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FN P35 Pistol with Argentine Navy Style Markings Matching Serialized Shoulder Stock

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,800.00 - 2,750.00 USD
FN P35 Pistol with Argentine Navy Style Markings Matching Serialized Shoulder Stock
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Estimate: $1800 - 2750
This is an example of a unique FN P35 pistol as produced at the Fabrique Nationale factory in Herstal that was issued/used by the Argentine Navy. The pistol itself and the leather holster are stamped with the large Argentine Navy marks that consist of a Eagle sitting on the rocker of a Navy anchor with the letters "S S V" imposed over the anchor. The markings are typically associated with or indicate the pistol was issued to a Sailing School Vessel used by the Argentine Navy. The most interesting aspect of this pistol is that it is an early model that has early Mauser factory proofs. The proofs consist of an unexplained, restamped single "Nazi Eagle" firing proof on the barrel, with a single Nazi Eagle and "Eagle/63" Waffenamt proof on the left side of the pistol. These are not your typical Waffenamt proofs applied after the Germans captured the FN factory in 1940. The pistol itself is a early pattern commercial contract model that has the type 1 tangent rear sight with the corresponding front sight, along with the original matching prewar Belgium pattern flat walnut shoulder stock. The proofs, slide markings and serial number all indicate that this pistol falls within the serial number range of pistols issued under the Finnish contract however the pistol has no Finnish proof or acceptance marks. It has the standard stacked serial numbers on the frame and slide and the barrel is correctly numbered on the back side. The holster closely follows the Argentine pattern shown on the page 185 of the book "Belgium Browning Pistols" by Vanderlinden, however it has been slightly modified by the addition of a small pouch on the front which houses a wooden handle, brass cleaning rod, somewhat similar to a Luger cleaning rod. The walnut stock is a true pre-WWII Belgium Army pattern with the large matching serial number "14236" stamped on the front right side.
BBL: 4 3/4 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 9 mm Luger
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 14236
Condition: Very good as partially refinished/remarked with 70% of the faded original blue finish overall with thinning of the blue finish on the slide and front area of the frame with a brown patina on the grip straps. There is a spot of cold blue present on the right forward frame rail. The moderately worn grips are very good with minor handling marks with wear across the tops of the checkering. The shoulder stock is fine with a nice original medium brown color with a clear sharp serial number stamped on the right side. The holster itself is also very good with a nice supple leather overall, with tight stitching overall with just a little hint of soiling of the holster on the lower area of the flap and lower section of the holster itself. The Navy markings on the right side of the slide and front of the holster are clear and sharp. As noted this rig has all matching numbers on the frame, slide, barrel and stock. An unexplained pre-WWII Argentine Navy marked FN 1935 rig with added Nazi proofs. One will have to draw their own conclusion.