POTD: A Real Genuine Treasure – Steyr 1912 Prototype
Sam.S 06.12.24
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This Steyr 1912 Prototype with serial number 1 markings is an exceptionally significant firearm. As a Steyr 1912 Prototype, this represents one of the earliest working examples produced as Steyr finalized the design prior to going into production. While the Steyr 1912 Prototype incorporated the same rotating barrel and 9x23mm Steyr cartridge as the later manufactured models, it exhibits two key prototype-specific deviations. The small parts and screws feature a nitre blued straw-color finish, differing from standard bluing. Additionally, the front lower grip strap has an extended protruding frame section not found on the production pistols. These details confirm this Steyr 1912 Prototype’s origins as a pioneering pre-production model from the pivotal development phase of this historically influential semi-automatic pistol design in the years before World War I. As potentially the number 1 Steyr 1912 Prototype made, it is an exceptionally rare and important surviving artifact.
“This is an outstanding, serial number 1, example of a super rare, highly desirable, original 1912 dated Steyr-Hahn Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol. The Steyr Hahn was originally introduced as a commercial pistol, but was quickly adopted by the Austro-Hungarian, Chilean, and Romanian militaries. This design was actually very unique, in that it has a solid milled frame with an internal non-detachable magazine loaded via stripper clips through the top of the gun. It is a blow-back operated design with a rigid frame, a rotating barrel, and chambered for the powerful 9 MM Steyr pistol cartridge that is slightly longer than a standard 9 mm Parabellum cartridge. The rear left side of the slide is marked “STEYR 1912” followed by, “MOD. 1911”, with a capital letter “S” stamped on the rear left end of the slide. There is a serial number “1” stamped on the left side of the frame and slide. The rear underside of the slide is also stamped “3589” which may have been a contract number. It has beautifully checkered walnut grips and a rust blued finish overall with the small parts and screw having a straw color. The front lower grip strap has a bumped out extension of the frame which is not found on the later production examples. An original example of an extremely rare, early Steyr-Hahn, serial number “1” semi-automatic pistol.”
Lot 491: Prototype Steyr-Hahn Model 1911 Serial Number “1” Pistol – Extremely Rare Prototype Steyr-Hahn Model 1911 Serial Number “1” Semi-Automatic Pistol. (n.d.-p). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved June 11, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4090/491/prototype-steyrhahn-model-1911-serial-number-1-pistol.
