Reichsrevolver

[Major Matt Lewis]

All this talk of a Commission Rifle, really got me worked up about a Reichsrevolver.  For the past week, I wanted to make a purchase.  I first looked at a MAS 49-56 in .308 but somebody out bid me at the very last second.  They I looked at a Commission Rifle, and still may jump on it, but tonight, I saw this little gem and the boss left the decision up to me.  We, especially she, knows what that meant.  I had to do it!  I look forward to slowly over time building a persona for a German Soldier serving in Southwest Africa.  Herr Hauptman!

[pony express]

Congratulations! Looks good. Probably a much better decision than a converted '49/56(Those don't have a reputation for working well, unlike the ones in the original 7.5 caliber)

edit #1 Here's something to go with it:
http://www.hessenantique.com/Imperial_German_South_West_Afrika_Slouch_Hat_p/heih011.htm


Edit#2 Also, from what I have read on it, Schutztruppen in Africa carried 1871/84  Mausers right up to and including WW1. They did manage to get a shipload of '98 Mausers through the blockade during WW1, but as ammunition ran out they went back to the old 71/84s or to captured weapons. Colonial troops weren't on the priority list for the most modern weapons, and anyway, a blackpowder repeating rifle still had the advantage over spears!

[Pitspitr]

Well, now that you have the revolver maybe you should run up to Lincoln. It's, what, only a couple of hours for you, right? At a minimum you ought to at least call them about that commission rifle.

[Major Matt Lewis]

I think a Commission Rifle would be a better value for the money.  Not to mention, you can go smokeless in it. 

Jerry, do you have contact information on the store in Lincoln?  I did say slowly. That is important here.

[Pitspitr]

Nebraska Gun
http://www.nebraskagun.com/

Phone : 402-477-9822

Address : 302 So Antelope Valley Pkwy "On the corner of 19th and M"
Lincoln Nebraska 68510

[River City John]

Beautiful revolver, Richard. I've always loved the looks of the Reichsrevolver.

We're going to have quite a South Afrikan contingent.

RCJ

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Here are some links;

http://www.germanguns.com/upload/faq.php

http://forums.gunboards.com/forum.php?

http://luger.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?12-REICHS-REVOLVERS-AND-ACCESSORIES (requires separate reg;n/login)

[1961MJS]

Hi

I'm a bit of a history buff (unlike the rest of y'all) 

I read this years ago and suggest if if you're going to do Africa.

The Great War in Africa: 1914-1918 by Byron Farwell.

His other books are also very good.  The Germans did VERY well with Very little during the war. The Germans sent a ship with supplies, which the British sank.  The entire cargo was packed in water tight containers so it was all salvaged.  I think that there's also a story about a Royal Navy Commander who's uniform included a dress. 

Later

[Charles Isaac]

Wow! A Reichsrevolver! I've never heard of anyone shooting one of those till now!

You plan on using that as a main match handgun? It would be pretty cool if you could pull off a fast reload with one of those!

That one's a really nice one!

[Major Matt Lewis]

Likely won't be at the GAF Match this year, if I can make it.  I have a load worked up.  I need to pick up a Commission Rifle and work up a load.  If I were to shot it in CAS, I would need to buy another.  My guns have to match for interoperability.  All that said, if they worked well for CAS, they could run in SASS because the lack of reloads.  If there is a reload, this is usually just one round.  But all that said, I would have to commit to a Black Powder Category.  That would mean purchasing a lever gun in .44-40.  Anyway, I am looking forward to a nice fun pistol.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Reichsrevolvers are knuckle-busters. The trigger guard seems not well placed for me at least.

[Charles Isaac]

That trigger guard does look a little too close to the grip Sir Charles.

What diameter bullet are you using?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

That trigger guard does look a little too close to the grip Sir Charles.

What diameter bullet are you using?

The chamber mouths go .440 - .445".  COTW3d Ed. says bullet diameter is .426. I use the largest diameter that I can get into a Starline .44 Russ. case, usually .429 - .430.

[WaPrüf2]

Reichsrevolvers actually issued to the KSDSWA will be marked K.S. (number) along the backstrap (M83s) or on the buttcap (M79s).
They are extremely rare in the U.S.; the only one (an M83) I've ever seen shows heavy use. Rifles would be marked the same.
I know of no use of M71/84s uin the colnies during WWI. Jäger versions of the M71 rifle were extensively used by native troops; some were fitted with ejectors ca. 1909. B71s  would be unit-marked on the buttcap; actual Schutztruppe specimens are not common here and the ejector-added versions are downright rare in the US. The Germans were unhappy with the smoke generated with the M71 ammo and experimented with a semismokeless powder for colonial use beginning in 1909. The KSDOA (East Africa) was the last to surrender and when they did they were armed primarily with arms captured from the Brits or Portuguese.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

WaPruf2;  Thanks for joining in. As you probably have noticed there is interest in German arms and equipment on this board. Someone with your obvious level of knowledge will fit right in.

I have an M88/14. If I had the opportunity to compete in GAF, I would portray a member of the Scandinavian Korps in the Anglo/Boer War as the M88 was issued to them. The Captain had been a Swedish Officer and I don't know if he kept his Nagant service revolver. I've got it covered as I have both a Reichsrevolver and a Russian Nagant (An approved substitute for a Swedish Nagant?)

http://www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/boer-units/1955-scandinavian-corps

[Major Matt Lewis]

Yeah, the trigger guard does look a little close, but I can make a pair of 1851 Navies run pretty good with the square trigger guard and they are a bit cramped back by the grip.  I am getting ready for the revolver to show up.  I ordered 500 pieces of brass, some Meister Bullets (.44 caliber 200 grain, 429 diameter).  So I am looking forward to seeing it show up.  I did ask my wife to get me a Commission Rifle for Christmas.  That may or may not bare fruit.  That all said, I love exotic pistols.

One could say "I'm Super Excited!"   

[Drydock]

Just fyi, but the standard handgun round count for a skirmish run used in the grand muster is 5 to 7 rounds.  Usually the only time you'll need to reload the handgun is if you miss. (Amazing how often that happens!) Emphasis is on Rifle reloads.  Or you can simply shoot rifle only if you so desire.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Just fyi, but the standard handgun round count for a skirmish run used in the grand muster is 5 to 7 rounds.  Usually the only time you'll need to reload the handgun is if you miss. (Amazing how often that happens!) Emphasis is on Rifle reloads.  Or you can simply shoot rifle only if you so desire.

That's a relief, as there is no on-board extractor on the Reichsrevolver

[pony express]

WaPruf2 got me to checking my sources about rifles used in the colonies, and sure enough, on GermanColonial Uniforms website, they do state that GEW88s and some Kar88swere used by some Shutztruppen in Africa, I had read somewhere that they were not. I think it was on Axis History Forum, but they are currently offline from server problems, so I can't check there.

[Major Matt Lewis]

The 88 is mentioned being used against the Herero in 1904 per this reference: 

http://www.savageandsoldier.com/articles/africa/GermanWars.html

The Abushiri Rebellion of 1888 could stand more looking into.