Scarce WWII German Luftwaffe FEG Model 37 Pistol w/ Holster & Capture Papers

This is a scarce, very fine condition, all matching, and very desirable Femaru, Fegyver es Gepgyar (FEG) manufactured Model 37 Pistol in 7.65 mm or .32 ACP caliber, that was issued to the German Luftwaffe during WWII. This particular pistol is the 1st Contract, 4th Variation (jhv 41 code), of which only approximately 43,000 were manufactured, all for the Luftwaffe. This pistol comes with its original holster and the original capture paperwork from 1945.

The FEG Model 37 Pistol was designed in 1936 by Rudolf Frommer, a noted Hungarian banker and weapons designer who lived from 1868 until 1936. Frommer designed the “Frommer Stop,” or Frommer 29M pistol, a Hungarian long-recoil, rotating bolt pistol manufactured by FEG, which was created for the Royal Hungarian Army just prior to WWI. Frommer made some improvements to the 29M pistol and created the FEG 37M Pistol in two calibers. The initial caliber was 9 X 17 mm SR (9mm short) or .380 ACP, which was for the Hungarian Army. The second caliber, 7.65 x 17 mm SR or .32 ACP was supplied to Germany’s allies in WWII. This pistol was known in Hungarian service as the M1937. The M1937 Pistol entered Hungarian service the year after Frommer’s death.

In German allied service, the pistol was known as the Pistole 37(u), pistole M 37 Kal. 7,65 mm or the P37. The principal difference between the Pistol 37 and the earlier Hungarian model was the addition of a manual safety on the German version, which was added at the insistence of the German armaments office.

In 1941, Germany negotiated a contract for 50,000 Model 37 Pistols for the Luftwaffe. Unlike the standard Hungarian Model 37, the Luftwaffe insisted on a chambering in 7.65 mm caliber and the addition of a manual thumb safety in addition to the grip safety. There were two contracts and several variations of the Luftwaffe Model 37 Pistol produced during the war. The 1st Contract, 1st Variation was a limited run of only 1,000 pistols chambered in 7.65 mm. Other than the chambering, the 1st Variation was identical to the original Hungarian model 37M with the slide legend “FEMARU FEGYVER ES GEPGYAR RT 37M.” The 1st Contract, 2nd Variation included the previously stipulated manual thumb safety, and it had a new slide legend: “Pistole M.37, Cal. 7,65mm,” along with the German wartime manufacturing code “jhv 41” and German Waffenamt “WaA56” acceptance stamps. About 1,000 of this variant were manufactured.

The 1st Contract, 3rd Variation introduced a new legend on the slide with “Pistole M.37, Kal. 7,65mm,” the spelling of “Cal.” changed to “Kal.” Approximately 5,000 of this variation were produced. The 1st Contract, 4th Variation introduced yet a new legend, which would be the final type, “P. Mod.37 Kal. 7,65.” This variation also included the “jhv 41” code and “WaA56” Waffenamts, and approximately 43,000 were manufactured to complete the 1st Contract of 50,000 pistols. This pistol is a 1st Contract, 4th Variation Model 37 Pistol.

The 2nd Contract, of which there was only one variation, was produced in 1943, and introduced a new code “jhv 43,” and the Waffenamt acceptance stamp was changed to “WaA173.” There are a very few known 2nd Contract pistols that are marked “jhv 44,” which was a mistake as all were supposed to be “jhv 43” marked, but it indicated the end of 2nd Contract production occurred in early 1944. The Model 37 Pistol was issued primarily to Luftwaffe aircrew during the war.

The Frame on this 1st Contract 1941 Model 37 remains in very fine condition, retaining 98% of its original blued finish. The left side of the frame, on the top web of the trigger guard, is the correct eagle over “WaA56” Waffenamt, which is the German wartime code for Metallwaren-Waffen-u. Machinenfabrik A.G., in Budapest, Hungary. This is the same Waffenamt as the letter code “jhv.” The left side of the frame, just forward of the manual safety, is the serial number “23373,” still crisply stamped. The interior walls of the magazine well still retain the vast majority of its original blued finish. The front grip strap retains 98% of its original blued finish. The Trigger retains 98% of its original blued finish. The Trigger Bar retains virtually all of its original finish. The Grip Safety retains 98% of its original blued finish with minor wear noted on the edges and at the bottom. The original Magazine Latch and Lanyard Loop are present, and both operate smoothly, while retaining 95% plus of their original blued finish.

The Manual Safety retains the vast majority of its original blued finish, and it operates smoothly. The original Hammer is present, and it retains 98% of its original blued finish. The serrations on the thumb portion of the hammer remain crisp. The Ejector is present and remains tightly pinned to the frame. The Disconnector is present and operates perfectly. Both original wood Grip Panels are present, and both are in fine condition with no cracks or chips noted. The original Grip Screw is present, and it retains the majority of its original blued finish.

The matching Slide retains 95% plus of its original blued finish with wear noted on the sharp edges and on the center, bottom section of the mainspring shroud. The top of the slide retains its crisp serrations to prevent shine. The original Front Sight is still tightly dovetailed and staked into the top of the slide, and it retains the majority of its original blued finish. The left side of the slide has the matching serial number “23373” stamp. The left side also has the correct nomenclature “P. Mod. 37, Kal. 7,65.” stamp. On the left rear of the slide is the correct Third Reich firing proof stamp followed by the “jhv / 41” 1st Contract stamp. The Firing Pin and Firing Pin Retaining Plate both retain the majority of their original blued finish with very minor wear where the hammer contacts. The Extractor is present, and it retains the majority of its original blued finish. The Breech Face remains in very fine condition, retaining all of its original blued finish. The Slide Catch retains the vast majority of its original blued finish.

The original Recoil Spring remains in the white and has 40 coils. The Recoil Spring Guide retains 98% of its original blued finish. The original and matching Barrel is present, and it retains 95% of its original blued finish with wear noted on the friction points. The left side of the barrel has the Third Reich firing proof stamp on the front lug, followed by the matching serial number “23373” stamp. The rear locking lugs exhibit almost minor wear. The bullet ramp retains the majority of its original blued finish. The bore is in mint condition with strong rifling and a mirror finish.

The original Magazine is present, and it is in fine condition with friction wear. The body of the Magazine retains 90% plus of its original blued finish. The original, integrated finger extension/floor plate is present, and it retains the majority of its original blued finish. On the inside edge of the finger extension is the serial number “23449” stamp, which is very close to the serial number of this pistol. The bottom of the floor plate has the correct, early style “P.Mod.37” stamp. The Follower is in very fine condition remains in the white, and the follower spring remains strong.

This pistol comes with its original WWII German soft leather holster. The holster retains 80% of its original black finish with the balance exhibiting a worn brown appearance. All of the original white stitching remains in place. On the back of the holster, on the belt loop, is the wartime code stamps, “0/1250 / ,” which is the RB Number for what I believe to be a leather wear factory operated or owned by CZ in Kreis Koniggratz, in Czechoslovakia with a Waffenamt of WaA721. This holster was probably manufactured in 1943 or 1944, and was probably manufactured for a CZ Model 27 Pistol. When during the war it was married to this Model 37 Pistol is unknown.

This pistol and holster and come with its original WWII United States Bring-Back Authorization Document. The document is from the 3532nd Ordnance Medium

Automotive Maintenance Company and is dated November 13, 1945. The soldier to whom it was issued was Sergeant Ray D. Narrow and it identifies this pistol by serial number as “Model P37, #23373, 7.65 mm, automatic pistol.” Ray Dwaine Narrow was born in 1925 and was from Jefferson, New York. He enlisted in the Army on December 3, 1943. Prior to his enlistment, he worked at the Borden’s Milk Plant in Evans Mills, New York.

This is a beautiful, desirable, all matching, and early, 1st Contract, WWII German Luftwaffe Model 37 Pistol. The pistol still functions perfectly.