mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-While inspecting an Arty Luger at a recent MD auction I noticed this tidy Dreyse M1907 with interesting markings. So took some photos and went home to get an education in the week leading up to the online sale. As things turned out the Arty Luger and 30 other lots were pulled from the auction due to a court injunction (I've sadly seen this happen now and again). So I was really focused on the Dreyse now.
-Found what I needed in information over on Jan Still's Gun Boards forum where collectors were entering Dreyse 1907 information for a dBase. Quickly realized that this was a rare piece and worth a serious bid. The most recent comp I could find online was a 2017 RIA lot that sold for just under $700 and it was in much rougher condition and a variation that's, while rare, is more commonly found. So put in a proper bid and she was mine for under $500 OTD.
-What makes this example so interesting is that it's Prussian Gendarme marked as denoted by the K.S. Gend. script. The first batch of 1907s built by RMM were marked in this fashion. Following the reported 700 piece run the standard production runs were marked with the Dreyse name. What makes this pistol even more interesting is that its SN isn't from the first 700, its in the 19K range and as such it's a later variant of the M1907 with distinctly different features from the earlier Prussian pistols. Looking at the dBase that's been assembled this is the 4th pistol reported that's Prussian Gendarme marked on a later first variant pistol.
-She's matching and the magazine appears to have originally been marked as the spare. There's an II mark that's crossed out even though the SN and property marks are original to the pistol. I'm guessing that the original magazine was lost/retired and the spare now marked to take its place.
-There's an LG mark on the front strap which denotes Prussian Landgendarmerie. I suspect this pistol and the few other later variants K.S Gend marked were replacements or additional purchases made after the initial production run.
-Found what I needed in information over on Jan Still's Gun Boards forum where collectors were entering Dreyse 1907 information for a dBase. Quickly realized that this was a rare piece and worth a serious bid. The most recent comp I could find online was a 2017 RIA lot that sold for just under $700 and it was in much rougher condition and a variation that's, while rare, is more commonly found. So put in a proper bid and she was mine for under $500 OTD.
-What makes this example so interesting is that it's Prussian Gendarme marked as denoted by the K.S. Gend. script. The first batch of 1907s built by RMM were marked in this fashion. Following the reported 700 piece run the standard production runs were marked with the Dreyse name. What makes this pistol even more interesting is that its SN isn't from the first 700, its in the 19K range and as such it's a later variant of the M1907 with distinctly different features from the earlier Prussian pistols. Looking at the dBase that's been assembled this is the 4th pistol reported that's Prussian Gendarme marked on a later first variant pistol.
-She's matching and the magazine appears to have originally been marked as the spare. There's an II mark that's crossed out even though the SN and property marks are original to the pistol. I'm guessing that the original magazine was lost/retired and the spare now marked to take its place.
-There's an LG mark on the front strap which denotes Prussian Landgendarmerie. I suspect this pistol and the few other later variants K.S Gend marked were replacements or additional purchases made after the initial production run.
