Vis, also known as Radom or P35, is considered by many (not only Poles) to be the best autoloader ever made. It's debatable, but pretty much everyone agrees it was a mighty fine combat pistol. Originally patented by Polish engineers, Jan Skrzypiński and Piotr Wilniewczyc in 1932, it was produced in Radom factory between 1936 and 1939. The latest historical material gives a number of about 50,000 pistols produced, the last 2,000 assembled when the September campaign was underway, with mismatched parts. Reportedly, those pistols went straight from the assembly line to Polish soldiers, mostly from 72nd Infantry Regiment in Radom.
Germans kept the production of Vis (or P35, according to German nomenclature) going, with 312,000 - 350,000 pieces made.
Of those 50,000 made before the war, some were damaged, lost, or hidden during the September Campaign. Others were captured and reissued by the Germans (usually with German issue marks). Bolsheviks captured probably about 20,000, and those only resurfaced in small numbers in recent years, usually in terrible condition.
Not surprisingly, the pre-War Polish Vis, easily recognizable by the Polish Eagle stamped on its slide is a rare bird, especially in Canada.
Here are a few pictures of the one I have recently acquired.
Please note the slot for a shoulder stock. Only prewar Polish Vis pistols and early German production P35 had them.
Matching serial numbers on the frame and slide are in the 34,000 range, and put production of that pistol well before the outbreak of WWII.
The pistol is also marked with an oval, containing a capital letter over a number, on the upper left web of the trigger guard. This is a final inspection mark, indicating acceptance into service. On this particular pistol, it's D2, from Major Dzierżyński (no relation to infamous Czekista, Feliks Dzierżyński).
Small Polish eagle on the left of the decocking lever is a firing proof, signifying that the slide has passed a proof test with elevated pressure ammunition.
Prewar pistols also show a number of assemblers' and subinspectors' marks, which can be geometric, mathematical or musical in inspiration, They probably would be an interesting field of study in themselves. These markings are found on most parts of the weapon. Here are those accompanying serial number on the underside of the slide, and the one on the right side of the trigger guard.
Now, the rig.
Holster with shoulder strap, lanyard and Soldier/NCO belt are modern Polish repros. As such, they are probably of little interest to collectors.
Still, I think they are of excellent quality and close to originals, and priced very, very reasonably. Real deal are next to impossible to find, especially lanyards. Not too long ago, the holster was put up for auction for about $3,000, but I am not sure if it sold.
I have always been very fond of Polish holster (konduktorka). It's rather unique, with flat profile and compartments for two magazines. The only detraction from the original would be incorrect buckle on the shoulder strap. Both holster and belt come from nestof.pl
The lanyard comes from a gentleman selling on allegro.pl, the Polish auction site. Feel free to ask for his contact info.
It's made of braided leather, pretty much identical to the original, except from the incorrect hardware.
Original Polish drawing for the lanyard can be of interest as well.
Much of my information comes from "VIS Radom" an excellent book by William J. York.
My gratitude and many thanks to the seller of Eagle Vis (you know who you are).
Finally, a few pics of 'the one that got away', late war P35. Still with take-down lever and black grips, but no shoulder stock slot. I sold it to a Polish collector in Edmonton.
Germans kept the production of Vis (or P35, according to German nomenclature) going, with 312,000 - 350,000 pieces made.
Of those 50,000 made before the war, some were damaged, lost, or hidden during the September Campaign. Others were captured and reissued by the Germans (usually with German issue marks). Bolsheviks captured probably about 20,000, and those only resurfaced in small numbers in recent years, usually in terrible condition.
Not surprisingly, the pre-War Polish Vis, easily recognizable by the Polish Eagle stamped on its slide is a rare bird, especially in Canada.
Here are a few pictures of the one I have recently acquired.
Please note the slot for a shoulder stock. Only prewar Polish Vis pistols and early German production P35 had them.
Matching serial numbers on the frame and slide are in the 34,000 range, and put production of that pistol well before the outbreak of WWII.
The pistol is also marked with an oval, containing a capital letter over a number, on the upper left web of the trigger guard. This is a final inspection mark, indicating acceptance into service. On this particular pistol, it's D2, from Major Dzierżyński (no relation to infamous Czekista, Feliks Dzierżyński).
Small Polish eagle on the left of the decocking lever is a firing proof, signifying that the slide has passed a proof test with elevated pressure ammunition.
Prewar pistols also show a number of assemblers' and subinspectors' marks, which can be geometric, mathematical or musical in inspiration, They probably would be an interesting field of study in themselves. These markings are found on most parts of the weapon. Here are those accompanying serial number on the underside of the slide, and the one on the right side of the trigger guard.
Now, the rig.
Holster with shoulder strap, lanyard and Soldier/NCO belt are modern Polish repros. As such, they are probably of little interest to collectors.
Still, I think they are of excellent quality and close to originals, and priced very, very reasonably. Real deal are next to impossible to find, especially lanyards. Not too long ago, the holster was put up for auction for about $3,000, but I am not sure if it sold.
I have always been very fond of Polish holster (konduktorka). It's rather unique, with flat profile and compartments for two magazines. The only detraction from the original would be incorrect buckle on the shoulder strap. Both holster and belt come from nestof.pl
The lanyard comes from a gentleman selling on allegro.pl, the Polish auction site. Feel free to ask for his contact info.
It's made of braided leather, pretty much identical to the original, except from the incorrect hardware.
Original Polish drawing for the lanyard can be of interest as well.
Much of my information comes from "VIS Radom" an excellent book by William J. York.
My gratitude and many thanks to the seller of Eagle Vis (you know who you are).
Finally, a few pics of 'the one that got away', late war P35. Still with take-down lever and black grips, but no shoulder stock slot. I sold it to a Polish collector in Edmonton.
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