[bayoned]

Hi,

I just bought a Dreyse, serial number 225224.

The grip serations are the diagonal version.

The left side of the frame is marked "7P70".
In addition, next to the hinge pin there is a stylized logo that is composed of the letters "CRS" and the number to the right of the "CRS" is "22".
The intertwinned letters form a triangle, with the letter "R" being the middle-top of the triangle.

In the bottom of the brown unmarked leather holster was a crumpled scrap of paper that reads "Ryan, E.J. Co. I 387th Inf."

It's magazine is from a Frommer-STOP.

My questions....
When was it made?
What do the frame markings indicate?

And, yes, I need an original Dreyse magazine.

Regards, Ned

 

[Jan]

Your pistol was bought in 1922 by Czechoslovak government and used in Czech Army. The RCS (R is a little bit higher tan C and S) means Republika Cesko - Slovenska. 7 P 70 is unit marking ane means 7th Infantry Regiment , weapon number 70. 7th Infantry Regiment "Tatransky" was located in Nitra, Slovakia. Commanding officer in 1922 was Lt/Col. Josef VANA.

 

[bayoned]

Wow !
What information, and detailed at that! Very cool.
How many Dreyse pistols were ordered in that contract?
Regards, Ned

 

[Jan]

Czech army contract was placed for 4797 pistols Dreyse 1907, 887 pistols Ortgies 7,65 mm and 1975 pistols Ortgies 9 mm.

 

[Greg G]

Ned,
I have a Dreyse 1907 that is a sibling to yours. Mine has the RCS(Looks like CRS)and "22" stamp on the right side above the trigger guard. On the left side is stamped, 23 P. 192., which I assume is the 23rd Infantry Regiment, weapon number 192. The serial number is 229053. It's good to hear of another one turning up.

 

[Jan]

Mine is 229300. In late twenties were all the Dreyses sold to public. Partialy were they sold with army acceptance markings, partially were the markings overstamped (done by TECHNA company, Prague) with concentric rings and unit markings were crossed out.

 

[bayoned]

I re-read my original post, and realized that I made a mistake.
The markings are on the RIGHT side of the pistol, not the left as I had indicated.
The only markings on the left are the "N" proofs, and the manufacturer's legend.
It's a neat piece.

Anyone have an original magazine they'd like to sell?
BTW, how do I open the pistol using the hinge? (My first Dreyse)
Regards, Ned

 

[Ron Wood]

To open the hinge, push/hold the little rectangular button on the rear of the frame to the right and lift up on the rear of the receiver.

 

[oldsarge]

Dreyse 1907 info needed

Hi, I'm a newbie to this board and am hoping someone might be able to give me a little help..

I have recently acquired a 1907 Dreyse pistol, serial number 225633.
It appears to be a 2nd Variant model, but with a 1st Variant slide inscription on the left side. On the left side of the frame over the trigger guard is stamped 3J155. This stamping seems to have been done over a set of numbers that were there originally. The left side also has the Three Crown over N German proof marks appearing in the correct positions.
On the right side over the trigger guard is stamped the RCS symbol (Republika Cesko-Slovenska) and a number 22 which I believe represents the year 1922, the year the pistol was purchased by the Czech Army from ???.
The pistol and holster were liberated from a German officer by a US GI in western Germany in 1944, and brought back by him as war souveniers.

My questions regarding this piece are:
(1) What Czech Regiment was this weapon issued to in 1922, where was the Regiment located, and who was its Commander?
(2) Earlier posted research of Jan Balcar's indicates 4,797 of these Deryse pistols were purchased by the Czech Army as part of an arms contract that also included 887-7.65 Ortgies pistols and 1,975-9mm Ortgies pistols. Who were these arms purchased from?
(3) How did this pistol get from Czechoslovia to Germany where it was utilized by a German officer in 1944?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Bill

 

[oldsarge]

Hi Jan,
Would you be willing to share a little of your expertise regarding a 1907 Deryse pistol?
See my recent post for more details. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
–Bill (oldsarge)

 

[Greg G]

Bill,
In R.J. Berger's book, Know Your Czechoslovakian Pistols, he has a list of unit letter designations and he states that the letter J represents Cavalry Regiment (until January 1, 1936).

This partly answers your question. I have no information on Regiment number 3. I don't think Jan Balcar has posted here for a long time. There is a guy, AndyB, from Slovakia that posts mostly on the main Gunboards that may have the information you are looking for.

Good luck and nice find on the Czech military accepted Dreyse.

 

[oldsarge]

Greg-
Thanks very much for the reply and the information. It really helps and is greatly appreciated.
I'll try to run down R.J. Berger's book for further reference, and will re-post my quiry on the main gunboard in the hopes that Jan Balcar's and/or AndyB's expertise might provide some additional answers.
Regards, Bill