P38 holster

[k-dog]

Hello,

is this holster original?
http://heini.kvhwurm.cz/P1.JPG
http://heini.kvhwurm.cz/P2.JPG
http://heini.kvhwurm.cz/P3.JPG

[leondes]

Hi,

I would say "no" based on what I can see. If you have the holster, one of the best ways to detect a fake is the "sniff" test. Lift the closure flap and sniff the inside. If it smells like new leather shoes or a new leather jacket, then it is a fake.

I have collected P.38 holsters for a long time and have never seen that maker marking before but, of course, there is always the possiblity of a new one showing up.

Also, by 1941 virtually all the the P.38 holster makers had started using the letter coding system.

Regards, Leon

[sneakerd]

The curve of the leather at the tops of the belt loops in the first pic is the tell for me. 1st the leather looks too thick, 2nd I've never seen an original holster where the belt loops weren't flattened out over the years. The stamps are also too perfect. I didn't feel the need to look any further than the 1st pic.

[k-dog]

a few more quality pics... do you still think it´s a fake? I don´t know, but for me, it seems like original...


https://photos-2.dropbox.com/i/l/ykR...211_185644.jpg

https://photos-3.dropbox.com/i/l/6uu...211_185654.jpg

https://photos-4.dropbox.com/i/l/6Bu...211_185719.jpg

https://photos-5.dropbox.com/i/l/vNu...211_185746.jpg

https://photos-6.dropbox.com/i/l/WLv...211_185808.jpg

https://photos-1.dropbox.com/i/l/s_T...211_185819.jpg

https://photos-2.dropbox.com/i/l/pD9...211_185824.jpg

https://photos-3.dropbox.com/i/l/QQJ...211_185831.jpg

https://photos-4.dropbox.com/i/l/OnX...211_185840.jpg

[sneakerd]

new pics all come up "error". 2nd and 3rd initial pics- the front looks good- but the back? well, it doesn't look as if it was ever worn. The thread should be white, not that dirty brown color. Granted it could just be dirty, but not based on the condition of the back of the holster, which looks like it was never out in the field. The smell test should tell you something.

[ValhallaMilitaria]

I say fake, tea can be used to yellow the stitching a bit, it just doesn't add up to me, sorry. Oh and the new pictures you put up are unloadable.

[sneakerd]

Yeah- the stitching does not look dirty- it looks colored.

[Thomas9]

Noway!

[k-dog]

are the photos OK, now?
it looks that someone used some cream or oil to take care of the leather.. because not all are such yellow and some parts inside have white stitching.
btw, I have leather mapcase with original stitching, which looks the same..

[sneakerd]

Nope

[leondes]

k-dog,

Do you mind if I resize your pictures smaller and load them on a web page so they will be easier to see? I can then post the link to the page.

Regards, Leon

[k-dog]

ok, thanks very much for the help

[leondes]

Here are k-dogs pictures in a more viewable format.

http://lmd-militaria.com/page0320.htm

Regards, Leon

[Matt Weber]

I don't like the stitching. Not because of the color, but because of the type of thread used, and the style of the stitches themselves. They look too straight. Original stitching usually has angles to each stitch.

I don't like the belt loops either. Not because of their thickness (btw, I have seen belt loops this thick on originals), but because of the way they are rounded at the corners. Also the way they are placed just doesn't look correct.

I don't like the markings. I too have collected holsters for a long time, and I've never seen this maker. By 1941, the 3-letter code system was being used by makers. (true, there are always exceptions, but those have been well documented already, and this one has not).

I Also don't like the rivets. They appear to brass, look really huge, and just look too new.

I don't like the lack of wear either. it has never been a belt before. Even wear inside is almost none. If this carried a P38, it would have the telltale signs, and show much more wear.

I'm betting this one would not pass the sniff test either, but that's just a guess?

Overall, it all adds up to a thumbs down.

Matt

[leondes]

In addition to what Matt said, a big red flag to me is that terrible crease in the right side of the closure flap. I have never seen a crease anywhere close to that bad on an original P.38 hard shell holster.

Regards, Leon