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Today I received a MYSTERY GUN and could use some help on identifying it. I got it on Gunbroker from a dealer who described it as a , "German Oberndorf mauser constabulary gun # 13". You can see by the pictures , That it is missing a ejector type rod attachment , I would guess similar to the Nagant Revolver where it pushes out the spent shells from the cylinder. It has a Hexagon (6-sided) barrel. The Frame, wood grips, cylinder all marked #13 (could it be that the serial number is 13 ?). The safety on the left side, in up position, allows you to pull trigger and fire, in the down position, the cylinder will not advance nor hammer drawback. As you can see a S&W 32 cal is to big. So that is all I know now of what this gun is. The proof markings appear to be Oberndorf. The missing part I believe is called the Ejector Rod and Crane.
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FiveOretired
The proof marks are not "Oberndorf" marks, rather they are proof marks used by all the German Proof Houses after early 1893. They show the revolver underwent a Definitive( each chamber in cylinder fired with proof load) Proof, and a View Proof( which was a detailed inspection, after Definitive Proof). While the proofs are German, I wouldn't close my mind to it being an imported revolver proofed upon entering Germany. The cartridge for which it is chambered is likely the 320 Revolver cartridge. It is more like the 32 Colt( short), than the 32 S&W(short), which you tried. The 320 Revolver and 32 Colt both used a "heeled outside lubricated" bullet( as does the 22LR) with the case being about the same diameter as the bullet. On the other hand, the 32 S&W( and the Long version) uses an "inside lubricated bullet" and the case is larger in diameter than the bullet. This is why the cases for the ammo you have will not enter the chamber. There is not enough information for me to be able to positively ID the maker, maybe another member can. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
MikeComment
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Mike;
Thanks for the information, it helps a GREAT deal. I now have a trail to followComment
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Before WW1 there were many Revolvermacher in Zella - Mehlis who made such cheap handguns like your's. Parts for such guns were supplied by specialized makers like Alfred Schilling, who made cylinders for the trade. Such guns were sold not only by gunshops, but mail order houses, hardware stores and bicycle shops too. The makers usually remained anonymous. Serial numbering was not required. So I take the number 13 as an assembly number to keep parts sorted while filing and fitting a batch of like guns. Pre-WW1 catalogs like the 1908 Akah (available from the GGCA book store on this site)show many varieties of such guns. A revolver just like your's is shown on page 111 of the Akah 1908, called a "Constabulary - Revolver".Last edited by Axel E; 05-06-2018, 02:54 PM.Comment
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Hello
From a Johann Peterlongo ad (1899)
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No, I'm not suggesting your revolver is a Johann Peterlongo, Innsbruck, but the image was as close as I could get and it happened to be in an ad from that establishment. He offered them in calibers 7mm and 8mm.
EDIT: and he offered it as a "Selbstspanner-Constabulary-Revolver".
Kind regards
PeterComment
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Just the other, right side of the "Constbulary-Revolver" offered by Akah 1908 in .320 and .380 aka .32 and .38 Short Colt, left side shown there. From the 1890s on Peterlongo bought in most of there wares from Suhl and Zella-Mehlis.Originally posted by älgmule View PostComment
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