Luftwaffe German WWII Femaru jhv 41 M37 7.65mm .32 ACP Semi-Auto Pistol C&R
SOLD FOR: $1,725.00
LSB#: LSB251220TO107
Make: Fémáru, Fegyver és Gépgyár (FÉG), Budapest, Hungary
Model: Pistole P37, jhv 41 Subvariation 4
Serial Number: 42996
Year of Manufacture: 1941
Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm Browning)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Barrel Length: 3 7/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short tapered blade dovetailed into the top of the slide. The rear sight is a “V” notch integral to the rear of the slide. The top of the slide has a finely checkered rib to reduce glare.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are walnut with vertical serrations. The grips have light handling wear. The left panel has tool marks around the screw head. The serrations are otherwise well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The grips rate in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished. The slide, frame and barrel are serial matching.
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is some stubborn copper fouling. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 8 or 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its current metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges, more notable at the leading edges of the slide. There are a few minor nicks and small scratches. There is a little wear on the bottom of the slide in front of the dust cover. The grip safety has some handling wear and minor oxidation. The controls have a slight plum hue. There are infrequent spots of minor erosion under the finish. The action shows operational wear. The grip screw is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-plus condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: The pistol comes with a leather and canvas holster and a total of two 7-round magazines, one matching and one not serial marked. The holster’s belt loop is marked “jsd / 1941” over a German eagle and there are German markings on the inside of the flap.
Our Assessment: Appearing a year after his death, Rudolf Frommer’s last design was an improved Model 1929 in 9mm Short chambering. Frommer’s actual involvement in the design of this model was believed to be limited. The pistol was adopted by the Hungarian Army as the ’37M.’ The principal difference between the 1937 and 1929 patterns lies in the abandonment of pinned-in cocking grips at the rear of the slide in favor of conventional grooving. The later gun also has a smaller hammer and an additional finger-rest on the toe of the butt. A Frommer-type grip lever provided the only safety device. The grips are wood. The German government negotiated a contract for 30,000 7.65mm Auto Frommer 37M pistols with pro-Axis Hungary in 1943. These were destined largely for the Luftwaffe with a “jhv” marking on the slide.
This Frommer P37 is a piece of WWII history, produced for the German Luftwaffe’s first contract in 1941. It is a nice example, with serial-matching slide, frame and barrel, one serial-matching magazine, a nice bore and strong mechanics. In addition to the matching magazine, one non-serial marked mag is included along with a fairly scarce holster which is correct for the jhv 41 variation. This P37 should be on the radar of anyone who collects WWII firearms. Please see our photos and good luck!
-Bud