Make: Waffenfabrik Steyr

Model: Roth-Steyr (Krnka) Model 1907

Serial Number: 52666

Year of Manufacture: 1913

Caliber: 8x19mm Roth (also referred to as 8x18mm)

Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol with Internal Magazine Fed by Stripper Clips

Barrel Length: 5”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the front of the barrel jacket. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the frame’s stripper-clip guide.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated wood panels. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are tool marks around the grip screw and one more notable vertical scratch on the left panel. The serrations are generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is light erosion and some minor pitting scattered through the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 6-7 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is in scattered light oxidation. There is infrequent light finish wear. There are a few scattered light nicks and small scratches. The action shows operational wear and the controls have handling wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Adopted in 1907 by the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry, the Roth-Steyr M1907 was actually designed by Karel Krnka, an employee of Georg Roth. The pistol has a very interesting mechanism, operating via short-recoil and locking via a rotating barrel. The bolt telescopes over the breech of the barrel, all contained within a barrel jacket integral to the frame. The pistol was specially designed to have the striker mostly cocked by depressing the trigger at the behest of the Austrian Cavalry, so that it would not be fired accidentally around horses. This pre-dates Glock’s “safe-action” design by a few decades. This example was made in 1913 just prior to when war were declared (insert C&Rsenal montage here), this pistol survived the Great War better than most, and will make a great addition to a WWI small arms or early autoloading pistol collection. Please see our photos and good luck!