It's 1940, what's your CCW?

Silly question, the same thing as today. 1911A1.

So I answered somewhat realistically earlier, but I'm going to answer again. This time more for intrigue's sake:
P08 Luger!

But I'll have to make sure and keep it concealed so no one thinks I'm a German spy on American soil! Or maybe I am! <Insert dramatic music>

NIGHTLORD40K said:

I was wondering when someone was going to pick Luger!

Though there were probably quite a few war-trophy P08 (and Broomhandles) around, I would imagine 9mm ammo would be virtually unobtainium.....

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I was pondering that earlier. Today we think its unsuitable for anything larger than mice but the 32 acp was a very common round in its day. Then came the 380. When did 9mm luger come on the scene in America? Was is post WW2 when people started bringing back lugers and P38's? When did american manufactures start making mainstream 9mm handguns.

Also since you brought it up my open carry gun would be a broomhandle mauser with a scope and nice flash hider. Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Probably have to go with the Colt there, as the VZ 50 was still a twinkle in the eye in 1940.

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My information shows it was being produced in the 40s.

Walther PPK in 9mm x 17 Kurz.

Probably something like this, though maybe not with a 4.25" barrel:



Six screaming rounds of massive, super-deadly, .32 S&W Long. Slightly smaller than a J-frame, so easy to conceal. It would have been 24 years old in 1940, so maybe a cheap used gun at the time. Sorry about the hideous grips-- correct ones are on the way.

I'm a revolver guy (Fitz Specials remember), but I do like those slim little German Ortgies like my grandpa carries. I'd like to find one in .380 to carry in lightweight suits (linen, poplar, & seersucker) since my Detective Special sometimes shows through when I'm in a summer suit. And since I only wear an overcoat in the winter, the New Service is relegated to the car during the hot months.

I'm told that MIller's Hardware over in Bugscuffle has a used one, and I'm going over there today to take a look at it. I feel it's important to hide a carry pistol properly when out and about, so as not to scare bank tellers, church ladies, folks on the street, and the like.

A S&W I or M frame revolver.

38sw safety hammerless or colt da in 38spl. Only slide guns I would consider would be a Walther pp or a savage 1907

Re: 9x19mm ammunition, you could get it from Bannermans, so it was available. Maybe a little hard to get in 1940 as there was a war going on in Europe at the time. But yeah, it was available here.

My first choice would be a 1911. Second choice would be a colt 1908 pocket hammerless in .380.

My first CCW was a hammerless topbreak revolver. Iver Johnson .32 S&W with beautiful wood grips. I pocket carried it for a few years till I was able to save up money for a much better option. Would have preferred a .38S&W version but it sufficed. Would have rathered a .32-20 I or J frame snubbed down personally if I took a revolver. I think the Colt Police IIRC could be snubbed shorter without affecting ejector rod length than on an I Frame. Rather a six shot over a five shot considering hot .32-20 can be loaded. 1911 would be a nice choice as well. If I were to choose an autoloader it'd be a Savage 1907 in .32ACP. Maybe a Remington 51 in .32ACP for the IWB. Would probably have a Baby Browning as well in .25Auto for church.

Probably whatever .38 (S&W or Special) or .32 (Long or .32-20) S&W or Colt revolver solid frame revolver I could find. I'd chop the barrel off short. Although... I do like top breaks... Maybe a S&W .38 lemon squeezer (with the good latch!).

What's my occupation? I could invent the shortened frame, lightweight, short barrel 1911 if I'm a machinist! Along with those JHPs! That would be fun! I'd make millions!

A cut down S&W 1917.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Late '40s, ya, but not 1940. I wanted to put the cutoff short of the US entry into WW2 as postwar GI bring backs opened up a whole host of other options.
No haterade, though, bro.....we can just put you in the Walther PP column as the VZ was derived from it and they were certainly available in 1940 USA as Sarge7402 proved. PP-type pistols were, and remain, one of those pistols in which form and function meld perfectly for their purpose.
View attachment 786530

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What got me thinking of the CZ50 is I have a beat up old CZ70 I still carry now. Nice heavy DA pull, 9 shot, 32ACP. I guess it's sort of like a poor man's
PPK.

Michael Tinker Pearce said:

View attachment 786570

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Tinker,
Is that an original Fitz, or is it your handiwork?

If1HitU said:

CA Bulldog .44 Spl. 2.5" revolver.

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There was no such critter in 1940.

Bob Wright

Two other vintage semi-autos I would consider having in 1940 would be a Remington Model 51 and a Savage Model 1907.

In a bit of a timely coincidence I recently received an email from CDNN that they have two original Remington Model 51s (one in .380, the other in .32), up for auction on Gunbroker. Very nice looking examples of a classic pocket pistol.

Interestingly, a very clean, original mag Savage 1907 came into the shop today on consignment priced at $399.00..... It won't last long.

NIGHTLORD40K

By a strange coincidence Remington first made the Model 51 in .380 and made more of them than the .32 version.

Striker

Interestingly, a very clean, original mag Savage 1907 came into the shop today on consignment priced at $399.00..... It won't last long.

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Not at that price!

NIGHTLORD40K

Great find! I found one some years ago while at a local gun show. I was sometimes on the lookout for my brother who collected pocket autos but never found much where he use to live. Came across a nice Savage Model 1907; looked liked it had never been shot. As I recall the price on it was very reasonable, especially compared to what Colts and Remingtons were going for at the time.