Holster markings

[leondes]

JoeW,

Yes, I would love to see pictures of your's, especially the markings on the back.

My holster has WaA38 on it.

The RB number is on 2 lines.

First line: 0/0836
Second line: 0029

It is somewhat interesting that the WaA38 was stamped on the leather before the stitching at the top of the back was done and it punched a hole in the top part of the eagle. I will put pictures on my web site and post a link if anyone cares to see the details.

Regards, Leon

[kmh]

Hi Leon
I just wanna say about the RB. Nr of yours that are always stamped on two lines if its matters to you. So thats correct.

Kim

[leondes]

Hi Kim,

I appreciate you letting me know that!!

Regards, Leon

[leondes]

Hi Leon. Yes, I agree, the RBN and WaA would be logical on the Heer style holster. In all these years I don't recall seeing another like mine until the one from Albert. Mine looks different, used, no grainy or shiny finish. I will take a photo and send to you to post if you will. What is the WaA number and RBNr on your Heer holster?

Joe and All,

Here is a link to pictures of Joe's holster. Looks good to me and nice holster to boot.

http://www.lmd-militaria.com/page598.html

Regards, Leon

[JoeW]

Thanks for the post Leon. This holster has been mine since 1979. I wrote that I hadn't seen another until Albert's. But I remember now that I wrote it up in AutoMag in response to another that had been reported by a member. At least that is what I recall. I will try and find the listing in the back issue content listings. Albert's and mine appear to be similar in construction. The only difference I see offhand is the placement of the RBN number beneath the P38. Albert, is yours totally unissued? Was it painted or coated for storage by the Russians?

[Albert]

Hi Joe and All,

Leon, it has the right smell. Again, there were no fakes where it came from. Today it might be different. But back then it was much more interesing to be there. Anyway, the guys told me that there were lots of some items and very few of others. They said there was only one hard shell (which I have now) they also said there was one leather MP 38/40 ammo pouch. There were dozens, maybe even hundreds of P38 soft shells of which I kept only two both WaA marked. There were also lots of black and brown "other" holsters which nobody cared much for at that time.

Joe, on some German leather the metal fittings were painted either black or grey. If I remember correctly, there were also holsters that were completely refinished. The US web gear was not painted. US holsters were mint. I kept two: one "Boyt 42" and one "Clinton 1916 F.W.T."

Too bad I don't remember for sure if there were any police marked P38 soft shells. I really couldn't tell any more.

I will post some pics of the stuff I kept.

Best regards,
Al

[Albert]

And here is a photo of the German stuff I kept. There might be more but I am not sure about where every single k98 ammo pouch in my collection came from. Most of the holsters in my collection came from that source though. I kept only the brown pair of k98 pouches because the black ones were badly painted around the metal fittings. The brown ones also had the fittings painted black but it is not disturbing at all. At first, I had no idea what the "odd" looking holster was for and thought about selling it but now I am really happy I kept it Can use it for a nice Luft display.

Oh well, those were the days... This year we are planning a trip there and I am really curious what it would be like.

[leondes]

Hi Albert,

Great holsters and ammo pouches!! Any info on what looks like two P.38 soft shells?

Without giving away any secrets, can you tell us where those items came from?

Regards, Leon

[Albert]

Thanks Leon,

One is pebbled and marked: WaA 23? / bml44 / P38
the other is smooth and marked: dkk44 / WaA 195 / P38

Regards,
Al

[kmh]

Albert

Just a bit curios regarding your ammo pouches as a collector I like to ask you! Please tell me who is the makers and years of the pouches. For my files!!

Thanks in advance
Kim

[Albert]

Kim,

Sure: one is unmarked; the other is marked 0/0396/0027

Al

[R_Hessian]

Thanks Kim!

The source is 100%. These have been in my collection for about 10 years now and came out of an ex-Soviet depot with a lot of other stuff such as P38 holsters, k98 pouches, US pistol belts, US M1911 holsters, and even Thompson holsters. I was just not smart enough to buy it all, and I was there long enough to do it.

Too bad they are police. Even worse so because my favourite mint hard shell P38 holster has this eagle.

Best regards,
Albert

Albert,
Its never too late, I have all these items for sale if you would like any of them.
Regards,
Robert

[Albert]

Albert,
Its never too late, I have all these items for sale if you would like any of them.
Regards,
Robert

Hi Robert
Unless, you are selling at their prices of 10 yrs ago it is too late. Seriously, I am no longer interested in collecting field gear. I just want to keep what's needed to accomplish complete uniform displays and that's it.
Regards,
Al

[kmh]

Albert

Thanks for your help.
I would like to put in a little comment to the RB. Nr. stamped brown pouch because it seem to be the fact that we are finding some of such undye'd pouches with this RB. Number on?
And why!
Could a forgotten depot have been liberated in 45 or later? The Russians liberation in the east? Or is this pouches maybe some of the AK equipment stores we know that only last short period before reverting to "normal" coulor etc. meaning surplus? Actually I have wondered why I/we are finding so many of this exact one? What about you guys? Same experience any thoughts!!

Kim,

Sure: one is unmarked; the other is marked 0/0396/0027

Al

[Albert]

...Too bad I don't remember for sure if there were any police marked P38 soft shells...

Hello again, Guys!

Went through some of my bxes looking for a pair of spurs for a forum members and found a Police marked P38 soft shell. So there were Police ones in the "Russian horde". For those who are interested, here is a photo of the markings:

Let me know if you want to see any more pics.

Best regards,

Albert