From the Vault: W+F Bern P47 Pistol Prototype

Published on March 31, 2023
Duration: 4:12

This video showcases the W+F Bern P47 pistol prototype, a rare firearm developed for Swiss service pistol trials in the late 1940s. It highlights the P47's unique delayed blowback system, enabling its compact size, and its all-steel Swiss quality construction. The prototype ultimately lost out to the Sig P210 in the trials.

Quick Summary

The W+F Bern P47 is a rare pistol prototype from Swiss service pistol trials, featuring a unique delayed blowback system for its compact size and all-steel construction. Developed by W+F Bern, only ten were made, but it ultimately lost to the Sig P210 in the trials.

Chapters

  1. 00:07Introduction and Location
  2. 00:16Introducing the W+F Bern P47 Prototype
  3. 00:21Rarity and Production Numbers
  4. 00:30Swiss Service Pistol Trials Context
  5. 00:46P47 Design and Features
  6. 00:58Delayed Blowback System Explained
  7. 01:13Comparison to H&K P7
  8. 01:22All-Steel Swiss Quality
  9. 01:30Safety Features
  10. 01:39Sights and Adjustments
  11. 01:51Magazine Lock-Back Feature
  12. 01:58European Heel Magazine Release
  13. 02:06Manual Operation
  14. 02:09Absence of Slide Release
  15. 02:16Ergonomics and Feel
  16. 02:21Finished Product Status
  17. 02:28Matching Numbers
  18. 02:32Outcome of the Trials (vs. Sig P210)
  19. 02:46Comparison to Sig P210
  20. 02:50Trigger Characteristics
  21. 03:01Trigger Type (Pin Trigger)
  22. 03:05Trigger Smoothness and Feel
  23. 03:17Manufacturing Effort and Competition
  24. 03:24Sig's Victory
  25. 03:32Concluding Thoughts on the P47
  26. 03:35Final Identification of the P47
  27. 03:41Call for Questions and Comments
  28. 03:45Viewer Experience with P47
  29. 03:49Thanks and Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the W+F Bern P47 pistol?

The W+F Bern P47 is a rare pistol prototype developed by W+F Bern in Switzerland for their service pistol trials in the late 1940s. Only ten of these pistols were manufactured, and it features a unique delayed blowback system for its compact size.

What made the W+F Bern P47 unique?

The P47's primary unique feature is its delayed blowback operating system, which allowed for a very compact design. It also boasts all-steel Swiss quality construction and a European-style heel magazine release, distinguishing it from many contemporary firearms.

Why was the W+F Bern P47 developed?

The P47 was developed as a competitor in the Swiss trials to find a replacement for the Luger pistol. Switzerland sought a more modern, simplified, yet high-quality service pistol, and the P47 was W+F Bern's entry into this competition.

Did the W+F Bern P47 win the Swiss service pistol trials?

No, the W+F Bern P47 prototype ultimately lost out in the Swiss service pistol trials. The winning design would go on to become the renowned Sig P210, a pistol often considered the 'Rolls-Royce of handguns'.

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