is their a reason to cheap charlie the leather? I think not.

You gotta be economically retarded to spend anything on re-pops unless you are going to carry a Frankenluger-mixmaster in the woods playing army.
Enjoy your fake Charlie rats.

Tom A

[broomhandle]

HI Minnepiper,

I'm a newbie collecting Lugers only have two, three Mauser C-96s and three Russian Nagant revolvers.

I would love to have all orignal holsters for all my pistols, but the cost of holsters & stuff floor me at this time, just don't have that kind of cash to spend.(happy as hell just having a example)

Have managed to get one orignal holster thru the kindness of super nice man.THANK YOU Again -J.B. r:cheers

Just sent for a "good" repro. Artillery stock that was recommended by a serious collector here.I have seen the Gun Parts stock & could not buy it.
(really poor copy)

Hope to have a few extra dollars in the future & replace my repro. stuff with real items.
In the mean time, I am happy with the most accurate copys I can get.
I will sell the copys to the new guys who are coming up behind me.

Last year at a big collector show, I saw a man buy a old ratty holster for $1200 and he seemed to be on cloud 9 with the deal.

It really comes down to how much you can afford(now) to spend and keep the wife & kids happy.

If a copy works for you at this time, buy it.

I do understand & fully agree with what the fellows say,but it's the best I can do now.
I really have learned alot from the short times, I have spent at shows with some of the fellows here.

Be well ,
broomhandle

[Edward Tinker]

Originally posted by broomhandle
It really comes down to how much you can afford(now) to spend and keep the wife & kids happy.

If a copy works for you at this time, buy it.

AMEN, fully makes sense,

[Minnepiper]

well, all good points and i will have to stew over it.

thanks for the opinions. it seems holsters can be a collection by themselves.

[broomhandle]

Hi Minnepiper,

If you can afford originals with out the wife stabbing you.

Get them NOW!

Hopefully some of the guys will be able to guide you or put you on to a nice holster at a fair price.

I bought a nice DWM 1917 LP-08 pistol with one original mag. last year for $1800. (I was shaking in my shoes for over week)

I was lucky to have one gentlman( a serious collector) from this group look at it with me.
He thought it was worth the money. A well known Luger collector/seller looked at after I bought it & also told me it was a fair price for the pistol.

From what I saw at this years MAX show, it's worth between $300-$500 more.



Be well,
broomhandle

Point # 1 I would never store my Luger in the holster, so buying a repro is foolish. It would be only for show, but know one would want to see a fake holster.
Point # 2 Original luger holsters do go up in value each year as Tom A said in the last post. You can get them for under 250 bucks and clean them up. This makes sense to me.

Bob