Pistols of friend and foe.

Pistols of friend and foe. (from the AWM collection)

Pistols and before that, revolvers, have long been considered a weapon for Officers, Armoured Corps personnel and Aircrew. That, like a lot of "rules" lasts until Active Service starts and then many infantrymen of all ranks "acquire" one.

Circa 1910. Cased Model 1903 Browning semi automatic pistol. This pistol was carried by Major Richard Gardiner Casey, DSO, MC., who became Lord Casey of Berwick and the City of Westminster and later Governor General of Australia.

Top slide left side marked FABRIQUE-NATIONALE-D'ARMES de GUERRE. HERSTAL-BELGIQUE BROWNING'S PATENT.

Black checkered grips with the FN trade mark in the top quarter.

The pistol is contained in a brown leather case 235x140x50 mm with R.G.C. stamped in back on the outside lid. The case is lined in green baize and contains also two magazines, a wire cleaning brush and a small oil bottle marked on the bottom G&J.W.HAWKSLEY. On the outside of the case is a small carry handle with two surrounding leather straps.

	1910. Browning Model 1903 semi automatic pistol. The top slide is engraved with the Turkish Sultan's crest and an Arabic number. The Fabrique Nationale manufacturer details are on the left side with Brownings Patent. The grips are black plastic with the FN trade mark. It has a seven shot magazine and a rear grip safety catch.
It is contained in a British Pattern 1937 webbing holster that is marked inside the flap with an arrow within a C (Canadian manufacture) and in black ink Creishton. This pistol was taken from a Turkish officer in Mesopotamia. Barrel length: 89 (mm); Calibre: 9 (mm); Overall length: 207 (mm)

Circa 1914. Colt Model 1911 semi automatic pistol. The top slide is marked on the left side with the manufacturers details and on the right MODEL OF 1911 U.S.A. ARMY CALIBRE 45.

The checkered wooden grips are carved MUBO on the left and YPRES on the right. The pistol is complete with a magazine.

This pistol was obtained by Sergeant L'Estrange from a colleague who was training with him at Wilsons Point in 1941. This character had a possible dubious past working with the local underworld. The butt has the words MUBO (an area between Salamaua and Wau and YPRES (Belgium) in memory of Australian soldiers fighting on the Somme during WW1. Sergeant L'Estrange's father was in the 1st AIF, although he was not at Ypres. Sgt Bruce (Slugger) L'Estrange was a member of the 2/7th Commando Company and won the Military Medal (MM) for saving the life of an officer under fire.

1914 Webley & Scott Mk 1 semi automatic pistol. Frame marked on the left side WEBLEY & SCOTT Ltd, LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM, 9m/m AUTOMATIC PISTOL and 3 over 52 with a broad arrow on the right side.

This pistol was produced for the commercial market and has no military proof marks. The 3 over 52 indicates that it was issued to the Third Military District (Victoria) and is pistol number 52.

1915. Savage Model 1915 Semi Automatic Pistol. Barrel slide, with a groove along the top, is marked on the with the company name, address and .380 over the 1905 patent date and .9mm. The left side of the frame is engraved SAVAGE and right side stamped D arrow D near the grip edge. It has black plastic checkered grips with the company trade mark of an American Indian head and 'Savage Quality' within a circle. It is complete with a nine shot magazine. Barrel length: 3.78 (in); Calibre: .38 (in); Overall length: 7 (in)

1916. Mauser C96 semi-automatic pistol. Frame marked WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER OBERNDORF A.NECKAR. The serial number is on the bolt behind the rear sight and on the barrel breech.

The wooden grips have the number 9 carved into each side. Barrel length: 139 (mm); Calibre: 9 (mm); Overall length: 312 (mm); Weight: 1250 (grms)

1917. Luger P04 Navy Pistol. Action marked DWM and commercial proof marks on the frame. Engraved on the back strap is I.T.D. 1305 just below the grip safety. All parts on this weapon match except for the magazine which has the number 860.

1922. Astra Model 400 semi-automatic pistol. Blued steel frame marked UNCETA Y COMPANIA GUERNICA ESPANA PISTOLA DE 9mm (38) modelo 1921 (400) on the slide and Astra banner on the barrel. Two piece wood grips held to the frame with two screws. Barrel length: 140 (mm); Calibre: 9 (mm); Overall length: 235 (mm); Weight: 1.08 (kgs)

Circa 1925. Vickers Luger P.08 semi automatic pistol. The top toggle is stamped VICKERS LTD and has British proof marks. The barrel has the date 1925 together with the serial number. The grip has a rear safety catch. Originally the pistol had a brass plate on the left side with Netherlands East Indies unit markings but this has been removed. The weapon is complete with a magazine. This Vickers Luger pistol was made for the Dutch Government and issued to the Netherlands East Indies Forces in Java.

1930. Bayard Model 30 semi automatic pocket pistol by Anciens Etablissements Pieper. Frame has the makers name and address with CAL 6.35 MODELE 1930 beside the Bayard Horseman logo.

Black plastic grips with AEG monogram and a six shot magazine.Barrel length: 55 (mm); Calibre: 6.35 (mm); Overall length: 145 (mm); Weight: 340 (gms)

1938. Japanese. Nambu Type 14 semi automatic pistol. Frame stamped with the Nagoya ordnance mark, the serial number and 13.4 indicating that it was made in April 1938. The pistol is complete with an aluminium bottom magazine and wooden grips.

This pistol was originally issued to the Sasebo First Special Naval Landing Party. It was recovered from Rabaul at the end of the Second World War

1940. FN Browning Model 1910 semi automatic pistol. Frame marked FABRIQUE NATIONALE D'ARMES de GUERRE HERSTAL BELGIQUE, BROWNINGS PATENT DEPOSE.

The grips have the FN logo. This weapon was captured by the Japanese Army during the Second World War

1940. Fegyvergyar es Gepgyar Reszvenytarsasag Budapest Frommer Stop semi-automatic pistol with a rear grip safety catch. The top slide cocking mechanism is stamped FEGYVERGYAR-BUDAPEST . FROMMER-PAT. STOP CAL.765 mm (.32) and has an exposed hammer. Wooden grips with FS monogram in the top section and has a lanyard loop on the butt. Barrel length: 95 (mm); Calibre: 7.65 (mm); Overall length: 165 (mm)

1940. Nambu 1904 Pistol for Imperial Japanese Navy, by Tokyo Gas and Electric Industry Co. Nambu 1904 semi automatic pistol. Receiver marked TGE within a circle and right side an anchor, Japanese characters over the serial number. The right hand checkered grip has two Japanese characters and 39. A light brown lanyard is attached to the 'D' ring at the back of the action. Barrel length: 102 (mm); Calibre: 9 (mm); Overall length: 223 (mm); Weight: 870 (gms)

Circa 1940. FN (Fabrique Nationale) M/19 semi-automatic pistol. Possibly made in USA under licence. Left side of frame marked AUTOMATIC PISTOL DEMOT?? CAL 7.65 m/m metal covered bullet.

Contained in a leather holster. This pistol was sent to Australia by the 5 Military History Team. It is supposed that this weapon was captured in Indochina by the Japanese.

This pistol was manufactured in Spain and is known as the Ruby type. It is a copy of the Browning 1903. Browning sued them over it but lost the suit. They were made for France during WWI and later for general sale by several companies. These guns were a favorite of the Japanese and were purchased on an individual basis by soldiers and pilots during the early thirties. Reine Smith

1942. Liberator pistol (Guide Lamp Division, General Motors Corporation) constructed from pressed steel sheet. Single shot with a space in the butt for five spare rounds. These pistols were designed to be made as cheaply as possible and used as a disposable assassination weapon. It has a smooth bore and has a very short accurate range. They were distributed for use in occupied countries by clandestine forces and originally supplied with a comic strip set of graphic instructions.

Date not known. Le Monoblog Brevete Semi Automatic Pocket Pistol. Frame marked LE MONOBLOG PISTOLET AUTOMATIQUE BREVETE with Belgian proof marks.

Aluminium grips with a seven shot magazine. Barrel length: 50 (mm); Calibre: .22 (in); Overall length: 115 (mm)

1959. Chicom Type 54 semi automatic pistol and holster. The top slide has three Chinese characters and the serial number. The frame has the serial number and 1959. It has black plastic grips and an eight round magazine. The pistol is contained in a brown leather holster that has a top flap with a strap to attach to a body stud. There are loops for a cleaning rod at the front and a spare magazine in a pouch. The rear has two D rings but the two point shoulder strap has been cut off.

This weapon was captured by A company, 2 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) on Operation Coburg in Bien Hoa Province in 1968. In the late afternoon some 12 enemy were engaged by 3 Platoon, A Company in an action that lasted 60 minutes, resulting in 3 Viet Cong killed in action, one wounded in action taken prisoner and one wounded escaping. The prisoner later revealed that he had been involved in the attack on Bien Hoa Air Base, a major target of the Tet offensive. Barrel length: 116 (mm); Calibre: 7.62 (mm); Overall length: 193 (mm); Weight: 830 (gms)

Circa 1965. Colt Model M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol. Frame marked UNITED STATES PROPERTY M1911A1 US ARMY, the serial number and SA.

The left side has the patent dates and COLT's PT. F.A. MFG Co, HARTFORD.CT. USA. The pistol has brown plastic grips and is complete with a khaki green nylon lanyard.