Mystery Handgun-can you help ID it?

[FSM]

My friend recently opened a lockbox that belonged to her late father, in it was this handgun which I've never seen before. I have not had the opportunity to see it in person, but based on the markings she believes it may be German or Austrian.


Assuming I can figure out how to include the picture, can anyone help me identify it. Thanks!

 

[XxWINxX94]

Can you make out what the letters say on the slide? That might be a little more helpful.

Otherwise I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me will be able to identify it.

 

[Jim Watson]

You show an Ortgies pistol made by Deutsche Werke in Erfurt, Germany.
This was a popular pocket pistol, with a good number made even though only in production from 1919 til 1924.
Yours appears to have a short butt and therefore may be a .25 calibre, and will be marked 6.35mm on the barrel at the ejection port. If it is just camera perspective, the .32 (7.65mm) is more common, and there were some .380s (9mm Kurz.)
Read up at:
http://ortgies.net/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ortgies_Semi-Automatic_Pistol

Looks like it was in exellent shape until it was put away and neglected to rust.

 

[Ron James]

Very tactful Jim, I was going to say it is what is left of a Ortgies pistol. If you clean it up, there's no reason it can''t be fired. Be aware there are a couple of small design flaws with these guns. Don't ever carry it in your pocket with a chambered round. It could very well mess up your day. These guns are not uncommon, a large number were dumped on the American market in the 1930's.

 

[awgrizzly]

The Ortgies is a fascinating gun. It's made without a single screw, just pins and snaps together. There is a trick to taking it apart and putting it back together (you can damage it if you do not do it correctly), and DO NOT try to pry off the grips. There is a grip release inside the mag well that must be pressed, and the grips pop off. Prying will surely break them. Do not dry fire it without a snap cap, dowel or pencil in the barrel. The striker is prone to damage from dry firing. It protrudes a long way outside the bolt because it doubles as an ejector. They aren't typically worth a whole lot, maybe $300 in good condition, but yours is a high polished nickle plated and might be fairly valuable. Here's a link to some information on it. http://ortgies.net/ortgies0015.htm Do a bit of googling to find out more.

 

[FSM]

Guys,

Thank you for the ID and all the helpful links.