WWI Austrian Steyr Roth Krnka M1907 8x18mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1913 C&R
SOLD FOR: $4475
LSB#: 220302MP001
Make: Waffenfabrik Steyr
Model: Roth-Steyr (Krnka) Model 1907
Serial Number: 22464
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: 8x19mm Roth(also referred to as 8x18mm)
Action Type: Striker-Fired Semi-Auto Pistol with Internal Magazine Fed by Stripper Clips
Markings: The top of the barrel jacket is marked “WAFFENFABRIK STEYR”. The right of the frame is marked “22464′. The rear face of the frame is marked “W-n”, Austrian eagle and “9”. The front of the barrel bushing, the rear of the cocking knob and the ammunition release are each marked “K”.
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, scuffs and scratches. The serrations are well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Very Good condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is infrequent minor erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at some edges. There is some minor wear along the left side of the barrel sleeve and some scattered minor nicks, scuffs and scratches. Most of the balance is in scattered spots of minor surface oxidation. The action shows operational wear. The screw head is tool marked with a strong slot. The markings are clear. Overall, this pistol is in Very Good-Fine 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: This pistol comes with a lanyard, 1st pattern leather flap-holster with ammo pouch, three stripper clips, a leather belt with brass buckle and 80 rounds of 8x19mm Roth-Steyr cartridges. The holster and belt show scattered wear. The holster has some fraying and tears at edges with infrequent broken stitches. The belt has som light fraying and appears to have been re-stitched where the buckle attaches. The buckle has some discoloration and wear, marked on the face with a crown over an anchor and leaves along the sides. We were not able to determine the source of the belt buckle. The ammunition shows scattered discoloration and corrosion. The stripper clips function properly, but do show some scattered surface oxidation.
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 pre-dates Glock’s “safe-action” design by a few decades. This example was made in 1909 and comes with a nice rig. Not only does it include a first pattern leather holster, not only does it come with 80 rounds of ammunition, it comes with not one, not two, but three quite scarce original stripper-clips. 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!