Make: Suhl Consortium, V.C. Schilling & C.G. Haenel

Model: 1883 Reichsrevolver

Serial#: 4402

Year of Manufacture: 1883-1896

Caliber: 10.6x25mmR German Ordnance (10.6mm Reichsrevolver)

Action Type: Single-Action Revolver with Side Loaded 6-Round Cylinder

Barrel Length: 4 5/8”

Sights/ Optics: The front sight is a blade integral to the muzzle end of the barrel. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the rear end of the top-strap.

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The grips are two-piece smooth walnut. The grips have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches with a few more notable marks. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Fine condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered minor erosion in the bore, mostly toward the muzzle-end. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 7+/10.

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 75% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is some scattered light finish wear and handling wear in the grip areas. The most notable wear is in the trigger guard which shows surface erosion. There is some other scattered more minor erosion and light surface oxidation. There are light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to lightly tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, the revolver is in Fine condition as Antique.

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

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This Kurzer Reichsrevolver Model 1883 is a single-action revolver chambered for 10.26x25R rounds which was manufactured by the Suhl Consorium, consisting of V.C. Schilling and C.G. Haenel in the late 19th Century. Prior to the introduction of the Reichsrevolver, the various German States, unified into the German Empire in 1871, all maintained their own armies which were primarily equipped with obsolete percussion weaponry. The newly formed empire recognized the importance of equipping these various militaries with uniform weapons and the need to modernize its arsenal. The handgun that initially culminated from this effort was the Reichsrevolver Model 1879. The M1879 was mechanically sound but it was impractically large. Thus, the revolver was reworked with a smaller barrel and shorter grip, only four years after the Model 1879 had been adopted the improved Model 1883 became the standard issue handgun of the German military. The Model 1883 would eventually be replaced by the Luger in 1908, but some Model 1883s saw service during the First World War. Although no longer used by the military, the Model 1883 saw limited service with non-military organizations in Germany through the end of WWII.

This revolver has an "R.G." or "Reichsgendarmerie" marking on the backstrap, indicating that it was issued to the Prussian police force created after the Franco-Prussian War to oversee the occupied Alsace-Lorraine region. The gun is in quite good shape for its age, retaining a decent bore and strong mechanics. This is a fascinating piece of German military history that you do not want to miss out on!