Original German Pre WWII P.08 Luger Pistol Brown Leather Hardshell Holster by Otto Reichel of Lengefeld - Dated 1937

Original Item. Only One Available. Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely gently used example of a standard issue brown leather hardshell holster for the Luger Pistole 08 (P.08), which was used by German forces during WWI & WWII. Towards the end of WWI the standard color for pistol holsters was changed from brown to black, and that continued through the WWII Period, however brown always remained an option for some members of the Wehrmacht, particularly during the 1930s. The back of the holster over the front belt loop is marked:

O. REICHEL
LENGEFELD.

Otto Reichel of Lengefeld in the Saxony region was a known maker of holsters and other military accouterments during the war, and there is a 1937 date stamped over the rear belt loop. It is also stamped with a Waffenamt WaA142 proof between the belt loops, the inspection marking used for Reichel from 1936-1939. During 1939 they switched to 3-letter code "eue" and Waffenamt "WaA300".

The overall condition of the holster is really very good, with supple brown finished leather and intact heavy white stitching (now stained a bit), original belt loops, takedown tool compartment, and pistol ejection strap. We do not see any signs of modification, restitching, or repair, and this definitely one of the best brown examples we have seen in recent years. The original flap securing strap and buckle are present and in functional condition, with just some wrinkling and finish flaking on the strap. The brown is still well retained, but there is definitely some surface cracking and crazing overall.

A really great holster that will complete any Pre WWII Era P08 Luger pistol. Ready to display or use!

The P-08
The Pistole Parabellum—or Parabellum-Pistole (Pistol Parabellum), commonly known as just Luger —is a toggle-locked recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol which was produced in several models and by several nations from 1898 to 1948. The design was first patented by Georg Luger as an improvement upon the Borchardt Automatic Pistol and was produced as the Parabellum Automatic Pistol, Borchardt-Luger System by the German arms manufacturer Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). The first production model was known as the Modell 1900 Parabellum. Followed by the "Marinepistole 1904" for the Imperial German Navy. The later versions included the popular "Parabellum Pistole Modell von 1908" or simply "P08" (Pistole 1908) which was produced by DWM and other manufacturers such as W+F Bern, Krieghoff, Simson, Mauser, and Vickers. The first Parabellum pistol was adopted by the Swiss army in May 1900. 1904 they were adopted by the German Navy. In German Army service, it was adopted in slightly modified form as the Pistole Modell 1908 (Pistole 08) in caliber 9×19mm Parabellum. The Model 08 was eventually succeeded by the Walther P38.

The Luger is well known from its use by Germans during World War I and World War II, along with the interwar Weimar Republic and the postwar East German Volkspolizei. The P.08 was introduced in 7.65mm Parabellum, though it is notable for being the pistol for which the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge was developed, also known as the 9×19mm Luger. The pistol has been used in fictional works by many villainous characters over the past several decades because of its association with WW2 Germany.