American, German and Swiss Made Belt and Shoulder Carry Holsters for Circa 1902/1920 Luger Carbines

1) Pictured is a custom ordered H.H. Heiser holster style No. 735-3 for a circa 1902 production 7.65 mm caliber Luger hunting carbine pistol with an 11-⅞-inch barrel. The H.H. Heiser Luger hunting carbine holster has a full cover flap with snap fastener closure, single, rear belt loop and is stamped 735-3 and is identified in some early Heiser catalogs as “Full hand Mexican Carved” while picturing the basic, plain style as No. 425 for a 4¾-inch (120mm), 5.9-inch (150mm) barrel Luger.

On the holster rear is the added text in large font, upper case is W.C. MITCHELL OXFORD OHIO 1962. Assuming 1962 is the year W.C. Mitchell, of Oxford, Ohio acquired the holster, does not mean he is the first owner, as in addition to the added text is an Abercrombie & Fitch circular logo, which means the subject, custom made holster was probably ordered by an Abercrombie & Fitch customer through one of their retail outlets, or possibly by mail through one of their catalogs. Abercrombie & Fitch then placed the order with Heiser.¹ This the first identified instance of a Luger holster having both the manufacture and the A&F logo on the same holster. The A&F holsters in the collection display the A&F logo only with no holster manufacture logo, although occasionally with style numbers that can be associated with A&Fs two main identified manufacturers, HH. Heiser and Colorado Saddlery. Click here for A&F holsters in the collection.

The holster is amazingly like new and dare to say, more than likely a one-time custom order as, probably because of their awkwardness, not many belt loop carry holsters were made for circa 1902 Luger carbines. Speaking of which, in the collection are two additional, extremely rare belt loop carry Luger carbine holsters. One, of which is another, equally rare, earlier manufacture Abercrombie & Fitch Luger carbine holster with an earlier pre-WW1 Abercrombie & Fitch New York in oval cartouche logo on the holster rear, single belt loop. View 1. View2.

2) Another Luger hunting carbine holster/scabbard is pictured, which is very unique and extremely rare because it was made in Switzerland, which actually is not that unusual as Switzerland, like Germany had a shooting/hunting history/tradition and as such, there is no doubt that some Luger hunting carbine pistols were sold in Switzerland. The identity of the subject Luger hunting carbine, shoulder carry holster offered by W. Glaser of Zürich, prior to WW1 is based on the 4-line ink stamping on the inside of the full cover flap which translates: Weapons & Sports Magazine, W. Glaser, formally Jacques Knecht of Zürich, Bahnhofstrasse 73 (Train Station Street). An internet search determined that Jacques Knecht ran a weapons and sports shop at Bahnhofstrasse 73 in Zürich, where he also offered photo articles from around 1904. In 1908, W. Glaser took over the business. W. Glaser is also identified as the “successor” of Jacques Knecht, the predecessor.

Based on the above information it can be concluded that the subject W. Glaser marked Luger hunting carbine pistol shoulder strap carry holster, full cover flap with brass stud and slit strap closure with holster body with toe plug that the Luger hunting carbine holster was made prior to WW1 and was originally unmarked and part of the Jacques Knecht inventory, subsequently the holster was absorbed into W. Glaser inventory and marked by W. Glaser in 1908. Additionally, there is the possibility that there is a Swiss made Luger hunting carbine scabbard for the Luger hunting carbine wooden stock lurking in the ether, waiting to be discovered.

3) Unknown maker commercial shoulder holster for a circa 1902 old model or 1920s Luger parts carbine pistol. The holster has a permanently attached, adjustable shoulder strap with two non-magnetic brass ring attachments for shoulder carry. The Luger carbine pistol has a full cover flap with early bird cage style snap fastener closure, CARR manufactured and MADE IN ENGLAND. ² The rear of the holster, in the lower third, is a single belt loop attached at an angle. The holster body entrance lip has a shallow cut in the center, which is similar to many German made holsters. The cover flap lower edge and holster body entrance lip have a fine border piping. Based on the permanently attached adjustable shoulder strap and the angled, single belt loop configuration suggests that this holster was meant to be used or carried as a "cross draw" holster. Also, based on the tight stitching, the dished shaped holster body entrance lip, the stitching “crossover” method used on the holster body “D” ring leather strip holster body attachments strongly suggests German manufacture based on typical Mauser C96 military holsters with similar “crossover” stitching. View 1 with Luger carbine inserted. View 2 front and rear of holster with Luger carbine resting on top.

4) Unknown maker commercial holster for a Luger carbine pistol. The holster is a semi-hard-shell style with a toe plug, with the holster body molded to the contour of the Luger carbine pistol. The Cordovan type leather has a smooth, dark chocolate brown appearance. The holster is a continuous piece of leather with an elongated, full cover flap being a continuous extension of the holster rear, secured to the holster body with a wrap-around strap attached to the holster rear and secured to via a brass stud assembly affixed to the cover flap. The back side, single attached belt loop is a curious rhomboidal shape with border piping, probably shaped so as not to interfere with the adjacent cover flap strap attachment. View 1 shows holster with Luger carbine inserted. View 2 shows front and rear view of holster with Luger hunting carbine resting on top.

5) Described is an unmarked carved leather holster for a Luger carbine pistol and is a right-handed leather holster for an 11¾-inch Luger carbine pistol. It features well done rosette and Greek key style stampings on the holster face and strap, a 1½-inch swiveled belt loop, and the main seam has been leather laced. The back also has embossed and stitched decoration and both the holster pouch and retention strap are lined with suede. The cover flap is secured to the holster body via a snap fastener assembly. Overall dimensions are 4¼-inches by 17½-inches, the stitching is tight, the leather supple, and it appears to have seen little use. There are no markings as to maker, but per the seller’s description: the family I acquired it from held that it had been brought back by a member who was stationed in Germany during the occupation.

5a) Acquired together with the above-described Luger carbine pistol holster is an unmarked leather cover flap holster for a Luger carbine pistol stock from the post-war occupation period and is a left-handed leather flap holster for a Luger carbine stock. It measures 6-inches wide by 17½-inches long, is suede lined and features a curved throat for access to the stock. There is a 2¾-inch belt loop on the rear as well as a suspension ring and the rear is faced with what appears to be rawhide for hard ware. The long edge seam is leather laced and there is decorative stitching on the face of the holster. The snap fastener assembly is an early birdcage style made by the U.S. Fastener Company and is present but does not close and the cover flap has lost its leather facing or liner. There are no markings as to maker, but per seller’s description: the family I acquired it from held that it had been brought back by a member who was stationed in Germany during the occupation. Pictured are the front and rear of both holsters, a front view of both holsters with cover flaps open with and without partially inserted Luger carbine pistol and wooden stock, and finally both holsters as a collage with period accessories.

6) Model 1902 or 1920s rare and unusual unmarked Luger hunting carbine holster for wooden stock. Seller description: I assume this was made post war for someone who wanted one for their carbine, however, either they bought it new in the early 1900's and used it to protect their stock while out hunting (they would carry the carbine over their shoulder like a rifle or across the chest). - not sure if it would stay, but it snaps right onto my belt and seems secure. This carbine stock leather holster/carrier is 16-inches long by 6½-inches at the widest.

7) Very rare, full cover flap, brass stud and slit closure, open toe, back side single belt loop with unknown purpose brass stud and two leather loop attached circular aluminum rings for shoulder carry holster for a circa 1902 or 1920s Luger carbine pistol detachable wooden stock. The full cover flap is marked in 2 lines with gold lettering J.W.H. SANTA BARBARA. The holster is identical to the only other known example pictured in Luger: The Multi-National Pistol by †Charlie Kenyon Jr., © 1991 on page 39. View 1. View 2. View 3.

8) Two very unusual leather holsters for belt carries or "D" ring attachments for shoulder carry made exclusively for a commercial navy Luger and artillery flat wooden board stocks. Holster is lined and in very good used condition. Pictured together are Artillery & Navy Luger board stock leather scabbards. Note that the above item 7 J.W.H. Santa Barbara marked scabbard will also fit a Luger hunting carbine pistol wooden hunting stock. Pictured are Artillery & Navy scabbard cover flap entrance with board Artillery & Navy scabbard cover flap entrance with stocks inserted. View 1. View 2. View 3.

9) Described is a circa 1902 or 1920s combination stock case for a Luger carbine pistol and wooden stock in fair condition for the Luger hunting carbine models 1902 and 1920s Luger parts carbine pistol and wooden stock. Designed to hold the pistol itself, as well as the shoulder stock. Leather is soft and supple with some wear and has some areas of flaking and scuffing. Part of the flap is missing, as is part of the flap strap. One of the belt loops is damaged. Faint maker markings on top of flap. Excellent repair and restoration of case by Jerry Burney of Luger Holster Repair. On the cover lid is a rectangular logo with the makers name. Unfortunately, due to the holsters age and wear the name is unreadable. Several attempts are illustrated in an attempt to decipher the maker's identification marking.

10) *◊ UNIQUE DWM COMMERCIAL 12″ BARREL LUGER RIG. SN 9384. 12-inch 30 Cal barrel that is matching numbered and Crown/N proofed. “DWM” scroll on center toggle link. 100m/200m rear navy style sight. Crown/N proof on left receiver. “GERMANY” marked on front of right frame rail. Checkered wood grips. All numbered parts on gun are matching. Imperial proofed wood bottom magazine. With unique custom tan leather scabbard holding a commercial navy stock that is attached to a custom tan leather holster with tan leather straps and buckles and extra magazine pouch. Stock has navy crown/M inventory marked metal disk and is missing the screws in the stock attaching iron. Serial number on attaching iron does not match the gun. Holster pistol and stock combination is well made and of the period and does not appear to have any identifying marks. Three views of tan leather scabbard. Front and rear view of tan leather scabbard. View of long barrel Luger pistol with navy 100 – 200 meter rear sight and attached commercial navy board stock.

11) Pictured is a rare Abercrombie & Fitch holster for a circa 1903 – 1904 late Old Model Luger carbine, with inserted old model Luger hunting carbine. Apparently, a very rare A&F carbine holster, until this article being the only known published example is the exact, same original minus the shoulder strap was pictured nearly 48 years ago, as of this writing in the ©1976, 2nd Edition publication titled Luger Tips by †M. Reese II on page 45 with the caption stating: A VERY RARE ABERCROMBIE & FITCH 1920 CARBINE LONG BARREL HOLSTER. NOTE THE TRADEMARK ON BUTTON. Interestingly, since its first appearance in the 1976 Luger Tips publication and its 2020 acquisition it surfaced on the internet with a Russet brown appearance.

Pictured are multiple views with old model Luger hunting carbine. The holster/scabbard has the very early variation 1 oval A&F Co. cartouche logo stamped on the holster rear, single belt loop. Interestingly, the cover flap domed snap fastener with A&F Co. logo is of the second variation with an added outer circumference raised edge or lip, used in conjunction with a different design snap fastener mechanism made by CARR’S Fastener Co., which was made between circa 1913- 1918 based on the American CARR’S Pat./13 stamping located in the recess of the cover flap snap fastener female portion. Pictured are the various A&F snap fastener styles.

This variation 2 Carr’s snap fastener assembly slightly reduced the size of the A&F Co. logo. The subject Luger carbine scabbard, domed brass A&F Co. logo, as new was a combination of brass and black enamel background, which has long disappeared . The oval A&F Co. holster leather belt loop logo is mostly associated with pre-1910 A&F Co. holsters which sport the earlier variation 1 A&F Co. style snap fastener logo and mechanism.

This variation 2 A&F Co. and snap fastener assembly logo is seldom encountered and the subject A&F Co. Luger carbine Scabbard is the only known published A&F Co. Luger holster with this combination of the variation 1 oval A&F Co. leather stamped logo with a variation 2 CARR’S Pat./13 snap fastener assembly.

While there is another similar style of Luger carbine scabbard identified in 2011 with the same oval A&F Co. leather stamped logo and variation 2 Carr’s snap fastener assembly. Unfortunately, only partial pictures are available. Although, using the partial pictures, the holster was graphically “reassembled” indicating that it had an additional compartment, possibly for a stock.

Most A&F Co. circa 1920s – 1930s Luger holsters sport the variation 2 circular, leather stamped logo with the variation 1, U.S. Fastener Co. snap fastener assembly.

The circular, variation 2a A&F Co. leather stamp logo changed again in the 1920s from all upper-case characters ABERCROMBIE & FITCH Co. to a combination of upper and lower-case characters of Abercrombie & Fitch Co. This variation 2b A&F Co. leather logo is seen on 1920s – 1930s A&F Co. holsters made by H.H. Heiser of Denver Co.

A photogravure is the most sophisticated of the photomechanical processes, So strictly speaking, it's not a photograph. The image isn't made in a darkroom. Rather, the photographer's negative is transferred onto a copper plate, which is used to print or engrave the image with ink. A photogravure is the most sophisticated of the photomechanical processes, so strictly speaking, it's not a photograph. The image isn't made in a darkroom. Rather, the photographer's negative is transferred onto a copper plate, which is used to print or engrave the image with ink.