The markings on the barrel camming lug are fairly straightforward. From there it was likely shipped to the German armed forces, likely paratroopers, police or SS. The 'Eagle over 623' stamp indicates that the pistol was given its final acceptance at the Steyr plant in Austria. The Eagle over Swastika indicates ownership by Nazi Germany. The (p) stands for polnische, the German word for 'polish'. The next mark (somewhat indistinct) 'P.35(p)' is the official German designation for the Radom P.35. This waffenamt codes the pistol as being made at the Polish weapons factory in Radom. In this picture you will see the 'Eagle over WaA77' mark on both the slide and the frame. Here are the marks on a Polish P.35 Radom pistol made in 1942. It's fun to 'read the marks' that can tell you a lot about firearms made in or accepted by Germany. Luckily for collectors, Germans have always been meticulous about marking their firearms, both military and commercial. It will fire any commonly available 9mm Luger ammo. This gun is in excellent shape for being 70 years old, and could still give good service. The 'VIS' on the right grip panel is Latin for 'power' or 'force.' The 'FB' on the left grip panel stands for Fabryka Brony (Weapon Factory), the Polish government manufacturing facility in Radom, Poland. Earlier ones were slotted for a shoulder stock. Later guns dispensed with the takedown latch. This particular pistol was made in Poland in 1942, and bears the German waffenamt acceptance stamps. Later, to stop sabotage, the Germans started making barrels for the pistols in Austria, and later moved all the machinery to Austria. When the Germans found out about this practice, they executed a dozen plant workers in front of their co-workers. By mid to late 1944, the Soviets were advancing toward Poland, and the Germans began moving the entire VIS 35 production from the Radom Arsenal in Poland to the Steyr Arsenal in Austria.
And still others call them Slotted and Non-Slotted, or Three Lever and Two Lever.
Others identify by the First Alphabet and Second Alphabet serial number series. Manufacturer: Radom Model: VIS.35 Serial Number: C2652 Caliber Info: 9mm Parabellum aka 9mm Luger, 9x19mm, 9mm NATO Condition: Used - Good Barrels: 4.72 inches (120mm) Barrel Type: Tilting barrel Action: Single-Action Stock: FB-VIS grips Finish: Parkerized Sights: Fixed Manufacture Date: 1944 Engraving: Waffenamt '77' stamps. The native Polish workers promptly began smuggling parts of the pistol out of the plant to arm resistance forces. When Germany overran Poland in 1939, it took over the Radom plant and began to produce the pistol for its armed forces, including the Navy, fallschirmjaegers (paratroopers), police and the SS. Men on horseback wielding pistols were not a good match for German tanks, however. The decocker was put on the gun in response to a request by the Polish cavalry to help in operating the pistol one-handed the other hand had to control the reins of a horse.
There is no manual safety the design relies solely on a half-cock notch or the floating firing pin which allows safe carry with the hammer down. The slide release is just above the trigger on the left side. The lever to the rear of the grip frame is not a safety - it's a slide retaining latch to aid in disassembly. 15567, along with an eagle/77 and WaA623 proofs and a nazi military acceptance stamp.This firearm may be viewed on Tuesday or Thursday from 9am to 3pm.Seller does reserve the right to refuse sale. RADOM VIS MODEL 35 9mm Luger 80% blue, excellent bore, very good grips, 4 5/8' barrel, Nazi issued stamped on the left side of the slide F.B.RADOM VIS Mod.35 Pat. The lever on the slide is a decocker - it retracts the firing pin into the slide and drops the hammer on the hammer retaining plate. It has a grip safety like the M1911, and the barrel is unlocked via a cam like the High Power. Poland produced this pistol, which had a blend of features from the M1911 pistol and the Belgian 9mm High Power.
At first glance it might appear homely, but the Radom is considered by many experts as one of the best pistols to come out of the WWII period. I thought you might be interested in seeing a Polish P.35 9mm Radom pistol. Resistance Vis: Small numbers of Vises were assembled by the resistance from parts stolen from the Radom factory. 155567' on early ones and 'bnz' on late ones.