Help Requested Identify Holster Possibly Mauser

[Sarge1998]

One of the items my father came home with after his service in the Navy during WWII was a 1914 Mauser he obtaned in Japan waiting for rotation home. My brother had been in possession of the pistol since dad died in 62' About 2 years ago gave it to me but it had no holster. I picked up an aftermarket holster from Numrich by chance as it was <$5 on close out, everything fit great. A few weeks ago my brother sent me a holster he thought was for the Mauser but it is nowhere close to big enough, for the pistol or the magazine, since the Mauser is a .32 auto could this be for some smaller .25 cal.?

On the inside flap I needed to use a magnifying glass just to make out about 3-4 numbers in 2 places, none match the pistol. There appears to be a faded stamp but is so far gone I couldn't get a picture. Outside on the flap there must have been a medallion or such identifying the branch, unit or department it was issued from. The Germans did provide the Japanese with these Mauser's as they had been fazed out of German service. My brother never used this holster he found it in his closet just thinks it may be connected. I spent a few days trying to research this thing but got no where close, hoping someone may recognize it and identify it for me.

Picture #1 Is the Mauser fitting in the repro holster, the rest are the unidentified holster with the Mauser.

Information

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[Flying10uk]

How about the Browning 1910 auto pistol available in .32" or 9mm? The only difference between the 2 models is the barrel and the 9mm version is the one responsible for starting the chain of events which led to the start of WW1.

[Colonel Enfield]

I'm thinking you might be on the right track with the thinking it's for a smaller .25 calibre handgun - maybe one of the Beretta or Browning-type pocket pistols?

[browningautorifle]

maybe one of the Beretta

Like about a 1919 Beretta in .25? I had one and it looks about the right size. Any of those little ones...

[Flying10uk]

Sarge, are you able to give us a couple of basic dimensions, please, with the flap closed? It would be helpful to know the top to bottom dimension and the front to back dimension, along the "hinge" of the flap, please, both with flap closed. Thanks.

[Sarge1998]

Sarge, are you able to give us a couple of basic dimensions, please, with the flap closed? It would be helpful to know the top to bottom dimension and the front to back dimension, along the "hinge" of the flap, please, both with flap closed. Thanks.

Top to bottom 5 1/8", Front to back 1 1/4" (that includes the spare mag holder), across the top flap 4". The belt holder will fit a 2 1/4" belt - belt leather is 1 3/4" wide.

[Flying10uk]

Here are a few pictures of my U.K. deactivated Browning 1910 semi auto pistol in .32" form. As previously mentioned it is exactly the same as the 9mm version apart from the barrel and I believe that even the magazine doesn't have to be swapped over. The holster seen in these pictures was made by my Grandfather when he purchased a similar pistol in the mid 1930s and was used while he was on duty with the Home Guard during WW2. When U.K. gun laws became tighter, post war, he decided to hand in his Browning to the Police because he no longer used it but he, fortunately, retained the holster which you see here. When I had the chance to buy a U.K. deactivated version of the little Browning a few years ago I jumped at the chance and, as can be seen, it fits my Grandfather's holster perfectly. I also have a cleaning rod, brush and spare magazine which my Grandfather also saved.

Clearly the holster which Sarge has is intended for something even smaller than this little Browning 1910 model, as has been suggested by other members already.

[Colonel Enfield]

Like about a 1919 Beretta in .25? I had one and it looks about the right size. Any of those little ones...

Yes, something of that sort There were countless .25 pocket pistol models made around the Edwardian era; not just from well-known manufacturers but various random European makers as well.