New-to-me Holster

[Darreld Walton]

I picked this holster up for my Dad's Ruger standard auto a couple of years back, out of a box of holsters at a local gun shop. Think I gave two bucks or so for it. I don't see a maker's mark on it, but it is a quality piece, very nicely built of good materials. I'm not naïve enough to claim that it's a military piece, though it is "US" marked, maybe just for nostalgia.
Anyone have a line on it's history, maker, or vintage?
Thanks......

[Lee T.]

Darreld, if you have access to Meadows book, check out pp 240-247. There are 3 or 4 holsters made by RIA in the early 1900's that are very similar to yours deigned for the Luger, Colt Auto and Savage. Same style flap, US marking, rivets and finial closure. How that the design ended up fitting a Ruger is anybody's guess, but it's virtually identical to yours.
regards, lee

[Lee T.]

Here's a photo of the one made for the Luger, it's a butt-to-front. The ones of this style that Meadows describes all have RIA markings.
Hope this helps, lee

[Darreld Walton]

Thanks, Lee, it is a dead ringer for that holster, except that it's a mirror image of it. Maybe I ought to spend a bit more time with it and go over it and see if I can't find any other marks on it. Wouldn't be the first time I've missed something.

[Dan Shapiro]

Darreld, try this page, scroll to bottom:
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=1194679

And here is a mirror image from Jouster FS in 2009:
http://www.jouster.com/forums/showthread.php?38763-F-S-Lefthand-US-marked-Military-style-Luger-Flap-holster

[Darreld Walton]

http://www.epsaddlery.com/images/Product/medium/105.jpg

http://www.epsaddlery.com/pc-105-9-1900-holster.aspx

El Paso model 1900 replica of the holsters made for the early US Luger tests. Pricey! I think I gave $2.00 for the one I have....