Beholla pistol 7.65

[ssyoumans]

Anyone else out there have a vintage Beholla pistol. I picked one up over the weekend and upon disassembly, discovered the barrel pin is missing. Someone had jammed a screw in there. Anyhow, trying to find the diameter and length of the pin.

Thanks!

 

[Monac]

This style of pistol was made both by Beholla (Becker and Hollander) and and by August Menz (his used the trade name Menta during the First World War. After the war, Becker and Hollander stopped, but Menz kept on, and the Stenda Werke began making them. Barrel pins from the other two companies might be interchangeable with your gun.

After making guns just like yours, Stenda and maybe Menz changed the design and got rid of the barrel pin. Stenda used a spring latch (I have one of that type). Menz may have used a rotating catch. Oh, and a man named Gering got hold of a lot of parts, and assembled guns like yours under the trade name Leonhardt. All names to watch for if you are looking a part.

 

[ssyoumans]

Thanks for the input. I think mine is an early Stenda, before they adopted the rotating latch pin. My first place to check was Numrich Gun parts but they didn’t have one. Struck out on gun broker and eBay as well. Hoping to find someone with one to cut down on the trial and error. The search continues...

 

[Monac]

Thanks for the input. I think mine is an early Stenda, before they adopted the rotating latch pin. My first place to check was Numrich Gun parts but they didn’t have one. Struck out on gun broker and eBay as well. Hoping to find someone with one to cut down on the trial and error. The search continues...

You are quite right about yours being a Stenda. I should have done more than glance at your pictures before answering.

These pistols are considered simple, sturdy, and well made, with a nice compact size and shape. The only thing people don't like about them is the takedown of the early versions, which are the most common ones, since it required driving out the pin you are missing. I think Stenda and/or Menz made them until the early 1930's.

The history of these guns is confused, with some sources claiming that the guns were originally designed and produced by August Menz, with Becker & Hollander/Beholla being brought in later by the German government during the war, whereas others claim that the gun was designed by Georg Stenda and originally made by Becker & Hollander, possibly even before 1914, with Menz being brought in during the war. The Stenda and Leonhardt marked guns are considered post-war in both versions. I know that does not help your problem, but it's interesting.

 

[Archie]

Jack First Gun Parts is worth checking. On line.