Three WWII German pistols

[Eric Cartman]

I recently picked up 3 new items for my WWII collection.
Here is my collection as it stood before the purchases, (German Only).

1939 BSW, K-98k All Matching 95%
1940 JP Sauer K-98k "Russian Capture"
G-Date, (1935), Luger
1944 CYQ P-38

What I picked up was:
Astra 600/43 9mm w/German Holster
Sauer & Sonne H-38 Waffenamp 37
CZ-27 FNH

What are the collectability of these?, (I know the Astra was made for the Germans, but because of Allied advances it was not delivered & later sold to the West German police & military).

The CZ does not have waffenamps, but I know that the FNH signified the wehrmacht, and pistols made after the war were marked differently.

I want to collect more pistols used by the Germans, what else should I look for?
Thanks!
Bob

[Matt Weber]

Bob,

You got a good start on your collection. The Germans used more pistols than any other country during WWII. So if you are interested in starting a pistol collection, you definately picked the widest catagory!

The way I see you can have several different options to collecting German pistols of WWII:

Option 1- Choose a favorite type of pistol. Let's just say a P38. Now collect all the different varients of P38s! (I believe there are 52!? )

Option 2- Collect German manufactured Pistols- I mean ones that were only made in Germany, like the Luger, Walther PP, PPK, P38, (I know some were made in Czech Republic! but most were made by Walther and Mauser.), Mauser HSc, Mauser 1934, Sauer 38, and so on.....

Option 3- collect all the foriegn made pistols used by Germany- These would include the Browning Hi-power, 1922, Radom, CZ38, CZ27, P37, Beretta 1934/5, Astra series, Star series, M1914, and so on.......

Option 4- Collect a branch of pistols- You can decide to collect a military branch, such as Army proofed pistols, or Luftwaffe models, or choose to collect; commercial, political, or police marked pistols.

Option 5- would be to collect all of the above pistols.

Option 5 is overwhelming I must say though. I tried to do this myself, and changed my mind. I sold off all my commercial pistols, political, and police pitols. I now collect only military pistols, which would be option 4 above. I also decided in the past 2 years to specialize my collection towards P38s, which is option 1. So I guess you could say I collect Option 1 and 4.

Choose whatever interests you though, and start collecting!

Matt

[Bill Grist]

Off and running

You are off to a good start...Good collecting..BILL

[SIGNALMAN]

First off get some good books. Whittington German pistols and holsters its a series of books. Also Jan Stills Axis Pistols is a must ! Do not ignore WWI pistols, as the Germans did not immediately throw away all those guns when the war ended.

Many were reworked and reissued for WWII, and of course Officers Could chose to use any pistol they wanted. I have an 1880's Gas Seal Steyr Revolver of which less than 100 were ever manufactured, and it has a Nazi Nitro proof on the Cylinder. Obviously an officer wanted to make sure the old gun was safe to shoot !

Start with a general collection of all that interests you in the period, you can resell or trade any if you decide to specialize later. Collect within your budget. Its no fun collecting stuff thats way too pricey, and having to pass on stuff you just " have to own ".

Unless the budget forbids it, Don't pass on good deals even if its not your interest. You can trade with someone for something you do need. Run it by members of the forum, and tack on a finders fee if someone wants it.

STAY WITHIN THE LAW - A COLLECTION CAN BE WORTH HARD JAIL TIME, AND CONFISCATED, IF GOTTEN ILLEGALLY !

[Jan Balcar]

CZ 27: Shortly after WW II were produced fnh marked CZ 27 pistols. Let me know about SN, finish (Blued or parkerized) proofs (rampant lion with N??).

[Eric Cartman]

Bob,

You got a good start on your collection. The Germans used more pistols than any other country during WWII. So if you are interested in starting a pistol collection, you definately picked the widest catagory!

The way I see you can have several different options to collecting German pistols of WWII:

Option 1- Choose a favorite type of pistol. Let's just say a P38. Now collect all the different varients of P38s! (I believe there are 52!? )

Option 2- Collect German manufactured Pistols- I mean ones that were only made in Germany, like the Luger, Walther PP, PPK, P38, (I know some were made in Czech Republic! but most were made by Walther and Mauser.), Mauser HSc, Mauser 1934, Sauer 38, and so on.....

Option 3- collect all the foriegn made pistols used by Germany- These would include the Browning Hi-power, 1922, Radom, CZ38, CZ27, P37, Beretta 1934/5, Astra series, Star series, M1914, and so on.......

Option 4- Collect a branch of pistols- You can decide to collect a military branch, such as Army proofed pistols, or Luftwaffe models, or choose to collect; commercial, political, or police marked pistols.

Option 5- would be to collect all of the above pistols.

Option 5 is overwhelming I must say though. I tried to do this myself, and changed my mind. I sold off all my commercial pistols, political, and police pitols. I now collect only military pistols, which would be option 4 above. I also decided in the past 2 years to specialize my collection towards P38s, which is option 1. So I guess you could say I collect Option 1 and 4.

Choose whatever interests you though, and start collecting!

Matt

Thanks Matt!
I like you have dumped most of my commercial and collect only military!
I am up to 56 total with every country except France & Italy, (both rifle & pistol).
I will probably get a wide variety of the foriegn ones.
Later
Bob

[Gene]

Buy a G43/K43