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Roth Steyr Model 1907
Date 1909
1st Variation
Calibre 8mm Roth Steyr
Serial No 6726
£2,500

Obsolete Calibre

The Roth–Steyr M1907 is a semi-automatic pistol issued to Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I.

The pistol was developed by the Czech designer Karel Krnka, working for Georg Roth, based on the earlier Roth Pistol.

After development and tests of several prototypes, the final version of the Roth–Krnka won a contest for an Army pistol in 1906, and was adapted as a standard gun of Austro-Hungarian Army as: Repetierpistole M.7.

Since Roth had no weapon production capabilities, the government bought all the rights and ordered production in the Österreichische Waffenfabriksgesellschaft (OEWG) in Steyr and FEG in Budapest.

Only 58,300 were made at Waffenfabrik steyr between 1908 and 1913, and only 28,000 at the Fegyvergyar factory in Budapest in 1911-12.

These rare pistols used a unique 8mm cartridge and unique (to imperial Austria) rotating barrel locking system. Designed for cavalry use, the trigger cocks and then releases the firing pin and the force of the cartridge reloads the pistol but half cocks the firing pin. Issue was primarily to Imperial Austrian “Common” army – KuK, including to artillery units and less commonly, to the two “national” armies of Austria (KK) and Hungary (KU),

Most Roth-Steyrs (including those made in Hungary) carry a 'W-n' military proof mark, applied by the Austrian government arsenal in Wiener-Neustadt, together with the Hapsburg eagle along with the issue, which is 1909 for this pistol

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This example was manufactured at the Steyr Arms Factory & Has Austrian issue date of 1909

This is an Early Example from the first year of manufacture 1909

This is an early variation with no through pin for the disconector on the right side, this variant was only made in 1909 with an estimaed production of
7500 Pistols many were later converted to the through pin, images below show the difference between these variants

Externally there is light scattered pitting all over and evidence of an old refinish, could be an old military refinsih as these also saw service in WW 2

Nitro proofed in 2017 at the London Proof House because, until recently these were licenceable and had to be held on Firearms Licence

The Bore is Very Good with no damage to the locking lugs

 

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Customers are advised that you must by law be 18 years of age or older to purchase deactivated weapons, swords, knives and bayonets from this website. Customers, who purchase any antique/obsolete firearms, cannot be a Prohibited Person under Section 21 of the 1968 Firearms Act as amended. By placing an order you are declaring that you are of legal age to do so, that you are not a Prohibited Person and that you accept the Conditions of Sale.
This is an obsolete calibre weapon and no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display.
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament

Proof of Age & Address will be required for items posted


This is an early variation with no through pin for the disconector on the right side, this variant was only made in 1909 with an estimaed production of
7500 Pistols many were later converted to the through pin, images below show the difference between these variants

Comparison of a later model with the through pin