What rank would carry this ?

Discussion in 'WW2 Militaria' started by stymie222, Dec 3, 2011.

  1. stymie222

    stymie222 Junior Member

    I have a Haenel Suhl Schmeisser 6mm (25 auto) cal. pistol that was brought back from Europe after WW2.
    I wanted to know what rank, were the officers, that were issued this pistol ?

    The capture papers state that it was taken from a German Officer. Could this have been a last resort suicide weapon ? It came with a leather holster with belt loop. In all of the WW2 pictures I have viewed, I have never seen one worn.


    Thanks
     
  2. Jedburgh22

    Jedburgh22 Very Senior Member

    Probably a privately owned pistol they were made until about 1930 but as far as I'm aware as a commercial venture. Could you put up some pictures of the weapons markings? That would clarify the issue?
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Attached Files:

  4. gunbunnyB/3/75FA

    gunbunnyB/3/75FA Senior Member

    without a picture to show the markings, i have to agree with jedburgh22. it was most likely a private purchase weapon, many of the german officers did indeed carry pistols that were not military issued.
     
  5. Heimbrent

    Heimbrent Well-Known Member

    The capture papers state that it was taken from a German Officer. Could this have been a last resort suicide weapon ?


    Last resort suicide weapon, not really. No doubt it would be used as such, but suicide didn't play a very important role in the German Army. Pistols were mainly for personal protection and, like Jedburgh and gunbunny said, often privately purchased.

    *edit* As far as I know - I wouldn't bet on it though - officers generally carried pistols whereas enlisted ranks usually didn't. Not sure about Uffz. :/
     

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