Dreyese 1907: Berlin Police

[NinerMaine]

I picked this up this past week-end. I wasn't sure what the markings were but Don Maus over at the Jan C. Luger boards helped me out. The pistol is heavily pitted, hence it was cheap, but the bore is very good and it functions perfectly. It is the first Dreyse 1907 I have come across so snagged it until I can find one in better condition. But I like the history of the markings and so will most likely just keep it when I find a better one. It came with the holster which is missing the mag pouch.

The markings indicate is served with the Berlin Criminal Police (PPB) during the Weimer Republic with the plain cloths detectives (IV). After the Nazi's took over the Weimer markings were stuck out and the new KB (Criminal Police Berlin) marking was added. My favorite parts about getting a new milsurp is the research and then understanding the design. Like the CZ 38, this pistol also has the slide hinged to the frame and flips up for disassembly. A very interesting and strange looking pistol. Thanks for looking.

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[JuergenG]

Gotta love these ugly ducklings

 

[USMA-82]

Must be Dreyse month this month - I picked one up from GB too! Will post more pictures as soon as it shows up.

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[majspud]

On my list; I know where three are. Thinking of one for Christmas.

MS

 

[JuergenG]

Attaboy!
Here's mine

@USMA-82
Yours is a late one, as the manufacturer is shown as "Rheinmetall". The earlier ones are
marked "Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik / Abt. Sömmerda" (mine is).
Also, your appears to have been exported as she carries the mark "Germany".

 

[NinerMaine]

Thanks for sharing gentlemen. It is interesting to see the variations. Jeurgen, I noticed that your grip cuts on the slide are different than USMA's and mine. Ours are angled and yours are vertical. Mine is an earlier model as well as yours but I am wondering if yours is even earlier. What is your serial number? Mine is 222xxx.

USMA... I read somewhere in researching this pistol that these were never imported. So I think your import mark is interesting. I am going to try and find the website where I read that so I can post it.

I also ordered Liang's book, The Berlin Police Force in the Weimar Republic. so I can read up on the history of this pistol and understand the organisation that this pistol served with.

 

[USMA-82]

Here's one short article from one of my favorite websites:

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/07Dreyse/07dreyse.html

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[JuergenG]

Mine is an earlier model as well as yours but I am wondering if yours is even earlier. What is your serial number?

197,xxx, said to be made in ca. 1913.
Dunno where I had gotten the info from at the time.

 

[NinerMaine]

I have done a lot of reading on the 1907 over the past couple of days. I started with the article that USMA provided then read a lot of posts on GB and other websites. There are a lot of variations on this pistol design and not a lot of real good documentation. It is a very interesting pistol I will have to keep my eye out for more. Thanks for the help.

Niner