I picked this Colt 1903 and holster up about 15 years ago from an ordnance officer in the 88<SUP>th</SUP> Infantry Division (“Blue Devils”). He took it from a FJ officer in May of 1945 near the Po River. The 88<SUP>th</SUP> ID and the 1<SUP>st</SUP> FJD fought each other for the last year of the war. The ordnance officer told me he was fascinated by the fact that the FJ officer was carrying a Colt 1903, something generally issued to US General Officers. The holster is for a Beretta Model 34 and once the bottom was knocked out, fit the pistol rather well. Obviously, it is easy to tell they came back that way.<O
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I did some research on the 1903. The serial number and “A” in the diamond marking indicate it was a “Belgian Contract” pistol made in 1916 and was one of the 25,000 1903s provided to the Belgian military. The Belgian military apparently still issued these in 1940, but I am not sure that the 1940 campaign was the source. The ordnance officer indicated they FJ officer stated he brought it from home, so I wonder if it was a WWI pickup from a family member.<O</O
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Does anyone have an information on the FJ officer? Leutnant N. Braun of “I/FJR1”. Or any other information on the 1903?
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</OI did some research on the 1903. The serial number and “A” in the diamond marking indicate it was a “Belgian Contract” pistol made in 1916 and was one of the 25,000 1903s provided to the Belgian military. The Belgian military apparently still issued these in 1940, but I am not sure that the 1940 campaign was the source. The ordnance officer indicated they FJ officer stated he brought it from home, so I wonder if it was a WWI pickup from a family member.<O
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</ODoes anyone have an information on the FJ officer? Leutnant N. Braun of “I/FJR1”. Or any other information on the 1903?
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