Pistols of the Hungarian gunsmith Rudolf von Frommer (part 4)
As you already know, Frommer Stop pistol turned out to be a good official weapons. But among its drawbacks can be noted the excessive complexity of automation and its high cost. Army needed a simple and cheap gun. Therefore, at the end of the 20 of the last century, Rudolf Frommer worked on a cheaper to manufacture and easy-to-use pistol. Since the National Army was in dire need of such a weapon, the designer decided not to develop it from scratch, but to use its own groundwork. As a result, he crossed the simple automatics of the Frommer Liliput waistcoat with the handle of the Frommer Stop service pistol.
The choice of ammunition.
During the fighting 1-th World Bullet 7,65-mm pistol cartridges showed their low efficiency, and the whole world began to switch to 9-mm cartridges. And since Frommer's 9-mm cartridge did not survive, Rudolf Frommer decided to develop a Browning cartridge (.9 ACP) for 17х380. Over the 20 years since its inception, the .380 ACP cartridge has proven its effectiveness and gained popularity both in the states and in Europe.
Perhaps this cartridge was chosen by the designer in the hope of increasing the export potential of his new pistol.
Adoption.
Frommer's new pistol was ready in the 1929 year and it was immediately adopted by the Hungarian Armed Forces under the designation 29М (29 Minta — the 1929 model of the year). And after the reconstruction of the Hungarian Air Force in 1939, the Hungarian pilots were armed with a 29M pistol. Police, gendarmerie, and others continued to use Frommer Stop, and their rearmament was not planned. Unlike previous models, the new pistol did not receive a proper name, and the designer’s name is rarely mentioned in official documents. Since at the base (1891 year), the manufacturer bore the same name, and in 1935, it was renamed - the gun became known as FEG 29M (FEG - short for Fegyvergyar) and Femar 29M.
Gun device.
The lower part of the frame is almost entirely borrowed from Frommer Stop. On the back of the handle is the same automatic fuse, trigger and hook, at the base of the handle there is a sling for the strap and a magazine latch. On the top of the frame, a new model has appeared: a slide lag. The length of the barrel 29M in contrast to Frommer Liliput doubled: from 53 to 100 mm.
As on Frommer Liliput, the 29M has a removable barrel, and is fixed on the front of the gun frame by means of a rusk joint *. For this, transverse grooves (grooves) are carved in the frame, and transverse projections on the trunk. The protrusions on the trunk enter the grooves on the frame, thereby fixing the trunk. Since the 29M uses a more powerful cartridge, and the barrel has become twice as long - the protrusions on the barrel are not 2 (as on Liliput), but 4. The recoil spring was also one and was located under the barrel, worn on the guide rod.
The new pistol inherited a recognizable detail at the rear of the casing from Frommer Liliput: a corrugated casing cover (in the patent - the cap), which held the bolt and served for cocking the weapon **. On Frommer's 1929 pistol of the year, the trigger was traditionally triggered, single acting. So, given the design of its automation - we can safely say that this is a scaled version of Frommer Liliput.
* The stem dry connection is implemented on the Browning M1903 pistol, then the simplified connection scheme was moved to the M1910.
** The solution with a lid in a Frommer pistol resembles the nut of a receiver on a Sauer M1913 pistol.
The sights of the 29M pistol are located in the same places, except that they have become more visible: the cover of the 29М casing has become more massive than on Liliput.
The shop latch button is traditionally located: at the base of the handle, next to the front end for the belt. It can move on the latch button, thereby protecting it from accidental clicks. Power pistol was carried out from shops on 7 cartridges. As a rule, shops were equipped with a stop under the little finger in the form of a curved spur. You can distinguish Frommer 29M pistols and its modifications from other designers' pistols using this spur and casing cover. But there are also shops with a smooth emphasis, and without the 29M stigma on the heel of the store. They say that these are also original stores, but more simplified.
For 29 pistols, serials from 1 to 50 000 were allocated. But as you can see, in 5 years no more than 14 thousand units were produced. How many of them were produced for all the time - is unknown. At the moment, merchants and collectors met pistols with numbers from 42 to 31 202.
Initially, the M29 trigger guard was stamped with military acceptance with St. Stephen's crown. But then later pistols (the barrels with numbers from 12 116 to 13 557 are known) were branded with the letter “E” in a circle. Some believe that the M29 pistols for the police or the civilian market were so marked. Others believe that the letter “E” is an alternative stamp of military acceptance. As an argument, they cite the fact that the upgraded Mannikher rifles of the same Hungarian factory (35M and 43M) were also branded with the letter “E”, but they went into service with the German and then the Hungarian army. So, most likely, the letter “Е” on the gun М29 has no relation either to the civilian market or to the police.
For wearing Frommer 29M pistols, several types of holsters were developed. They were made of high quality leather and worn on the waist belt.
Training and sports gun Frommer.
In 1939, a sports version of the pistol for the small-caliber .29 LR cartridge was developed based on the 22M. Maybe the designer was inspired by the American small-sized Colt Ace (model 1911 of the year under a small piece). A small number of them were produced for testing. They differed from the base model with lower weight, lack of marking on the manufacturer on the case and the letter “C” before the serial number. For convenience, the grip was completed with shops with a “spur” under the little finger.
On tests, the target pistol showed good results, but this version did not go into the series. Perhaps, she did not receive approval because, like in the Frommer Liliput pistol, the barrel and the small magazine could easily be replaced with the barrel and the magazine for 9-mm cartridges from the basic version. And this is not a sporting weapon. Since the 29M pistols chambered for the .22 LR, a meager amount was produced, one of them was sold in the 2006 year for USD 4000. As for the prices of serial 29M pistols - at the GunAuction.COM auction one copy was sold for $ 420, the other for 650.
Frommer artifact.
I got a photo of this artifact (otherwise you will not name it) without any comments.
A rifle butt is attached to the pistol. It seems to me that this is the butt of an experimental 1923 rifle, designed on the basis of the Manlicher system. For the best retention of weapons in front of the trigger guard installed a wooden handle.
Regarding the pistol itself - on the back of the casing of the shutter you can see the unique casing cover, which I wrote about above. It is seen that the trunk is located above the spring. This is undoubtedly a Frommer's 1929 model of the year. Apparently - it was an attempt to create on the basis of 29M pistol-carbine or “trench broom”. From previous stories, you know that during 1 World on the basis of Frommer Stop, a modification of the pistol was developed, capable of firing bursts and even a machine gun from two such twin pistols. That is, the designer already had the experience of creating automatic weapons and stores of increased capacity. Perhaps, on this experimental model, he worked out his ideas. Pay attention to the absence of handles cheeks: this leads to clogging of the aggregates and even the store can jam too. It can be seen that this unique sample did not go beyond the workshop and the factory shooting range.
Below for comparison I present a table with the performance characteristics of the samples, which were discussed in the article.
The gun Frommer FEG (Femaru) 29M was produced for 6 years (1929-1935). Based on the data I collected, more than 30 thousands of them were manufactured. In the Hungarian army, 29M was received favorably and there were no specific complaints about it. But he was still quite expensive in production and difficult to maintain. Therefore, before the start of the 2 World on its basis, another sample was developed, which was mass produced and replaced its progenitor. But about this - in the next part of the article.
The author thanks Sergey Linnik (Bongo) for his consultations.
To be continued ...
Information sources:
“Material part of small arms”. Author A.A. Blagonravov
http://modernfirearms.net/handguns/hg/hu/femaru-29m-r.html
http://zonwar.ru/pistolet/Frommer_29M.html
https://antikvariat.ru/auto/4024/86292/#.WGKiyLmdeOs
http://www.hungariae.com/From29.htm
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13419730
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/9658996
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10304493
http://zbroya.com.ua/article.php?id=1577
https://joesalter.ca/products/hungarian-feg-29m-640
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/feg-1929-budapest-380-acp-pr25120/
http://candrsenal.com/pistol-hungarian-29m/
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The choice of ammunition.
During the fighting 1-th World Bullet 7,65-mm pistol cartridges showed their low efficiency, and the whole world began to switch to 9-mm cartridges. And since Frommer's 9-mm cartridge did not survive, Rudolf Frommer decided to develop a Browning cartridge (.9 ACP) for 17х380. Over the 20 years since its inception, the .380 ACP cartridge has proven its effectiveness and gained popularity both in the states and in Europe.
Perhaps this cartridge was chosen by the designer in the hope of increasing the export potential of his new pistol.
Adoption.
Frommer's new pistol was ready in the 1929 year and it was immediately adopted by the Hungarian Armed Forces under the designation 29М (29 Minta — the 1929 model of the year). And after the reconstruction of the Hungarian Air Force in 1939, the Hungarian pilots were armed with a 29M pistol. Police, gendarmerie, and others continued to use Frommer Stop, and their rearmament was not planned. Unlike previous models, the new pistol did not receive a proper name, and the designer’s name is rarely mentioned in official documents. Since at the base (1891 year), the manufacturer bore the same name, and in 1935, it was renamed - the gun became known as FEG 29M (FEG - short for Fegyvergyar) and Femar 29M.
FEG 29M. Marking on 29М pistols during the 1929-1934 period.
Femaru 29M. Marking on 29M pistols made in 1935 of the year. Occurs on pistols with serials from 14 000 and above.
Gun device.
The lower part of the frame is almost entirely borrowed from Frommer Stop. On the back of the handle is the same automatic fuse, trigger and hook, at the base of the handle there is a sling for the strap and a magazine latch. On the top of the frame, a new model has appeared: a slide lag. The length of the barrel 29M in contrast to Frommer Liliput doubled: from 53 to 100 mm.
As on Frommer Liliput, the 29M has a removable barrel, and is fixed on the front of the gun frame by means of a rusk joint *. For this, transverse grooves (grooves) are carved in the frame, and transverse projections on the trunk. The protrusions on the trunk enter the grooves on the frame, thereby fixing the trunk. Since the 29M uses a more powerful cartridge, and the barrel has become twice as long - the protrusions on the barrel are not 2 (as on Liliput), but 4. The recoil spring was also one and was located under the barrel, worn on the guide rod.
The shutter of the 29M pistol is delayed.
The new pistol inherited a recognizable detail at the rear of the casing from Frommer Liliput: a corrugated casing cover (in the patent - the cap), which held the bolt and served for cocking the weapon **. On Frommer's 1929 pistol of the year, the trigger was traditionally triggered, single acting. So, given the design of its automation - we can safely say that this is a scaled version of Frommer Liliput.
* The stem dry connection is implemented on the Browning M1903 pistol, then the simplified connection scheme was moved to the M1910.
** The solution with a lid in a Frommer pistol resembles the nut of a receiver on a Sauer M1913 pistol.
Details of the Frommer 29M pistol after complete disassembly.
The sights of the 29M pistol are located in the same places, except that they have become more visible: the cover of the 29М casing has become more massive than on Liliput.
Cover of a casing of a unique form with inertial brisk and entirely.
Pay attention to the swivel: it is on the hinge and in the “from itself” position protects the magazine latch from accidental pressing.
The rear sight is located on the cover of the casing and provides a large sighting line.
The shop latch button is traditionally located: at the base of the handle, next to the front end for the belt. It can move on the latch button, thereby protecting it from accidental clicks. Power pistol was carried out from shops on 7 cartridges. As a rule, shops were equipped with a stop under the little finger in the form of a curved spur. You can distinguish Frommer 29M pistols and its modifications from other designers' pistols using this spur and casing cover. But there are also shops with a smooth emphasis, and without the 29M stigma on the heel of the store. They say that these are also original stores, but more simplified.
Frommer 29M pistol with “brand spur” on the heel of the store.
The stops under the little finger in the form of a curved spur, and straight.
Pay attention to the cheek handles: left convex, right - flat.
Pay attention to the cheek handles: left convex, right - flat.
For 29 pistols, serials from 1 to 50 000 were allocated. But as you can see, in 5 years no more than 14 thousand units were produced. How many of them were produced for all the time - is unknown. At the moment, merchants and collectors met pistols with numbers from 42 to 31 202.
Initially, the M29 trigger guard was stamped with military acceptance with St. Stephen's crown. But then later pistols (the barrels with numbers from 12 116 to 13 557 are known) were branded with the letter “E” in a circle. Some believe that the M29 pistols for the police or the civilian market were so marked. Others believe that the letter “E” is an alternative stamp of military acceptance. As an argument, they cite the fact that the upgraded Mannikher rifles of the same Hungarian factory (35M and 43M) were also branded with the letter “E”, but they went into service with the German and then the Hungarian army. So, most likely, the letter “Е” on the gun М29 has no relation either to the civilian market or to the police.
Stamp with the crown of St. Stephen on the early 29M.
Stamp with the letter “E” on the late 29M.
For wearing Frommer 29M pistols, several types of holsters were developed. They were made of high quality leather and worn on the waist belt.
Training and sports gun Frommer.
In 1939, a sports version of the pistol for the small-caliber .29 LR cartridge was developed based on the 22M. Maybe the designer was inspired by the American small-sized Colt Ace (model 1911 of the year under a small piece). A small number of them were produced for testing. They differed from the base model with lower weight, lack of marking on the manufacturer on the case and the letter “C” before the serial number. For convenience, the grip was completed with shops with a “spur” under the little finger.
Educational and sports version of the gun 29M. Note the serial number with the prefix "C" and the lack of data on the manufacturer.
On tests, the target pistol showed good results, but this version did not go into the series. Perhaps, she did not receive approval because, like in the Frommer Liliput pistol, the barrel and the small magazine could easily be replaced with the barrel and the magazine for 9-mm cartridges from the basic version. And this is not a sporting weapon. Since the 29M pistols chambered for the .22 LR, a meager amount was produced, one of them was sold in the 2006 year for USD 4000. As for the prices of serial 29M pistols - at the GunAuction.COM auction one copy was sold for $ 420, the other for 650.
Frommer artifact.
I got a photo of this artifact (otherwise you will not name it) without any comments.
The only photo of the gun Frommer 29M with a butt.
A rifle butt is attached to the pistol. It seems to me that this is the butt of an experimental 1923 rifle, designed on the basis of the Manlicher system. For the best retention of weapons in front of the trigger guard installed a wooden handle.
Regarding the pistol itself - on the back of the casing of the shutter you can see the unique casing cover, which I wrote about above. It is seen that the trunk is located above the spring. This is undoubtedly a Frommer's 1929 model of the year. Apparently - it was an attempt to create on the basis of 29M pistol-carbine or “trench broom”. From previous stories, you know that during 1 World on the basis of Frommer Stop, a modification of the pistol was developed, capable of firing bursts and even a machine gun from two such twin pistols. That is, the designer already had the experience of creating automatic weapons and stores of increased capacity. Perhaps, on this experimental model, he worked out his ideas. Pay attention to the absence of handles cheeks: this leads to clogging of the aggregates and even the store can jam too. It can be seen that this unique sample did not go beyond the workshop and the factory shooting range.
Below for comparison I present a table with the performance characteristics of the samples, which were discussed in the article.
The gun Frommer FEG (Femaru) 29M was produced for 6 years (1929-1935). Based on the data I collected, more than 30 thousands of them were manufactured. In the Hungarian army, 29M was received favorably and there were no specific complaints about it. But he was still quite expensive in production and difficult to maintain. Therefore, before the start of the 2 World on its basis, another sample was developed, which was mass produced and replaced its progenitor. But about this - in the next part of the article.
The author thanks Sergey Linnik (Bongo) for his consultations.
To be continued ...
Information sources:
“Material part of small arms”. Author A.A. Blagonravov
http://modernfirearms.net/handguns/hg/hu/femaru-29m-r.html
http://zonwar.ru/pistolet/Frommer_29M.html
https://antikvariat.ru/auto/4024/86292/#.WGKiyLmdeOs
http://www.hungariae.com/From29.htm
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/13419730
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/9658996
http://www.gunauction.com/buy/10304493
http://zbroya.com.ua/article.php?id=1577
https://joesalter.ca/products/hungarian-feg-29m-640
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/feg-1929-budapest-380-acp-pr25120/
http://candrsenal.com/pistol-hungarian-29m/
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Overview of the gun Frommer Femaru 29M
- Mikhail Zadunaysky
- Pistols of the Hungarian gunsmith Rudolf von Frommer (part 1)
Pistols of the Hungarian gunsmith Rudolf von Frommer (part 2)
Pistols of the Hungarian gunsmith Rudolf von Frommer (part 3)
Information