Send us your own comments about this object.

Title:	PISTOL, SEMI-AUTOMATIC -  POLISH PISTOL M35 (P35(p)) 9MM SN# Z4579
Maker/Manufacturer:	WILNEWCZYC & SKRZYPINSKI
Date of Manufacture:	C 1943
Eminent Figure:
Catalog Number:	SPAR 872
Measurements:	OL: 20.5CM 8 1/8" BL: 11.6CM 4 5/8" 2.4 lbs.

Object Description:

POLISH PISTOL M35 (P35(p)) 9MM SN# Z4579
Manufactured by Fabryka Broni Radom, Radom, Poland - Standard Polish semi-automatic pistol with 8-round detachable box magazine feed, produced under German supervision in World War II and given the designation P35(p). Recoil-operated. Blued finish. Two-piece checkered plastic grips. Grip safety, hammer dropping lever, and lanyard ring in butt. The thumb latch at the left rear of the slide is a hammer release designed to allow cavalry troops to make the pistol safe while keeping one hand on the reins. It releases the hammer on chambered cartridge without firing it. Fixed blade front, fixed V-notch rear sight. Muzzle velocity 1,040 fps. Weapon has effective range of 50 yards, and a maximum range of 1,150 yards. Weapon weighs approximately 2.4 lbs. Cartridge: 9mm Parabellum, weighs 125 gr.

Markings:
Frame: Z4579, WaA 77.
Slide: 77. F.B. RADOM VIS MOD. 35, PAT. NR15567/WaA 423.
Grips: VIS. FB.
Grip safety: 4579.

Exhibit label: "RANDOM P35 9 millimeter - A standard sidearm of the German military in World War II. The P35 was manufactured at Radom Arsenal of Poland. After the conquest of Poland in 1939, the German models were marked with the German eagle proofmark rather than the Polish crest."

Weapon found in one of "29 Boxes of Miscellaneous Foreign Weapons as received from New York Port of Embarkation on 6 March 1946, per SA OOO.4/17 and 28. Note: Itemized list showing quantities and descriptions of individual weapons to be attached and made part of this voucher promptly upon completion of checking in of weapons in Experimental-Laboratory, Building No. 28. Weapon to be retained in Experimental-Laboratory for an indefinite period for examination and study per Mr. P.W. Oliver, 11 March 1946, after which they will be regreased and boxed suitable for storage and place with other Museum Material in Building #19 pending reopening of the Armory Museum."

Notes: The Radom pistol was developed in Poland in 1932-1935, reportedly by Wilnewczyc & Skrzypinski, with assistance by technicians from the Fabrique Nationale company of Liege, Belgium, using design features of the Colt M1911 and Browning M35 Hi-Power pistols.
The German model was manufactured at Radom arsenal under German supervision after the conquest of Poland in 1939; it is identical with the Polish Model except for changes made to simplify manufacture. Most German models do not have the slide dismounting catch on the left rear of the frame. The German weapons are also not as well machined and finished as the pistols made for Polish use prior to 1939.
This weapon was used by the Germans as a substitute standard to arm reserve and supply troops until the end of WWII.