The Futrola M-84 (Holster Model 1984) was a sub-machine gun holster intended exclusively for CZ M-84 (Crvena Zastava Model 1984), a Yugoslavian licensed copy of Czechoslovakian Sa. vz. 61 (Samopal vzor 1961, meaning; Automatic, pattern 1961) Škorpion (Scorpion), a sub-machine gun, originally produced for and used by their ČSLA (Czechoslovakian People's Army) starting from 1961 as standard issue firearm for all combat vehicle crews. Same practice was also copied in YPA (Yugoslavian People's Army), where the M-84, together with this holster, was also used exclusively by their tank crews. Moreover, this sole holster was actually a copy of the original Pouzdro vz. 61 (Holster vz. 61) fielded by the ČSLA's crewmen.
Despite the fact that the Škorpion was actually a pure sub-machine gun by its class and type, rather than being an machine pistol (simply due to having over folding stock and most importantly, a separately housed magazine like a true sub-machine gun or automatic rifle. Instead of it just being located inside the grip, as found in all pistols and machine pistols), it was, ironically, still officially categorized exactly as an automatski pištolj (automatic pistol) by YPA terminology, so it did not feature a classic sling for carrying across the back, but a usual pistol holster for carrying on the belt instead. This was only due to its truly small size, (just 270mm with stock folded) exactly due to which it is often incorrectly indentified as and referred to as being an machine pistol (although the size should not be taken into account while discussing the firearm's type and the M-84's design exactly corresponds to the usual sub-machine gun, as stated already).
Overview[]
As in case with the usual pistol holsters fielded by the YPA, the M-84 holster was also exclusively made from pieces of pure and highly durable genuine (calfskin) leather linked together via sewing, which ensured its outstanding quality and durability (some of those holsters found today are more than thirty years old but are most often still in almost completely preserved/factory condition). Insides were made out of brushed leather instead of smooth, as found externally.
However, in contrast to the mentioned pistol holsters, which were more often externally covered with leather protective coating and what explains their darker (brownish) appearance, the M-84 holster was exlusively made out of pure/bare (non-coated) leather, due to which it is always found in yellowish appearance, exactly like the standard YPA conscript's harness, as an example. This was made to match the holster's appearance with belt, since the YPA tank crews (for which the CZ M-84 was exclusively intended for) were always wearing exactly the standard conscript's yellowish leather belt on their battledress, only without the straps (since they did not carry so much gear and equipment like the usual infantrymen), while the NCO's and officer's as well as Militsiya members were wearing a different style belts, exactly due to which most pistols holsters were also made coated (brownish) and they were they only ones which had right to carry a pistol/handgun by regulations.
In design, the M-84 holster is very similar to the standard YPA pistol holsters, by being a closed type which overlaps from above and is buckled on a single piece, simply by pressing it over a brass made knob, which was a common configuration found many types of YPA equipment (the mentioned officer's belt and well as magazine pouches for both automatic rifle and submachine gun). Although that insures very easy buckling as well as unbuckling in needed situations, it could also sometimes accidentally unbuckle (especially in occassions when hole on buckling piece widens itself over years from constant buckling/unbuckling).
One and the largest feature which differs it from the usual pistol holsters is the fact that is never featured a magazine pocket sewn onto its frontal part, but instead featured an additional, smaller holster (pouch, actually) along with it, which could house two twenty round spare magazines of Škorpion. So, the M-84 holster actually consisted of two elements - the sole holster for the weapon, along with pouch for housing of two spare magazines.
Due to being inteded for somewhat larger firearm than a common pistol (the Škorpion), it was indeed very large for a usual holster, being even 30x20 (length, width) in dimensons. Moreover, the Škorpion itself weighted around 1,40kg when loaded, which meant that the holster could easily drag the belt down due to heavy size and weight of the firearm, especially since the tank crews were not issued with the usual Y straps like common infantrymen, in order to properly hold the belt in place when carrying it loaded with equipment. Also, many crewmen found this holster annoying while getting in and out through hatches of their combat vehicles, especially in severely restriced space of their M-84 main battle tank (a Yugoslavian licensed copy of Soviet T-72). Exactly due to this common issues, many YPA tank crews actually preferred to improvise using a sling for their Škorpions (in order to carry them on their backs like usual rifles), rather than carry this indeed large and clumsy holster on their belts.
As stated already, the M-84 holster was used exclusively by YPA tank crews from the appearance of its SMG in 1984 until the very end, breakup of the country and dissolvement of YPA together with it. After that, the holster was continuted to be for some time produced and formally used by newly formed YPA's successor, the Army of Yugoslavia (from 2003 to its dissolvment in 2006 known as Army of Serbia and Montenegro) and was also unofficially used by various individuals of literally all conflicting sides involved in Yugoslavian wars, that is, by almost anyone armed with CZ M-84.
Due to being produced relatively briefly; only from 1984 until second half of 1990s, this holster is today relatively rare and of some challenge to find, even inside the former Yugoslavia.
Gallery[]
To be expanded!