POTD: We Almost Had The Luger – Trial Luger Pistol Holster
Sam.S 08.09.23
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! Here we have a holster. Pretty out of the ordinary for Photo of the Day. This is a Trial Luger Pistol Holster. Back in 1901, the United States military was testing a bunch of different auto-loading pistols since the revolvers just were not cutting it anymore. Obviously, we know this led to the adoption of the beloved Colt 1911 designed by John Moses Browning. The 1900 Luger pistol however was in the running in the trials. This was the Model 1900 rather than the later 45 ACP trials model that was later submitted, considered, and eventually rejected.
“In October of 1901, the Springfield Arsenal received an order of 1,000 Luger pistols for testing and trials. In December of the same year, one pistol was sent to the U.S. Arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois and was used to manufacture 1,000 holsters. The holsters were completed in January of 1902. Also, of note, the U.S. traded in 50 of the aforementioned 1900 Lugers for 50 of the 1902 cartridge counters, of which, writer believes they would have continued to use this holster with. The holster is of russet leather construction with a large oval bordered “US” on the front flap, brass closure post, and the letters “H.D.” stamped upside down on the bottom of the front flap. The back of the holster is stamped “ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/E.H.S.” with brass rivets attaching the belt loop. Includes the book “U.S. Test Trials 1900 Luger” by Michael Reese II. Pictures of similar holsters are visible on pages 29, 30, and 31 of the included book.”
Lot 462: Rock Island Arsenal Test Trial Luger Pistol Holster – Very Scarce and Exceptional U.S. Army Rock Island Arsenal Test Trial Luger Pistol Holster. (n.d.-x). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved August 9, 2023,.
