Wilhelm Foerster Berlin .22 LR Single Shot Target Free Pistol 1893-1939 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1426

LSB#: 210629JS14

Make: Wilhelm Foerster

Model: Single Shot Target Pistol

Serial Number: None.

Year of Manufacture: 1893-1939

Caliber: .22 Long Rifle

Action Type: Break-Action Single Shot Rimfire Target Pistol with Extractor

Markings: The top of the barrel is marked “W. FOERSTER, BERLIN”. The bottom is marked “AK / 4”, crowned “B”, “U” and “G”, “5.3 m/m” and with a branch which may be a trademark. The left of the barrel is marked “0.2gr N.G.P. M/71 / 1,8 grBl.”. The left of the frame is marked “D.R.G.M.”. The right of the frame has crowned “B” and “U”.

Barrel Length: 13”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a replaceable blade in-line dovetailed into a textured, ramped base fixed to the barrel. The blade has a red bead. The rear sight is a white outlined “U”-notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base dovetailed to the rear of the barrel.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are three-piece wood with forend, two-piece checkered grips, thumb-shelf and palm-shelf for a right-handed shooter, and the right grip panel extends forward to cover a portion of the trigger guard on the right. There are some scattered minor nicks and scratches. There is discoloration at some edges, most notable at the bottom-rear of the forend and around the grip cap on the bottom of the right panel. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good-Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at most edges. Most of the balance is handling wear in the grip areas. There is some operational wear on the frame from the levers and extractor. There are a few other scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this handgun rates in Very Good-plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lever on the right opens the action. The lever on the left cocks the action. The trigger is light and crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: 

-Wood presentation case. The case has a lock, but no key is included.

Our Assessment: This is a single-shot target pistol made by Wilhelm Foerster, a Hofbüchsenmacher based in Berlin who made all sorts of guns in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. This pistol has features of early Free Pistols, with a long barrel and sight radius, ergonomic grip, and adjustable trigger. It should still make for a great shooter with its strong bore and mechanics. It will also make a great addition to a collection of early rimfire target pistols, especially with its nice display case. Please see our photos and good luck!