Wehrmacht P.38 Holster, Brown, 41 gxy, WaA706
Price: Sold
DESCRIPTION: Early, smooth, molded, brown leather “hardshell” P38 pistol holster. The holster features a scalloped, fold over top flap with a horizontally stitched, hinged seam to the reverse top edge and a stitched-on, vertical leather closure strap to the obverse. The forward edge of the holster body has a vertical, stitched on extra magazine pocket. The reverse of the holster has two, slightly diagonally angled, stitched on, leather belt loops. The interior of the holster has a quick release strap stitched to both the top flap and the internal body, raising the weapon to grasp when opened fully. Marked on reverse between belts loops ‘WaA706’ & “gxy 41”, indicating manufacture by ‘Gebruder Klinge, Dresden’ a well known maker of holsters from 1941-44. Superb slightly used condition that shows blackening inside and under the flap yet retaining all its factory white stitching throughout.
BACKGROUND: In 1935 the Heereswaffenamt, (Army Ordnance Office), began looking for an alternative pistol to replace the P08 Luger which had been in service since 1908. Although the Luger was favored by the troops it was expensive to produce. In 1938 the Heereswaffenamt accepted the new P38 pistol, developed by Carl Walther Waffenfabrik. The new P38 pistol didn’t completely replace the Luger which was still being manufactured through 1942 when it was finally discontinued. The P38 originally came in a molded “hardshell” holster until a “softshell” holster was introduced in late 1943.
