I inherited an FB Radom VIS 35 ~1940 production based on serial #. After talking with a gun dealer they stated the gun wasn't worth more than $200.00 which I find hard to believe. I am well aware that these dealers like pawn shops need to make a profit but please ;-) They claim that the weapon was pieced together from two guns which wasn't uncommon during WWII but that devalued the gun tremendously and they offered $75.00. of course they may be spot on but I was a bit taken aback by the offer.
I have uploaded a series of photos including closeups of the serial #'s I found along with the German and Austria approval markings.
Any help in determining the guns worth would be appreciated!
You didn't talk to a gun dealer-you talked to a con man.
I see no evidence the gun was "pieced together." It's a WW2 collectible firearm in very good shape.
That gun is worth at least $300 from what I have seen. I have seen the war issue ones going for over $1000. I would get some one that knows what they are doing to look at it.
What did ye " expert " base hos opinion on ? It appears to be a late war gun, with the take down latch omitted to ease manufacture ( yes at the last they were made in Austria ). The last guns off the line were kind of rough because they were in a hurry for any thing that would make a bang.
RonJames, he claimed that since the serial # under the safety didn't match what was on the base pistol it was a "pieced" together gun. Based on all of the research I did on the pistol it was made in Radom during 1940 (D series serial #) Style I. I am not sure if the # under the safety, which is pictured (with my finger in the photo), must match what is stamped on the right side of the gun (D5322 vs x??0180).
Thank you for the information. I assumed he was low balling me. Any other input would be appreciated!
Also, what would be the best options to go about selling the firearm? I am located in Ohio so I want to ensure I am not violating any laws by selling this piece via shipping it to a buyer in the US. I know there are auction sites for this but I assume they charge a high premium/%.
You can ONLY ship out of state to a federally licensed firearms dealer. In state, you can ship via common carrier (not USPS!) The auction site fees are not bad.
Check *********.com for values. I see three numbers on the gun and they do not match. The finish is quite rough. The last ones were phosphate finished. There should be a matching serial number on the barrel lug. Do a Google search for Polish 9mm Radom and you can find a lot of information on the guns.
Out of curiosity, what three numbers do you see? I see two (D)5322 listed twice on the gun and a partial number I can't quite make out entirely under what I believe is the safety (I am by no means a gun expert): x??0180. In your opinion then, since these two numbers do not match, it is a pieced together pistol? I have researched this gun for days and have found a ton of information on the history of the model. From what I understand the D serial # is from the 1940 year.
I have yet to find a site that states anything about the x??0180 number the gun dealer found. No one has stated anything on auction sites or others that describe this pistol about this other odd number. From what I can discern, the pistol is made up of original parts. The gun dealer which I mentioned in the original post agreed that it was in "Good" to "Very Good" condition for this model year with little pitting compared to others he has seen.
So I guess my best bet is to find a reputable gun appraiser to find out the true worth. I am aware the gun is only worth what a collector is willing to pay.
The guns were numbered a0001 through a9999, then they went to b0001 up to b9999. They continued this until z9999, then started over again at a0001. That d5322 you have is the second run.
What you're calling the safety is actually a decocker. The only safety on that gun is the grip safety. Notice control #2, the takedown latch. It is not on your gun. They deleted it to make the guns quicker to make. They did that about 1942, so your gun is later than that.
Thank you for such a detailed reply. Does the number under the decocker mean anything as shown in my original pics? So any way to determine the manufactured date? What would you value this pistol in its current state? Do you think the gun shop was spot on on value at $200 (with an offer of $75)?
I also have a holster from my dad. It's a U.S. 1941 light brown leather holster which he stored the gun.
If you are on Facebook or any other local website, you should expose this liar to the community. No telling how many people have believed and been ripped off by him.
If you take the slide off the frame,the slide should have a serial number stamped inside.Around here that is at least a $700 pistol,if you can find one at all.
It's a shame when someone tries to rip you off like that. When I was a kid in the 60s, I used to hang out at a gunshop on thge way home from school. They were usually really good people, but I saw one time when an older lady (to me) came in with a P-38 in peces in a cigar box came in. Her husband - a WW2 Vet - had just died and she found this pistol with his things. All of the parts were there and matched, but they offered her $50 for it because it 'needed to be re-assembled'. Never forgot that. Even then it was a $200 gun.
Radoms are great 9mm shooters. The design looks a little on the hokey side with the odd shape of the grips, but they are stout and usually fairly accurate.
Alpo is right. Your gun was made as the second go-around for the letter prefixes - made probably around 1943-1944. You need to take it apart to check if the serial number on the barrel and underneath the slide match the serial number on the frame.
If all matching and with average bore and original grips - I would guess it would be worth about $450-550 mid-retail due to the overall thinning finish.
The number under the decocker is not a serial number and was probably added post-factory, which would negatively affect the value.
A minty same variation gun would be worth about $900.
Everyone, thank you for all of the information provided so far. I am a newbie when it comes to guns. I have fired them but never owned one. Now to figure out how to remove the slide without injuring myself since this version doesn't have a take down lever! Any videos for this model that folks know of? I have looked on YouTube without success. I have seen videos for the VIS 35 type II which has the take down lever.
Is it possible the post production # was added by the SS or other German war department to signify the assignment?
Also wanted to ask, how far should I go in restoring the gun? I have heard not to have it reblued or polished since collectors want pistols with original pitting, etc., just to make sure all parts are in working order and oiled appropriately before firing. Does everyone agree with this? If not, why not?
Thanks Bill. As I am a newbie to gun ownership, if I decide to keep or sell it, before I try firing the pistol I want to ensure everything is in good working order so I want at least a gunsmith to check out everything. The lever and recoil springs seem to be in great condition. I found a video on YouTube how to dismantle the slide but of course my catch lever refuses to "fall out" like it did in the video. Should I use a tap and try to force it out? I want to make sure the slide has the same serial number as the rest of the pistol.
Any one have reputable sites they can recommend on where to purchase these 9mm parabellum rounds? Recommended brands?
9mm Parabellum is just another name for 9mm Luger. When the gun was designed there were no hollowpoints. It will work better with FMJ bullets. Designed for 124 grain, which was the European standard weight, but mine works fine with Winchester White Box 115s.
I agree with you raven818. These folks are amazing in their knowledge and I thank all of them for taking time to help me. It is much appreciated! I have learned so much in these past two days about this pistol.
What I've found amazing is.. how all these folks wound in one place..must be ten gillion sites about guns out there and the best of the best are here...kind neat.
I have also purchased an FB Radom Vis. Mod.35 Pat. 15567, and it is definitely Grade 2 out of 4 grades that I came across. This is first of the 2-4 grades made by the Germans. Grade 1 is the original Polish make. I have been unable to find a concrete answer on its value also. If anyone here knows anything about its value, would be very helpful. There is a very detailed article in the Firearms News (formerly known as Shotgun News, Vol. 70, Issue 11, 2016) that expounds on the FB Radom pistols. Here is one more place I found some more information on the different grades that I have referred to above. http://www.ai4fr.com/main/page_militaria__collectibles_germany_radom.html
DO NOT restore it as many others have said.
If you're not hurting for $$, put it in a safe, it will only gain value and probably do better than the stock market.
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