Belgian Hi-Power holster

I've had this holster for quite a few years and initially had no idea what pistol it was meant for. I learned that it is a Belgian military holster for the Hi-Power. I've gotten some different opinions though whether this is a pre-war or post-WWII holster. Anybody here familiar with Belgian militaria able to offer any insight?

 

I'm fascinated by the Hi-Power. As far as I'm concerned, it's the finest pistol ever made. I've got three of the damned things!

But... I don't have the answer to your question.

 

Hi-jacking/reviving an old thread here - I've just managed to add a genuine WW2 German HP35 holster to my collection after years of hankering after one.

This came via a trusted UK dealer and wasn't cheap. It bears a 'WaA286' stamp and was made by Carl Busse of Mainz - apparently, the only manufacturer to supply both brown and black HP35 holsters using the 'pebbled' finish.

It's worn but supple with no damage and rounds off part of my collection nicely.....

 

Nice find! Congrats!

 

Wish I could answer your question but cannot. I agree it is one fine pistol and widely distributed to militaries. I imagine most military scabbards would be Belgium, German or Canadian but others as well.. I would go theGernan auction site, www.egun.de/market/ . It is EU wide and includes a forum. Posting a picture there will reach a number of European collectors. BTW Egun is also in English.

 

I discovered when doing pre-purchase research that Hi-Power holsters are a difficult area for collectors ; the HP-35 was in production from 1935 until 2017 and was issued to many forces worldwide as well as being very popular for private use. As a consequence, there are many different types of holster available. And of course there are 'Nazi fakes' - Romanian repro items to which unscrupulous folk are adding fake Waffenamts & 3-letter codes .....

 

Went back through my books and found this pic - the only one I've ever seen showing a Belgian officer pre-war armed with an HP-35 plus holster. It seems to resemble DocCasualty's item......

 

That is very cool, thanks for posting that!

On another forum somebody told me that it might be a rarity or it may just be a common item. IDK but I’m keeping it just the same.

 

Using Anthony Vanderlinden's "FN Browning Pistols" as a guide; that is the first pattern of FN holster for the Hi Power. The holster actually predates the Hi Power (introduced 1932, while the Hi Power was introduced in 1935). This style was offered both before the war and after the war, with the majority being postwar manufacture. Nickel-plated brass hardware indicates prewar manufacture. Brass hardware with brass fasteners indicates is mostly early postwar (may be some prewar as well), while brass hardware with steel fasteners indicates later postwar production. The pattern of holster itself didn't change thorough the production run.

Judging from your photos it seems that yours has brass hardware with steel fasteners which would indicate later postwar manufacture. Vanderlinden states "It was officially adopted by the Belgian military in 1936 for commissioned officers although few were issued until 1939. Prewar holsters are rare, the pattern was widely used in postwar Belgium."

Are there any manufacturer's markings?

For anyone with even a light interest in FN firearms, I highly recommend Vanderlinden's works "FN Browning Pistols" and "FN Mauser Rifles". These are excellent books and can be purchased direct from the publisher (Wet Dog Publications), who are a pleasure to deal with.

 

This is excellent information, thank you! I’m currently on vacation but will check when I return home.