Polish German Radom FB Vis 35 Type III P35 9×19 Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R

SOLD FOR: $793

WOA#: WY240215KN029

Make: Fabryka Broni (Arms Factory), Radom, Poland.

Model: Vis. 35 (P35) Type III

Serial Number: F7744

Year of Manufacture: Post-1939

Caliber: 9x19mm (9mm Luger)

Action Type: Single action semi-automatic, 8 round detachable magazine

Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “FB RADOM VIS Mod.35.Pat.Nr 15567”, with a reichsadler, with two waffenamts, and “X.T0933”. The right side of the frame is marked “R”. The left side of the frame is marked with a faint waffenamt and “X0D0835”. The right side of the frame is marked “F7744” and with a faint waffenamt. The left side of the trigger is marked “8” and “8”.  The underside of the bolt is marked “F7744”. The left side of the barrel lug is marked “744”, with a waffenamt, and with a reichsadler. The left grip panel is marked “FB”. The right panel is marked “VIS”.

Barrel Length: 4.6”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short narrow blade integral to the rib on the slide. The rear sight is a v-notch dovetailed into the slide. There is a thin narrow rib running down the center of the entire length of the slide with a finely checkered surface.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered brown bakelite. There are small scuffs and scratches along the edges of the grip panels. A couple peaks have been worn on the right panel. There is a small chip in the bottom rear corner of the left panel. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.

Magazine Quantity & Condition: 1x 8 round magazines in Very Good Condition.

Type of Finish: Blue.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion in the bore with stubborn fouling in the grooves.

In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 6.5 out of 10.

Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 55% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout. There is heavy pitting along the sides of the frame and the underside of the slide. There is light pitting along the sides of the slide and the top of the frame. There are wear spots of the finish along the sides of the frame. There is wear along the sides of the magazine. The screw heads show light use. The pins have marring. The markings are legible, though some of the smaller waffenamts and proof marks are heavily worn. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The decocking lever at the left rear of the slide is loose and when pushed down, the end of the spring sticks out. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with 1x 8 round magazine.

Our Assessment: This is an example of an FB Radom VIS 35 made during the German occupation of Poland. Known as the P35(P) in German service, this is a Type III variation, which can be identified via the two levers and the absence of a stock slot. These are closely modeled on the M1911, though in 9mm and not .45 ACP. Originally designed in the early 1930s, the VIS 35 would serve as the primary service handgun of the Polish Armed Forces until the occupation of Poland by Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939. Under German occupation, the FB Radom factory continued to produce VIS 35s for Germany, many of which went to fallschirmjagers. This example has matching serial numbers and quite a few waffenamts. The finish is worn throughout and there are areas of heavy pitting. The grips are marked “FB” and “VIS” and have light wear to them, aside from a small chip missing in the bottom of the left panel. The barrel has a light amount of erosion in it, though there is though there is some stubborn fouling in the grooves. This is a good example of an interesting military surplus pistol that reflects the willingness of the Germans to take nearly any firearm into service. It would fit well into any Polish, German, or Second World War collection. Please see our photos.

-99