Reichsrevolver M1883

[Bacarnal]

Since we haven't had much activity in the "Show and Tell" as of late, I thought I'd kick one in .  This is an M1883 Reichs Commission Revolver made in 1894 at Erfurt.  It fires the 10.6x25r Commission Cartridge, though the casing and diameter (.430) of the .44 Russian work perfectly.   Each round I load is 21gr (by weight) of black powder with a 230gr LRN Bullet.  Just as I've done with my cap and ball revolvers, I've treated the pistol with Bore Butter which helps with the fouling and preserves the finish.  The holster is original, though I generally keep it in a reproduction holster.  She shoots pretty well. 

[Phosphorus32]

Wow, that is a great old Erfurt smoker! Already 20 years old when WWI began! Love the paper-patched vintage cartridge.

[Bacarnal]

Thanks, Jon.  That's just lead oxidation on the bullet.  I've only got three of the original rounds.

[1mlt]

Beautiful gun and in great condition for being over 125 years old. I don't imagine there are tons of those still around. What would fair market value be for something like that? Just curious, if you don't mind sharing.

[Phosphorus32]

Thanks, Jon.  That's just lead oxidation on the bullet.  I've only got three of the original rounds.

Ah, 100-130 years of exposure to oxygen will do that 

[Bob_The_Student]

Very cool rig, Bruce. I'm not that up on revolvers that old... is it single action only?

[Bacarnal]

Thanks 1mlt and BTS.  1mlt, I don't know what a set price would be.  Currently on GB there's just a pistol in a little bit worse condition finish wise than mine going at around $450.00.  The last time I saw a complete rig, pistol with a little better finish and a holster that was more worn than mine, the selling was for $900.00+. 
BTS, yes, it's single action only and oddly enough,  that over on the left hand side is a safety.  Most gun sites on YouTube lambast the pistol, but i find it not that bad to shoot.

[Greasemonkey]

Nice and awesome piece.. and I love black powder. 

Just curious why the lambasting you speak of...   Is it cause it's not plastic, have a magazine and high capacity...   I have a few old S&Ws that were originally black powder rounds, the old .32 and .38 S&W rounds.... probably from about the same era..    little hard to hold, but fun to shoot..  yours seems like an easy caliber to construct ammo for, unlike many.... like .41 Swiss rimfire or 9×22mmR Japanese.. I have some old Swiss rimfire ammo with the same white lead oxidation..

Awesome piece. 

[Bacarnal]

Thanks, GM.  The main reasons they were denigrating it was that they thought the design was obsolete even for that time period.  A lot of designs by that time were incorporating easier loading (the cylinder is free wheeling while loading, not indexing), there is no provision for case removal, and some of its contemporaries even had double action.  They also said the grips were poorly designed and questioned (and I'll agree here) the safety.
1mlt The one I was looking at for $450.00 closed at $910.00, so that should give you an idea of market.

[Witchywoman]

Every time I see these I think of Goering pulling one out of his holster in an old newsreel (not his S&W he surrendered with). They certainly are not very attractive and wonder if the trigger pull is anywhere near as horrible as a Nagant? I think the model he carried on occasion had a much longer barrel though but it was an 1879 Reichsrevolver I think.  I wonder why he carried one. Probably carried it since he was an actual pilot in WW1.