Austria-Hungary Roth Krnka M1907 8x18mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1911 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1528.01
LSB#: 210722TS59
Make: Fegyvergyár (Fegyver- és Gépgyártó Részvénytársaság “Arms and Machine Manufacturing Company”)
Model: Roth-Steyr (Krnka) Model 1907
Serial Number: 701
Year of Manufacture: 1911
Caliber: 8x18mm Roth
Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol with Internal Magazine Fed by Stripper Clips
Markings: The top of the barrel jacket is marked “FEGYVERGYAR BUDAPEST”. The right of the frame is marked “701. The rear face of the frame is marked “W.n”, Hapsburg eagle and “11”. The front of the barrel bushing, the rear of the cocking knob and the slide release are each marked “R”.
Barrel Length: 5”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade dovetailed into the front of the barrel jacket. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the frame’s stripper-clip guide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece serrated wood panels. The grips have light handling wear with some scattered nicks, dings, scuffs and scratches. There is discoloration between the serrations. The serrations are generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is sharp. There is light erosion scattered through though most prominent in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 68% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is finish wear along each side of the barrel jacket. There are some scattered light nicks, scratches and scuffs. There is light surface oxidation throughout the various surfaces. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. 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: Adopted in 1907 by the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry, the Roth-Steyr M1907 was actually designed by Karel Krnka, an employee of Georg Roth. The pistol has a very interesting mechanism, operating via short-recoil and locking via a rotating barrel. The bolt telescopes over the breech of the barrel, all contained within a barrel jacket integral to the frame. The pistol was specially designed to have the striker mostly cocked by depressing the trigger at the behest of the Austrian Cavalry, so that it would not be fired accidentally around horses. This predates Glock’s “safe-action” design by a few decades. This example was made in 1911 in Hungary. This pistol survived the Great War better than most, and will make a great addition to a WWI small arms collection. Please see our photos and good luck!