Finnish P08 - What year?

some_finn · 11-21-2005, 12:38 PM

I believe a lot of Parabellums were imported into Finland between the first and second world war, and were sold commercially to private individuals, for example civil guard members.
Also the Tikkakoski 9mm barrels were made in the 30's I believe, and I would think most of the converting done before WW2?

The idea of a lot of Parabellums being imported into Finland after WW2 sounds a bit strange to me, but I'm no expert so I'm not saying that's not true. Maybe this is common knowledge to more knowledgeable people? Would like to hear more if this is the case.

It was much easier for private individuals to purchase handguns before WW2 than after so I'm not sure why large numbers of Parabellums would have been imported.

My specimen is a typical commercial m/23 with all the normal German proof marks etc. and no SA property stamp. My assumption was that it was imported between the world wars, but what do I know... And as I wrote, of course no way to tell when it was converted.

11-21-2005, 12:38 PM	#12
some_finn User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I believe a lot of Parabellums were imported into Finland between the first and second world war, and were sold commercially to private individuals, for example civil guard members. Also the Tikkakoski 9mm barrels were made in the 30's I believe, and I would think most of the converting done before WW2? The idea of a lot of Parabellums being imported into Finland after WW2 sounds a bit strange to me, but I'm no expert so I'm not saying that's not true. Maybe this is common knowledge to more knowledgeable people? Would like to hear more if this is the case. It was much easier for private individuals to purchase handguns before WW2 than after so I'm not sure why large numbers of Parabellums would have been imported. My specimen is a typical commercial m/23 with all the normal German proof marks etc. and no SA property stamp. My assumption was that it was imported between the world wars, but what do I know... And as I wrote, of course no way to tell when it was converted.