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European Handguns

Throughout history, Europeans have made landfall from their ships bearing firearms, colonizing the New World and enslaving Africans. Many of the weapons used in Europe's historical conquests were early handguns.

Primitive wick-lit European sidearms gave way to matchlock systems, which led to wheelock, and then flintlock mechanisms. Later, Colt and Smith & Wesson American revolver development closely mirrored that of 19th-century British gunsmith Robert Adams and firearms producers Webley & Scott.

The turn of the century brought with it an increasing reliance on semi-automatics, and European manufacturers like Walther and Luger became household names. Czech Bohmische's CZ line of pistols became heavily relied upon. Belgian gunmaker FN Herstal, producer of the FN Model 1910 pistol, also developed successful European handguns including the Browning Hi-Power. In the latter part of the 20th century, Italy's Beretta, Austria's Glock, and Germany's Sig Sauer and Heckler & Koch came into their own.

Auctions are sources of a range of European handguns. Available at auction are sidearms by lesser known and short-lived producers as well as pistols by prominent world-class brands.


Quick Facts

  • In 2014, an important presentation-cased Luger pistol with an oak leaf-engraved ivory grip sold at a James D. Julia sale for $86,250
  • A historic Salvator-Dormus Model M1896 Austrian military test 9 mm sold at a 2014 James D. Julia auction for $31,625
  • In 2013, a Nazi-marked FN Herstal Belgian Browning Hi-Power 9 mm pistol sold at a Lock, Stock & Barrel auction for $1,036

Recommended Items at Auction

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Sig Sauer 1911-22 Semi Automatic Pistol
Feb 21, 12:00 PM MST
Sig Sauer 1911-22 Semi Automatic Pistol
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$13010 Bids
F. Lli Pietta Black Powder Cap And Ball Pistol
Feb 21, 12:00 PM MST
F. Lli Pietta Black Powder Cap And Ball Pistol
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$908 Bids
Flobert .22 Cal. Parlor Style Pistol
Feb 22, 9:30 AM EST
Flobert .22 Cal. Parlor Style Pistol
by Old Barn Auction
Est: $40- $1,000
$1754 Bids
Sig Sauer P226 Semi Automatic Pistol
Feb 21, 12:00 PM MST
Sig Sauer P226 Semi Automatic Pistol
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$1103 Bids
Fn Fnp-40 Semi Automatic Pistol
Feb 21, 12:00 PM MST
Fn Fnp-40 Semi Automatic Pistol
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$352 Bids
German J. P. Sauer & Sohn Model 1930 "Behorden" Pistol
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
German J. P. Sauer & Sohn Model 1930 "Behorden" Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $800- $1,200
$7001 Bid
Norwegian Kongsberg Model 1914 Semi-Automatic Pistol
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
Norwegian Kongsberg Model 1914 Semi-Automatic Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,600- $2,500
$1,4001 Bid
SIG SAUER P227 CARRY .45 ACP 4” DA/SA SEMI-AUTO PISTOL W/ BOX & 2X MAGS 2014
Mar 01, 9:00 AM MST
SIG SAUER P227 CARRY .45 ACP 4” DA/SA SEMI-AUTO PISTOL W/ BOX & 2X MAGS 2014
by Lock Stock & Barrel Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4001 Bid
Star Model P Semi-Automatic Pistol in .45 ACP
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
Star Model P Semi-Automatic Pistol in .45 ACP
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,000- $3,500
$1,8000 Bids
French MAS Model 1950 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
French MAS Model 1950 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $950- $1,600
$8500 Bids
Two Chilean Contract European Semi-Automatic Pistols
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Two Chilean Contract European Semi-Automatic Pistols
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $950- $1,600
$8500 Bids
Argentine Navy D.G.F.M.-(F.M.A.P.) Model 1927 Pistol
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
Argentine Navy D.G.F.M.-(F.M.A.P.) Model 1927 Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $800- $1,200
$7000 Bids
Three Makarov Semi-Automatic Pistols with Accessories
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Three Makarov Semi-Automatic Pistols with Accessories
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,400- $2,000
$1,2000 Bids
Two German Occupation Production Fabrique Nationale Pistols
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Two German Occupation Production Fabrique Nationale Pistols
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,100- $1,600
$9500 Bids
Two German Occupation Production Fabrique Nationale Pistols
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Two German Occupation Production Fabrique Nationale Pistols
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$1,0000 Bids
Cased Deane-Hardings Patent Conversion Revolver
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Cased Deane-Hardings Patent Conversion Revolver
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,800- $2,750
$1,6000 Bids
Four European Semi-Automatic Pistols
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Four European Semi-Automatic Pistols
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,000- $1,400
$9000 Bids
German Proofed Swiss SIG P210 Semi-Automatic Pistol
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
German Proofed Swiss SIG P210 Semi-Automatic Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,600- $2,500
$1,4000 Bids
* A GOOD 8mm (STEYR) ROTH-STEYR M1907 SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL, serial no. 24146,
Mar 24, 10:00 AM GMT
* A GOOD 8mm (STEYR) ROTH-STEYR M1907 SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL, serial no. 24146,
by Holts Auctioneers
Est: £2,000- £2,500
£2,0000 Bids
Two European Military Semi-Automatic Pistols with Holsters
Feb 21, 9:00 AM CST
Two European Military Semi-Automatic Pistols with Holsters
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $900- $1,500
$8000 Bids
French M.A.C. Model 1950 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
French M.A.C. Model 1950 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Holster
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $800- $1,300
$7000 Bids
Four European Semi-Automatic Pistols
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
Four European Semi-Automatic Pistols
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $1,300- $2,000
$1,1000 Bids
Finnish Contract FN M1935 High-Power Pistol
Feb 21, 9:00 AM CST
Finnish Contract FN M1935 High-Power Pistol
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,250- $3,500
$1,9000 Bids
Austrian Mannlicher Model 1901 Semi-Automatic Pistol-Carbine
Feb 23, 9:00 AM CST
Austrian Mannlicher Model 1901 Semi-Automatic Pistol-Carbine
by Rock Island Auction Company
Est: $2,250- $3,500
$1,9000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell European Handguns


Rock Island Auction Company

Rock Island Auction Company

EJ'S Auction & Appraisal

EJ'S Auction & Appraisal

Holts Auctioneers

Holts Auctioneers