Axis Small-Calibre Automatic Pistols

[James N]

I've now acquired several small-caliber - mostly 7.65 mm/.32 cal. - pistols either bearing the Waffenamt stamp, or in the case of the Beretta, simply a wartime example used by Germany's ally. I've previously posted the French MAB and the late-war CZ 27 so here will compare the latter to an earlier example that has unfortunately been nickeled or chromed, likely by its postwar G.I. owner.




Unfortunately the bright finish made photographing it difficult; above, the Waffenamt stamp and below, the marking even on the bottom of the magazine.



According to George Markham's Guns of the Reich, "About 16,000 guns had been made prior to 1939, and 5,000 were assembled from existing parts under HWaA supervision; these all had standard CZ marks. The factory was then renamed Bohmische Waffenfabrik, the marking dies changed and production resumed until the 'fnh' code was approved in June."



Below, in addition to the new three-letter code "fnh" the old CZ logo has been removed from the grips of the later parkerized-finish late-war CZ 27/Pistole Modell 27.



A comparison of the barrel markings below clearly shows the Bohmische Waffenfabrik A. G. in Prag marking which has been removed from the later pistol.

[James N]

Unlike the MAB or the CZ 27 which are both 7.65 the Mo 1934 Italian Beretta is in 9mm corto or short and fires easily-available modern .380 automatic ammunition. This one is marked in its year of manufacture, 1940, also the XVIII year of the Fascist Era.



Unfortunately this example has been well-used and apparently stored where it allowed rust and pitting to occur on the pistol's right side as can be seen below.

[MAP]

Nice examples James. The one sided pitting on the Berretta is quite interesting.

Thanks for showing!

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Nice pistols, but what a shame about the nickel plating on the CZ 27!

[James N]

Nice pistols, but what a shame about the nickel plating on the CZ 27!

True, but I suppose it's all a part of its history, and fortunately doesn't affect it's performance in any way - I've fired all these except the Beretta which I just bought the ammunition for and hope to rectify soon!

[Martin Bull]

A nice little collection of interesting weapons - thanks for posting