?About a vet brought back Luger

[Pink181]

I am looking for info on the a German Luger I got from my grandfathers estate. I appears to be nickel plated with all matching serial numbers except for the magazine in a Walther P-38 holster.

[Pink181]

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Photo #7 Holster

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Photo #8 Holster

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Photo #9 Holster

[JoeW]

It appears your Grandfathe brought back a P08 (Luger) that was made by Waffenfabrik Mauser (byf is the code) in 1941 (41 stamped over the chamber). It was accepted by the military (WaA stamps on the right side of the bbl. extension) and issued for military use. Those guns were issued with a blued finish. I presume you Grandad had the gun nickle plated probably in the 1950s or early 60s. In the nickle condition I don't see much collector value. I don't know in what condition the magzine is.

The P38 holster is a popular item and has some value depending in the condition of the holster. From the looks of the reverse in your picture, there is some dryness in the holster that needs immediate treatment. It looks llke the flap is seperating from the body and there are some gouges and initials carved into the reverse. Not a good sign.

But the grouping together still is valuable to you as a memento of your grandad's sevice in WWII.

[Pink181]

Thank you for the information. I am not sure about when it was nickel plated. My had told me that as long a he remembers it has always been nickeled. The magazine is used but in great shape. As for the name scratched in on the back, it is my grandfathers. I am currently trying to track down other items, I recently found part of a belt hanger from a SA dagger, now I just have to locate the dagger.

[Pink181]

What would be the best thing to use on the holster

[JoeW]

I have used a product called Pecard's leather treatment. Look for a product of museum use quality. Stay away from Neat's Foot oil and liquid leather treatments found in hardware stores.

[GWA]

Pecards is the absolutely worst thing you can use, it will darken the leather and the stitching and will leave a greasy residue. My suggestion would be to give it a light cleaning with saddle soap, let it rest twenty-four plus hours and then treat it with a very light application of Hide Food.

[JoeW]

There is nothing wrong with Pecard's if the directions are followed. Some people use too much, keeping it in a cool place and thus have a sticky residue. It is not greasy. I have used it for 15 years on my holsters with no darkening. I also use Black Rock. Don't use saddle soap, especially on dry holsters such as yours appears to be. The excess moisture/soap does stain dry leather. A light brushing with a good quality shoe brush will remove most of the crud. But you must check on the condition of your holster. If it appears dry and there is damage to the stitching, be careful with a brush.