Early commercial holster
 

I met up with a dealer friend recently at a local gunshow. He had mentioned that he had an early commercial holster that would probably interest me.
We agreed that it appeared very genuine and condition was great, so it came home with me.
There didn't seem to be any makers markings but my 1920's commercial holster is also unmarked. Later, after some careful cleaning, I noticed there is a mark on the tip of the closure strap.
There is some crazing to the leather surface and I didn't want to stretch the strap so the photos are about the best I can do.
I can make out "COMP" in the upper right and maybe "BERLIN" in the centre area, but does anyone know what this mark is?

Very nice early commercial holster. I can not tell what the marking says. Bill

Beautiful holster Mark1 :thumbup: great score. :D

that is an odd place to stamp a makers name - nice holster :)

I agree and I can't recall another holster so marked of all the examples I have seen on the forum.
If anyone has a suggestion how this stamping could be deciphered, please comment.

Try Jerry's baby powder bit. Bill

I have a commercial holster that is stamped in the same location.

This early European style commercial holster (indicated by the leather covered buckle) is probably retailed by Franz Cobau, Berlin starting in 1903.

Nice holster and a good find.

Albert
Malta (EU)

Albert,
Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. The stamping could be a retailer mark rather than by the maker.
It makes slightly more sense for a retailer to stamp the end of the closure strap. It's a convenient location and the strap looks to be longer than normal to provide space.
Mark

Mark,

Franz Cobau who was a leather workshop during the imperial era often offered for sale, evaluation or special order different holsters for pistols such as for the Mauser C96 and Luger, in the time of the Cone Hammer and Large Ring or 50,000 Luger serial range which dates around 1906-08, but their markings are also seen in the 1930's.

If you happen to come across other holsters by Franz Cobau, do your best to grab them since they usually have a different pattern.

Happy hunting,
Albert