Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice original German WWII black pebble grain leather drop holster intended for the FN Model 1910/1922 pistol. Manufactured in 1944 by Richard Ehrhardt Lederwarenfabrik of Pößneck, Thüringen, the holster retains its clearly stamped bdr 44 maker and date code together with a Waffenamt acceptance marking. The pebble grain leather remains in very good condition with strong contrasting stitching, making this an attractive late war example for pairing with a German issue FN Model 1922.

Following the German occupation of Belgium in 1940, the Fabrique Nationale factory at Herstal came under German control and continued firearms production for the occupying forces. The FN Model 1922, itself an enlarged development of John Browning's Model 1910, was produced in substantial numbers during this period and entered German military service. German occupation examples are encountered with Waffenamt military acceptance markings rather than NSDAP production markings.

The FN Model 1922 was well suited to military, police, and administrative use. Compared with the compact Model 1910, the Model 1922 incorporated a longer barrel and slide extension together with an elongated grip frame providing greater magazine capacity. German forces continued to make extensive use of the design during WWII, creating a corresponding need for purpose made military holsters such as this example.

The holster is in very good condition showing no signs of extensive damage, though there is heavy wear from age and storage. There is a maker’s code stamped under the flap, bdr 44, for 1944 manufacture by by Richard Ehrhardt of Pößneck in Thüringen, a known holster producer during the war according to GERMAN MILITARY LETTER CODES 1939-1945 by John Walter. Next to this is a clear Waffenamt stamp, WaA86, correct for this maker.

The drop style construction positions the pistol lower than a conventional belt mounted holster while keeping it readily accessible.

With its attractive black pebble grain leather, strong original stitching, clearly legible bdr 44 Richard Ehrhardt maker marking, surviving Waffenamt acceptance stamp, and very good overall condition, this is an excellent example of a late war German military pistol holster. It would display especially well with a German occupation FN Model 1922 or within a collection devoted to German WWII sidearms, military leather equipment, coded wartime manufacturers, or Belgian firearms used by the German armed forces.