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LOT 3400
Scarce “C.B.” Marked Belgian Congo Colonial
Contract Fabrique Nationale Model 1935 High-
Power Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1-0269, 9
mm Luger cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in Belgium in an isolated serial number block, under contract for the Ministry of Finance of
the Belgian colony of the Congo circa 1958-1959. These pistols were ordered to arm both
the ‘Force Publique’, which acted as local military and law enforcement, as well as customs
advisors, administrators, and other Belgian officials stationed in the colony of the Congo.
They were manufactured with three different slide markings, with “F.P.” (Force Publique)
for military/law enforcement issue, along with more scarce “Etat” (State) or “C.B” (Congo
Belge) for issue to other officials, with this example being one of the latter. Shortly after
these pistols were ordered, mutiny in the Force Publique resulted in the collapse of Belgian
colonial rule in the Congo, with the nation gaining independence from Belgium in 1960.
Detailed on pages 309 and 310 of his book “FN Browning Pistols: Side-Arms that Shaped
World History”, author Anthony Vanderliden notes that many of the Belgian Congo colonial
contract High-Power pistols found on the market today likely came from the joint U.S.,
Belgian, and Congolese Operation Red Dragon held on November 24, 1964, in which civilian
hostages were rescued and airlifted out of the Congo along with captured arms. Features
fixed serrated blade front and notch rear sights, standard FN manufacturer’s markings and Browning patent
roll marked on the left of the slide, “C.B.” (Congo Belge) over a wreathed “crown/Belgian lion” crest on top
of the slide just ahead of the rear sight, integrated lanyard loop on the left of the grip frame, and matching
serial numbers on the right side of the slide and frame, as well as the left of the barrel. The barrel, slide, and
frame also bear “star/N” and “lion/PV” Belgian proofs. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with red
painted interiors. This pistol is consecutively serial numbered to the previous lot.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 90% plus original blue finish with plum coloration visible on both the frame
and slide, some minor thinning on the grip straps revealing mostly brown patina, light scrapes, and a crisp
slide crest. The grips are also exceptionally fine with some minor handling marks in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Estate Collection of Charles Wagner.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3399
Scarce “C.B.” Marked Belgian Congo Colonial
Contract Fabrique Nationale Model 1935 High-
Power Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 1-0268, 9
mm Luger cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured in Belgium in an isolated serial
number block, under contract for the Ministry of Finance of the Belgian
colony of the Congo circa 1958-1959. These pistols were ordered to arm both the ‘Force
Publique’, which acted as local military and law enforcement, as well as customs advisors,
administrators, and other Belgian officials stationed in the colony of the Congo. They were
manufactured with three different slide markings, with “F.P.” (Force Publique) for military/
law enforcement issue, along with more scarce “Etat” (State) or “C.B” (Congo Belge) for issue
to other officials, with this example being one of the latter. Shortly after these pistols were
ordered, mutiny in the Force Publique resulted in the collapse of Belgian colonial rule in the
Congo, with the nation gaining independence from Belgium in 1960. Detailed on pages
309 and 310 of his book “FN Browning Pistols: Side-Arms that Shaped World History”, author
Anthony Vanderliden notes that many of the Belgian Congo colonial contract High-Power
pistols found on the market today likely came from the joint U.S., Belgian, and Congolese
Operation Red Dragon held on November 24, 1964, in which civilian hostages were rescued
and airlifted out of the Congo along with captured arms. Features fixed serrated blade front
and notch rear sights, standard FN manufacturer’s markings and Browning patent roll marked
on the left of the slide, “C.B.” (Congo Belge) over a wreathed “crown/Belgian lion” crest on top of the slide
just ahead of the rear sight, integrated lanyard loop on the left of the grip frame, and matching serial
numbers on the right side of the slide and frame, as well as the left of the barrel. The barrel, slide, and
frame also bear “star/N” and “lion/PV” Belgian proofs. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with red
painted interiors. This pistol is consecutively serial numbered to the following lot.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with plum coloration showing on the slide
and frame, limited edge wear, minor spotting/freckling, limited pitting, some brown patina showing, and
some mild handling marks. The grips are also very fine with crisp checkering, minor handling wear, and
rich original oil finish. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Estate Collection of Charles Wagner.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3401
Excellent “SILESIA” Marked
Fabrique Nationale Model 1935
High-Power Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. E08400, 9 mm Luger
cal., 4 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in Belgium after World War II. Features fixed
serrated blade front and notch rear sights, standard FN
manufacturer’s marking and Browning patent roll marked
on the left of the slide, importer mark on the bottom of the
grip frame, and matching serial numbers on the right side
of the slide and frame, as well as the left of the barrel. The
barrel, slide and frame also bear “star/M” and “lion/PV” Belgian
proofs, with “SILESIA” marked upside down on left front of
trigger guard indicating importation by German firearms distributor Silesia. Fitted with
a pair of checkered walnut grips with red painted interiors.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with some minor
high-point wear, a few areas of plum coloration showing through the finish, and
limited minor handling marks. The grips are also excellent with defined checkering.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Estate Collection of Charles Wagner.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 3402
Excellent World War II Mauser “byf/44” Code P.38 Semi-Automatic Pistol with
Holster - Serial no. 9728p, 9 mm Luger cal., 4 7/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic
grips. Manufactured in 1944, with fixed sights, standard markings on the left side of
the slide, matching serial numbers and “eagle/swastika” and “eagle/WaA135” proof
markings in the appropriate places, and black plastic ribbed grips. Includes a black
holster marked “ewx/1944” and “P38” on the rear.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% plus of the original blue finish, showing bright edge
wear and mild handling marks. The grips are also excellent, with some light scratches.
The holster is very good, with some high point wear and scuffing.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
Consecutively Serial Numbered Belgian Congo Contract
FN Model 1935 Pistols
SERIAL NUMBER 1-0268
SERIAL NUMBER 1-0269