Confused on HOLSTER - Difference between P.35 (b) and P.35 (p)

[harrison987]

I have a really nice holster.

It is clearly marked P.35 (b), which as far as I know, is for a Browning Hi-Power

However...

I was told by someone that this is not for the Hi-Power...but rather for the Polish VIS Model 1935 Radom.

BUT...

When looking online, others are saying P.35(p) is for the Radom...and the P.35(b) is in-fact Browing...

Can anyone confirm?

Thanks!

Mike

[MP41]

Mike,

Photos please. If I can see it, I can tell you what pistol it is for.

But as for model designation, the Browning Hi Power was classified by the Germans as the P35(b). The Polish, VIS pistol was classified as the P35(p).

I'm not sure why there is confusion about this?


Matt

[harrison987]

Hi Matt...

The late-war BNZ Holster for the Polish P35 (p) is marked as P35 (b)...

This is the reason for my question...

Mike

[MP41]

Mike,

Ah, I get it. The 1944 BNZ holster. You never mentioned maker of the holster on your original post.


I've attached a 1943 bnz Radom VIS holster. This one is marked, "P35(p)"

I've also attached a photo showing a comparison of a Radom VIS holster (left), next to a Browning Hi-Power holster (right).

Hope this helps
Matt

[MP41]

Here's the 1944 BNZ holster, marked, "P35(b)". Is this what your's looks like?

I don't know the explanation for this? Perhaps Robert or one of the VIS experts can explain. But to answer your original question, if your holster is like this, then it's a Radom VIS holster, not a Hi-power.

Matt

[pitfighter]

I always thought p35 was a prewar name for the Browning Hi-power, with the post-occupation German wartime designation being Pistole 640(b)
(b) for Belgium.

The Pistole 35 (p) is the Radom - or later the Pistole 645(p)
(p) for Polnische

I do not know of a P35(b)
Interesting post though - looking forward to the experts posting -
Could perhaps be an early German designation, before they came up with the 640(b)

[harrison987]

HI MP41,

Yes, mine is identical to the example shown.

From what I have been told and also researched, the BNZ manufactured version was not used for High Power holsters (Military Holsters of World War II by Eugene J. Bender).

So these late war (1944 onward) types are marked with a (b), as opposed to a (p)

here is an old auction with the same:


http://www.rockislandauction.com/vie...id/54/lid/1511

[MP41]

harrison987,

Then your holster is definitely for a Radom VIS pistol I can't explain why these are marked with a (b) rather than the (p)?
This stamp is definitely different than the "bnz" stamp I posted from 1943 (see photos below).

pit fighter brings up another interesting point. That is the late German designations; 640b, and 645p.
However, I personally haven't seen a holster marked "645(p)" or "640(b)".

Matt