Sharp! August Schuler Reform Pistole .25 ACP 4-Barrel Pistol, 1907-1914 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4,151
LSB#: 231108DM072
Make: August Schuler
Model: Reform Pistole
Serial Number: 4583
Year of Manufacture: 1907-1914
Caliber: .25 ACP
Action Type: Single/Double Action Repeating Pistol with Four Superposed Barrels
Barrel Length: 3”, Vertically Stacked
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the top of the top barrel. The rear sight is a “U” groove milled into the top of the barrel set.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered black hard rubber. The grips have minor handling wear with some scattered small marks. There are some tiny losses around the edges. The checkering is well defined. There are no cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original. The serialized parts are matching.
Bore Condition: The bores are semi-bright with sharp rifling. There is some scattered light erosion in the bores. Just behind the muzzles, there are holes between the bottom bore and the 2nd from bottom, between the two middle bores, and between the top bore and 2nd from top. This facilitates ejection of the previous spent casing. The bores rate 7 out of 10.
Many military and C&R-eligible weapons have bores that will show erosion. This is not only due to age but to the fact that corrosive primers were commonly used in ammunition worldwide.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 95% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong with some edge-thinning and a few scattered minor marks. The action shows light operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The pin heads have light tool marking. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all previously owned firearms. A thorough cleaning may be required to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A black soft case is included with this item.
Our Assessment: This is one of the most unusual handguns around. Patented in 1904 by August Schuler, the Brevet (patent) Nr 177023 Reform Pistole was a design unto itself. Intended to provide similar firepower to contemporary pocket revolvers, it features four vertically stacked barrels which have a ratchet system at the chamber end interfacing with a pawl in the frame. It is very much like a double-action revolver with a straight cylinder that moves upward instead of rotating. The magazine/barrel assembly is loaded onto the frame from the top and seated to the bottom of the frame. The first pull of the trigger fires the top most barrel. The second pull of the trigger raises the barrel/magazine assembly so the second barrel can be fired. The spent casing from the top barrel is ejected with a gas blowback from the barrel beneath it and is deflected from the shooter by the hammer spur. The third barrel is fired by the next trigger pull and ejects the brass from the second barrel. The bottom barrel is fired next and ejects the brass from the third barrel. The spent casing is removed from the bottom barrel manually when the assembly is removed for reloading. The Reform Pistol was small, light and chambered in 25 ACP, a brand new round at the time which acquired almost immediate popularity.
This example is easily the highest condition we have seen. This pistol functions properly and is a spectacular piece. It is a great example of a perfectly satisfactory technology which did not survive the evolutionary rigors during the development of the modern handgun. This is an interesting conversation piece that will sit fine in a collection of early twentieth century pistols. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
