Austrian Steyr-Hahn Model 1912 9x23mmS Semi-Automatic Pistol C&R 1918
SOLD FOR: $711
WOA#: WY231219RT001
Make: Steyr Arms
Model: Steyr-Hahn Model 1912 (M1912)
Serial Number: NSNV
Year of Manufacture: 1918
Caliber: 9x23mm Steyr
Action Type: Single action semi-auto pistol with an internal 8 round charger clip fed magazine.
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with a small faint “S”, which used to read “Steyr” and the year of production, and a large “S”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “4”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked with the Austrian acceptance mark: “W-n” imperial eagle “18”. The underside of the barrel key is marked with an arrow. There are small “k” Austrian inspection marks on the rear left side of the slide, the left side of the frame, the safety, the left side of the hammer, the bottom of the slide release, the top of the magazine follower, and the left side of the lanyard loop. The left side of the lanyard loop is also marked with an imperial eagle.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the top of the slide. The rear sight is a v-notch in the rear of the slide between two serrated ears.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood panels with smooth borders. The grips show heavy wear with scattered nicks, scuffs and compressions. There is a chunk of wood missing from the front of the left side panel. The checkering is visible but smooth to the touch. Overall, the grips are in about Fair condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is semi-bright and the rifling is sharp. There is moderate erosion in the bore.
In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide. For example, the U.S. used corrosive ammunition throughout WWII. The U.S. military did not begin to phase out corrosive-primed ammunition until the 1950s.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 40% of its metal finish. There are scuffs and scratches throughout the metal surfaces. The finnish is thinning in most places. There is handling wear on the slide. The factory name and production year on the slide have been scratched out, as has the original serial number on the trigger guard. There are areas of oxidation on the frame, trigger, exterior of the barrel, and the interior surfaces of the slide. The screw heads show light to moderate use. The markings that remain are legible. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None
Our Assessment: The Steyr-Hahn Model 1912, known as the M1912 in Austro-Hungarian service, was not accepted into Austrian service when it was initially tested. Instead, the Austrians decided to stick with the Roth–Steyr M1907. Steyr was forced to look elsewhere to profit off their new design, which they found in Chile and Romania. Romania ordered the largest number of Model 1912s, but the contract was not complete by the start of the First World War in the summer of 1914. When the war started, Austria-Hungary was short on handguns. Desperate to fill this hole, they turned to Steyr who freed up M1912s that were originally intended for Romania. Steyr would continue to produce the M1912 until the conclusion of the war. One of the most interesting aspects of the M1912 is that it does not have a detachable magazine. Instead, it is loaded from the top via charger clips. This example was made, or at the very least accepted into Austrian service, in 1918. The original serial number, model name, and production year were scratched off at some point (the missing serial number is okay due to the age of the handgun). The left grip is missing a large chunk of wood at its front. The metal retains some of its finish, though most of what remains is thinning. The slide’s interior could do with a thorough cleaning, but the bore is in pretty good shape considering its age. This would fit into any Austro-Hungarian or First World War collection. Please see our photos.
-99
