[Harbinger]

Anyone want to give me a history lesson on this gun?

[Jim K]

The gun was developed in the 1920's at Femaru Fegyver es Gepgyar R.T.* (Metalware, Small Arms and Machine Works, Ltd.) in Budapest. Rudolph Frommer's name was connected with it, but it is a totally different from and much simpler than the Frommer Stop and Frommer Baby pistols previously made by the same company.

The first pistol of the type produced was the Model [19]29, which had a separate breechblock. This was further simplified and the modified gun was produced as the Model 37. The latter gun had a conventional slide and its only unique feature other than the simple takedown was the ability of the gun to be adapted to either 7.65 Browning (.32ACP) or 9mm Browning Short (.380ACP) by changing only the barrel.

The gun was adopted by the Hungarian army in 1937 in 9mm BS, and was also sold on the commercial market. In WWII, Hungary was an ally of Germany and in that period almost all the production was taken by the Germans, who issued the pistol in 7.65mm to both the army and the air force. Some undoubtedly went to the security forces as well. (9mm BS was not a standard caliber for the German service, while 7.65mm Browning was.)

The pistol as made for the Germans had a manual safety (which the Hungarian issue did not have) and was marked "Pistole M 37 Kal. 7.65" and the FEG code "jhv" and date, along with the usual "waffenamt" inspector's markings.

All magazines had a long front spur which is comfortable in shooting, but has a tendency to get in the way when handling the pistol. The hammer is quite small, which also makes it less than an ideal carry gun. Nonetheless, they are very rugged and reliable and even the late war guns are well made.

There was an attempt to produce the gun after the war, but I have not seen any examples. FEG was at that time a state factory, as Hungary was under Communist and Russian control. Today, they make some excellent pistols, including a copy of the Browning Hi-Power, and these have generally been well received on the American market. The guns had been imported by KBI in Harrisburg, PA, but I don't know the current status.

*No, I can't pronounce it and I also can't reproduce the numerous accent marks, so I will just have to say that is close enough.

HTH

Jim

[Harbinger]

Very well done! Thanks, Jim.

[Ganzel Macher]

Does anybody know if this gun's hammer has a half cock? If one wanted to carry with the chamber loaded, would the only two options be hammer down (on the firing pin) or hammer fully cocked with reliance entirely on the grip safety?

[Jim K]

They don't have a half-cock; they do have a grip safety.

Jim

[Roadie.be]

Could somebody tell me if it is possible to find a spare mag for this pistol as the spring of the one I have is not functioning well anymore..
I've been looking all over for a gunsmith to replace it but this seems not to be easy in my country...

[Steven Mace]

Roadie.be, I believe Numrich might have what you're looking for in a magazine.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=2940z1937%20HUNGARIAN

Steve Mace

[Roadie.be]

Thank you very much I will try to get one there :)

[gonzoso]

I have one of these pistols. It was captured from a downed pilot my grandpa shot down in WWII It does not have a safety, it is marked Femaru-pegyver-es-gepgyar-R.T. 37m.

It is a neat little pistol and shoots well. I would never CC this as it has no safety, a small hammer, single action, and a hook for your finger in the bottom of the magazine. Plus the magazine release is on the bottom.

Even if it was the perfect carry gun, it is an heirloom, my gramp took this from those fascist nazi's! I wouldn't want to shoot someone and have the leo take it....

I was just playing with it, and if you have the gun uncocked, with a round in the chamber, and you were to hit the hammer hard enough, the weapon would discharge for sure. pushing the hammer moves the pin into the primer...... yikes. The only safety is a grip safety ala 1911 beavertail.