[TheOtherGoose]

Being from the Second World War, I thought this "pistol" would be interesting to USGI pistol enthusiasts.

While cleaning my granddad's old 1911, my father showed me this. I assume this was taken from one of the many German prisoners in the last months of the war:



Here's the chamber - simplicity itself:



This "pistol" was apparently used by the Gestapo to allow an agent to escape if needed. I've been told that a blank (.32?) was designed to be used at close range to blind/disorient an adversary.

Anybody heard of one of these? Does this sound correct?

 

[jonnyc]

The OSS and SOE, not to mention the NKVD, used similar devices. Similar items, firing noise-makers or tear gas, were also available for civilian purchase. What is the headstamp on the blank cartridge?

 

[TheOtherGoose]

This is what I know. I think it's a .32. Any other info you have would be great.

Could they have used a live round in this thing? I assume that even without a barrel, the bullet would have been effective at point-blank range. I dunno...

 

[Johnny Peppers]

Looks like a tear gas pen. I don't see enough metal there to support firing a live round of ammunition.

 

[krs]

Is that a ball point, or derparkerpenerkammerabech fine line?

You never know with those Nazis, it could even be a waffenscriptowriterfabrik