Holster for VOPO Rework
 

A friend has just purchased a very nice VOPO rework. Toggle is marked DWM, chamber date may be buffed off as are the proof and acceptance stamps on the right frame. Came w/two post war matching #'d mags (ser #'d w/1 & 2).

QUESTION: what holster would the VOPO troops have used for such a rework? (I guess the uncertainty is, did the VOPO units continue to use the wartime and pre-war police style holsters, or did they use the army style holsters OR did they use new mfg'd post war commie holsters?)

Thanks

I am not sure, look forward to the replies?

I do seem to remember that many WW2 and earlier holster were modified for US web belt use, (know for a fact that is true for Denmark), and believe it is true for East Germany.

Kind of an unknown subject I believe, although there is a East German book just published if I remember right.

Skookum and Ed,

The VOPO largely used what I term the "universal" holster. It is in Bender(Holsters and Accessories) at p 196. This holster accomodates P-38s and P-08's plus has a tool pocket in the underside of the flap. I have encountered about a dozen of these over the years; some in pig skin, some in pebble grain. Some have had waffen amt markings; most did not.

If you do a search for VOPO images, you will see lots of them wearing this style holster.
Hope this helps,
Tom A.

Tom,

Ah yes, now that you mention it. I have seen that holster and thought it to be a P.38 holster at first glance, but after opening the flap there is that P.08 take-down tool pouch. The last one that I saw was at a gun show last year and there was an animated and speculative discussion as to origin and use.

That Bender book is invaluable, isn't it?

Much obliged for the info.

John

I agree that the most common Vopo PO8 holster is the pebble grain soft shell P38 type. I do have one hard shell pig skin Police colsure WW2 type PO0 holster with my N prefix, new production Vopo PO8. Tom H.