WWII Nazi Occupied F.B. Radom VIS Model P.35 (p) 9mm Semi-Auto Pistol, C&R
SOLD FOR: $1003
LSB#: 210717KG16
Make: Fabryka Broni (Arms Factory), in Radom, Poland
Model: VIS 35 (Vis is Latin for “force”) Grade III, Subvariation 2 (“Axis Pistols”, Vol. II, by Jan Still)
Serial Number: S3319
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1942-1944
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “F. B. RADOM VIS Mod 35. Pat Nr 15567.”. The left of the slide and each side of the frame have eagle over “77” waffenamts, the slide also has an eagle over “623” waffenamt and eagle clutching swastika. The left of the barrel lug has “319” and an eagle clutching swastika. The right of the lug is marked with an eagle over “623” waffenamt and with an incomplete inspection mark. The right side of the frame is marked “S3319”, found again on the bottom of the slide. Each side of the trigger guard has inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 4 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short narrow blade integral to the rib on the slide. The rear sight is a stepped square notch dovetailed into the slide. There is a thin narrow rib running down the center of the entire length of the slide with fine checkering for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black plastic grips with “FB” in triangle on the left, “VIS” in triangle on the right. The grips show light wear with scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Some remaining finish is Original, the slide and some parts of the frame show treatment with cold blue.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray. The rifling is well defined. There is scattered light-moderate erosion in the bore, most notable in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light wear which shows treatment with cold blue, most notable on the slide and in the grip areas of the frame. There is infrequent minor surface erosion. There are a few minor nicks and scratches. The markings are generally clear, some inspection marks are poorly struck. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The trigger is crisp and the slide has light play to the frame. There is a de-cocker on the slide and a grip safety. 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: This pistol comes with a brown leather flap holster and a single 8-round magazine. The inside of the flap is marked “I.16 / 1923 / 307”. The holster has scattered wear and some verdigris. The magazine shows treatment with cold blue with intact feed lips and a strong spring.
Our Assessment: This is a Fabryka Broni Radom VIS 1935 Grade III, Subvariation 2 pistol made in about 1942-1944 during WWII under German occupation before manufacture was moved to Steyr in Austria in late 1944. The design of the pistol was roughly based on John Browning’s M1911 with a slide release, de-cocker and grip safety. The VIS was designed for the Polish Army, but only saw a few years of service before Poland was occupied by Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia. After the war, the Russians forced the Poles to adopt the Soviet TT-33 Tokarev even though the Tokarev was considered inferior in both ergonomics and reliability, and the VIS was no longer produced. This pistol was made during Nazi occupation for use by German forces. The pistol is in about Very Good condition with about 65% of its finish remaining and worn areas showing treatment with cold blue. The bore has scattered erosion but retains fairly strong rifling, and the grips show light wear. This should be of interest to collectors of Polish firearms and of German weaponry used during WWII. Please see our photos and good luck!