BACKGROUND: After the successful invasion of the Low Countries in May 1940 the German army expropriated large quantities of Belgian weapons and equipment, including pistols and holsters, en masse, and distributed them widely to make up for the inadequate supply of German produced personal side arms. Eventually the Germans would also reactivate the armaments industries in the occupied countries and produce a wide assortment of weapons and munitions which were generally issued to second line troops. The Belgian Fabrique Nationale d’Armes de Guerre, (National War Armaments Manufacturer), located in Herstal Belgium purchased a licence to develop and produced handguns designed and patented by John Browning as early as 1898. In 1903 the Belgians developed the 9mm M1903, (622), and in 1906 they developed the M1906 (626) automatic handgun based on a Browning patent.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Smooth, molded, chocolate brown leather construction holster with brass fittings features a fold over top flap with leather strap that mates with a brass stud on the body. The right side, forward edge of the holster body has a vertical, stitched on, spare magazine pocket. The reverse of the holster has double vertical leather belt loops and have their original stitching. Unmarked. The holster is in overall good condition showing normal period use. I believe this to be a Browning example, but if any collector’s have further information please contact me.