German Occupation Army Radom Vis P.35(P.) Type 2 9mm Pistol

This pistol was manufactured in the Fabryka Broni (Weapons Factory) near Radom, Poland by Polish workers under strict supervision by the occupation German Army, beginning in mid-World War Two. Poland had been manufacturing the Radom pistol for its army since 1936, but when Poland surrendered to German forces on September 27, 1939, production ceased at the plant. The total number of Radom pistols made by the Germans amounted to about 300,000 pistols, marked with their own proof markings, and issued them to military officers and civilian officials of the Reich. The first of the Polish made guns, the Polish Eagle, had a slot cut into the backstrap to mount a shoulder stock; three levers on the left side of firearm; an eagle on the left side of the slide, and were marked with serial numbers that had no letter prefixes. About 50,000 guns later, the German Army had seized the factory and continued manufacturing the Type 1 Radom that still had the slot and the three levers, but used letter prefixes and displayed no eagle. The slot disappeared with the C prefix but the three levers remained and the beginning of the Type 2 Radom was ushered in. This pistol is one of those, and in good to very good condition with all of the proof markings on the left side, namely: WaA77 on the frame and slide; eagle over 623 on the slide; and an eagle clutching a globe marked with a swastika in its claws The only German marking on the right side is supposed to be a WaA77, but not much of it is visible, probably due to holster wear. The serial numbers appear barely visible on the right side of the slide, as well as on the barrel lug and the inside of the slide. The wear appears on the right side and is mostly attributable to carry in a holster. The grips are the rare red variety, seldom seen. The bluing appears to have about 85% remaining. The holster is in good but used condition, with only a 3/8 inch slit on the top of the spine. The stitching is still intact and tight. Otherwise the wear is expected, including the marking on the inside of the flap that is barely visible, but enough to see the German model number of the pistol, P. 35(p), and the manufacturing plant code BNZ.