Japanese Militaria at Castle-Thunder.com

[The Outlaw Josey Whales]

Is it true the Japanese had a small contract for FN 22 pistols? When was this delivred? Was the Calibier 32.ACP? Brett

[gwsiii]

It seems like I read in an old BANZAI something about the FNs but I don't remember if it was a specific contract or what, I'd have to check. There are quite a few to go through. Trey

[Franchi]

Their are numerous 7.65 (.32) FN Browning Model 1910 pistols which were used by the Japanese most have a Japanese "stick man" (similar to the Kana for the number 6). Approx. serial range for the FN 1910 pistols is 362780 to 456350 (Note-not all were Japanese).
I only have one possible FN Model 1922 pistol noted (reported in 1986) serial number 26946, this pistol came back from the Pacific in a Japanese Type 94 holster. The serial 26946 is in the German occupation serial range and dates to about 1940, the pistol had no German Army WaA acceptance marking. This doesn't prove it was sold to the Japanese, there are "other" German occupation pistols without German WaA acceptance markings, which were sold/used by non-Army personnel (qualified civilians, Luftwaffe, RAD, SS, etc.).
The Japanese probably captured Dutch contract FN 1922 pistols in the Dutch East Indies and utilized them. David Franchi

[petersalt]

Japanese officers were responsible for providing their own sidearms. This differentiates T14s/T94s and T26s, which were generally disdained by sophisticated Japenese personnel, such as Yamamoto [who had traveled widely in Europe/US].

I was told that the Japanese equivalent of the PX purchased FN pistols and added Japanese holsters for officer purchase.
gluck, peterNaCl
_________________
'Those who don't remember history are probably re-living it.' semi-Santayaana