Product Details
** A RARE 9mm (PARA) HUSQVARNA "NEUTRAL" M40 SERVICE PISTOL, serial no. 31970, with holster,
circa 1942, with blued 4 3/4in. barrel, machined blued receiver and bolt, solid blued frame with lug for a detachable stock-board (absent), all markings except the serial number removed, chequered bakelite grips with Husqvarna logo removed, the whole retaining virtually all its original finish and complete with its leather service holster, two additional spare magazines, loading tool and cleaning rod, with certificate of proof
Provenance: This pistol is a rare example of the M40 "Neutral pistol". Supplied by the Swedish military intelligence service under strict secrecy for the Norwegian government when the supply of P38's from Walther had started to dry up. The Swedish government were at first apprehensive to fulfil this order for fear of reprisals from the Nazi government. In order to negate this all Husqvarna markings were removed leaving only the serial number. These were given to agents and high-ranking resistance personnel. The removal of the Husqvarna markings made it possible for Sweden to deny any knowledge of anyone found to be in possession of one of these pistols and thus avoid offending the Germans. These pistols had five-digit serial numbers. Arthur Hytting, the foreman at the Husqvarna factory has stated that less than 400 "neutral" pistols were produced with serial numbers in the range of 31600 to 32000. Neutral Swedish cartridges lacking headstamps are also known to exist. These pistols mostly surface in Norway where this one was found and a few in Denmark.
** Please note this item is subject to 20% VAT on the hammer price (UK Buyers only).
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Estimate £700-900
S5 - Sold as a Section 5 Firearm under the 1968 Firearms Act, Section 7.3 Eligible.
Unless prior arrangement has been made, two weeks after the Sealed bid sale, all Section 5 (and Section 7.1 / 7.3) items will be moved to a Section 5 carriers where storage charges will be incurred.
Goods will not be released until all outstanding charges have been met. Collection will be by arrangement.