Name : Becker & Hollander Beholla Pistol
AKA : The Beholla
Caliber : 7.65x17mm Browning (.32 ACP)
Capacity : 7 Rounds
Weight : 22.57oz or 640g
Length : 5.59in or 142mm
Action : Blowback Action, semi automatic
Origin : Germany
Produced by Becker and Hollander of Suhl in Germany in 1915 the Beholla was a mediocrity at best even by the standards of the day. With this in mind it was given a substitute pistol status in the German Army during the First World War. It was commonly issued to lower ranked personnel when the famous P08 Luger or even Mauser C96's were short in supply. After the initial shipment from Becker and Hollander the German Army ordered the pistol to be contracted out to other arms firms to insure a healthy supply and thus a contract was given to Leonhardt, Stenda and Menta. Production of this pistol for the German Army would appear to have been around 40-45'000 and remained in service until 1918 the end of the war. After the war, the pistol was produced by several manufacturers for the commercial market, and some were even offered for sale by the Army to the public. Total production for this pistol/design including commercial models is estimated around 100,000.
Typically of pistols made in Europe at this time, the magazine release is located on the heal of the grip and is pushed to the rear to eject the magazine for reloading. The barrel is fixed to the frame by means of a cross-pin, and this is where the pistol takes a turn for the worse.
To dismantle the Beholla the magazine has to be removed and the striker released by pulling the trigger with an empty shell case inserted in the chamber to prevent damage to the firing pin. The cross-pin holding the barrel to the frame has to be removed through a hole in the slide. This is done by punching out the cross-pin with a tool through the right side of the slide until it is far enough through it can be pulled by hand from the left hand side of the slide. The slide must then be locked to the rear and the barrel is pushed backward approximately 5mm and pulled upward and it can be removed. The slide is then released forward to its normal position the trigger again needs to be pulled then the slide can move forward off the frame.
The Beholla like all German pistols was a war trophy for allied soldiers but never gained the fame or popularity of other pistols such as the Luger. In service the pistol was considered to be robust enough for combat, which probably was the pistols only saving grace, considering what it took to clean it. Some collectors and shooters have stated that they have been very impressed with the accuracy potential of this pistol, especially considering that it was produced during war time, when the quality of firearms is generally a lot lower. This is probably an inherent advantage of the fixed barrel design.
INTERESTING FACT : Magazines from the Colt 1903 pistol in .32ACP will function well in the Beholla, for those of you out there looking for replacement or spare magazine.
PRO's : Robust, Accurate, easy to conceal, snag free design
CON's : Low on the manstopping scale, awful dismantling procedure for a soldier
AKA : The Beholla
Caliber : 7.65x17mm Browning (.32 ACP)
Capacity : 7 Rounds
Weight : 22.57oz or 640g
Length : 5.59in or 142mm
Action : Blowback Action, semi automatic
Origin : Germany
Produced by Becker and Hollander of Suhl in Germany in 1915 the Beholla was a mediocrity at best even by the standards of the day. With this in mind it was given a substitute pistol status in the German Army during the First World War. It was commonly issued to lower ranked personnel when the famous P08 Luger or even Mauser C96's were short in supply. After the initial shipment from Becker and Hollander the German Army ordered the pistol to be contracted out to other arms firms to insure a healthy supply and thus a contract was given to Leonhardt, Stenda and Menta. Production of this pistol for the German Army would appear to have been around 40-45'000 and remained in service until 1918 the end of the war. After the war, the pistol was produced by several manufacturers for the commercial market, and some were even offered for sale by the Army to the public. Total production for this pistol/design including commercial models is estimated around 100,000.
Typically of pistols made in Europe at this time, the magazine release is located on the heal of the grip and is pushed to the rear to eject the magazine for reloading. The barrel is fixed to the frame by means of a cross-pin, and this is where the pistol takes a turn for the worse.
To dismantle the Beholla the magazine has to be removed and the striker released by pulling the trigger with an empty shell case inserted in the chamber to prevent damage to the firing pin. The cross-pin holding the barrel to the frame has to be removed through a hole in the slide. This is done by punching out the cross-pin with a tool through the right side of the slide until it is far enough through it can be pulled by hand from the left hand side of the slide. The slide must then be locked to the rear and the barrel is pushed backward approximately 5mm and pulled upward and it can be removed. The slide is then released forward to its normal position the trigger again needs to be pulled then the slide can move forward off the frame.
The Beholla like all German pistols was a war trophy for allied soldiers but never gained the fame or popularity of other pistols such as the Luger. In service the pistol was considered to be robust enough for combat, which probably was the pistols only saving grace, considering what it took to clean it. Some collectors and shooters have stated that they have been very impressed with the accuracy potential of this pistol, especially considering that it was produced during war time, when the quality of firearms is generally a lot lower. This is probably an inherent advantage of the fixed barrel design.
INTERESTING FACT : Magazines from the Colt 1903 pistol in .32ACP will function well in the Beholla, for those of you out there looking for replacement or spare magazine.
PRO's : Robust, Accurate, easy to conceal, snag free design
CON's : Low on the manstopping scale, awful dismantling procedure for a soldier
looking for a few magazines for this pistol. What would the replacement part be if no original mags are found?
ReplyDeletemy email address is hd1softail@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteAny parts available?
ReplyDelete