Holster identification help needed

Eugen · 02-28-2018, 12:26 PM

While at the SOS in Louisville last week I picked this holster up on impulse. Have you ever bought anything you really didnt need and later wonder why you bought it?
Well, I did. I would appreciate your help in identifying it. It fits my Colt 1903 just fine for whatever that is worth. I couldnt find it in Benders WWII military holsters book. So I am believing post war police or military. Inside the flap is some interesting info: an illegible ink stamping, hand written numbers (87163 SWA) and a name (Fingado). A Google search tells me the name is probably German?!

I am guessing the holster is post war commie block police or military. As for size, it's fits my 1921 Colt 1903 nicely. What do you think?

wlyon · 02-28-2018, 12:48 PM

Gene
I cannot tell much on the size but it looks like a post war holster for a Browning High Power. Especially with the large mag pouch. Is the holster large enough for a High Power? Bill

Eugen · 02-28-2018, 01:09 PM

Bill, that's a great guess for not being able to hold it. But, no. I have a few Hi-Powers. Here is a brown "clg 44" holster next to the one in question on the right. Its a junior size version. LOL

The holster pouch is a perfect fit for a 7,65mm mag like for my Colt 1903 or say my Nazi Femaru M37.
What's your next guess?

John Sabato · 02-28-2018, 02:00 PM

Because of the closure type (P.38 late model holsters), and the manner in which the holster would be suspended from a belt, I am feeling definitely post WW2, and because of the name that was in it, I am thinking Italian heritage and not German.

Italian police use similar holsters in dress uniform. Do you have a Beretta Model 1934 or 1935, or even later model Beretta .380 to check for fit?

Eugen · 02-28-2018, 03:37 PM

John, you could be right about the Post war Italian police. I agree the sir name sounds like Italian to me.

I have two WWII era Berettas an M1934 and M1935. I dug out the Nazi M1935 (1944) and holster for a comparison photo. They look very similar! The M1935 and mag fit in the holster very well, too.

So the belief is its a post war Italian police holster for a M1934. BTW, I got it from a miscellaneous pile of old holsters on a table that were inexpensive.

John, Bill, thank you for your assistance.

02-28-2018, 12:26 PM	#1
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 796 Thanks: 403 Thanked 639 Times in 338 Posts	Holster identification help needed While at the SOS in Louisville last week I picked this holster up on impulse. Have you ever bought anything you really didnt need and later wonder why you bought it? Well, I did. I would appreciate your help in identifying it. It fits my Colt 1903 just fine for whatever that is worth. I couldnt find it in Benders WWII military holsters book. So I am believing post war police or military. Inside the flap is some interesting info: an illegible ink stamping, hand written numbers (87163 SWA) and a name (Fingado). A Google search tells me the name is probably German?! I am guessing the holster is post war commie block police or military. As for size, it's fits my 1921 Colt 1903 nicely. What do you think? Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

02-28-2018, 12:48 PM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,655 Thanks: 3,212 Thanked 2,619 Times in 971 Posts	Gene I cannot tell much on the size but it looks like a post war holster for a Browning High Power. Especially with the large mag pouch. Is the holster large enough for a High Power? Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

02-28-2018, 01:09 PM	#3
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 796 Thanks: 403 Thanked 639 Times in 338 Posts	Bill, that's a great guess for not being able to hold it. But, no. I have a few Hi-Powers. Here is a brown "clg 44" holster next to the one in question on the right. Its a junior size version. LOL The holster pouch is a perfect fit for a 7,65mm mag like for my Colt 1903 or say my Nazi Femaru M37. What's your next guess? Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

02-28-2018, 02:00 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	Because of the closure type (P.38 late model holsters), and the manner in which the holster would be suspended from a belt, I am feeling definitely post WW2, and because of the name that was in it, I am thinking Italian heritage and not German. Italian police use similar holsters in dress uniform. Do you have a Beretta Model 1934 or 1935, or even later model Beretta .380 to check for fit? __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-28-2018, 03:37 PM	#5
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 796 Thanks: 403 Thanked 639 Times in 338 Posts	John, you could be right about the Post war Italian police. I agree the sir name sounds like Italian to me. I have two WWII era Berettas an M1934 and M1935. I dug out the Nazi M1935 (1944) and holster for a comparison photo. They look very similar! The M1935 and mag fit in the holster very well, too. So the belief is its a post war Italian police holster for a M1934. BTW, I got it from a miscellaneous pile of old holsters on a table that were inexpensive. John, Bill, thank you for your assistance. Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain