I LOVE THIS OLD WARHORSE FROM THE LATE 19TH CENTURY.  I UNDERSTAND IT WAS THE FIRST REVOLVER ISSUED TO THE GERMAN ARMY.   IT DOESNT HAVE A DATE BUT COULD BE 1861 FROM A MARKING ON THE HEAL (SEE PHOTO).  IT CHAMBERS 11 MM GERMAN AND IS OVER 13 INCHES IN LENGTH. 

 

 I HAD 50 ROUNDS MADE ABOUT 30 YRS AGO BUT SHOT THEM ALL UP (TOO MUCH FUN).  WHEN I GOT AROUND TO GETTING MORE, THE WORKMANSHIP WAS POOR AND I HAVE BEEN HESITANT TO USE THEM.   

 

IT IS SLOW TO EJECT ROUNDS MAKING IT MUCH LESS EFFECTIVE IN ACTION.  IT CARRIES THE HONORARY REPUTATION AS A FINE EXAMPLE OF A PISTOL DESIGNED BY A COMMITTEE.

 

IS IT POSSIBLE THIS BIG LUG SAW ANY BATTLEFIELD ACTION?

 

IF YOU CAN INTERPRET THE MARKINGS ON THE HEAL IT WOULD HELP ME BOND TO THE OLD GUY, ALTHOUGH I AM PRETTY ATTACHED TO IT ALREADY

 

(ALTHOUGH THE PICS WERE IN PROPER ORIENTATION WHEN I UPLOADED THEM, THEY FLIPPED)

I SHOULD HAVE SAID 'CARTRIDGE REVOLVER'

 

ALSO, THE SERIAL NUMBER IS 1060.  PRETTY LOW

 

 

I think the marking is for the 61st Artillery Regiment (2nd Grand Ducal Hessian), 4th Battalion, Weapon 26 and previously, the 25th Artillery Regiment (1st Grand Ducal Hessian)

 

I think these pistols were 2nd or 3rd line issue during WW1 but who knows if they saw any action. Both units were part of XVIII Corps which served on the Western Front.

 

 

Richie is quite right that these old warhorses were mostly issued to Artillery units during WWI and this is what your butt markings indicate.  The markings on the left side of your frame indicate the maker of this Reichsrevolver and there may be a two digit number that indicates the year it was manufactured.  

 

Neat old guns.

Great info.  Just what I was looking for....

Richie and Sarge

 

I assume the purpose was to defend against charging cavalry....

Does anyone have a source for 11 mm German?

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