The Handguns of WWII

This is a table-top overview of the sidearms used by the major powers involved in WWII. In this video, I am just giving a brief summary of what the firearms are, and their roles during the war. There is no shooting in this video and none of the firearms in this video are offered for sale.

In order of appearance:

Smith & Wesson Model 1917 - 45ACP
Ithaca 1911A1 - 45ACP
Erfurt Luger P08 - 9mm
Walther P38 - 9mm
Nambu Type 14 - 8mm Nambu
Nambu Type 94 - 8mm Nambu
Model 1895 Nagant Revolver - 7.62x38R
Tokarev TT33 - 7.62x25
Webley MK IV - 38/200 (.38S&W)
Beretta Model 1935 - .32ACP

Photos Credits:

Moon Clips: militaryhistoryhandheldguns

Borchardt C93: Cody Firearms Museum

Type 26 Revolver: ww2db

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[rclaughlin]

During WWII, most 1917 revolvers still in service were issued to MPs or otherwise kept out of the front lines. The S&W Victory .38 was more numerous and saw a lot more front line service, being standard issue to sailors and aviators.

[garrisonnichols]

My favorite service handgun of World War Two is the Browning Hi Power. It's 13 round magazine of 9mm simplicity reliability and ease to field strip makes it a very popular choice even today. Odd historical aspect is the Hi Power was the only handgun issued in large numbers by both the Axis and Allied countries. The gun was adopted by the Belgium army in the early 1930s and when the Germans invaded Belgium in 1940 factory workers at FN sent all the paperwork and parts to Britain who then had Canada make Hi Powers for use with the British commonwealth forces and also the Chinese military who were fighting against the Japanese. The Germans were very impressed with the Hi Power and because it was chambered in 9mm Luger the Germans kept the FN factory in production making Hi Powers for the Wehrmacht.

[Chiller]

I love watching old WW2 (& to a lesser extent Korea, Vietnam) footage on YouTube and elsewhere. I pay particular attention to the small arms the various combatants are using. This type of content is really informative. You have an enviable collection. Thanks for sharing a part of it.

[joshuagibson]

It's 1000% ridiculous that a history type channel cannot show a historical flag. That's going too far.

[majorlaff]

The Royal Ulster Constabulary were carrying the Webley .38 in the 1970's.

[highdesertutah]

As soon as he said there were about 1000 Singer 1911’s made I checked on their value. One sold in 2017 for $414, 000!

[paranoiia]

That Beretta is cute as hell, its that nice mix of old, crude military look but it get some more modern style and feel that started to show up in that period.

[dcamnc]

I personally think the P-38 was the best combat pistol in WW2. People always think Luger and 1911 when they think about WW2. I believe the P-38 was well ahead of those two, just IMO.

[darrellbedford]

Great video, but you missed the side arm used by both the Allies and the Germans. This would be the Browning designed P35 Hi-Power.

[deniscleaver]

Very informative, thanks. I had been a collector of WW2 handguns for many years. The P-38 has to be the most prolific sidearm produced mainly because its features have been carried over for the production of so many modern day offerings. A pure trend setter.

[vcpornelos]

Thanks for explaining the A designation

[paulgrogan]

Outstanding tutorial Chris, what a relivant collection👏

[frednaumann]

Amazing video love the format and the content. Like knowing the range of the value to use as a reference

[ClarenceCochran-nedu]

My Great Grandfather served as a Civil Defense Air Warden. He was issued a Mod 1917 during the War. We still have his Helmet, which was a variation of the old Brodie helmet. Wish we had the gun, but it went to another member of the family.

[lwj]

You left out the Browning M1935 pistol, aka the Browning Hi-Power; made initially at FN in Belgium, continued under German occupation and issued to German troops. Also made in Canada and issued to Canadian forces. The British SOE also used them as they could re-supply ammunition from German stock. Of note, Colt and S&W M1917 revolvers did not have identical internals and cannot be swapped out.

[mynameisstilljafo]

38 S&W is a very pleasant cartridge to shoot. Would love to have a Webley of my own someday.

[jonathanhorne]

Decades ago I had a war returned Walter P-38 and it’s the only gun I fired a lot that I developed a flinch. It would eject its brass in indiscriminate directions including straight back hitting my glasses. I also had the officer that brought back the P-38, his issued 1911. It would put its ejected ball cases into a 4 foot circle about 8 feet away.

[godwinxuereb]

I would personally add the VIS Radom, the FN High power & the Webley Self-Loading Pistol to the list.

[Narsuitus]

Thanks for the informative video.

I own, but do not use, my father’s souvenir Japanese Type 26 revolver from WWII.

[willchrisman]

Another German one that also saw some service was the Browning Hi-Power made under licence by FN. When Germany invaded Belgium, they took over the FN factory. German soldiers did get issued Hi-Powers, and in my opinion, was the best pistol of the Second World War.