Two WWII Kriegsmarine marked pistols…each with its own story.

[drm2m]

Mauser Model 1934 (Variation 2) Sn.532668 manufactured in 1938.

I have no idea if some members on this forum are interested in this kind of stuff?

(Click on the bar to enlarge the images.)




Mauser Model 1934 (Variation 1) Sn. 551698 manufactured in 1940.




Variation 2 -Matching Navy Property markings on front grip strap and magazine floor plate O.2325---“O” for Marine Station der Ostee (Baltic Fleet)

Estimated production of these Variation 2 Kriegsmarine marked guns was 3,000.
(Reference; Jan Still –Axis Pistols)










Variation 1, engraved E/M on the left frame panel and N2687 property number on the front grip strap and N2676 on the magazine floor plate. Not matching numbers but reasonably close.
“N” for Marine Station der Nordsee (North sea Fleet)
Total estimated procurement: 8,000.












A Kriegsmarine marked holster that is correct for both pistols.
The holster could be in better condition….but I guess it protected the gun.










The story behind each pistol.

The 1938 dated Variation 2 pistol came with the provenance document shown below.
I did not know the vet that brought it back…so I don’t know more than that.







The Variation 1 pistol manufactured in 1940 was a Canadian vet bring back by a rather interesting fellow.

Here is his story;

The vets name was Major W.A.D. Gunn from Moncton New Brunswick.
After I purchased the pistol I corresponded with his nephew who inherited it prior to the vets death.

The gun was supposedly taken from a prisoner of war.

The vets Obituary:

OBIT # 1712 - HALIFAX HERALD - 19 JUNE 1995

GUNN, Judge William Alexander Douglas - 93, 50 Cameron St., Moncton, N.B., died June 17, 1995, in Moncton Hospital. Born in Sydney, Cape Breton Co., he was a son of the late Alexander Donald and Jane (Spencer) Gunn. He attended Dalhousie University and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1922; master of arts in 1924 and bachelor of laws in 1925. On May 13, 1925, he was admitted to the bar of Nova Scotia and practised law in Sydney. He enlisted at the outbreak of the Second World War; commanded B Company, Cape Breton Highlanders; served with the Judge Advocate General's branch at Canadian military headquarters in London; with the allied forces headquarters in Italy and the 21st Army group in Germany. He was honourably discharged with the rank of major. He returned to his law practice in Sydney and was appointed provincial magistrate on October 12, 1960. He was transferred from Sydney to Halifax in 1971; appointed chairman of the Law Reform Advisory Commission, and in 1975 chairman of the Advisory Committee on Legal Aid. He retired in 1976 and served until 1986 as supernumerary judge for the Province of Nova Scotia. Surviving are his wife, the former Mary Catherine McNeill; daughter, Heather Jane (Mrs. Joseph Weir); grandchildren, Mike, Danny; sisters, Florence Gunn Warren, Toronto; Vivian Mitchell, Sydney; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sisters, Jane, Frances; brother, Alfred (A.O.). Visitation 2-4, 7-9 p.m. today, funeral 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, both in Ferguson Knowles Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Rd., Moncton, Rev. Bernard Sloan officiating. Reception to follow in the funeral home.
_______________________________

The two photos shown below and commentary were sent to me by the curator of the Cape Breton Highlander Museum, in New Brunswick.

“He appears as a lieutenant in the list of original officers in 1939 ...I found where he was promoted to Capt and to Major 1939/40. (Two very quick promotions)”


The following is 'perhaps' a comment about the Highlanders that may date back to their early origins.

The Highlanders, were not all about bringing joy; in fact, they were a notoriously rough-edged outfit. Recruited mostly from miners, fishermen, steelworkers and farmers from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, on Canada’s harsh Atlantic coastline, they were a clannish bunch likely to resent anyone “from away,” meaning not born on the island. Most had recent Scottish or Irish ancestry, and a few were even Gaelic-speaking. Not for nothing was their Maple Leaf cap badge emblazoned with the Gaelic words: “Stol Na Fearail”—“the Breed of Manly Men.”








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A little geography review...the map below shows the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Supposedly the 1938 dated Variation 2 was picked up in Wilhelmshaven just after the Germans surrendered.





Background info.

In 1934 Mauser introduced a final version of its Model 1934. Its major change from the Model 1914 was the shape of the grip panels, with curved, rather than straight backstrap. The Model 1934 was adopted by German armed forces as a substitute standard, and also was used by various police and security forces. Key military buyers for Mauser 1934 pistols were Kriegsmarine (Navy) and Luftwaffe (Air force).

The first 1934 Mauser pistols obtained for military use were procured independently by the Kreigsmarine. (Navy)

The total quantity purchased by the navy from 1935 to 1941 was approximately 23,000.

There were two navy markings Ostsee (“O”) Baltic Sea and Nordsee (“N”) North Sea.

The historical portion of Nordsee verses Ostee is basically two separate ports with various ships assigned to these ports. "O" property marks for Ostee and "N" property marked weapons for Nordsee.


David

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