Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent lightly used example of a standard issue black 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. The back of the holster is marked in the upper right with the correct P.08 designation, and it is maker marked bml / 42 between the belt loops, indicating 1942 manufacture by Hans Römer in Neu-Ulm (Donau), Germany. This was a known maker of holsters and other military accoutrements during the war, according to GERMAN MILITARY LETTER CODES 1939-1945 by John Walter. It is also stamped with a Waffenamt WaA23 proof between the two belt loops, correct for this maker during the year 1942.

The overall condition of the holster is really very good, with supple black finished leather and intact heavy white stitching, original belt loops, and pistol ejection strap. The tool compartment on the interior is also intact, as is the magazine pouch. We do not see any signs of modification, restitching, or repair, and this definitely one of the best examples we seen in recent years. The black finish is very well retained, with no fading to brown we can see. The original flap securing strap and buckle are present and in functional condition, with just some wrinkling on the strap, and the magazine pouch has retained its shape well, as it has wooden magazine mock up inside.

A really great holster that will complete any 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.