U.S. Commercial Luger Holsters

wlyon · 12-31-2011, 05:13 PM

The first major import of lugers was American Eagles. Many were sold with some type of holster. WWI and II resulted in thousands of lugers brought into the U.S. There were more lugers than holsters.

In the early 1900's, saddle and harness shops were searching for new markets since, with the advent of the automobile, saddle and harness demands were declining. Making holsters for the ever-expanding handgun industry provided some of this market. This included luger holsters. Some of the major holster manufacturers were Heiser, Audley, Lawrence, Colorado Saddlery, and S.D. Myres. These are well covered by Eugene Bender in his excellent book, "Luger Holsters and Accessories of the 20th Century."

Tandy Leather Company had luger holster patterns as well as pre-cut leather for the "do it yourselfers." Generally, Tandy holsters were the closed type.

Many holsters were made by small leather shops. These were generally custom made on an individual order basis.

Later, Brauer and Hunter made many luger holsters.

The majority of U.S. holsters were made without magazine pouches. There were, however, some made with this provision.

Some were made for artillery and navy lugers. I have one police holster for an artillery?

How do you find these holsters and identify them as luger holsters?

Some custom luger holsters have the name of who made them and luger and/or barrel length stamped on the back. Many others are totally unmarked.

All gun shows have tables with various used holsters. I spend a lot of time going through them. Most gun shops have boxes of used leather to look over. Occasionally I find one. Ebay is another source.

Most, if not all, holsters that have held a luger are easy to recognize by size and impressions made inside by the rear toggles. I also generally carry a luger for checks.

Probably it is not an area that many are interested in. For me, it has added a new luger collecting element. Prices are certainly cheaper than original leather (which I still like very much). I currently have 80+ U.S.-made luger holsters.

Photos:
1. Lawrence, Heiser and Audley holsters
2. What I call "Tandy patterns"
3. Magazine holsters
4. Artillery and navy holsters
5. Names on back
6. Various designs
7. Toggle impressions

MikeP · 12-31-2011, 06:06 PM

Very nice and interesting.

Edward Tinker · 12-31-2011, 06:29 PM

Great collection Bill

Norme · 12-31-2011, 06:37 PM

Hi Bill, Thanks for the great photo presentation, You seem to have pioneered a whole new field of Luger research. Regards, Norm

CAP Black · 01-02-2012, 05:21 PM

I have purchased a couple of holsters and thought maybe I was an oddball for so doing. I guess I'm not alone in my fancy.
thanks Bill
Jack

jagervw · 10-10-2013, 03:31 PM

Thanks Bill!

Ron Smith · 10-10-2013, 05:22 PM

Nice collection Bill. There's something about old leather holsters. They're just cool...

Thanks...

alanint · 10-10-2013, 08:45 PM

Bill, I think your particular nitch has saved and preserved a unique aspect of the Luger Pistol, the commercial holster.

I applaud your efforts.

mystical_tutor · 10-11-2013, 01:51 AM

Bill; Darn nice. Sure would like to have a couple of those.

I picked this up while stationed at Ft. Lewis in the '80s. Never liked it's designed position with the belt snap. Was too low and could easily be seen. Up under my arm I needed a tie down to the belt. Worked good though.

John Sabato · 10-11-2013, 07:57 AM

Simply a wonderful collection Bill and an article worthy of The American Rifleman magazine. I strongly encourage you to submit your article and photos to NRA publications so that those collectors who are not knowledgable about the Lugerforum can learn from it and enjoy your research and collection.

JTD · 10-11-2013, 09:11 AM

Very intresting Bill, thanks for sharing with us. John

mrerick · 10-11-2013, 10:50 AM

Thanks Bill. I am enjoying the two commercial holsters I recently got from you.

Being left handed, I particularly like the first holster in the first picture...

This is worthy of a "sticky" status...

Marc

wlyon · 10-11-2013, 02:30 PM

A few more.

1. Commercial luger shoulder holsters
only one marked (9 o'clock) Heiser

2. My favorite

3. Added to original picture
Buffalo Brand (bottom) and S.D. Myres (center)

Just noticed wrong luger in old holster. Should have been 1906 AE.

mystical_tutor · 10-11-2013, 05:50 PM

I can see why it is your favorite, real nice tooling.

wlyon · 10-11-2013, 11:03 PM

This original thread was a couple years ago. Guess it got resurrected. Thanks for the continued interest. I did add a few more today. Bill

mystical_tutor · 11-29-2013, 04:16 PM

Bill;

I finally found this. Knew I had it someplace probably nothing special but I did not see one in your pictures just like it. If you don't have one, let me know, this deserves a good home even though it has been run hard and put away wet.

Looks like the Mfg. mark is something like this:

5
GEO. LAWRENCE CO.
PORTLAND OR.
30 L

I am assuming the L is for Luger because a Luger sure fits nice and neat in it.

Gary

cirelaw · 11-29-2013, 04:41 PM

Very Impressive...Great Thread!!!! Tks

Maestro · 11-29-2013, 09:07 PM

What an amazing collection

Thank you for sharing and the education. I had always wondered about the U.S. Commercial Luger Holsters and now I know a lot more. Thank you Bill

gunbugs · 11-30-2013, 01:57 AM

A delightful presentation. Thanks much for sharing.

Sergio Natali · 11-30-2013, 06:23 AM

I only wanted to say "Thanks for your efforts Bill", this post was very interesting indeed!

Sergio

12-31-2011, 05:13 PM	#1
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	U.S. Commercial Luger Holsters The first major import of lugers was American Eagles. Many were sold with some type of holster. WWI and II resulted in thousands of lugers brought into the U.S. There were more lugers than holsters. In the early 1900's, saddle and harness shops were searching for new markets since, with the advent of the automobile, saddle and harness demands were declining. Making holsters for the ever-expanding handgun industry provided some of this market. This included luger holsters. Some of the major holster manufacturers were Heiser, Audley, Lawrence, Colorado Saddlery, and S.D. Myres. These are well covered by Eugene Bender in his excellent book, "Luger Holsters and Accessories of the 20th Century." Tandy Leather Company had luger holster patterns as well as pre-cut leather for the "do it yourselfers." Generally, Tandy holsters were the closed type. Many holsters were made by small leather shops. These were generally custom made on an individual order basis. Later, Brauer and Hunter made many luger holsters. The majority of U.S. holsters were made without magazine pouches. There were, however, some made with this provision. Some were made for artillery and navy lugers. I have one police holster for an artillery? How do you find these holsters and identify them as luger holsters? Some custom luger holsters have the name of who made them and luger and/or barrel length stamped on the back. Many others are totally unmarked. All gun shows have tables with various used holsters. I spend a lot of time going through them. Most gun shops have boxes of used leather to look over. Occasionally I find one. Ebay is another source. Most, if not all, holsters that have held a luger are easy to recognize by size and impressions made inside by the rear toggles. I also generally carry a luger for checks. Probably it is not an area that many are interested in. For me, it has added a new luger collecting element. Prices are certainly cheaper than original leather (which I still like very much). I currently have 80+ U.S.-made luger holsters. Photos: 1. Lawrence, Heiser and Audley holsters 2. What I call "Tandy patterns" 3. Magazine holsters 4. Artillery and navy holsters 5. Names on back 6. Various designs 7. Toggle impressions Attached Thumbnails __________________ Bill Lyon

10-10-2013, 05:22 PM	#7
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Nice collection Bill. There's something about old leather holsters. They're just cool... Thanks... __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

10-11-2013, 01:51 AM	#9
mystical_tutor User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 230 Thanks: 32 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts	Bill; Darn nice. Sure would like to have a couple of those. I picked this up while stationed at Ft. Lewis in the '80s. Never liked it's designed position with the belt snap. Was too low and could easily be seen. Up under my arm I needed a tie down to the belt. Worked good though. Attached Thumbnails

10-11-2013, 07:57 AM	#10
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	Simply a wonderful collection Bill and an article worthy of The American Rifleman magazine. I strongly encourage you to submit your article and photos to NRA publications so that those collectors who are not knowledgable about the Lugerforum can learn from it and enjoy your research and collection. __________________ 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..."*

10-11-2013, 10:50 AM	#12
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,909 Thanks: 1,374 Thanked 3,110 Times in 1,510 Posts	Thanks Bill. I am enjoying the two commercial holsters I recently got from you. Being left handed, I particularly like the first holster in the first picture... This is worthy of a "sticky" status... Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

12-31-2011, 06:06 PM	#2
MikeP User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: ILL Posts: 686 Thanks: 36 Thanked 452 Times in 198 Posts	Very nice and interesting.

12-31-2011, 06:29 PM	#3
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,033 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	Great collection Bill

12-31-2011, 06:37 PM	#4
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 Bill, Thanks for the great photo presentation, You seem to have pioneered a whole new field of Luger research. Regards, Norm

01-02-2012, 05:21 PM	#5
CAP Black User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Fairmont, WV Right here in Mountaineer country and God's country Posts: 767 Thanks: 100 Thanked 168 Times in 96 Posts	I have purchased a couple of holsters and thought maybe I was an oddball for so doing. I guess I'm not alone in my fancy. thanks Bill Jack

10-10-2013, 03:31 PM	#6
jagervw User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: S. Florida Posts: 47 Thanks: 52 Thanked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Thanks Bill!

10-10-2013, 08:45 PM	#8
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	Bill, I think your particular nitch has saved and preserved a unique aspect of the Luger Pistol, the commercial holster. I applaud your efforts.

10-11-2013, 09:11 AM	#11
JTD User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: PA Posts: 425 Thanks: 217 Thanked 408 Times in 149 Posts	Very intresting Bill, thanks for sharing with us. John

10-11-2013, 02:30 PM	#13
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	A few more. 1. Commercial luger shoulder holsters only one marked (9 o'clock) Heiser 2. My favorite 3. Added to original picture Buffalo Brand (bottom) and S.D. Myres (center) Just noticed wrong luger in old holster. Should have been 1906 AE. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Bill Lyon

10-11-2013, 05:50 PM	#14
mystical_tutor User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 230 Thanks: 32 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts	I can see why it is your favorite, real nice tooling.

10-11-2013, 11:03 PM	#15
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,636 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,559 Times in 955 Posts	This original thread was a couple years ago. Guess it got resurrected. Thanks for the continued interest. I did add a few more today. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

11-29-2013, 04:16 PM	#16
mystical_tutor User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 230 Thanks: 32 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts	Bill; I finally found this. Knew I had it someplace probably nothing special but I did not see one in your pictures just like it. If you don't have one, let me know, this deserves a good home even though it has been run hard and put away wet. Looks like the Mfg. mark is something like this: 5 GEO. LAWRENCE CO. PORTLAND OR. 30 L I am assuming the L is for Luger because a Luger sure fits nice and neat in it. Gary Attached Thumbnails

11-29-2013, 04:41 PM	#17
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Very Impressive...Great Thread!!!! Tks

11-29-2013, 09:07 PM	#18
Maestro User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: "Where the streets have no names" Posts: 504 Thanks: 192 Thanked 200 Times in 136 Posts	What an amazing collection Thank you for sharing and the education. I had always wondered about the U.S. Commercial Luger Holsters and now I know a lot more. Thank you Bill

11-30-2013, 01:57 AM	#19
gunbugs Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska. Home of the best moose. Posts: 659 Thanks: 365 Thanked 1,178 Times in 394 Posts	A delightful presentation. Thanks much for sharing.

11-30-2013, 06:23 AM	#20
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I only wanted to say "Thanks for your efforts Bill", this post was very interesting indeed! Sergio __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.