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The first standard German Hi-Power holster was patterned after the type in use for the Walther PP/PPK pistols; this same/similar design was later used for P-38 holsters starting in 1943. In fact, many souvenir P-38's came back with returning GI's in a Hi-Power breakaway holster, with the spare magazine a bit loose in the spare magazine pouch. The first of the new Hi-Power holsters were manufactured some time in 1941; not at the beginning of 1941, but probably after several months. The earliest examples were marked inside an oval with the date, name and address of the manufacturer, (i.e., E. G. Leuner GmbH, 1941, Bautzen) and also have the Eagle/"WaA159" acceptance mark. The German military had already adopted a code system for marking the weapons, and it was also to be used for the vast majority of Hi-Power holsters. In 1941 and 1942, both full and two digit dates were used on the breakaway type Hi-Power holsters. Thereafter, two digit dates were used more often, and later in the war (1944), a single digit date has frequently been observed on many Hi-Power holsters. However, no legitimate 1940 or 1945 dated Hi-Power holsters have ever been observed.


The folling is the front view:




1941-1.JPG

Charlie

 

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The following is a view of the markings. Please note that this holster bears the 'full name and address' and the full date.

This system/pattern was not used long as codes (for the manufacturer) were used instead.




1941-2.JPG

Charlie

 

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Another view of the markings:




1941-3a.jpg

Charlie