Austrian Steyr-Hahn Model 1912 9x23mmS Semi-Automatic Pistol, MFD 1917 C&R
SOLD FOR: $1206
LSB#: 210612TP57
Make: Steyr
Model: Steyr-Hahn Model 1912
Serial Number: 5470s
Year of Manufacture: 1917
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 “5470s”, “STEYR 1917?, and at the rear with “K” (Kontroll inspection stamp) and a large “S”. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “5470s”. The right side of the trigger guard is marked with “W-n” (Wiener-Neustadt), Austrian eagle and “17”. The groove in the left side of the frame at the muzzle is marked “2”, the right is marked “K” and the notch at the rear of the recoil-spring slot is marked “20”. The bottom of the magazine release, the left of the safety, left face of the hammer, top of the magazine follower, and the left of the lanyard ring are each marked “K”. The left side of the lanyard ring is also marked with an Austrian eagle. The bottom-rear barrel lug is marked “K” and “5470s”.
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 wood panels with smooth borders. The panels have been painted black. The grips show light handling wear with some scattered nicks, scuffs and compressed checkers. The checkering is generally well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Very Good condition as refinished.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright and the rifling is sharp. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore and a line of stubborn dried grease which should come out with some solvent and a patient cleaning.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 65% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is handling wear in the grip areas and some other scattered finish wear consistent with holster use. There are scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most worn areas show discoloration from oxidation and there is infrequent light erosion. The action shows operational wear. The markings are clear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. Overall, this pistol is in Good-Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly and the slide is tight to the frame. 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 was made in 1917 and was issued to the Austrian Wiener-Neustadt Land District in 1917. Many of the pistols were re-chambered for 9mm Luger in the 1940s for use by local police forces under the Nazi regime, while this example has not been converted, and still retains its original finish. The pistol is in Good-Very Good condition with 65% of its original finish remaining, a nice bore and strong mechanics. This pistol is in good shape for having survived inter-war Austria, Anschluss and a world war, though it would likely not have seen any front-line action. This variation should be a big hit with collectors of WWI era pistols, especially with its matching numbers. Please see our photos and good luck!