Franz Cobau - Berlin-4" Navy holster from SOS

[DonVoigt]

I bought three holsters at SOS and will get around to posting each, but here is the first one.

I think this a very nice example of the 1928 Navy pattern holster, with maker and "M" marking inside.

Came with a shortened 1916 Navy inside, which I'll post also.

Really fine workmanship and super quality leather; with just enough marks to know it was actually used.

First one I've seen or read about with the Eagle/SU/25 marking - which you can see on the back of the flap.

The shortened Navy came with a back stap number of N/2054, which, along with the SU marking, I believe firmly ties the rig to the 1934-6 time frame.

Of course one acquisition leads to another, now I need a small loop rod and tool for the holster's "pockets". Not to mention a spare N marked magazine!

[Edward Tinker]

well, I have never seen a 1928 holster - any I have seen marked here and by them were 1926 and I felt made for Simson - SU25 I have always also believed was Simson - some folks say some of the depots

The hold down rod strap is found on the 1926's - otherwise added in 1934 to holsters - so, were the 1926 and the 1928 had it added in 1934 or came like that originally?

Odd place for the Crown M isn't it?

[wlyon]

Don
Nice old piece of leather !!!!

[abukafura]

Really nice set and great find at SOS. Well done!!!

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

well, I have never seen a 1928 holster - any I have seen marked here and by them were 1926 and I felt made for Simson - SU25 I have always also believed was Simson - some folks say some of the depots

The hold down rod strap is found on the 1926's - otherwise added in 1934 to holsters - so, were the 1926 and the 1928 had it added in 1934 or came like that originally?

Odd place for the Crown M isn't it?

Ed,
sure looks like the original stitching for the rod holder, i.e. concurrent with the 1928 mfg.

Not a Crown M, maybe just "M" or "M/anchor", but I can't make out what is below the "M", may just be a scar.

Why would Simson have holsters made for them? Were not holsters issued through the various service arms ?

I'm pretty sure SU has been determined to be for Spandau. Though I was wrong once before, I said I was wrong when I was correct.

I thought it was a '26, but Tim pointed out it was a '28- and he is correct as seen in the pictures. I suspect other 26s are really 28s.

[lugerholsterrepair]

"I suspect other 26s are really 28s"
No they are not! 1926 is a well established date for holsters. I have looked at many and owned several. 1928 might be even more rare than the 1926 and the 1926 is VERY rare! Like Ed, I cannot remember the last 1928 I saw if I ever did see one...

Very nice find. The M is likely Navy as you surmise but in 1928 I would certainly expect to see an M Anchor..But we learn never to say never with German items.

Thanks for showing Don..well done! An exciting holster to see for this old holster nut.

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

"I suspect other 26s are really 28s"
No they are not! 1926 is a well established date for holsters. I have looked at many and owned several. 1928 might be even more rare than the 1926 and the 1926 is VERY rare! Like Ed, I cannot remember the last 1928 I saw if I ever did see one...

Very nice find. The M is likely Navy as you surmise but in 1928 I would certainly expect to see an M Anchor..But we learn never to say never with German items.

Thanks for showing Don..well done! An exciting holster to see for this old holster nut.

Jerry,
I did not mean to imply that alll 1926 dates are 1928, and did not say that; I meant it is easy to conflate the "6" and "8" when stamped in leather and at a casual glance.

Thanks for your comments, as I said there is "something" below the "M"; I just can't tell what- I want it to be an anchor, but somtimes I see what I want.

[John Sabato]

In this photo, if this is the one you are all talking about, I don't see a "26"

What I see is a "25" with a flat topped number "5"... but maybe that is just my old eyes...

[DonVoigt]

Originally Posted by John Sabato

In this photo, if this is the one you are all talking about, I don't see a "26"

What I see is a "25" with a flat topped number "5"... but maybe that is just my old eyes...

John,
we are talking about the 1928 vs other 1926 dates on the INSIDE,
under the Franz Cobau/Berlin.

The SU/25 is just that a 25 , as you see and I wrote.