Radom P35

[Aragorn243]

I thought I was done with gun shows for a while as they've been packed and making me nervous wandering around in such tight quarters. Mike got a few in that I wanted to take a look at so I left early this morning to check them out. He had some interesting pieces but I always wander around the show before making a final decision and found this. It's been on my want list for quite a while and this is the first one I've seen that I could afford.

Wartime Nazi occupied Radom production VIS 35 known as the P.35 (P) to the Germans. For wanting one, I've discovered I know very little about them other than where it's made and what it's based on, the 1911 and Browning Hi Power. It's in 9mm. Bore is strong but slightly frosted. Serial numbers all match, its a JXXXX. The seller took it apart to show me the interior numbers on the barrel and slide. He believed it to be '41, '42 production. I think I've narrowed it down to '42 but nothing definitive on it. It's an earlier model that still has the disconnect lever at the back and the "P.35 (P)" mark. Has WaA77 mark on slide and receiver. Eagle over swastika on slide and eagle over 623 on the slide. Full serial number on inside of slide, last three digits on barrel. 8.82 on underside of barrel (9mm). Eagle over swastika on barrel. Does not have the slot for the stock. Magazine has a (K) on the back bottom and the base has eagle over 189. There is a five pointed star on the left side of the hammer. And a few random numbers and stamps here and there. Grips are complete and unbroken.

The finish from the factory is rough, has some freckling but no major pitting or rust. Feels just like a 1911. Has a safety disconnect which was installed for the Polish Cavalry. Prior to this being installed it was just carried at the half cock position. Grip safety prevents firing if it isn't held.

Said to be a favorite of the German Airborne so will look nice sitting with my repro helmet.

[Low & Slow]

Nice. Built about the same time as mine. From what I understand, final assembly was moved to Steyr in Austria after a duplicate serial number scheme by the workers was discovered, where they smuggled out the dupes to resistance fighters. If i recall properly, these were the third most widely issued pistol, behind the Luger and P38. Pleasant to shoot.

[Aragorn243]

The barrels were all produced at Steyr to prevent that from happening but they still smuggled out all the parts but the barrel and made the barrels from scratch. The inspection and acceptance stamps are all from steyr because that's where they were assembled.

[browningautorifle]

Nice well used combat veteran. Just about the way I like them, if they aren't brand new then this is what I want.

[jonnyc]

Got a bit of a "been there-done that" look to it...perfect. One of the sweetest shooting pistols you will ever meet.
Enjoy.

[Aragorn243]

It does look like it's been there and done that. Probably carried by a 3rd Division Fallschirmjäger in the Falaise Pocket. It will go well with my repro helmet. Now I have to find a holster. It will not fit in a Luger holster unfortunately as I actually have an extra one of those.

[Low & Slow]

Good hunting, it would make a fine pair.

[Aragorn243]

Got a nice well worn holster to go with the nice well worn pistol:

[browningautorifle]

a nice well worn holster

Nice catch, yes it matches perfectly.