Make: V.C. Schilling, C.G. Haenel (Suhl Konsortium)

Model: 1883 Reichsrevolver

Serial#: 41

Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1883

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 checkered walnut. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered light nicks and scuffing. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. The checkering and fit at the top-front may indicate that the grips are not original to the gun (checkered grips were found on Officer's Model variants). Overall, the grips are in Very Good-plus condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original, numbered parts are matching.

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

Overall Condition: The revolver retains about 40% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is fairly evenly scattered light surface oxidation and some spots of minor erosion. There are scattered light nicks and scratches with tool marks on the bottom of the barrel. The action shows operational wear. There are tool marks around some screw heads. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn, but legible. Overall, the revolver is in Very Good 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 C.G. Haenel in 1890. Prior to the introduction of the Reichsrevolver, the various German States that had 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 its barrel was too long and its grip too large, which made it impractical. Thus, the revolver was reworked with a smaller barrel and grip frame, and 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 (WWI). 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 was manufactured ca. 1883 with the very early serial number of 41. It was made by the Suhl Konsortium which was composed at this time by the firms of V.C. Schilling and C.G. Haenel. The gun is in 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!