Help! Need to i.d. this Revolver !

[eyemustdigtreasure]

My son used this borrowed revolver during a drama, and was wondering about it more.
He said maybe US Calvary...??
Didn't know the caliber, but he's sure ammo for it is unavailable....!
He'd share the info with the owner.....
Thanks for any help!

 

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[BAW]

It is a Model 1879 Reichsrevolver, standard issue in the German army between 1879 and 1908. The cylinder pin is not the usual shape' and is probably a replacement. The non-matching finish on the cylinder and the non-standard shape of the stop notches indicates that the cylinder may be an incorrect replacement also.

 

[Red-Coat]

Nice. It’s a ‘Reichsrevolver’ (Reichs-Commissions-Revolver), which was the standard service revolver used by the German army from 1879-1908, when it was replaced by the Luger. It was still in use throughout WWI.

“S & S V.C.S. C.G.H. SUHL” is for the manufacturing consortium Spangenberg & Sauer, C.G. Haenel & Cie Mauser of Suhl, Germany.

There were two patterns: M1879 and M1883, so I presume yours is the 1879 pattern since it seems to be dated 1882. They differ only in barrel length: 181 mm (7.1 in) for the M1879 and 117 mm (4.6 in) for the M1883. Although collectors often refer to the M1879 as the “cavalry model” and the M1883 as the “officer's model”, these were not official designations used by the German army..

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Whoa!
Thanks!
I had a hunch it was foreign.
All parts seem to have numbers - is that how you know?
And, what's that lever-like gizmo, on the side, between trigger and hammer...?
Thanks again...!
Jimmmmmmmmmm

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

Nice. It’s a ‘Reichsrevolver’ (Reichs-Commissions-Revolver), which was the standard service revolver used by the German army from 1879-1908, when it was replaced by the Luger. It was still in use throughout WWI.

“S & S V.C.S. C.G.H. SUHL” is for the manufacturing consortium Spangenberg & Sauer, C.G. Haenel & Cie Mauser of Suhl, Germany.

There were two patterns: M1879 and M1883, so I presume yours is the 1879 pattern since it seems to be dated 1882. They differ only in barrel length: 181 mm (7.1 in) for the M1879 and 117 mm (4.6 in) for the M1883. Although collectors often refer to the M1879 as the “cavalry model” and the M1883 as the “officer's model”, these were not official designations used by the German army..

That's much appreciated!
I shall pass the info on...!
Thanks!
Jimmmmmmmm

 

[crashbandicoot]

Whoa!
Thanks!
I had a hunch it was foreign.
All parts seem to have numbers - is that how you know?
And, what's that lever-like gizmo, on the side, between trigger and hammer...?
Thanks again...!
Jimmmmmmmmmm

Lotta Jims on here.Jim.

 

[crashbandicoot]

Lotta Jims on here. Caliber is listed as 10.6X25mm,but don,t know if that,s the original cylinder on that one.The gizmo on the side is a safety,I think it has to be on half cock to apply but not certain about that.

 

[Retired Sarge]

Whoa!
Thanks!
I had a hunch it was foreign.
All parts seem to have numbers - is that how you know?
And, what's that lever-like gizmo, on the side, between trigger and hammer...?
Thanks again...!
Jimmmmmmmmmm

That lever is the Sicherung in German or Safety in English.

The Germans/Prussians were fanatic with putting the Serial Number on almost every part of a weapon. Plus a lot of German weapons of this time period are quite often unit marked. The markings are fun to research and are part of the weapons story. I would have a blast with this revolver, cleaning it up, making it functional, finding the correct holster for it, etc.

I have a Gew 88 Commission Rifle that has the following unit markings.

Front barrel band:

16.R4.142 (All X'ed out)

16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Company, weapon 142
Or
16th Infanterie, 4th Kompanie, Waffe 142 (Under the 27th Infantrie Brigade Baron Freiherr von Sparr, 3rd Westfalishes)

F.E.B.K.1.68 (Not X'ed out)

Fortress Replacement Battalion, 1st Company, Waffe Nr 68
Or
Festungs Ersatz Battalion, 1st Kompanie, Waffe 68

Rear barrel band:

11.R.R.9.149 (All X'ed out)

11th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 9th Company, weapon 149
Or
11th Reserve Infanterie Regement, 9th Kompanie, Waffee Nr 149