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.
 

 

 

 
 
1883 Reichsrevolver from the East Asian Foot Artillery Column Photos © Dow Cross
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.

1883 Reichsrevolver from the East Asian Foot Artillery and the 1st East Asian Infantry Photos © Dow Cross

   
  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.
   
Recommended Extenal Links-
Wikipedia page on the 1879 Reichsrevolver
Waffen Sammler page on the 1879 Reichsrevolver
Waffen Sammler page on the 1883 Reichsrevolver

 

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