Further to Ron's visual efforts and for the benefits of other viewers, please find enclosed a close-up of the right grip where the faintly visible stamp appears.
Otherwise, as they say in X-Files: "I want to believe".
Heinrich,
Considering your passion for Dutch revolvers, you may be interested in looking at one offered on the following website: http://www.joesalter.com/, at item 11889 under "New Arrivals" - watch out: numbers are in disorder. I wonder if this item is properly identified and if the price asked for corresponds to what would be paid for a similar revolver in Europe. Among other details of interest, one will find the famous wooden stamp on the right side of the grips...!
Please comment. Regards.
Bruno,
the offered Dutch revolver is the so called "New Model". It is not made in a "Hamburg" arsenal as mentioned by Joe Salter but in the Hembrug Artillery Plant, near Amsterdam.
My passion are not only the Dutch and German revolvers but all military revolvers.
If you would like to learn more on Dutch revolvers I recommend to acquire the book
"Die Militärrevolver der Niederlande 1856 - 1940", published 1998 and written by a certain
Heinrich Harder and Walter Dreschler, German language with summeries and captions in English.
Joe Salter's price seems to be ok.
On the attached photo you can see Dutch revolvers on the left two lines.
Heinrich,
This is a fascinating display (yours, I guess). Here in Canada, unless one owns some kind of a vault in his house, displaying handguns like in the good old time is now considered illegal. Unfortunately, my safe is too small to allow myself in it and be comfortable; I consider writing something about that in my last will!
The subject book appears on the Rutgers Book Centre (although on a 2005 updated inventory!). If I am not successful in obtaining it (or via "danantrim", as you suggested in an unburried message on the forum), maybe I could order it from the author with his friendly autograph...
Regards
Bruno,unfortunately I have only my own copy but you can get it from a Dutch book dealer.
Payment with Visa.
Look to www.zvab.com
Under "Author" put in "Harder Dreschler" and you have it.
I was given a copy of this excellent book as a thank-you for writing the access control application they use nowadays. Also had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Dreschler a while ago, nice knowledgable person.
Heinrich, I emailed your observation to Joe Salter concerning the origin of the Dutch revolver listed under New Arrivals. He replied: "Thanks Bruno and thanks to gunboards.com. I will change the info. Joe".
Done already.
I have just obtained a M.73 OM revolver in excellent condition. I was able to get the sideplate off easily but cannot remove the cylinder pin and cylinder. Can anyone tell me the correct way to it it?
Heinrich: I've tried both but it won't budge. I guess there is a 100+ years of hard grease holding it in place. Will see if a bit of solvent will loosen it up. Many thanks.
Paul,
I don't think I was ever able to get it off. I'm out of the country this week and my notes on the gun are back in N.C. I'll try to talk with you after June 8.
Tim
Hi, I was so lucky as to buy a M.73 OM last week and I am extremely happy with it. There is something I don't understand though: it's a P. Stevens, Maastricht, made M.73 OM, serial number no. 18XX. The inspection mark that's all over it is a crown over S, which - according to the standard work ""Die Militärrevolver der Niederlande" of our senior board member Heinrich - belongs to inspector Stratemaker, but from the book I had the impression that he was not active during the Stevens period, but inspector S. Fraikin.
Also the maker's mark P.Stevens is not visible, just "Maastricht". Could it be that the revolver has had a total overhaul? It does have the circled "W".
Finally, when I tried to give the gun a first cleaning, I cannot seem to unscrew the grip screw. Does anyone have a good suggestion to loosen it?
Thanks,
Hans
Hi, I was so lucky as to buy a M.73 OM last week and I am extremely happy with it. There is something I don't understand though: it's a P. Stevens, Maastricht, made M.73 OM, serial number no. 18XX. The inspection mark that's all over it is a crown over S, which - according to the standard work ""Die Militärrevolver der Niederlande" of our senior board member Heinrich - belongs to inspector Stratemaker, but from the book I had the impression that he was not active during the Stevens period, but inspector S. Fraikin.
Also the maker's mark P.Stevens is not visible, just "Maastricht". Could it be that the revolver has had a total overhaul? It does have the circled "W".
Finally, when I tried to give the gun a first cleaning, I cannot seem to unscrew the grip screw. Does anyone have a good suggestion to loosen it?
Thanks,
Hans
Yes Hans, your M/73 was overhold as so many during their long service time. The circled W confirms it.
The inspector's list is probably not completely. In case of illness or other reasons it could be possible that Fraikin did make this job for a time.
Grip screw:
First you should put a bit of "Brunox" on the screw head and on the other side where the thread is visible. This is a high viscous fluid that penetrates into the thread. Unfortunately not in every case.
The second method is to warm up the right grip inset (NL: greepkoker) with a copper pipe or bold with a bore. At this job it is important to avoid burning the wood.
I'm living not far from the Dutch border and perhaps you can come over. Send me a private message if you want.
Heinrich
Sorry for my late reply, Heinrich and thank you very much for your information and the tips on the removal of the grips. A PM is on its way!
Thanks,
Hans
A community dedicated to Lugers, Central Powers, Axis, Allied and related WW-I and WW-II pistols by their scholars, collectors, owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about the history, technology and extraordinary background associated with these design masterpieces.