GUN SPRING 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/14/2016
RARE J PIRE M1873 GERMAN SAXON ARMY REVOLVER, CF CARTRIDGE CONVERSION. J PIRE M1873 GERMAN SAXON 231 11 MM Caliber 11mm. Early German Saxon Army issue M/73 revolver, partially a copy of the Smith & Wesson Model 1 1/2 First Issue, with features of the Sharps revolver, made from 1873-1878 by F Langenhahn in Zella-Mehlis, with a ribbed 5.5" barrel having a drift adjustable front and rear sight. These were the first cartridge revolvers service issued in Germany, originally as rim-fire, they were soon converted to central fire, and when obsolete were sold off through the Haenel firm of Suhl in 1892 to the dealer Pire in Antwerp, and were then refinished to blue from the original brown and "S. Pire & Co, ANVERS" marked on the top rib. Belgian proofs on the right side of the receiver and marked on the cylinder "1883", marked on the left side of the barrel lug, was the year of weapon was modified to centerfire and changed to have a fluted cylinder. Matte rust blue finish with in-the-white hammer. Other small parts are fire blued. Walnut grips with coarse, bordered checkering. Production was reported to be 4000 revolvers. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: 95% carefully re-blued, in 1892 when sold off by Haenel, with comparable condition but original fire blue remaining on the small parts. Spring tensioning screw on front strap missing a portion of head. Original grips, nicely checkered with minimal staining, well in keeping with the revolver's overall appearance. Bright bore with strong rifling and only minimal erosion. All cylinders index perfectly. 43475-347 LMA29 (4,000-6,000)