Z. O. B. is Garnizoensbataljon Zuid- en Oost afd. Borneo. Garrison Battalion of South & East Borneo. the e- is usually preceded by a unit number but because of the low weapon number and the fact that it is a garrison rather than a field unit there is no unit number. I don't know where the garrison was located on Borneo. Neat pick up. Thanks for sharing. Regards Dan
South and East Borneo, would suggest the Oil well and oil storage Town and Port of Kalimantan, the only major place that would merit a Garrison for its strategic importance. Also the Provincial capital. The KNIL managed to fire the oil plants and storage before the Japanese occupied Borneo in 1942. Doc AV
Doc AV I think you nailed it. The carbine configuration is that of the Marechaussee. The unit information came from the book "Nederlandse Vurrwappens, KNIL En Militaire Luchtvaat 1897-1942." by Drs. G. de Vries & B. J. Martens. The book is printed in the Dutch language. They wrote several books on Dutch weapons. Regards Dan
So, if I have it right, your carbine came into this world at Steyr, Austria, in 1911 as a full length 'Dutch' M1895 Mannlicher rifle which was sent to Hembrug in the Netherlands in 1940 to be reconfigured to its present carbine form for issue to the KNIL at the Garrison Battalion of South and East Borneo.
Other stuff:
South and East Borneo Territorial Command (Regiment status), overseeing southern and eastern part of Borneo, commanded by Lt. Col. H.T. Halkema.
Combat units: South and East Borneo Garrison battalion, based in Bandjermasin City Watchmen company, based in Bandjermasin Militia platoon, based in Bandjermasin
Detached units: City Watchmen platoon, based in Amoentai City Watchmen platoon, based in Barabai City Watchmen platoon, based in Kandangan Air Defense Artillery squad, based in Koetawaringin Airbase
Fire Support unit: Air Defense Artillery squad, based in Bandjermasin
Other Support unit: Mobile Auxiliary First-Aid platoon