Artillery Luger Holster Shoulder strap

[Nick Komiya]

I purchased an Artillery Luger Holster from the E-stand, http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=351137
which I always wanted, and I eventually would like to find the hanging strap and mag pouch to complete it.

Untill I can find originals of those parts, I would like to at least have a substitute strap. I am aware of repros of the holster and I can buy one and scavenge from it, but buying a whole repro just for the minor parts is such a wasteful idea that I hesitate to do this. Any suggestions? Particularly, are there any easily available straps out there that can serve as a decent substitute?

I would also appreciate any photos of what an original strap looks like and what sort of length and width. I see that on the repro strap there's a strip of metal plate affixed. What is that for and do originals have that, too?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me on this matter.

[GWA]

The repro strap you refer to with the metal plate is a Paki made strap. Originals had no such metal plate.

I would suggest that you contact Jerry Burney, who is a member here, for a perfect matched strap. He may also have the two attaching studs you will need. Jerry's email is lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net

Beware when going after a double magazine pouch as 90% of those you will encounter were made for the Portugese contract pistols. The Portos are black and have dual purpose strap on the back so that it can be worn on the shoulder strap or belt like the German navy. Imperial German army double magazine pouches were brown and had a single belt strap on the back. They were designed to be worn on the belt only. Military pouches will always have a maker mark and date.

[JoeW]

deleted

[Nick Komiya]

Thanks for the really helpful advice. I only mentioned the mag pouch, because I thought it belonged on the strap like the repro. Now that I learned otherwise, I will gladly do without it and focus on the strap.

[Alan Smith]

Also, on the original German army issue mag pouches, the metal closure stud will always be steel. On the Portugese mag pouches, the closure stud will be brass.

Yes, I would have Mr. Burney make you some straps, as finding originals on the loose will be next to impossible. Plus, if you ever find them, the seller is going to want a fortune for them. Heck, if you want original straps, for the money a loose set of originals would command, you would probably be better off just purchasing a complete original holster/stock/straps rig.

Good luck with your project.

[Nick Komiya]

Alan,
Thank you, too for the advice.
Yes, I suspected I would never find a strap by itself. Scavenging from an original but beat up rig was what I thought was the only way. However, now that you guys put me in touch with Jerry, I think I'll be happy enough with an accurate repro strap from him.

As I am far afield in this area, there's another elementary question I'd like to ask here. Photos of original holsters I located on the web show usage of washered rivets in lieu of stiching on the strap band for the protective leather cap to the stock's end and on the closure flap where the closing stud for the holster is located. Was usage of these rivets a manufacturer's variation seen concurrently with the conventional stiching or did one follow the other as an evolution?

[GWA]

It appears to be evolution with earlier outfits having stitched attachment.

[Nick Komiya]

Thank you very much for the clarification. I'm glad that I asked about the strap. You guys made my day.

[MG34NZ]

Hi Nick, A mag pouch wouldnt be to hard to make if you wanted.
Heres my one I have had for many years

[MG34NZ]

The back view

[MG34NZ]

The mags that went in these pouches were blued finish, not the usual nickel plated ones, These mags and the pouch have been together from day one.
Possiable available for trade if you have a good stick grenade
Regards
MG34NZ

[GWA]

That is a nice looking army double magazine pouch. Here are some photos of a few in my collection for further reference. Wooden based magazines with blued tubes did not appear until late in the Weimar period.

[GWA]

The reverse

[GWA]

As you can see in the first photo the stud can be either brass or steel.

[GWA]

And just for kicks, a few that prove that absolutes are seldom true. The large black pouch is probably post WWII Scandinavian or West German.