The first pistols, made before the German takeover, were marked on the left side of the slide with a fairly large Polish eagle; on either side of the eagle are two line markings - F.B.Radom over the date on the left, and 'VIS-wz 35' (name of pistol and 'Wzor' (model) 35) over the patent number on the right. This 'Grade II' Polish Radom VIS 35 pistol was manufactured some time between 1939 and 1941. Or a grooved hardwood on late production. The slide markings are 'F.B. RADOM VIS Mod. The serial number minus the letter prefix is found on the right side of the slide directly in front of the angled slide serrations and.
Perhaps one of you that is more familiar with the Radoms can give me an idea of what I have here and what it may be worth. I bought this Radom used from a retired officer that had it in his collection. Looking at these two websites, I concluded that it is a WWII Nazi-Proofed Early Grade I German Vis Polish Radom 9mm Pistol: 'Grade I German Vis: First Nazi-manufactured guns. With decocker, take-down latch and shoulder stock slot. Excellent quality, high-polish hot blue finish. Slide markings: 'F.B.
Radom VIS Mod. Waffenamt acceptance mark and 'P-35(p)' were stamped below the first line. Frame was marked with 'WaA 77' (Radom) and proof marks '625' (Steyr). Serial numbers are located on the right side of the slide A0001 to Dxxxx. Around 60 000 made in 1940.' From the website below, specifically a. The serial # is C7342.
The S/N on the slide and the frame match, and it also has the '625' (Steyr) marks on the left had side of the slide. The barrel lug however, is marked with either a 627 or a 621.
I suspect the barrel had been replaced at one time by the armory. It does have the lanyard and should stock slot. Am I on track here? Does the barrel lug marking not matching the other serial numbers take away significantly from the gun value? What would you guess-timate this gun to be worth? Below are links to some of the pictures. If anyone would like to examine it further, please drop me a PM and I can send you the hi-res pictures.
Thanks in advance for your help! Great forum too by the way. I can see I'll spent countless hours here. I was going to go out to Blue Book Publications and see what they had for a value on this pistol, but I didn't the serial number description: 'P.35 NAZI RADOM TYPE 1 - 3 LEVER & SLOT- rust blue, unblued barrel, lanyard loop, black VIS/FB plastic grips, many small parts ser.
Numbered, ser. 01-12,500 & 1/A0001-1/E8000 (1st Series) prefix.'
'Serial number ranges use #### for the no alphabetical prefix series, 1#### for the first alphabetical prefix series, and 2#### for the second alphabetical prefix series. Mill marks are more prominent as the war progressed.' What does this mean?: 1#### for the first alphabetical prefix series, and 2#### for the second alphabetical prefix series. Since mine is a CXXXX is that a 3? Sorry to seem like such a noob!
I just want to get all the info available. If someone whats to take a peek at the page that lists all models, here you go: If someone already has access to this information and feels kind hearted and wants to save me $ 5, drop me a PM. Thanks again folks! Truly a beautiful pistol but the mismatched barrel hurts it. As Francis said above, pricing is very subjective.
Also, the Blue Book, like all price guides can at best be used in very general ways. Market is governed by supply (in this case more or less finite, tending to ebb and flow as collections are released) and demand (often impacted by popular movies; Prvt. Ryan had a profound affect on US Weapons values as well as on HJ Knives!). Another major variable is economic/geographical factors. If matching and at a larger show in the Southeast, I would estimate 1000-1400. With the replacement barrel, half of that. My 2 cents, Keith.