Mystery solved!

[james m]

Awhile back I acquired a bunch of stuff out of the woodwork part of which is pictured below:


Among these items was this mysterous case which several fellow collectors we unable to identify:


Well I've now identified it:

[IMBLITZVT]

Is it a case for that Luger snail drum?

[Jerry Burney]

Yes, That is exactly what it is for WW1 vintage. This one appears to be a nice reproduction. They are quite rare and if an original is found in good condition they are very expensive.

Jerry Burney

[Alan Smith]

Thanks for the input, Jerry. I have had several off-Forum communications with other collectors and everyone has the same opinion as you: reproduction.

Still, looks like there were some very nice items obtained in this "out of woodwork" buy. I would enjoy seeing some detailed photos of the Parabellum carbine shoulder stock (especially close ups of the stock lug attaching mechanism) that is visible in the photos.

[IMBLITZVT]

I need a snail drum!

[james m]

Please explain why you think this is a reproduction? I see no signs whatsoever that this is the case. In fact it appears to be an early one showing its age that was never modified with the re-enforcing buttons. It also came with 3 - 100% period snail drums. (You can see one in the top picture and it's documented by serial # in "The Luger Snail Drum and Other Accessories" by E. Sayre.
I've also had multiple PMs offering to buy it. Kinda strange for a reproduction!
The carbine shoulder stock is in fact a reproduction but one of the nicest ones I've ever seen.
Jim

[GWA]

Unlike Jerry, I think that the leather carrier is perhaps an original; I would have to have it in hand to make a hard determination. The canvas looks a little too heavy but the leather and buckles look period. The only reproductions I have ever seen had oversized buckles.

[Luis22]

I love the SS dagger...congrats!

[Alan Smith]

Volume III of the new 3-volume book set "Parabellum" by Sturgess/Gortz (Collector Grade Publications) has more information than I've seen anywhere else on the TM08 carriers. Perhaps someone with free time on their hands can sit down and compare the item shown to the information contained in the book?

I've never seen an original canvas/leather carrier so I don't know what to look for. My instinct, however, based having handled many original WWI German canvas/leather items is that any such item, no matter how well maintained, are at this late date going to be showing their 90+ years of age.

[james m]

I love the SS dagger...congrats!

All the daggers were gone in less than 24 hours. I guess i should have priced them higher!

This snail drum case show both age and use which perhaps isn't very apparent in my pictures. If it is in fact is a reproduction someone went to great effort to age it.
The leather is cracked thru aging and has no leather smell at all. The whole case has a musty/old canvas aroma to it. Furthermore the strap holes are elongated in the exact spot where someone would buckle them with a snail drum inside.
If someone would prefer to email me in private giving me their thoughts negative or positive on this that would be fine.
Jim
For those who emailed me here's a picture of the whole "hoard" as I layed in out on my dining room table. Much of it is now gone.

[Alan Smith]

James,

Do you still have the P.04 "Navy" Luger holster/stock/mag pouch rig that is shown in the left hand corner of your photo?

Alan

[james m]

James,

Do you still have the P.04 "Navy" Luger holster/stock/mag pouch rig that is shown in the left hand corner of your photo?

Alan

Alan:
That Navy rig went to a fellow collector and good friend the day after I brought this stuff home. It now houses his Navy Luger. I've still got some of these items I kept for my own collection like the snail drums.
However other than some of the framed magazine covers and smaller items everything else is gone.
Jim

[GWA]

Jim, here is a photo of two you can use for a visual comparison.

[james m]

Thanks for the pics GWA:
Aside from the fact that yours has the later added "strenthening buttons" it looks like the one I have right down to the roller buckles. I am having a hard time trying to figuere out why some think this is a reproduction. I've asked that specifics be posted publicly or to email me privately but so far no one has done this.
Jim

[GWA]

Thanks for the pics GWA:
Aside from the fact that yours has the later added "strenthening buttons" it looks like the one I have right down to the roller buckles.
Jim

Buttons are not added; it is the second variation of the carrier.