Kriegsmarine Opinion on French 1935 S holster PL stamped

[Skookum]

Hi,

I've had this 1935 S French holster for several years. I purchased it on ebay from a lady antque dealer in the U.K.

As you can see it has a large Party Leader style eagle on the flap. The stamp shows age, rubbing and patina from being carried , the left wing tip is rubbed very thin. Inside the flap is an inverted circular green ink stamp, with a Nazi Eagle in the center. The border printing is illegible.

I have posted this on a couple of collector forums. Replies / opinions range from "Fake" to "Unusual" to "Possibly Authentic". To me it is very convincing, but it could be a very well done fake. I've had a French pistol and holster collector tell me that it's not a typical French 1935 S holster, in that the belt loops and stitching are not typically of French style or design for the period, and appear to be of German origin.

I thought I would post it here to get some opinions, or to see if anyone knows more about it's origin. If it is a fake, it's a very well done fake, and seems unlikely that anyone would go to that much trouble.

Thanks...

Edited October 22, 2011 by Skookum

[Odulf]

To my knowledge the German Forces used captured weapons (pistols) from all occupied countries. I have had a Polish Radom (9 mm) but in a brown leather German (Luftwaffe) holster produced to fit this pistol and stamped on the inside of the flap with "P35 (p)". The pistol was marked with the German eagle on the slide over the trigger.

I still have a holster which contained a Czech M1938 (9 mm), not marked with German eagle. The black leather holster is stamped on the reverse with the German eagle over the marking "Wa A 757", and stamped with dark blue ink in the flap "P39 (t)".

The markings (p) and (t), to my understanding, indicate "polnische" and "tschechische".

[reservist1]

Your holster is for the French Model 1935S pistol, however I believe the holster in question is of [post World War II French manufacture. The reference work French Service Handguns, 1858-2004, by Eugene Medlin and Jean Huon discusses pre World War II/World War II holsters on page 128. Post World War II variations are discussed and pictued on pages 129 and 135.

I hope the abocve is helpful.

Reservistt

[reservist1]

Your holster is for the French Model 1935S pistol, however I believe the holster in question is of post World War II French manufacture. The reference work French Service Handguns, 1858-2004, by Eugene Medlin and Jean Huon discusses pre World War II/World War II holsters on page 128. Post World War II variations are discussed and pictued on pages 129 and 135.

I hope the above is helpful.

Reservist1