Two
1883 Reichsrevolver Pistols
used
by the East Asian Expeditionary Corps
The 1879 Reichsrevolver was
introduced for officers and mounted
troops in the Prussian army from 1879 onwards. In 1883 a
modified version was introduced with a shorter barrel. They
remained in use up until and during the First World War despite
being officially replaced from 1908 onwards by the Luger P08. The
1879 and 1883 revolvers were both single shot
weapons firing a 10.6mm round from a revolving magazine of six.
Both models were commonly used by the Schutztruppe and other
overseas troops.
This 1883
Reichsrevolver has two sets of unit markings. The first is "OA1
MK1" for "Ostasiatisches Field-Artillerie Regiment Batterie 1
Muntionskolonne 1." (East Asian Artillery Regiment, 1st Battery,
1st Munitions Supply Column). The second marking after it is a
later issue marking "143R.9.5.." for the 9th Company of the
143rd Lower Alsatian Infantry Regiment ("4. Unter-Elsässisches
Infanterie-Regiment. Nr.143") which served on the Western Front
during the First World War.
This 1883
Reichsrevolver has three sets of unit markings. Two are from
East Asian service- "1.O.R.4.3" (4th East Asian Infantry
Regiment, 4th Company) and "O.A.F.2.18" (2nd Battery, East Asian
Foot Artillery). The third is "M.G.A.1.30" for the 1st Machine
Gun Abteilung of the Prussian Army.As can be seen from other
markings it was made at Erfurt in 1894.