Non German weapons used by Germans in WWII

[Harlan (Deceased)]

I had a worn FN 1922 but don't know the story on the German markings.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[rayg]

I believe that the waffen proof marks were applied by German inspectors during newly manufacture of the weapons at the factories the Germans took over or of weapons that were previously manufactured and submitted back to the factory for repair or acceptance.
For the most part, the majority of captured weapons, which was what my original post was about, made before the German occupation did "NOT" receive the waffen stamps as the Germans generally accepted the prior factory proofing.
Some of the captured weapons apparently did recieve some type of a stock stamp like the LK5 mentioned in my initial post. The opinion of some collectors is that those LK stamps were for assignment or inventory stamps for possibly the Luffwaffen. But so far, no documentation has been found to support this. But again rifles from France, Poland, Yugo, czech, Russia, and Brit have been found with those stock stamps. Again theory is that these weapons were assigned to the Luffwaffen air bases. As it is known that the Luffwaffen used second class weapons, ie, old models or captured weapons. I was hoping folks would check the stocks on their weapons from those countries or any other country that was in German occupation to see if that stamp was present. Here is a photo of the stamp on my MAS-36. As you can see it's a small stamp and could be missed easy, Ray

[tiriaq]

W. Darrin Weaver's book "Desperate Measures" discusses German use of captured weapons in some detail. All were assigned a unique model number. Some were marked, many or most were not.

[Johnny Peppers]

The WaA/613 is the acceptance stamp and the eagle/swastika is the proof stamp.

[Harlan (Deceased)]

Thank you rayg and Johnny.

I found that FN 1922 at a pawn shop (inexpensive) and bought it because of the German stamps it had on it. The pawn shop owner didn't know what kind of pistol it was, but I found what type it was searching the internet. It was one of John Browning's designs he couldn't sell in the US so he sold the design in Europe. It has three safeties (lever, grip, and magazine) but the 1910 version wasn't safe enough from starting of WWI! One little .380 round assassinated both Arch Duke Ferdinand and Princess Sophie in Serbia which lead to the start of WWI.

~ Harlan

[Alfred]

I have a Browning P-35 here with NAZI markings. A friend found it while settling his father in laws estate, along with a nice little Remington .32 rimfire pocket revolver.

The father in law was stationed in the Pacific so its unlikely he brought it back, but he was a close friend of the Commandant of the Citadel Military Academy and it may have been a gift from him. The entire graduating class of 43 enlisted in mass and served with distinction, so it was probably brought back by one of them.

The pistol shows hard use and though still in good operating condition it needs a replacement of one grip panel.

PS
The 1922 Browning has a longer barrel than the earlier model, and uses a extension to the slide to accomodate the extra length.
The pistol was bought pre war by Yugoslavia in .380 and by several other countries in .32 ACP.

The father of a friend brought back a very nice specimen of the earlier shorter barreled Brownin that he'd found on the body of a German airman he'd shot down while bombing his position.
He had the young airman's wallet and other ID as well.
The pistol was a beauty, with a silver Luftwaffe Eagle inlaid in the grips.

[bussche]

More photos:


















And plenty more where these came from here:
http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=71&t=99382

[browningautorifle]

I have a book on aircraft that were captured and used by Germany. They used just about everything. Also I'm sure I'm not the only one who saw Goering surrender what appeared to be a S&W M&P revolver on the film footage of his capture. Anyone know where that gun went?

[gunner]

Hi browningautorifle,
the revolver you`ve seen was a "Reichsrevolver". Cal. 10,6mm .
The base for the development was a S&W Russian .44. He must give the revolver to the officer of his guards ( US Army ) and i think he would found a new owner somewhere. Görings revolver was luxury model and not a simple one like this in the pic.

Regards

Gunner

[Alfred]

I have a book on aircraft that were captured and used by Germany. They used just about everything. Also I'm sure I'm not the only one who saw Goering surrender what appeared to be a S&W M&P revolver on the film footage of his capture. Anyone know where that gun went?

Goering's surrender pistol was a prewar S&W .357 Magnum, a personal possession.
He had a fine inlaid Astra auto pocket pistol hidden away, a gift from the Condor Legion pilots who'd served in Spain. That pistol showed up years ago, a US soldier had liberated it.