spiker44
Member
Does anyone know the history of what I have and what it might be worth? It is a Steyr 1918 with all matching numbers. I also have a captured enemy equipment certificate. I have attached a few photo's. Thanks
Please Help Idenify
- Thread starter spiker44
- Start date
- Status
It is the Steyr Hahn ("Steyr hammer" model), adopted by the Austrian army as the Model 1911. The original chambering is the 9mm Steyr, a longer round than the 9mm Luger, but equivalent in power. The 9mm Steyr is similar to the 9mm Largo, but I do not consider them interchangeable.
The gun is a locked breech, recoil operated pistol, operating by means of a rotating barrel, a perfectly good system. They are rugged and reliable pistols and were used throughout the old Austro-Hungarian Empire through two World Wars. Many were used by German police and reserve forces in WWII, and quite a few of those were rebarrelled to 9mm Parabellum (9mm Luger). Converted guns have an "08" on the side of the slide.
There are two somewhat weak points. One is that the recoil spring is a flat coil, which sometimes breaks; it can be replaced with a conventional round wire spring of the right diameter and tension. The second drawback is that to load efficiently requires a clip ("stripper" clip); otherwise it has to be loaded one round at a time, a slow process. Clips are available from time to time.
That gun appears to have been reblued, but they are scarce enough that it is still a desirable collector gun. They generally run from $300 to $600 depending on condition, but I see some for sale for more (though I suspect the seller won't get his inflated price). I would guesstimate yours at around $450, retail.
Jim
The gun is a locked breech, recoil operated pistol, operating by means of a rotating barrel, a perfectly good system. They are rugged and reliable pistols and were used throughout the old Austro-Hungarian Empire through two World Wars. Many were used by German police and reserve forces in WWII, and quite a few of those were rebarrelled to 9mm Parabellum (9mm Luger). Converted guns have an "08" on the side of the slide.
There are two somewhat weak points. One is that the recoil spring is a flat coil, which sometimes breaks; it can be replaced with a conventional round wire spring of the right diameter and tension. The second drawback is that to load efficiently requires a clip ("stripper" clip); otherwise it has to be loaded one round at a time, a slow process. Clips are available from time to time.
That gun appears to have been reblued, but they are scarce enough that it is still a desirable collector gun. They generally run from $300 to $600 depending on condition, but I see some for sale for more (though I suspect the seller won't get his inflated price). I would guesstimate yours at around $450, retail.
Jim
Kernel
Member
Check out this link to an short American Handgunner article:
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJF10/?page=75
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHJF10/?page=75
OP
OP
spiker44
Member
Thank you guys! A big help for sure.
gyvel
Member
At first glance, it is kinda hard to tell if the finish is original or not, but based on the excellent grips and condtion of some of the screws, I tend to think that the appearance of being reblued has been caused by the glare from the flash.
If you could take photos of the gun outside in natural daylight on a neutral gray background, it would be easier to tell. I tend to think that the finish is original, though.
If you could take photos of the gun outside in natural daylight on a neutral gray background, it would be easier to tell. I tend to think that the finish is original, though.
Jim Watson
Member
It is either in tip-top shape or has been reblued. The grips look good, hopefully it is original and worth a bit of money.
9mm Steyr is 9x23 straight cased, rimless.
9mm Bergman Bayard/Largo is 9x23 taper cased, rimless.
.38 Super is 9x23 straight cased, semirimmed.
RWS noncorrosive ammo was available for a long time.
If all that has been shot up, Starline says their .38 Super Comp, same as .38 Super except rimless, is good for loading Steyrs.
I have read of "tolerance stacking" in the safety catch. If it is not well fitted or is well worn, the gun can fire when the safety is disengaged. Check it out and be careful.
Otherwise, it is a fine example of a non-Browning full size service pistol.
9mm Steyr is 9x23 straight cased, rimless.
9mm Bergman Bayard/Largo is 9x23 taper cased, rimless.
.38 Super is 9x23 straight cased, semirimmed.
RWS noncorrosive ammo was available for a long time.
If all that has been shot up, Starline says their .38 Super Comp, same as .38 Super except rimless, is good for loading Steyrs.
I have read of "tolerance stacking" in the safety catch. If it is not well fitted or is well worn, the gun can fire when the safety is disengaged. Check it out and be careful.
Otherwise, it is a fine example of a non-Browning full size service pistol.
OP
OP
spiker44
Member
I know that I wont fire it. It was in the family since acquired and never worked on. Prior to that it was owned by the original owner and don't know if it was re-blued or not. I will take some more photos as suggested by Gyvel Thank you.
- Status