[Stucki]

W+F produced the Pistolen 06/29 for the Swiss Army as well as for the commercial market in caliber 7.65mm Para. Occasionally there are also Pistolen 06/29 in caliber 9mm Para, from the military, as well as from the commercial series. These 9mm pistols are very rare. Most of them were probably converted to 9mm afterwards. In addition to the W+F, also private gunsmiths have probably made such barrel changes. Barrels that are not correctly numbered and have no BP stamp were probably changed by a private gunsmith. Correct numbering and BP stamp are an indication of a change by W+F, but not a guarantee.

Conversion to 9mm was made for the Swiss Army for trials in the 1940s, using pistols from both the commercial and military series. In addition, private individuals had their Pistolen 06/29 (former military and commercial pistols) converted to 9mm. Presumably, W+F also produced pistols from the commercial series directly in caliber 9mm Para on special request.

The Pistole 06/29 with SN 68994 in caliber 9mm (see below) was originally an army weapon. W+F delivered the pistol to the Swiss Army (Armory/Zeughaus Bern) on November 4, 1943.

Presumably the pistol was converted to 9mm caliber by the W+F after the corresponding officer or NCO was able to take the weapon as private property after completing his military service. On the left side of the weapon there is P stamp as a sign of privatization of the weapon (unusual place).

The Pistolen 06/29 in caliber 9mm can be distinguished at first sight from the pistols in caliber 7.65mm by the fat barrel (see picture below).

Alexander

 

[Vlim]

I understood that the initial 9mm trials produced unacceptable results, accuracy was bad. They switched to a stress free steel type, which cured the accuracy issues. Too bad they gave up on the 9mm Swiss Luger.

At least Mauser was able to revive it, based on the 06/29, later on.

 

[Stucki]

I understood that the initial 9mm trials produced unacceptable results, accuracy was bad. They switched to a stress free steel type, which cured the accuracy issues.

in short, that is correct.

What has always amazed me: According to various documents from the time, beside the fat 9mm barrels also 7.65mm barrels were used for the tests, which the W+F bored out to 9mm. I have never seen such a pistol - such barrels must have been extremely thin-walled.

Alexander

 

[Joe in Colorado]

Hi, in regards to post 2 and 3 above, here's a photo of a couple early 9mm 4" Mauser Parabellum pistols still with the "Swiss" style 30 caliber front sights and a close-up photo of the muzzle on the blue pistol. (Sort of a shorter barrel/9mm M29?)
Alexander-thank you for your great photos above!
Joe