The Austrian-Hungarian Holster for Roth M07 and Steyr M12

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Dear Friends,
I am pleased to post some information on holsters for handguns of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
I will underline the distinctive aspects of the various models and I will refer to regulations of the time.
I apologies for any grammar error and any possible misunderstanding/mismatch in content of the thread.
Kind regards

Enrico

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The following picture illustrates all the Types of the K.u.K., K.K. and K.u. Holsters I have found collecting Militaria.

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THE FIRST TYPE HOLSTER (ALTER ART) ("A" in the picture and table)

The first type of holster is that adopted for the semiautomatic pistol Roth M07, caliber 8mm.
There are three variants: one with a rear loop to hang it to the belt (pistolentasche ohne umhängriemen), the second with a shoulder strap to carry it (pistolentasche umhängriemen mit) and the third with a very special kind of suspension (pistolentasche für offiziere) (Offelli, S. Le armi e gli equipaggiamenti dell’esercito austro-ungarico dal 1914 al 1918, volume primo, pag. 217).

TRANSITIONAL HOLSTERS ("B" - "C" - "D" in the picture and table)

The holsters that are placed between the first and the second Type, at my initiative, will be called “transitional” Type. The criterion used in the description of these holsters is morphological, but, in my opinion, the exterior expresses a functional concept. So following the development of external form we will also appreciate the intention to gradually improve the ergonomics and robustness of objects that had to demonstrate ease of use and durability
What happens in the Transitional Type? Were operated changes which mainly concern: (1) the mode of closure of the storage box ammunition (which is hooked via a tab to the pin-retaining flap), (2) the morphology of the zone relative to the handle of the gun (which remains uncovered thus facilitating both the grip and the extraction), (3) the junction between top ammunition box and its lid (which a variable number of rivets fixed upper and lower), (4) the position of the pin-retaining flap (which enters significantly towards the median line of the holster) and (5) the distance between the rivets that secure the rear shoulder strap (which approach one another significantly).
These changes will occur in stages.
Holsters that enclose the grip of the gun are dedicated to Roth M07, while those that leave free can be used both by Roth M07 and the Steyr M12; it is evident that having the handle free represents a major advantage when the weapon has to be taken quickly. Even the disappearance of the buckle, which closed the ammunition box, is advantage in reaching the ammunition clips for a quick refueling. Modifications on the strength of the closure between top ammunition box and its lid are made over time in order to increase its wear resistance.
There are three variants: one with a rear loop to hang it to the belt (pistolentasche ohne umhängriemen), the second with a shoulder strap (pistolentasche umhängriemen mit) and the third with a very special kind of suspension (pistolentasche für offiziere) (Offelli, S. Le armi e gli equipaggiamenti dell’esercito austro-ungarico dal 1914 al 1918, volume primo, pag. 218).

THE SECOND TYPE HOLSTER (NEUER ART) ("E" in the picture and table)

The so-called First Type began as a small jewel of harness, as the case of a precious gem: the weapon is completely surrounded and protected, and the ammunition trunk has even a buckle with a buckle that holds it closed. Well, a little safe. Who has designed it, I believe, has not even bothered to see how it changed the profile of the weapon with the ammo in the chamber: the firing pin of Roth M07 protrudes conspicuously. In almost all cases it is not possible to store the weapon with the chamber and be able to close the flap to metal peg... the flap does not get it!
The Transitional Types bring our holsters to their final appearance, packaging workshop of the Belle Époque gradually move away to make room for a configuration that is, before all things, functionally useful on the battlefield.
The Second Type is very attractive from an aesthetic point of view and it is very functional, always referring to the functional criterions of the era and not to the actual ones. Also the assembly has undergone some modification: the outer part is now constituted by a single cut of skin, without the vertical seam between trunk and ammunition body that characterized the first model. Similarly, the rear loop for the belt always presents two lines of stitching overlapping instead of one. Among these holsters, we will find the version with belt and shoulder strap, found room both for Roth M07 and Steyr M12 (Offelli, S. Le armi e gli equipaggiamenti dell’esercito austro-ungarico dal 1914 al 1918, volume primo, pag. 219).

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THE HOLSTER AND THEIR SUBSEQUENT ADDITIONS IN THE ADJUSTIERUNG
The holster that appears in the Regulation (Adjustierung) for the Imperial and Royal Army of 1910 Part I is devoted to Roth M07 cal. 8mm. This is an alter art holster, highlighted by the letter "A" in the picture and the table shown previously. In 1910 the Steyr cal. 9mm has yet to see the light. The Roth M07 has the typically "Wn_Doppeladler_double-digit arabic" over the time between 09-10-11-12-13 for Steyr’s production and 11-12-13-14 for that Budapest (Central Powers Pistols Jan C. Still, p. 329).

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The holster that appears in the Regulation (Adjustierung) for the KK Landwehr Part I of 1911 is still devoted to Roth M07 cal. 8mm. It is a transitional holster, as evidenced by the letter "B" in the picture and in the table outlined above. In 1911 the Steyr cal. 9mm has yet to be introduced into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Steyr M12 has the typically "Wn_Doppeladler_double-digit arabic " in the timeframe between 14-15-16-17-18 (Pistols Central Powers, Jan C. Still, p. 334).

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The holster that appears in the addenda of 1912 and 1913 is a Transitional Type, marked with the letter "C" in the picture and the table shown previously. It fits by far the Roth M07 and probably began to be designed for the Steyr M12.
In essence, the Roth M07 can enter all the holsters ("A" - "B" - "C" - "D" - "E")! The Steyr M12 find its housing in holsters that allow the opening to the pistol grip ("C" - "D" - "E").

I have no further documentation to demonstrate the commissioning of holsters "D" and "E" of the photo and the table, however, there is a wide photographic documentation that compensates this lack of “official” sources.

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STAMPS can be found inside the flap

Common Army:



Landwehr (Austrian territorial Army):



Honvéd (Hungarian territorial Army):

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THE MODERN REPLICAS

If you are interested, these are the links to some sites that sell repro (somebody else often passes them off, after appropriate aging, for originals)

www.militarie-repliky.cz/en/rakuh.php
www.kukreplika.cz/en/repliky/

FAKE STAMPS found inside the flap:





Logo of Milan Svoboda [MS], creator of some repro:





-The End-

[phild]

Thank you, this is a fantastic thread and should be pinned. I learned more from you post here than in years of looking at these holsters....the few that I have seen directly.

[Tobysauer]

Hi, Welcome to the forum! What an excellent, informative thread !
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and showing us your amazing collection
Regards, Toby.

[mufasa]

fantastic thread Enrico!!!!!!!!!!

[taube]

I presume an addition to this elaborate thread is welcome.
Some pics of the my model A holster.
The shoulder strap may be arsenal added.

[taube]

Some more.

[flik]

Wow, this is great! Very informative!

[dahm]

M1907 Roth Steyr holster

Hi. My first contribution on this site. I, too, have a holster for the M1907 - I was going to post some images, but I haven't a clue how to get "URL" details of the images - any hints? I did post details the other day on another site - in case anyone spots it. And I am grateful to Enrico for confirming that the strange embossing on the ammunition pouch is perfectly normal (some chap from Tennessee could find little right with it!). These days, many collectors are unwilling to share information, so hats off to Enrico for his comprehensive contribution. I've had the holster since about 1992. It is for sale. One collector has valued it at somewhere between $600.00 and $800.00. I'm open to sensible offers! And if anyone wants seriously to buy it they need to be aware that insured postal rates from the UK are much higher than in the States - nothing I can do about it. Checking with a number of carriers the cheapest is about £50.00 (approx $80.00) to the States. Best wishes, Dahm.