There are many factors that go into the value of a gun. The 10-X could be more common than 10-Y, it could be connected with what is thought to be a higher quality period, it could have different features such as 4 screw, 5 screw, pinned barrel, pre lock / post lock, etc. Its not as simple as to say, one is older or younger in a series, so why is it priced this way? Many factors will affect the price.
This is my thought about it exactly. He could have carried anything, and he chose a S&W.
It is a FN Baby Browning 6.35mm / 25acp. I never heard of a "FN pocket model" it was called the "baby" model even in Europe. Some people get this model confused with the FN 1905/1906 aka vest pocket (1905 first sold, 1906 first sold in US) which is a little bigger, grip safety, different slide, etc. The FN 1905 vest pocket model was the basis for the Colt 1908 vest pocket. FN agreed for many decades not to export guns to US while Colt agreed not to sell in Europe. Here is a photo of the two FN 25s:
I have to assume that the gold FN baby in the photo I provided was Goering's, not Hitlers. Goering was known to be a flashy guy, and he collected art, and other items that the Nazis looted in Europe. Hitler was known to have few possessions compared to the German brass. The Baby model was developed by Dieudonne Saive who also finished the world famous FN Hi Power after John Browning died in 1926.
The Radoms to my knowledge were not issued to the Navy and they would be very rare as police guns. At times however, each arm of the Wehrmacht that needed pistols took what they could get. My grandfather brought one home that my uncle currently has. I hope to get that gun someday.
When I'm not collecting S&Ws, I enjoy collecting WWI and WWII European autos. Here is an Astra 600/43 that you mention (bottom), with a FN Hi power (right) with WaA140 acceptance (German army). Also in the pic (top) is a WWII P38, (center) a Japanese T-14 nambu, and (left) a DWM Dutch contract luger that was captured by the Japanese during WWII and subsequently captured from the Jap by an American GI. All of these guns are all matching non import WWII original.
The Astra 600/43 model has an interestring story. The Germans ordered approx 50k from Astra early in the war. Spain was neutral throughout WWII. The Astra 400 which was already made for the Spanish army fired the 9mm largo round. The Germans ordered their Astra to have a shorter barrel and be in 9mm luger. Astra designated this model the 600/43 and delivered approx 10k to the Germans, which were marked by German inspectors with WaAD20, known as a "WaffenAmt". The Germans then requested the rest of their original order of some 50k. Astra finished the pistols, and were ready to deliver them, however the allies were able to capture the finished pistols on a train bound for Germany. I don't think they captured it while the train was en-route, but I am not sure of that. My pistol is one of the captured ones that did not make it to the Germans BUT it falls in the SN range for guns intended for the German army.
These WWII firearms are pretty fascinating. All different variations to collect of even the same basic model, each with a unique history.
All 3 of the WWII P38 makers, Top - Walther, middle - Mauser, bottom - Spreewerk:
My lugers, from top to bottom: DWM Dutch contract, DWM 1917 Navy with 6 in barrel, Mauser (S/42) G date police gun (1 of approx 900) and finally a (Mauser) BYF 42 "black widow". The top one is a Luger model of 1906, the navy is known as a P.04 and the last two are P.08s.
Last edited:
