Early commercial holster

Mark1 · 10-02-2022, 04:29 AM

I met up with a dealer friend recently at a local gunshow. He had mentioned that he had an early commercial holster that would probably interest me.
We agreed that it appeared very genuine and condition was great, so it came home with me.
There didn't seem to be any makers markings but my 1920's commercial holster is also unmarked. Later, after some careful cleaning, I noticed there is a mark on the tip of the closure strap.
There is some crazing to the leather surface and I didn't want to stretch the strap so the photos are about the best I can do.
I can make out "COMP" in the upper right and maybe "BERLIN" in the centre area, but does anyone know what this mark is?

wlyon · 10-02-2022, 11:49 AM

Very nice early commercial holster. I can not tell what the marking says. Bill

spangy · 10-02-2022, 10:49 PM

Beautiful holster Mark1

great score.

Edward Tinker · 10-03-2022, 05:31 PM

that is an odd place to stamp a makers name - nice holster

Mark1 · 10-03-2022, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

that is an odd place to stamp a makers name - nice holster

I agree and I can't recall another holster so marked of all the examples I have seen on the forum.
If anyone has a suggestion how this stamping could be deciphered, please comment.

wlyon · 10-04-2022, 11:45 AM

Try Jerry's baby powder bit. Bill

Pistol · 10-10-2022, 09:59 AM

I have a commercial holster that is stamped in the same location.

Mauser 712 · 10-12-2022, 08:21 AM

This early European style commercial holster (indicated by the leather covered buckle) is probably retailed by Franz Cobau, Berlin starting in 1903.

Nice holster and a good find.

Albert
Malta (EU)

Mark1 · 10-16-2022, 12:39 AM

Albert,
Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. The stamping could be a retailer mark rather than by the maker.
It makes slightly more sense for a retailer to stamp the end of the closure strap. It's a convenient location and the strap looks to be longer than normal to provide space.
Mark

Mauser 712 · 10-16-2022, 06:40 AM

Mark,

Franz Cobau who was a leather workshop during the imperial era often offered for sale, evaluation or special order different holsters for pistols such as for the Mauser C96 and Luger, in the time of the Cone Hammer and Large Ring or 50,000 Luger serial range which dates around 1906-08, but their markings are also seen in the 1930's.

If you happen to come across other holsters by Franz Cobau, do your best to grab them since they usually have a different pattern.

Happy hunting,
Albert

10-02-2022, 04:29 AM	#1
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	Early commercial holster I met up with a dealer friend recently at a local gunshow. He had mentioned that he had an early commercial holster that would probably interest me. We agreed that it appeared very genuine and condition was great, so it came home with me. There didn't seem to be any makers markings but my 1920's commercial holster is also unmarked. Later, after some careful cleaning, I noticed there is a mark on the tip of the closure strap. There is some crazing to the leather surface and I didn't want to stretch the strap so the photos are about the best I can do. I can make out "COMP" in the upper right and maybe "BERLIN" in the centre area, but does anyone know what this mark is? Attached Thumbnails

10-02-2022, 11:49 AM	#2
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	Very nice early commercial holster. I can not tell what the marking says. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-02-2022, 10:49 PM	#3
spangy Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 617 Thanks: 3,065 Thanked 1,057 Times in 429 Posts	Beautiful holster Mark1 great score. __________________ Whoever said that "money can't buy you happiness" never bought a Luger. WTB - Take Down Lever & Trigger Plate (#90) for an Imperial Artillery.

10-03-2022, 05:31 PM	#4
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,935 Thanks: 2,034 Thanked 4,533 Times in 2,093 Posts	that is an odd place to stamp a makers name - nice holster __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

10-04-2022, 11:45 AM	#6
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,637 Thanks: 3,174 Thanked 2,561 Times in 956 Posts	Try Jerry's baby powder bit. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon

10-10-2022, 09:59 AM	#7
Pistol User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: TN Posts: 428 Thanks: 448 Thanked 220 Times in 99 Posts	I have a commercial holster that is stamped in the same location.

10-12-2022, 08:21 AM	#8
Mauser 712 User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 42 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	This early European style commercial holster (indicated by the leather covered buckle) is probably retailed by Franz Cobau, Berlin starting in 1903. Nice holster and a good find. Albert Malta (EU)

10-16-2022, 12:39 AM	#9
Mark1 User Join Date: May 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 72 Thanks: 332 Thanked 74 Times in 25 Posts	Albert, Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. The stamping could be a retailer mark rather than by the maker. It makes slightly more sense for a retailer to stamp the end of the closure strap. It's a convenient location and the strap looks to be longer than normal to provide space. Mark

10-16-2022, 06:40 AM	#10
Mauser 712 User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 42 Thanks: 4 Thanked 20 Times in 12 Posts	Mark, Franz Cobau who was a leather workshop during the imperial era often offered for sale, evaluation or special order different holsters for pistols such as for the Mauser C96 and Luger, in the time of the Cone Hammer and Large Ring or 50,000 Luger serial range which dates around 1906-08, but their markings are also seen in the 1930's. If you happen to come across other holsters by Franz Cobau, do your best to grab them since they usually have a different pattern. Happy hunting, Albert