Gentlemen:
I thought I would show an interesting Smith & Wesson revolver that was issued to the Austrian Police during US Occupation. Austria was occupied by United States Forces Austria (USFA) at the end of WWII. Policing was generally done by the US Constabulary in conjunction with the reconstituted Austrian Police (Osterreich Polizei). The 4th US Constabulary Regiment came under the operational control and command of the Area Commander in Austria. The photo below shows an Austrian made USFA shoulder patch and distinctive insignia with the red/white/red colors of Austria overlaid with a sword and olive branch. The pistol is a Smith & Wesson revolver that was issued to the reconstituted Austrian Police by USFA.
Download Attachment: S&W Austria.JPG
47.06KB
This Smith & Wesson is one of the "pre-victory" Model 10 revolvers made in .38 S&W caliber. This particular pistol is in the serial number range of some that were shipped to Hartford Arsenal in December 1941. It has full US Army Ordnance inspection stamps by Col. Waldemar Broberg. It has no British proofs or markings, so perhaps it was retained because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
Download Attachment: S&W 38 ctg.JPG
44.96KB
The pistol is blued with case hardened trigger, hammer, etc. with checkered walnut grips as would be expected of a lend-lease S&W.
Download Attachment: S&W right side.JPG
45.92KB
The pistol has the expected roll stamps, including the "United States Property" stamp on the topstrap.
Download Attachment: S&W US Prop.JPG
39.82KB
Finally, the pistol frame is stamped with the Austrian Police property stamp indicating USFA issue to the Osterreich Polizei.
Download Attachment: S&W Austrian Polizei.JPG
39.14KB
Other Smith & Wesson revolvers in this caliber are also known to have been issued to the German Police. In all probability this caliber was chosen to tightly control the ammunition allocated to the German and Austrian Police. Similar pistols were issued by US Occupation Forces to the German Railway Police, Bavarian Rural Police, etc. All were property stamped on the pistol, generally on the left side of the frame as with this example. An interesting pistol that can be classified as either a US or Austrian weapon.
George
I thought I would show an interesting Smith & Wesson revolver that was issued to the Austrian Police during US Occupation. Austria was occupied by United States Forces Austria (USFA) at the end of WWII. Policing was generally done by the US Constabulary in conjunction with the reconstituted Austrian Police (Osterreich Polizei). The 4th US Constabulary Regiment came under the operational control and command of the Area Commander in Austria. The photo below shows an Austrian made USFA shoulder patch and distinctive insignia with the red/white/red colors of Austria overlaid with a sword and olive branch. The pistol is a Smith & Wesson revolver that was issued to the reconstituted Austrian Police by USFA.
Download Attachment: S&W Austria.JPG
47.06KB
This Smith & Wesson is one of the "pre-victory" Model 10 revolvers made in .38 S&W caliber. This particular pistol is in the serial number range of some that were shipped to Hartford Arsenal in December 1941. It has full US Army Ordnance inspection stamps by Col. Waldemar Broberg. It has no British proofs or markings, so perhaps it was retained because of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941?
Download Attachment: S&W 38 ctg.JPG
44.96KB
The pistol is blued with case hardened trigger, hammer, etc. with checkered walnut grips as would be expected of a lend-lease S&W.
Download Attachment: S&W right side.JPG
45.92KB
The pistol has the expected roll stamps, including the "United States Property" stamp on the topstrap.
Download Attachment: S&W US Prop.JPG
39.82KB
Finally, the pistol frame is stamped with the Austrian Police property stamp indicating USFA issue to the Osterreich Polizei.
Download Attachment: S&W Austrian Polizei.JPG
39.14KB
Other Smith & Wesson revolvers in this caliber are also known to have been issued to the German Police. In all probability this caliber was chosen to tightly control the ammunition allocated to the German and Austrian Police. Similar pistols were issued by US Occupation Forces to the German Railway Police, Bavarian Rural Police, etc. All were property stamped on the pistol, generally on the left side of the frame as with this example. An interesting pistol that can be classified as either a US or Austrian weapon.
George