Automat. Pistole "Duo", F Dušek Opotschno, 6.35mm

I have an “Automat. Pistole "Duo", F Dušek Opotschno, 6.35mm” made in 1941, and I have bit of an enigma to solve that may take an expert on wartime European guns. If no one on this site can help me, maybe somebody can point to someone who can.

This Duo is in really great shape. Though it is 79 years old, it looks almost new, particularly the blued finish. In fact, the peculiar thing about gun is its finish.

On the left side of the gun there is a bit of tone difference between the slide and frame. I initially attributed this to differences in alloys used for the slide and frame. The right side of the gun looks the same. But, about a half inch down on the right side of the frame, there is a perfect line where the horizontal polishing used on the entire slide and on the left side of the frame and the top portion of the right side of the frame changes to vertical polishing. I also noticed that the polishing on the left side of the trigger guard is horizontal and that the polishing on the top of the trigger guard on the right side is horizontal, while the bottom portion of the trigger guard, next to the body of the frame, seems to have vertical polishing. I have uploaded a couple 500 MB photos showing the left and right sides of the gun.

As I said, the finish on the frame and slide are in really great shape, and I cannot discern any signs of refinishing/rebluing. And, it really does not make since that anyone would attempt this give that the gun is not particularly valuable. But, if someone did refinish it, wow, what a great job.

Does anyone have a viable explanation for this, or can someone point be to someone who might?

I don't think anyone "tried" anything. First, the whole finish is in great shape, including the internals and barrel; there is no rust or indications that there was a rust probem. Second, I don't think anyone could or would achieve such factory finish on a not-particularly-valuable gun and not leave some kind of sign of refinishing. And, if he was capable of such a job, why would he make such a mistake. I think it is a factory issue, and I'd like to see what others might know about such issues.

Odd Job said:

It's a nice-looking gun, never seen one of those before. Can't help with the polishing question, I don't know what could have caused that.
How does it shoot?

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I haven't shot it. I am selling it for a widow whose husband died and left her with his guns. The guy was in his mid to late 70s and had the gun for a long time. I know he did not refinish it; he did not have those skills.

ApacheCoTodd said:

Had to remove the majority of my post after seeing this.

Look closely at the clapped-out version here and see if it doesn't have the same right side oddity.

At 49 seconds, looks like it does to me.

Do yourself a favor and mute the sound. Nothing to hear but really crappy Metal.



Looks so tiny as to make a *Baby Browning* look reasonable. What is its size relative to the usual vest-pocket .25?

Todd.

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Funny, I was on that site earlier today. I cannot tell if it has the same oddity or not. The gun in the video is not in near as good a condition as the one I have, and it just not discernable to me. The dimensions of the one I have is 4.5"x3"x3/4 with grip panels.

ApacheCoTodd said:

If you look right at 49 seconds +/- to the right or forward of the pistol grip, you can see the same directional discoloration though it is relative to the overall pistol condition.

Clearer on a full-screen version.

Todd.

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I tried full screen and still nogo

ApacheCoTodd said:

More stuff in case you hadn't already found it.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/czech-duo-pistol-info.169/

Todd.

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For anyone who is interested, here is what another gentleman sent me:

" Your gun has been refinished. They have removed the round end of the slide lock, which you can see on the right side of the frame. It should have a raised rounded appearance, not flat.

Also, here should be a serial number on the right side of the slide, just below the extractor. The serial number on the left side of the frame has been added later. The last three of the serial number should be stamped on the frame, inside the magazine well. You should see it once you remove the right grip. The escutcheon is also backwards on your gun and the screw is on the wrong side.

The German issued guns had proof marks on the slide, barrel and frame. I don't see any on your gun. It's possible someone took a 1941 slide and put it on a later production frame.''

As disappointing as it is, I think he is 100 percent correct. Once I took off the right grip panel, it was clear the job (vertical polishing) was not quite as good as I thought. There was no serial number (last three) in the magazine well, and now we know why - if the slide was from a different gun, it would not have match the serial on the slide. There were proof marks on the slide and barrel (see photos below) , assuming the walking lion is the proof mark, but there was none on the frame.

Thanks to everyone for their input.