After Germany had invaded Norway in 1940, many of the factories that had produced firearms throughout the country were still being run after occupation, but to make weapons for Germany. While the more famous weapon that would come to mind would be the Krag-Jorgensen rifle, there was another that was produced in fairly large numbers. The Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk factory had been producing a number of small arms, and one of those being a version of the M1911 licensed from FN in 1914 known as the Kongsberg Colten M1914.
Seeing that there was the available machinery and schematics to keep producing them, Germany kept producing them through 1945 under the new designation of Pistole 654(n). Interestingly, unlike most other foreign-designed firearms that saw production under German occupation, the vast majority didn’t bear the Waffenamt acceptance stamp until 1945. By the time it was added, only 920 examples were produced after that. In total, around 8,200 (serial numbers 22312 to 30534) were produced before the occupation was lifted, most being made from 1941-42.
As for the gun itself, it was nearly identical to the original Model 1911 except for the extended slide stop on the left side of the handle, which was intended to make it easier to operate. Introducing this to the Axis would be interesting, as it would give a higher damage option similar to the 1911A1 to the selection of firearms. Seeing as how the Russians have the C96, I don’t see any problem with adding this to
From my point of view there is no need to add those in the german TechTree so that every nation has a Colt / Browning. Specially when there are far better options like:
Steyr M1912 pistol for the TechTree with 8-round integral magazine, fed by stripper clips
→ after Germany annexed Austria in 1938, many Austrian M1912 pistols were taken over by the German Wehrmacht
→ known under the name “Pistole 12(Ö)”
Steyr M.12/P16 machine-pistol with 16-round fixed magazine, fed by two 8-round stripper clips (available as event weapon like Yazikov / Colt Swartz)
I like the 1911 and the high power (hence I’m a US main) would be cool to see this added as a BP gun because 8, 200 were produced, whereas Germany used over 300,000 High power pistols (319,000 to 325,000 during WWII ) so the higher production numbers would make it justifiable as a TT gun for Germany. It’s objectively the better pistol than the 1911 derivative Pistole 653(n) and its a more modern design though I like the 1911 it is the better gun for TT and in terms of stats (Browning high power). It was made under occupation from 1940-44 at the FN factory in Belgium going into service as the Pistole 640(b).
