Wedding Announcement

[Don M]

Police holster S.B.1606. wed former police Luger S.B.3723. recently in Houston, Texas. They once were neighbors in Berlin in the 1920s. It was at least the third marriage for each.



THE BRIDE (HOLSTER)

The bride immigrated to Houston in August 2006 from France, where she had lately resided with Fran�§ois Rossignol. She began life as an LP08 (artillery) military holster, married an LP08 and very likely served in World War I. Following the war, she was divorced and underwent cosmetic surgery to be converted to a police P08 holster.



She then married Luger S.B.2.II.1.106. and served in the Sicherheitspolizei of central Berlin. In 1920, the Sicherheitspolizei was dissolved and she was reassigned to the newly created Schutzpolizei. She was renamed S.B.M.II.1.106.R. and served with the precinct police (Revierhauptmannschaft) in Inspectorate II of Berlin Gruppe Mitte. Later in the 1920s, she was again renamed S.B.1606.



She has not revealed details of the next seven decades but obviously was again divorced and underwent additional procedures to reinforce her closure strap and cover with unsightly brads. She has used black makeup to hide blemishes. She is currently considering surgery to replace a missing tool pouch and to repair a tear in her spare magazine pouch; however, at her age this may not be appropriate.



THE GROOM (LUGER)

The groomâ??s history parallels that of his bride in many ways. He began life in 1918 as Erfurt LP08 sn 7613a (note C/O acceptance). He probably served in the military for a short period at the end of World War I, during which time he would have been married to an LP08 military holster.





Following the war, he had his barrel and toggle train replaced (DWM) and converted to P08. He was remarried to a police P08 holster and assigned to the Sicherheitspolizei of Berlin under a name that has been erased. With the formation of the Schutzpolizei, he was renamed S.B.M.III.2.63. and served in Inspectorate III of Berlin Gruppe Mitte. He was again renamed S.B.3723. later in the 1920s. During this period, he and his current bride were neighbors in central Berlin, one of the most chaotic and troubled regions of Germany during the 1920s and early 1930s. It is unknown whether they knew each other at this time.



The groom does not have sear or mag safeties, strongly suggesting that he left police service by 1934. The rightmost stamp on the right side of his receiver indicates later military acceptance. His barrel was replaced at the ordnance repair facility at Spandau.





He is silent regarding his subsequent military service but it is known that he resided in Canada following World War II, most recently with Peter Dunster. He immigrated to Houston in 2005. His physical condition also reflects hard service. His bore is very worn from repeated discharges and he is missing a small chip from the top of his breechblock, perhaps the result of an affair with ammunition too hot for him to handle!



THE FUTURE

The new couple will make their home in Houston where they expect to be very happy. Considering their advanced ages and physical conditions, no offspring are expected in the form of matching mags. In lieu of wedding presents, cash donations may be made on their behalf to offset the expenses of serving as matchmaker.

(Several photos courtesy of Peter Dunster and Fran�§ois Rossignol)

[John Sabato]

May they live happily ever after!

[Aaron]

Is this just a platonic union, or will the marriage be consummated in the usual manner?

[Don M]

At their ages, I don't expect a lot of action.

[hqbmw]

I propose throwing dessicant at them in lieu of rice which, I am told causes birds to swell up and explode. The dessicant will keep the old prunes from shrivelling up; a very bad way to start a new marriage, especially in the groom's case.

Jack

[Doug G.]

Neat, I have Police S.B. 20.29

[Don M]

Doug,

Yours was also a neighbor of the happy couple. Your mark is actually S.B.2029. The apparent period between the 20 and 29 is a remnant of an earlier mark that was ground off. Based on the weapon number, I can say that the earlier mark was also from Berlin Gruppe Mitte, as are my pistol and holster.

[Doug G.]

Mine is also an oddity that it is a long frame Navy with a new short frame upper.