WW2 Luftwaffe pistols?

[pdxbohica]

So, I have a few pieces of gear (2nd pattern dagger/scabbard/hangars, collar tabs and shoulder boards, 20mm flak trench art) and would like to add a pistol, I'm thinking along the lines of an HSC or PPK. I would love a Luger but I'm not willing to spend $4k+ right now. Not really interested in a possible commercial purchased pistol either.

I know that there are certain serial number blocks for the HSC and I assume for the other pistols as well. How would I go about authenticating a Luftwaffe issued pistol? Were there different acceptance stamps? What suggestions as to a good choice? I'm looking at sub-$2k, preferably around $1k.

Thanks in advance.

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[pdxbohica]

Correction: I understand that Luftwaffe HSC's were drawn from Heer stocks, therefore would have army acceptance proofs. Does this apply for the P38 as well?

[Daan Kemp]

I think the Luftwaffe had many other pistols, that might be of interest. IIRC many Spanish pistols.

[pdxbohica]

The FEMARU is Hungarian and although primarily issued to pilots, possibly non-flight officers?

[Flying10uk]

Browning M1922

[Aragorn243]

Browning M1922 was a favorite with the Luftwaffe. Has a cool holster also. Price is sub $1000, Asking price for this one was $600 just pre-pandemic. I managed to get it for $400 with some discounts and special offers they were running at the time. Cabelas purchase. It had sat with them for quite a while and they were willing to discount pretty heavily. They took washed out photos of it which made it look like all the finish was gone They had a second in slightly worse condition but who knows if it's still there, Nebraska store. Holsters can run $300. I scored this one for $150 I think. Unissued.











Authenticating them to specific use is tough. This one is Germany marked but not military accepted. Means it was a private purchase which is common with officer pistols in all branches. Barrel is marked WaA140.

[browningautorifle]

Nice...have we seen this one before? I had one in the '70s that was Nazi marked and it didn't work very well. I had no idea how to sort it out at the time so I sold it. Also had a Nazi marked Hi Power...

[Aragorn243]

Yes, it has it's own thread elsewhere. I got it back in February.

[Singer B]

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I picked this Astra 300 up a few weeks ago for about $250. It was a Luftwaffe issue and while it has no Luftwaffe/German markings, the serial number confirms it. There are several pistols from Astra in Spain and Unique Courts in France that saw service with the Luftwaffe and Wermacht. Most of those seem to be under $1,000. You can also find FEG37m pistols from Hungary on the market for less than a $1,000. If you are hoping to find a P-38 or Luger for less than a $1,000, you are going to have to be very lucky and in the right place at the right time. Even Walther P-1's (reincarnation of the P-38) are going for $800 or more and they are just a clone of the original. I just started to pay attention to the handguns and finding they are really interesting to research and hunt down. Good luck!

[Low & Slow]

I believe the Sauer 38H was also popular, at least with Fallschirmjager. Haven't seen many about of late, but probably still priced well below a Luger.