one more: please help identify single-shot target pistol

[ddeanjohnson]

Okay, one more mystery pistol for today. As explained in my two earlier posts, I've been developing an interest in old German pistols, single shots and revolvers. I don't know much yet, so I keep encountering pistols that I cannot identify with my scanty reference sources. The pistol shown in the photos here is one that I am considering purchasing. The current owner says that it will chamber a .22 Short but not a .22 LR. Can anyone offer any information on who manufactured it, and approximately when?

Any comments on market value would also be appreciated, if it does not violate any rule of this forum.

D. Dean Johnson

[Axel E]

A very similar pistol called "Stern-Pistole" = star pistol is shown in the 1908 AKAH wholesale catalog. Note that your pistol conforms to the SP1 model, while the catalog picture shows the upgrade SP2 with double set trigger, foreend and thumbrest. Such target pistols were mostly made by the Zella-Mehlis guntrade, sort of a cottage industry.

[ddeanjohnson]

This is just what I need. I see that the catalog lists the caliber as "6 mm = 22 Winch." Any opinions on whether it is safe to fire modern .22 Shorts in this pistol? The proof markings are as follows:

0,2 N.G.P. M/71
1,8 gr BL

[Axel E]

The pistol was proofed for a 28gr lead bullet (1.8gramm Blei) and .2 gramm of the improved blackpowder M71. This was the German load for the .22 long. But on another page the catalog calls the then new-fangled in Germany .22LR bp load "22 Winchester", as it was imported from the USA. Again, if the .22lr standard velocity rounds chamber, I would use them.