Family Heirlooms

[BE Mike]

I was at a family gathering last night. One of the family members is somewhat into guns. He told me that he had a pistol that belonged to his grandfather who had served in the German Imperial Army in WWI. He asked me if I wanted to look at it. He retrieved it from the safe. It is a Menta 7.65 x 21 caliber semi auto pistol. It was in real nice shape on the outside, but the bore was toast. It was in the original holster and had two magazines. I looked up the value on the internet and they aren't worth a whole lot, but man was it a blast to see such a neat heirloom. After seeing how excited I was to see the pistol, his mother asked if I would like to see the ceremonial sword that belonged to the same man. She brought it out and it was a beauty. It had etched scenes and apparently the name of his unit. All-in-all it turned out to be a real nice evening. The food wasn't bad either. Though I wish I had brought my camera.

 

[Barry in IN]

Pretty cool. I love guns that have a story.

 

[2cool9031]

7.65x21....would that be .32acp by any chance? The bore was bad ..probably due to the corrosive ammo shot through it and the failure of the shooter to clean it many years ago. A gun with a history, I like that.

 

[HandK]

Cool story and I know what you meen!! My uncle had a Belgium Browning 25 auto that he took off of a German in WWII it had a leather holster that closed at the top like a old change purse, a really neat old gun, Sadly someone stole it out of his room about 6 years before he passed away!!

 

[Turn Key]

After seeing how excited I was to see the pistol, his mother asked if I would like to see the ceremonial sword that belonged to the same man. She brought it out and it was a beauty. It had etched scenes and apparently the name of his unit. All-in-all it turned out to be a real nice evening. The food wasn't bad either. Though I wish I had brought my camera.

Here is where you may find some real serious bucks. I've got an uncle that collects knives and swords.

See if you can look up the swords manufacturer on the internet for a start.

TK

 

[BE Mike]

7.65x21....would that be .32acp by any chance? The bore was bad ..probably due to the corrosive ammo shot through it and the failure of the shooter to clean it many years ago. A gun with a history, I like that.

Yes, the 7.65 x 21 parabellum cartridge is also know as the 7.65 Browning and .32 ACP. Your guess regarding the cause of the corroded barrel bore is probably right. It is really too bad, because the rest of the gun was in very good shape for it's age (90%+), as well as, the holster.

 

[BE Mike]

Here is where you may find some real serious bucks. I've got an uncle that collects knives and swords.

See if you can look up the swords manufacturer on the internet for a start.

TK

I looked the sword over carefully. I didn't see any manufacturer's name stamped or engraved on it. Maybe the words etched in large letters on the blade gave a clue, but my high school German wasn't too much help when I tried to translate it. I'm not really into knives and swords, but to me the blade design was really unusual. I may try to get a little bit more info for the owner.

After looking at a few things on the web, it appears that the "sword" is really a long ceremonial trench knife.

 

[wtfd661]

Thats a really cool gun for his family to have. Awesome.

 

[Turn Key]

I looked the sword over carefully.

After looking at a few things on the web, it appears that the "sword" is really a long ceremonial trench knife.

Depending on it's condition, it could fit into someone's collection.

Make sure you do not try to restore it yourself, i.e. polishing - buffing. Items that are left in original condition with original 'battle nicks' and such, are more valuable to collectors.

Happy New Year

TK

 

[r6vr6]

Very cool. I fixed a gun of my buddy's grandpas. It was a nazi marked gun that looked similar to a mini 1911. It's been a while but I recall it looking nearly new. I would love to own that piece of history and to know the story behind it.

 

[Naptown]

2 years ago at xmas, I received a Remington Model 11 (Kurt Cobain special) that was originally purchased from my grandfather. No matter how tight I get on safe space, this one will always have a spot.

 

[Claddagh]

I'd bet that the 'trench knife' is actually one of the various dress/ceremonial daggers that the Nazis were so fond of. There were dozens of different styles made for assorted Political/Military outfits with subcategories for rank, etc.

There have been large numbers of reproduction Nazi daggers made and sold over the years and many have been "doctored" by unscrupulous persons so they could be more easily passed off as original items to unwary collectors. True originals command some pretty stiff prices, regardless of relative condition.

 

[BE Mike]

I'd bet that the 'trench knife' is actually one of the various dress/ceremonial daggers that the Nazis were so fond of. There were dozens of different styles made for assorted Political/Military outfits with subcategories for rank, etc.

There have been large numbers of reproduction Nazi daggers made and sold over the years and many have been "doctored" by unscrupulous persons so they could be more easily passed off as original items to unwary collectors. True originals command some pretty stiff prices, regardless of relative condition.

Actually both items, the pistol and the blade, are from the Imperial German Army in WWI. They are around 1915 vintage.

 

[dubsac]

Its really neat to be able to hear the stories behind such antiques, In my opinion the stories are far more valuable the anything.

 

[swissrifles1]

Great Uncle's WW1 vet bringback. 1913 Sauer pistol and original holster.