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pic's of markings on .25 auto from WWII

charlesa920charlesa920 Member Posts: 16 ✭✭
edited November 2007 in Ask the Experts
continued from topic #275068 "25 auto relieved from Nazi officer"

I wanted to post some pic's of the markings on the left side of my pitsol as requested. here are a few shots that I hope are clear enough.

this particular weapon is serial #352434 as shown in the other thread. Can anyone supply more specific mfg info?

47b7cf08b3127cceb0b3bbf99aaf00000026100AbsWjRk1ZOWOA

47b7cf08b3127cceb0b3bbde1bb800000026100AbsWjRk1ZOWOA

47b7cf08b3127cceb0b3bbc41ba200000026100AbsWjRk1ZOWOA

47b7cf08b3127cceb0b3bbeb9abd00000026100AbsWjRk1ZOWOA

Comments

  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This forum is usually locked after 10 posts by the moderators, to curtail idol chatter, and hot air merchants.

    Your photos show the standard markings found on the Belgian ( F.N.) made Browning .25's. The top 2 lines are the standard slide legend. The 2 lines of markings on the slide and frame are Belgian proof marks.


    Hundreds of thousands of these .25 autos were made by F.N. between 1906 and 1940, when the Germans invaded and occupied Belgium, ( for the second time in less then 30 years ).
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The story about this 25 being worn around an ankle or in a boot in that holster doesn't ring true.
  • charlesa920charlesa920 Member Posts: 16 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    did you notice the small mark on the right and left side of the trigger guard?...

    they appear to be a circle with a "V" in the center. Could not get a clear pic. will try to borrow a better camera...

    not pictured but on the right side there is another small mark in front of the circled "V"

    I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the gun's orgins. I know my Dad and he believed it. He told me. I have no reason to doubt it and quite frankly wonder how it could be construed as a questionable.

    Do you know something about the habits of German officers at the end of WWII that would suggest this accounting is fabricated?
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's not a question of German officer's habits,it's a pretty bulky belt holster to stuff in a German officer's high boottop.
    Without German proof marks on the pistol,holster or capture papers, it's an ordinary Belgian FN model 1906, 2nd variation, worth $200 in good condition to a collector.
    There were over 1,086,000 made.
  • cercer Member Posts: 826 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    CharlesA920,in other words, since it belongs to you given by your father it is worth not much. If it belonged to a self appointed "expert" it would be worth $20,000.00.
    Be Proud of the .25 and where it came!
  • charlesa920charlesa920 Member Posts: 16 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, I am quite happy with it and I hope it never leaves the family. I was perusing the general forum where someone was asking about investing in a gun... general advice was to buy something that interests or pleases you and only hope it gains value.

    This little .25 pleases me very much. It pleased my Dad to own it and give it to me and I am looking forward to the pleasure of giving it to my son or grandson.

    My intention to the posting was to aquire information and inturn share an interesting bit of history.

    BTW, I didn't share how my dad got it from Uncle Bud. My cousin Judy was playing with it as a child (circa 1956) and shot her friend in the arm, it grazed her left arm below the elbow and it did no real damage but Aunt Sis hit the roof and told Bud to get those guns out of the house. Dad was there and she gave them to him.

    In the end,, I have learned about the gun and hopefully others have enjoyed sharing their knowledge and information.

    Thanks
    Charles
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