What was the first handgun to have a firing pin safety?

[1KPerDay]

My 1941 P-38 has one... any earlier?

[1KPerDay]

bumpity... anyone know?

[modifiedbrowning]

I think the Walther PP was first, circa 1929,
Someone, please correct me if I am wrong.

[10X]

The 1911 had schwartz safety available in the 1920s I believe. This operated via the grip safety. Some currently manufactured 1911 versions use this type of safety.

[rcmodel]

Unlike the later P-38 design, the Walther PP & PPK did not have a firing pin drop safety.

They are only blocked / locked & drop-safe when the slide mounted thumb safety is engaged.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[1KPerDay]

So it sounds like the P-38 might have been the first to have a drop safety?

10X, was the Schwartz safety a true firing pin disconnect/drop safety or did it act purely on the trigger/sear? Sorry if I'm using the wrong terms.

[Hawk]

The Swartz safety that Colt employed was functionally the same as Kimber's Type II FPB. I believe the design was '37 but Colt didn't incorporate any till '38 after the patent was issued.

If it was '38, there might be a footrace between it and the P-38.

Fuff should be along to set me straight if I've mangled any of the above too badly.

[Jim Watson]

My Walther PP owner's manual shows an "automatic internal safety" that is cleared only by pulling the trigger. True, it is a hammer block, not a firing pin obstructor, so it may not count in this survey.

[modifiedbrowning]

Thanks for the info rcmodel.