Romanian Steyr-Hahn Model 1912 9x23mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1913 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1150
LSB#: 211104DW17
Make: Steyr
Model: Steyr-Hahn Model 1912, Romanian Contract
Serial Number: 4976a
Year of Manufacture: Ca. 1913
Caliber: 9x23mm Steyr (NOT 9mm Luger)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Internal Magazine Fed by Stripper Clips
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “2642”, “4976”, STEYR1913?, at the rear with “M” in circle, and a large “S”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “4976a”. The left side of the frame is marked with “M” in circle. The right side of the frame is marked with a Romanian eagle proof at the trigger guard. The bottom-rear barrel lug is marked with a Romanian eagle “6916b”, the front lug is marked “B5”. The barrel has numbers hand-etched between the rear lug and the cam lug, but they are not easily read and do not appear to match the frame’s serial number. The bottom of the dust cover is import-marked “INTER ORDNANCE MONROE, NC / STEYR 1912 9MM STEYR AUSTRIA”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the front of the slide. The rear sight is a “V”-notch in the rear of the slide between its grasping ears.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black panels with smooth borders. The grips show handling wear with some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. The left panel has a gap to the frame at the top, the right is proud to the frame at the bottom. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good-Very Good condition as not original to the gun.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, the barrel and slide are not original to the frame.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with sharp rifling. There is light erosion scattered through the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its current metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered minor surface oxidation. There is some scattered erosion under the finish. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches, some under and some through the finish. Most notable are a series of nicks on the top-left of the slide next to the extractor. There are some tool marks under the finish on the left of the slide where a Romanian crest was removed. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Most remaining markings are clear, the original serial marking on the slide has been removed. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition as refinished.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. The trigger is a little heavy, but breaks crisply. 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: None.
Our Assessment: Borrowing features from both the Roth-Steyr 1907 and the Colt 1900-1911 series of pistols, the Steyr M1912 is a rotating-locking barrel, internal magazine semi-automatic pistol. The pistol is frequently referred to as the Steyr-Hahn or “Steyr Hammer” due to its external hammer. The pistol was an Austro-Hungarian sidearm during WWI with other contracts for sales to Chile and Romania. This example is from the Romanian contract and it was likely the Romanians who assembled it with its current slide and barrel during an arsenal refurbishment. The pistol is in Good-Very Good condition with 92% of its new finish remaining, a decent bore and strong mechanics. This Romanian contract Steyr-Hahn will make a nice addition to a collection. Please see our photos and good luck!