[Mauro]

Hello guys,
I am very glad to show my collection of holsters.


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Starting from left:

1915 Artillery belt.

1915 pig skin AWM – Eugen Huber Militar Effekten Munchen holster for LP08 with related pig skin magazine pouch. This is the only example I know of holster and pouch both marked with AWM acceptance mark and same producer (Eugen Huber). I guess a very rare rig!!

1915 LP08 holster made in Berlin (difficult to read the producer).

1915 Soft Pig Skin holster made by Mars (Berlin) in the 1915. Another interesting and rare holster that complete the pig skin collection. (Bought from Thorston some days ago)

1920 Heiser LP08 holster. A very interesting item. Not so easy to find today.

A WWI soft Turkish holster for LP08. This holster is very rare and it has been presented in several articles in French and in Italy.

Further pictures are available in my updated web site: have a look.
In the site it is also available a beautiful picture (Carousel of LP08) made by Paolo Petracco. The picture is visible in the first page (look at the applet that manages several photos) and also in the "Your LP08 pictures" link.


And now the question:
I am very interested in receiving further information about the Mars holster and in particular the Mars producer. Please let me know if you have some infos about the holster and the producer.
I wish you merry Christmas and happy 2004.


Ciao

Mauro

 

[Jan C Still]

Mauro
Thanks for showing your collection of LP08 holsters. I am not familiar with the Mars LP08 holsters but some of the LP08 collectors might be.
Have a Merry Xmas and most important, GOOD COLLECTING!
Jan

 

[keoki7]

Mauro, I have two pebbled Mars holsters just like yours. Both made in 1915. Before his death, Ed sayre told me that Mars was mostly a producer of leather goods for Mauser such as the Mauser C96 Harness. Perhaps someone with knowledge of WWI Mauser stuff can help us out. If you wish, I will post photos of my Mars holsters.

 

[keoki7]

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92.73KBMauro, as promised, here are some shots of my two MARS holsters. Both are marked exactly the same; MARS
BERLIN
1915

The modified holster came from a collection in England and has been repaired by Jerry Burney. The other was picked up here in Virginia several years ago.













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[keoki7]

Here is a period photo showing a group of soldiers, one of whom is LP08 armed. The holster appears to be of the same pattern as the MARS holsters. Also note the way in which he is wearing it. It seems to be a belt mount.

I can't get the photo to post. Perhaps Mauro will post it as I have sent him a copy.

 

[keoki7]

This may do it...

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Now I'm so pleased with myself I think I shall try some scotch!

 

[Guest_V]

George & Mauro,

I´m going to the Berlin State Library this week anyway and will look up address books and anything else I can find about Mars. I also found the holster/belt configuration especially interesting. Apparently there was a WWI spring steel holster fixture to enable marine troops operating in Belgium to fix their Navy Lugers onto the Koppel (belt). Reckendorf mentions this but has never seen the item - and I´ve never heard of anyone who has.

Patrick

 

[Guest_V]

Just for the fun of it, I´ve been to the Berlin central library and taken a look at old phone & address books.

Mars was not included in Bender´s list. They disappeared during the slump in 1920 and did not therefore supply Wehrmacht or Reichswehr.

Mars was listed from 1910 to 1920 as a manufacturer and resaler of "novelties", military accessories and accoutrements for reservists at two different addresses in Berlin. The first address was in the same street as G.L.´s address (Wilmersdorfer Str.).

It seems unlikely that Mars made their own holsters. Delivery to "reservists" would explain why their pebbled holsters might not have had to strictly conform to mil. spec.

Patrick

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[lugerholsterrepair]

This Soldier photo posted by George above just shows how rough the service must have been on these leather pieces.

What I would give to be able to peruse the Berlin State Library! Must be fascinating! Thanks Patrick! Jerry Burney

 

[Navy]

All,

"Apparently there was a WWI spring steel holster fixture to enable marine troops operating in Belgium to fix their Navy Lugers onto the Koppel (belt). Reckendorf mentions this but has never seen the item - and I´ve never heard of anyone who has."

I have several Navy rigs with this fixture. Will send photos when time permits. Oh, and FWIW, these were in both enameled steel stampings as well as a stainless version.

Tom A.

 

[Joop van de Kant]

Mauro,

I am new in this forum. Thanks to you, as I have a holster with the "MARS" BERLIN 1915 markings on it, and you asked for reactions. The quotes around "MARS" seem to have been part of their registered brand, as they are shown also in the original phonebook, kindly passed to us by Patrick.
The outside of the holster is black coloured pebbled pigskin, the inside is tan coloured. I also did not find any references to this holster-maker in my pile of books.
In the inside of the holster flap there are black letters, high 3/4 inch: F. A. R. 3. with 1915 underneath.
If anyone could indentify these markings it would be of great interest for me.

 

[Mauro]

Joop,
FAR3 means Feld Artillery Regiment number 3 which was part of the 6th infantry division. As part of the 6th infantry division the holster has seen the battle of Verdun, the fights around the fortress Douaumont and Vaux, as well as the Somme battle and the great battle of France 1918.
If you look at my web site (http://lugerlp08.free.fr/), in the holster topic, you can find some other pictures concerning the Mars holster.
I would like to thank very much Patrick for the interesting research he performed concerning the Mars producer.
George I really appreciate the pictures you provide to me. Thank you.
Ciao
Mauro

 

[Mauro]

George,
here a zoom of the historical Mars holster picture you provide to me. I guess this picture can help.
Thank you.
Ciao


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[Joop van de Kant]

Mauro,

Thank you for your info about FAR3. I visited your site - compliments!
Could I find your book in specialised bookshops here in Belgium? Please send me an E-Mail how I can buy a copy.

 

[Guest_V]

Mauro,

the (enlarged) picture of the soldier´s holster looks very much as if he´s using some kind ov cover for the top of the rig.

Just to complete my previous info, I´m including a copy of the second MARS entry - stating their speciality "novelty" products - whatever that may mean.

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[Guest_V]

Tom,

I´ve only just been able to open the Forum - it was down for a few days here in Deutschland. I´d be VERY grateful for further information - and, above all, pics - of the steel spring for the marine infantry holster - AND of a GERMAN mil issue lanyard. The lanyard has been an eniga for some time now that even Goertz and Reckmeyer couldn´t solve. All the mil. and police regulations have been published - but the only lanyards that can be reliably authenticated seem to be Portuguese. If taking pics is not possible, maybe just a scan reproduction?

Danke im voraus

Patrick

 

[Mauro]

Thank you Patrick for the interesting info concerning Mars.
Ciao
Mauro

 

[laoshi75]

hello Gentlemen,

my contribution for these posts dedicated to MARS. here is my pouch, with MARS Berlin 1917

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[laoshi75]

and this one:

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[laoshi75]

the last one...thank you.

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