Hello,
I thought that all the Polish militaria collectors would be extremely interested to see such an early dated Vis pistol, it is a shame it has such a lot of damage and wear to the bluing (which I think is 100% original prewar Polish) and some heavy pitting, especially over the Eagle as that is one of the most important markings if not the most important.
I wonder why the the markings can be sometimes worn away (Eagle and writing), is it always a sign of rebluing or blackening which have caused damage "burred" (partially burned away the impressed Eagle and writing and sharp outlines) or sometimes just where the owners have held the slide over the Eagle to "cock' it after reloading a new magazine which has worn the bluing and markings over time through the acidity in the owners hands through sweat to flatten the markings to flat smooth metal.
The ones produced in September 1939, to those still needing assembly in the factory when the Germans occupied Radom, were they usually of slightly less quality in the stamping of the markings due to the rush in production and maybe stamped hurriedly as to have only shallow markings and unevenly sometimes to have only partial and incomplete letters, please and Eagles ?
If this ever did happen, would it most likely only be on the last produced (last ditch) prewar Vis pistols, not the earlier produced ones which would have been produced in peacetime (when the years were relatively peaceful from 1936-1939, apart from being needed in preparation for Zaolzie in 1938) when the factory could take their full time, please ?
I am asking this as most of the markings on the Vis pistols which I have seen owned by the collectors are of the best quality, but I have seen some with considerable incompleteness to the markings that have either worn to flat metal or maybe were stamped shallowly and unevenly to cause a less detailed and distinct impression in the steel which makes incomplete letters and Eagles because the markings are currently in their present state of not the best quality, which puzzles me.
Here is a good example of this on a 1939 dated Vis pistol, which I once owned and got a refund for a while back.
Here is the link on the forum -
1939 dated Wz.35 Polish Vis Pistol, in firing condition, in storage, for Sale or Trade
Also I would be interested to know if they usually always or sometimes had the markings outlined in white paint in the prewar years, or if it was only done by the Germans after they captured some, here is a good example of this in this collectors prewar Vis pistol rig, mostly complete with original prewar holster with well preserved ink markings of the producers company, spare magazines (inspectors markings outlined, which is the first letter of the Polish army inspecting officer's surname with a number if there were more than one with the same letter, I think) one loaded in the pistol and two spares in the holster's internal magazine pouch, in the last photograph.
I have a prewar Polish cleaning / stripping rod with Inspectors markings, four prewar Polish magazines with Inspectors markings and one empty, but complete prewar Polish Vis bullet, so far.
I look forward to collecting an original prewar dated Vis pistol and holster with well preserved ink markings, hopefully also a original prewar Polish lanyard, if I am lucky enough, in between I will get a museum and film quality copy lanyard.
I would be extremely interested to hear the Polish militaria collectors theories or facts related to this, please ?
Here are the photos.
Thank you very much in advance for your interesting and informative replies.
Justin
justin1939
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