Help with two early holsters
 

Dear Forum members,

I recently picked up two holsters which I am need some help in identifying makers.

The first is MAKER marked under the flap as AN_LOIIMANN
ARNSTADI
1918

Some letters I cannot identify and others I am not sure even under a bright light and a magnifying glass.

It is also stamped in black ink B.A.XL.6. The 6 looks to have been written in pencil.
Also in the same style writing is a name Schutze Gralle.

On the rear of the holster a one time owner, possibly the second owner, has written in pencil and ink pen,

S. Mandor 39488 M.P.C.F.B.R

The 39488 I think is a New Zealand enlisted number as I have other holsters and Lugers with numbers in the same WW1 enlisted number range. This I will research next week in our national military museum at the Waiouru military camp if it is not snowing too hard.

Also on the rear he has written:

Somme Front Sept 2.9.1918 (which is the New Zealand way of writing the date , we put the day before the month.)

He has also written â??From Bapaumeâ?�

Any clues?

The second holster has only the makerâ??s name which I believe reads as follows:


F. COBAU
BERLIN
1911

I cannot find any reference to this holster maker

Again any help would be appreciated

Regards
Murray
Lugers Down under.

..........

If that number is really an New Zealand military enlisted man's serial number, you should be able to identify the actual soldier who captured it. Also you can determine his unit and where it was on that date. This often cannot be done with captured equipment.

That info will add provence to this holster.

Good luck with your research.
Joe