Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fair, heavily service-used example of the standard German WWII issue heavy black soft shell flare signal pistol holster, as used throughout the war. Unlike most however, this is actually made mostly of "Preßstoff", an imitation leather made from pressed paper. The "hinge" for the lid is a strip of leather that is riveted onto the flap and body, as are the straps and buckle loops. Everything else is made from pressed paper. This example is extremely stiff, and likely wouldn’t hold a flare pistol now, but it will look great for display.

The holster definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use in service, and shows overall heavy wear and shrinking in the material. The finish is worn, and the seams are a bit loose, as the black stitching has stretched over the decades. On the interior top flap is Waffenamt (Eagle) / WaA383, but we couldn’t find the associating maker’s mark. The front closure is functional, as is the securing strap for the cleaning rod, though the top flap doesn’t open all the way due to stiffening. The cleaning rod is absent on this example.

The holster is complete, and in fair service-used condition. This would be a perfect display piece for any WWII German Flare pistol. Ready to display!

Presstoff (also Preßstoff or Pressstoff) is the German-language term for a type of ersatz or artificial leather used during the first half of the 20th century. Made of specially layered and treated paper pulp, Presstoff was durable and easily adapted to be used in place of leather, which under wartime conditions was rationed. First invented in the 19th century, it gained its widest use in Germany during the Second World War.

Presstoff use included but was not limited to binoculars cases and straps, horse tack, bayonet frogs, equipment belts, cap visors etc. In short, Presstoff could be used in almost every application normally filled by leather, excepting items like footwear that were repeatedly subjected to flex wear and/or moisture. Under these conditions Presstoff tended to delaminate and lose cohesion.