[drm2m]

I have a vet bring back HSc E/135 marked pistol, with two Mauser marked Magazines, in an "unmarked Ersatz holster", in superb condition.
I would be interested to hear from others that have pistols that are housed in "Ersatz" holsters ,as there seems to be only occasional
discussion regarding these oddities.This particular holster has, what looks like , a placticzed liner inside the holster to protect from gun lube staining???The body of the holster is very rigid,and somewhat "hard shell like " in texture, being of a lighter brown laminated paper material ,with darker brown "leather" closing strap and belt loops.
I would be curious to hear from others in this regard.
David

 

[Olefogey]

That sounds like a very nice rig you have acquired. Not many of those "paper" holsters have survived. I have a PP in a light brown, almost orange paper holster with the same leather closing strap. It also is quite "hard", and is starting to delaminate along the edges of the flap. Near the end of the war there was a shortage of leather, so the Germans looked for alternative products for there holsters. There are vinyl types, half leather/vinyl and the paper type you and I have. Leather was usually used for the closing strap and the belt loops, but later on the belt loops were made of paper also. When they were new they were quite strong and durable, but the ravages of time moisture and heat have most of them in a deteriorating condition. Hope this helps you out. I know someone else will jump in with maybe more info. What condition is your holster in??

Dave

 

[drm2m]

Thanks for your comments Dave, the holster is in superb condition,with no apparent signs of deterioration to the integrity of the piece.I looked at the holster tonight, and I realized that the only leather component is the closure strap, ...the single wide belt loop appears to be of the same paper laminate in excellent shape, but probably very rigid . The HSc is serial numbered 746,973 with two Mauser marked magazines. I am certainly not an HSc expert, however ,I believe this pistol is a third variation (approx. 4000 produced ???)
Why it came in this type of holster..... who knows??

 

[drm2m]

Front view of ersatz holster that came with HSc pistol S/n 746,973.


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Rear view of ersatz holster


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[Fritz]

A very interesting Ersatz holster !
Here another one out of my collection.

Fritz

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[drm2m]

Fritz,your holster appears in super shape! My holster has the same kind of liner.Did your holster come with an early or late war pistol?
I understand that material shortages in Germany occured later in the war,however, I remember reading somewhere that shortages may also have been perodically the case earlier.I guess what I find somewhat intriging ,is that the HSc that came with the holster is an earlier war manufactured pistol.I originally got the rig from the son of the vet that brought it back from Europe.His father was in the Canadian Army, and neither the father nor the son were gun collectors,so I don't believe the pistol and holster were put together by some collector.Thanks for posting the photo of your holster.
David

 

[Fritz]

David,
Please take a look on this topic :

http://www.gunboards.com/luger/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1252

I'm in possession of more than one WWII "early type pistol rig" which came along with Ersatzstoff holster.
Mostly these holsters are "well used" advertising, that they were not only put in service in the last month of the WWII.

Fritz

 

[drm2m]

Fritz, I looked back at that posting.....what a great presentation of a very interesting rig.
David