Original German WWII Black Preßstoff & Leather Flare Signal Pistol Holster – Service Used Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely 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 the pressed paper.

The holster definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use in service, and shows overall wear and wrinkling in the material. The finish is a bit worn, and the seams are a bit loose, as the white stitching has stretched over the decades. Everything is still intact and functional, with some minor tearing on the leather closure strap.

We checked the interior of the holster, and unfortunately there are not any markings present anymore, due to the wear on the material. It is however definitely 100% correct and original for a WWII Production German holster.

The holster is complete and fully functional, and in lovely service used condition. This would be perfect for any WWII German Flare pistol that doesn’t have a nice home to live in. 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.