Budischowsky/Norton TP-70

[GerSan69]

I recently came across one of these in .22 on GB and impulsively bid and won. I had one in the 1970s, the .25ACP version IIRC, that I picked up through my good friend and gun-enabler in Denver. Since this one was in Loveland CO, and my buddy had several of these pass through on his FFL, it would not surprise me if he or I touched it at one time or another. I definitely recall that at least a couple of the ones we saw back then were 3-digit serial numbers like this one, so chances are pretty good. My friend passed away a few short years ago, so I have to admit nostalgia was the deciding factor in grabbing this one. (Here's to you, John.)
Anyway, again IIRC the .22s were more difficult to find back then. I had mine during the time I got out of the Army in Denver and went on to the Denver Sheriffs and later Denver PD. I had mine long enough that I carried it as a 2d backup in my early DPD years. I don't remember when or why I traded or sold it, but I was doing a lot of trading back then so it must've been for something I really wanted at the time.
These little stainless guns are very well made, especially the Norton version made in Michigan, which this one is. Other than the takedown and magazine release, they resemble S&W semi-autos, and function just about the same. The fit and finish is what I'd call very good.
This one came with the box, papers and 2 magazines. I'm not sure I'll shoot it, but I know it's not going to get traded. Nostalgia will do that to you.

 

[LVSteve]

Always cool to see a gun with which I'm unfamiliar.

 

[Old_Cop]

The cat's pajamas back in the day.

 

[Tex1001]

The TP-70s and Bauers were the sleepers of the 70's.My TP-70 went to a buddy. I still have 4 Bauers. Cute beyond belief.

 

[bearpa]

First class pocket pistol, rate it up with the Walther TPH. I remember when they were made by Norton Armament in Mt. Clemens Michigan, as I tried to get one as a back up gun for duty use. At the time Ralph Shattuck the Luger authority was living in Birmingham Michigan and was an acquaintance of mine. Ralph was involved in the production of the TP 70 in Michigan and a big proponent of them. I tried to get one through him but they were being picked up as quick as they were made. Finally gave up when the company shut down, only made from "73 to "77 in Michigan then were made by in Florida, but quality went way down.
German gun designer Edgar Budischowsky designed initially produced by Korriphilia in Heidelberg West Germany.
The Bauer 25 was another top of the line pocket pistol, the frames were cast by in Oxford Michigan by Baron Cast Foundry, when the old plant was on North Oxford Road.
Very nice find!

 

[GerSan69]

Thanks for the info, bearpa. It fills in what I remember. I knew the MI ones were better, and this one has the Mt. Clemens roll mark on the slide. My fuzzy recollection is that the .22 was harder to get than the .25 back then, does that sound right?
I remember the Bauer also. My late friend picked up all sorts of guns like that back in the day, and we'd trade back and forth like they were baseball cards. We had a couple friends nearby that we also traded with constantly, and they were worse than we were. Model 39s, S&W and Colt revolvers, a Colt Combat Commander in satin nickel, Star PDs, BMs and the little 1911-style .380, I wouldn't be surprised if I owned 100 or more different models, but only a couple at a time. I kept that up for several years until my friend retired to Hawaii. Anyway, Thanks!