[MtrCty]

Does anyone know about this pistol? It was my fathers and my mom gave it to me.:confused:

[Maddock]

I found this on www.e-gunparts.com (Numrich)
"The .25 caliber Menta pistol was manufactured in Suhl, Germany by Waffenfabrik August Menz. Production lasted from the 1920s until the 30s."

[Jim K]

That 6.35mm (.25 ACP) pistol was made by Menz, but is a scaled down copy of the 7.65mm (.32 ACP) Becker and Hollander "Beholla" pistol.

Menz also made a copy of the Beholla, as did at least two other companies, but Menz AFAIK was the only one to make a .25 caliber copy. I don't know what the connection was among all those companies, but the .32 guns were nearly identical except for markings.

Disassembly is by pushing out the pin that holds in the barrel. You have to line up the hole in the slide with the pin and push out the pin. Once that is done, the barrel and slide come off to the front.

Jim

[MtrCty]

Thanks for that info. I dont know where my Dad got this pistol from but I always wonderd about it . I wish I could get a barrel for it ,the one on it is pretty pitted. you can still see the rifleing, but I'm pretty sure it's not safe to shoot. Thanks again Jim

[Herb Fredricksen]

Hi Jim/MtrCty,

I just came across your November post last night. Since it was your Dad's gun I'd keep it if I were you, I tend to be sentimental even about other people's Dad's guns. :-) I bought another guy's Dad's pistol a year or more ago and have given it a respectful and loving home. That pleased him.

I doubt you'll ever find a barrel for that one. I'd be inclined to clean it thoroughly and then reassess its condition. If it looked sound I'd shoot it if that was my interest. If not just put it away for the nostalgia.

I started collecting pocket pistols recently, probably because they are inexpensive due to lack of interest by target and big bore shooters. Much of my collection is marginal but each is a good place holder until a better sample is found. I learn from every pistol regardless of its condition.

If you ever decide to sell it let me know. I retired recently and now know what "fixed income" is versus "disposable income." It would be nice to add a decent Menta to my mix before I have to cut back.

Herb Fredricksen herbfred@cpcug.org

[MtrCty]

Thanks for the reply. Your right I will never sell it ,even if I never shoot it because it was my dads. Good luck with your collection!

[skhagen]

That 6.35mm (.25 ACP) pistol was made by Menz, but is a scaled down copy of the 7.65mm (.32 ACP) Becker and Hollander "Beholla" pistol.

Menz also made a copy of the Beholla, as did at least two other companies, but Menz AFAIK was the only one to make a .25 caliber copy. I don't know what the connection was among all those companies, but the .32 guns were nearly identical except for markings.

Disassembly is by pushing out the pin that holds in the barrel. You have to line up the hole in the slide with the pin and push out the pin. Once that is done, the barrel and slide come off to the front.

Jim
The menta and other small pre war pocket pistols were common carry for german officers, typically concealed in the hat pocket.

The proper takedown method is to drift the barrel pin from the opposite side of the safety as the hole is tapered. Then lock the slide to the rear with the safety catch by pushing it up into a small noth in the slide. Tap the barrel to the rear with a wooden mallet and lift the barrel out. Release the slide to the front sliding it forward and off the frame. Once inside it easy to see and access the firing pin mechinism.

Care should be taken when removing the firing pinso as to not seperate the pin from the main trigger catch it is babotted togeather as one peice. Thus the earlier post about improper disassembly damaging the firing pin.

Hope it is a little clearer


Scott