Description
6/26/26 - This is an antique German Reichsrevolver, manufactured by the Erfurt Arsenal in 1892. Early manufacture low serial number of 433, with no letter suffix. This is correct for the Erfurt contract, which began in December of 1891. This revolver was manufactured for the Prussian contract, as evidenced by the Prussian Eagle on the left side of the barrel in front of the serial number. It also shows a final acceptance stamp on the butt of the revolver and the correct inspector stamps on all major parts. This is an all-matching revolver, with the full serial number of 433 present on the barrel, frame, side plate, cylinder, loading gate, cylinder axis pin, hammer, and trigger. The last two digits of 33 are stamped on the small parts, including the grips, safety lever, and screws. The revolver is unit marked with "R.S.4.54." indicating Reserve Sanitats Kompagnie, a medical unit, which would explain why this revolver retains the original high polish charcoal blue. This M83 reichsrevolver retains the original high polish charcoal blue, which is now only commonly seen on officer's models M85 revolvers, as most M83 reichsrevolvers were rust blued when they were brought back in for servicing. The hammer, trigger, side plate screws, and cylinder axis pin correctly remain in the white. Mechanically functions fine, with timing and lockup excellent and showing no play in the cylinder. The bluing rates roughly 60%. The bore has good rifling, but there are spots of noticeable oxidation and pitting.
