Holster Good or Bad

[PaulE]

What do you think about this holster or

[PaulE]

2

[PaulE]

3. rear maker mark

[Gary Cain]

Holster looks fine, just poorly repaired.


Gary

[leondes]

Hi Paul,

I don't like the looks of the leather nor the stitching. If the holster is in your possession, lift the flap and sniff the inside. A reproduction holster will have an odor like new leather shoes. An original holster won't smell like the leather we are familiar with but will usually have a slight musty odor.

The upward closure strap identifies the holster as a likely police holster. I would then expect to see a police marking on the back. Your holster also has the "P08" stamp on the back. I don't recall seeing that marking so early. I believe that came in later so there would be no confusion between P08 and P38 holsters.

Karl Ackva was a premier holster maker and made some of the best quality holsters produced during the Third Reich period. I don't see that quality level in your holster.

If you have already purchased the holster, I hope I am all wet.

Regards, Leon

[r.blue]

I have to echo Leon's sentiments.
It looks reproduction to me.
R.Blue

[PaulE]

Thank you everyone.
The holster is not in my possession so cannot go much more into detail, but I was just needing a hand in working out the authenticity of this item., I had found a replica holster which has the same maker, year and P.08 mark (Except the writing above Karl Ackva is missing on this copy) and claims to be a good copy of a original.

Paul

[r.blue]

Paul,
This one has issues. There are plenty of Luger holsters out there. Keep an eye on ebay or such sights and you'll find a nice one.
R.Blue

[Gene]

Also be advised that pre war Ackva holsters had the first name of Carl, and later ones were changed to Karl

[leondes]

Hi Gene,

I wasn't able to access the link you posted, for some reason, but consider this.

I scanned this out of Eugene Bender's "Luger Holsters and Accessories Of The 20th Century".

http://lmd-militaria.com/page119.html

I have an identical holster but the first two letters of the maker name are nearly rubbed out. I can still see the "K" but I can't get a picture where it will show up.

Regards, Leon

[Johnnie]

The strap looks like a replacement to me. I'd be careful with this one,
Johnnie

[Gary Cain]

The strap looks to be a 98k strap that has been cut down. I think it is a legit holster just very poorly put back together. If it was dirt cheap I would buy it. If it's not it is not worth messing with.

Gary

[Gene]

Here's the Carl Ackva stamp on the back of a brown K98 ammo pouch dated 1939:

[PaulE]

Great info everyone
Gene Thanks for the advice, I found the waffenamt codes on two databases for Karl or Carl Ackva, seems to me he changed his first name spelling often in early years.
102 -Carl Ackva, Lederfabrik, Rüdesheimerstr. 27, Bad Kreuznach, Rheinland-Pfalz (hjh) : (1934)
135 -Karl Ackva, Lederfabrik, Rüdesheimerstr. 27, Bad Kreuznach, Rheinland-Pfalz (hjh) : (1934)
136 -Karl Ackva, Lederfabrik, Rüdesheimerstr. 27, Bad Kreuznach, Rheinland-Pfalz (hjh) : (P 08 holster : 1934)
286 -Carl Ackva, Lederfabrik, Rüdesheimerstr. 27, Bad-Kreuznach, Rheinland-Pfalz (hjh) : (1939 - 40)

Leon, Thanks for the scan looks exactly like the maker mark I posted.

I was a bit suspicious about the front strap looks too different in ageing to the rest of the leather

[leondes]

Hi Gene,

Thanks for the scan.

Regards, Leon