25 Autos

[wlyon]

Besides lugers I have an interest in 25 cal automatics. Don't have much of a collection but here's what I have. (Besides, it's raining hard.) They are interesting and not too expensive. At least the ones I have bought. Essentially worthless except for display. Although I sometimes carry one when riding my motorcycle. Why, I don't know.

Top L-R
Walther #9, serial #571529
Bayard, serial #33218
Astra, serial #683446

Bottom row L-R
Colt, serial #145623
Deutsche Werke Ortgies, #182220
Mauser 1910/1912, #251095

[spartacus38]

I also like the .25 autos.
My favorite are the 1910/1934 Mausers.
Bob

[LWaali]

Nice set Wylon! I know what you mean about liking something for no apparent reason. I love old Spanish handguns (Campo-Giro, Astra, Llama, Star etc) and mics. .32's. Keep us posted when you get new ones!

Linda

[rolandtg]

A fine collection!
I have a little FN 1905 vest pocket that was given to me. Unfortunately it has someones name electro-penciled on it but it's a fun little pistol to shoot. Very ambitious safety mechanisms for such a tiny gun.
I think the .25 cartridge is more effective than it's generally credited with being.

I too also am fond of the Spanish pistols. Maybe its because my Dad had Llama .32 that was one of the first guns I ever shot.

[Olle]

Nice pictures, guys! I'm glad to see that there actually are some people interested in these little pip squeaks. They are cheap and plentiful so many people still use them as tackle box guns, which makes it difficult to find them in good condition. One day the collector community will wake up and say: "Where did they all go?"

My favorite .25 is the Mauser 1910, it is a blast to shoot. For some reason I find the scale of it intriguing, it just goes "pop", "pop" and throws those little cute .25 shells out. It almost feels like a model or a miniature copy of a "real" gun.

Originally Posted by rolandtg

A fine collection!
I have a little FN 1905 vest pocket that was given to me. Unfortunately it has someones name electro-penciled on it but it's a fun little pistol to shoot. Very ambitious safety mechanisms for such a tiny gun.

The grip safety sure makes them interesting to shoot. My hands are average size, but with the palm of my hand pressed against the safety, I can barely curl my index finger back far enough to pull the trigger.

[MikeP]

I have several and like them for the hell of it.
Goy a bunch of old .32s as well.
I used an old air conditioner as a target yesterday for a 1910.
Got a reasonable group of dents in the side of it.

Big bang-little effect.

[Curly1]

I have 2 wartime Duo's and a post war CZ model 1945, both neat lil guns.

[alanint]

The coolest .25 Calibre I ever saw was a fully functional, fully automatic miniature 1921 Thompson Submachinegun.

It was some years ago at the old "Great Western" gun show. I wonder where that gun is today.

[Douglas Jr.]

Will,

Nice collection, or, as you said, display.
I had never paid too much attention for vest pockets pistols until a collector that was leaving the hobby for good gave me a bunch of them for free.

I had bought some other (bigger) stuff from from him and he was somewhat anxious to get rid of them, so I got an "instantanious collection". I just need to pay for the necessary paperwork. A few were refinished, but as I had paid nothing, I was quite happy.

After that I started to pay more attention to these little guns, and learned to enjoy their creative mechanical features and designs. If you want, I can post some pictures, just don't want to hijack your topic, Bill...

Douglas

[wlyon]

Douglas
Post away. The more the better. Bill

[Douglas Jr.]

Bill,

Thanks!
Your wish is my command.

Here we go.

CLEMENT MODEL 1907
Obviously refinished, but I loved its unique design.
Very low serial number (# 810). I need to find the correct grips.
Rare Belgian gun, made for only a couple of years.

[Douglas Jr.]

COLT VEST POCKET 1908

Some slight pitting on the slide, but it doesn't bother me.
Serial #14903, second year of production (1909).

[Douglas Jr.]

SIMSON MODELL 1926

This is was also refinished. But what really caught my attention was the inscription on the slide:

"Fur Oberleutnant Vogel - vom den seine Truppe - 22 -X - 1938"
("To First Lieutnant Vogel - From Your Troops - October 22nd, 1938")

Probably an officer's back up gun that was brought back by a Brazilian soldier uring WWII. This is the highest serial number known (as far a I know) of this scarce pistol (#34645).

[Douglas Jr.]

STEYR MODEL 1909

Plain example, made in 1922, serial # 115948 A.

[saab-bob]

Douglas
Very nice!
Great collection,especially for the price!
Love the Webley & Scott pistol,never knew they made a pocket pistol.
Are all these guns chambered for the .25 ACP?
Thanks
bob

[pitsword]

Thanks Douglas, very nice and very interesting historically.

[wlyon]

Douglas
Very very nice!!! Thanks for sharing. Bill

[Douglas Jr.]

Bob,

Yes, they are all chambered for .25 ammo.
I almost posted a Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless in mint condition but I remembered that this topic was about semiautomatic pistols...

Douglas

[padredan]

over forty years ago this was found on a nva officer and he was relieved of it. never really gave it much thought till i saw mr's bill's thread . Looks in pretty good shape for it;s age. Do not know much about it, just made in hersal belguim and marked 7.65, model depose.

[LWaali]

Love that little Vesta! Thanks for the share!