W. German Korth Sport Model 6″ .357 Magnum 9mm Combo Revolver & Box, 1988
SOLD FOR: $7175
LSB#: 221220CN003
Make: Korth
Model: Sport
Serial Number: 38110
Year of Manufacture: 1988 (JJ date code)
Caliber: Cylinders are included for .357 Magnum and 9mm Luger (9x19mm/9mm Parabellum)
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Fluted Swing-Out Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “.357 MAGNUM”. The right of the barrel lug is marked with a Kiel proof, eagle “N” proof and “JJ” date code. The right of the frame is marked “MADE IN W. GERMANY / WAFFENFABRIK KORTH / RATZEBURG/LBG”. The sideplate is marked with a Korth logo. The crane cut is marked “38110” and with an eagle “N” proof. One crane is marked “110 / Korth / 357 Mag.”, the other is marked “110 / Korth / 9mm Para”. The rear face of the cylinders and ejector stars are marked “1 1 0” and the cylinders have Kiel and eagle “N” proofs. The right of the barrel is import-marked “BEEMAN PRECISION ARMS Inc. / SANTA ROSA, CA 95403
Barrel Length: 6”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a ramped blade pinned to the barrel’s ventilated rib. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base screwed to the topstrap. The top of the sight base and rib are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered wood Target Stocks with a thumb-shelf on the left panel for a right-handed shooter. The grips have no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, this bore rates a 10 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 99% of its metal finish. There is no notable wear or damage, only light handling marks. There are some scattered spots of stubborn dried grease from the packaging. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder locks with barely perceptible play on each chamber. The double action trigger pull is smooth, the single action is 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: This revolver comes in a two-piece Korth box with serial-matching label, the additional 9mm cylinder, Korth manual, Beeman importer paperwork and two copies of articles about Korth revolvers. The box lid has tears at corners.
Our Assessment: “Die Stahlgewordene Präzision“, or in English “Steel Transformed into Precision”. This is the motto of Korth, and they have followed it relentlessly for more than 70 years, since founder Willi Korth set out to make the best revolver in the world. As Korth notes on their website: “Thanks to his basic design concept, refined and improved through many years of practical application, Willi Korth was able to design a revolver with a minimum of internal stress, vibration and recoil. Combined with his insistence on the best materials from the most reputable suppliers, the most careful assembly by hand-picked craftsmen and his personal inspection of every revolver that went out the door, he was able to produce a revolver that met his most stringent specifications. In those early days, who would have thought, that out of shockingly modest beginnings, a German revolver would one day be considered the best in the world? Considering the overwhelming competition from the American giants, no one gave him a ghost of a chance. Nonetheless, once the first pre-production samples had been unveiled, a grateful public accepted them with enthusiasm.”
Korth’s demanding specifications lead to quite limited production, with only a few hundred revolvers being made per year once full production was up and running. The revolvers were rugged, but beautiful, precise and durable. Some test revolvers had more than 100,000 rounds fired without a notable fall-off in precision or damage to the mechanism. They are known for being the ultimate in “buy once, cry once” for the avid revolver shooter.
This example, made in 1988, did not see that sort of extensive use. For all appearances, it was purchased and left in its box for the last 35 years. In absolutely Excellent condition, it is a combo set with serial-matching cylinders chambered for .357 Magnum and 9mm Parabellum, respectively. Both for the epic quality of a Korth and this example’s high condition, this is a wonderful find for the collector and revolver enthusiast, alike. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California -Bud
