[Aufaffe]

I love the luger holster for its form and protective qualities (regarding fully encompasing the pistol riding in it..But I'd hate to have to get the p.08 out of it quick in an emergency.

Anyone know how well it was liked by the soldiers who were issued it?

Aufaffe

 

[Gercolctor]

Auf

You will see a number of Luger holsters that have been modified by the GIs who captured them. They often widen the opening, so the Luger can be pulled out quicker.

I have had 2 of these "modified" Luger holsters. One is a 1906 Navy that was drastically cut open for eaiser access, but ruined any collectable value of one of these rare models. The other one was a standard military style holster, where the opening was carefully enlarged without completly destroying its apparence.

In response to your question; some of the GIs didn't appreciate the closed up style of the Luger holster. Not sure how the Germans felt about them, but they didn't grow up in the cowboy "quick draw" culture.
Joe

 

[Edward Tinker]

USA military holsters for the last 50 years are not much easier in a "quick" draw, and if a GI can modify one, he will!

Ed

 

[lugerholsterrepair]

Aufaffe, You must understand where this design originated. In a different day and age. Military operations at the turn of the Century were considerably different than more modern times and the Germans had severe elements with which to deal. Formations and methods of fighting and transportation were more rudimentary. Many horses were used in muddy fields and this caused mud to be thrown over horse and rider. During trench warfare there was dirt, mud and debris everywhere and it was difficult to keep exposed weapons clean. It was important to keep the pistol in the holster as well. Falling out would do no good.
Many times the threat was seen long before it got there and the pistol could be removed with plenty of time. It is actually rare that a pistol would have to be whipped out immediately. If a Soldier waited that long to percieve a threat I imagine he had no use for a defensive weapon anyway. That's what the weapon was, a defensive piece. Maching gun crews used them to defend the gun as Soldiers got close to it. Stosstrup Soldiers used them on patrol into no man's land as it was handier than a rifle. I would say it was much more important to keep the weapon clean and in working order than quick access. With the loading tool and extra magazine pouch the German Luger holster would have been a very nice accoutrement for a Soldier in outdoor conditions. Jerry Burney

 

[Aufaffe]

Yes I understand that completely. That's what I meant when I mentioned it's protective qualities. It’s just that with mobile warfare and in particular situations when the enemy could come from out of nowhere it must have been hell trying to get that thing out of its box.

It is a work of art but has its downside. By it's nature the luger must have a holster that is almost airtight since the machined tolerances were so tight, dirt, dust, mud and anything that came in contact with the pistol could foul it, cause it to malfunction and get you killed..

The other real plus side of the luger holster is that it really preserved lugers well so that we can find the 85%-95% condition pistols that we all collect.

Auffafe

 

[Ron Smith]

It's kind interesting to think about. What we consider the classic western "Quick Draw" holster, started out as a military flap holster. Mustered out soldiers who moved west and became cowboys. Simply cut the flap off for easier access. The Buscadero, or drop loop, low slung gun slinger holsters did'nt exsist until the 50s. A Hollywood invention. Americans have a habit of making things more practical. An attribute that helped largely in the defeat of the German Army. The Germans operated under the old world belief of Regimentalization. Work as a regimented group with the leader calling the shots. Americans were trained to think on there feet. Assess, adapt, and overcome. The secret of our military strength.

Ron