Krieghoff Parabellum in Finland - Question

[Panu]

Hi everybody,

My name is Panu Kolju. I was kindly allowed join your discussion forum, so bare with me if this question has already been stated here in this discussion forum before I joined . I hope to gain more knowledge of the Parabellum (Luger to you US memebers <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> ) histories from you, since I have just basic knowledge of these fine firearms, most of which information comes from the fact that m/23 and m/08 models served several decades in Finnish army before and after WW2 wars Finland had to fight at the time (three "war episodes" during WW2).

I'm member of the "Armshistorical Association in South-East Finland" which is group of people interested of all kind of military weapons and their history, or military eqipments, uniforms. medals etc. of military origin.
My personal interest lies expecially in WW2 time weaponry (small arms up to cannons). I own presently one Finnish Army owned Parabellum of type m/23 (7,65 Para).

Well, enough of me <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> , here's the Krieghoff question which two of you have already seen before (part of old message follows). I'll try to get pictures of this piece in near future too:

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I visited my old friend little while ago, who belongs to same Arms Historical association I do. He's an old chap, with interesting items in his collection. One thing he has is an almost mint condition Parabellum in 9 mm Para. It is said to be delivered into Finland during WW2 when Finland bought tens of Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2 and G6 models from Germany to fight against Soviets back in 1943-44. Every fighter was said to be delivered with one pistol for the pilot, and this is how this one came to Finland according to my friends telling. This makes sort of sense, since e.g. all armoured vehicles Finland bought from Germany during WW2 were delivered with all the small arms mend to the personnel using it. That's why e.g. "Sturmgesh�¼tz"
(STU-40) panzers that Finns bought from Germany were delivered with new MP-40 SMGs for the crew using it. Same principle was said to be used with other motor vehicles bought from Germany as well.

This pistol has interesting markings on it:

On top of the receiver there is carved "1936" and anchor below it, on which's left side there is letter "H" and on right side letter "K". There is also a text "KRIEGHOPF SUHL" on it. The weapon is "SA" stamped by Finnish Army (Suomen Armeija = Finnish Army), meaning it has been property of Finnish Army - this fact can be verified - I just checked it. Serial number is 6410.

The pistol has also Waffen ampt/stamped eagle markings, one with Eagle with letter "L" in circle (Luftwaffe?). Beneath this label there is a number "2" (G2?).

According to one German made book, this pistol is part of the set ordered for German Luftwaffe by G�¶ring's order. Still the low serial number and year 1936 labelled on top of the Parabellum (1936) makes me believe it could be made before the hostilities? Still, this is pistol attached to Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane, and first Finnish owned G2 came to Finland in 1943. The condition is very good with this piece. About 20 or so rounds shot with it ( <img border="0" alt="[typing]" title="" src="graemlins/yltype.gif" /> note: my friend shot these after purshase, but it seems it has been shot more than just this, even though the condition indicats it is well kept). My friend lives very close to historical Army airfield where the "Mersus" (Messesrschmitt's) were stationed during WW2. They ofcourse operated on other fields too at the time.

Rgrds,

Panu

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