Steyr 1912
| Steyr M1912 | |
|---|---|
Steyr M1912 with box and magazine charger clip of 9×23mm Steyr ammunition
|
|
| Type | Semi-automatic handgun, Machine pistol |
| Place of origin |
 Austria-Hungary
|
| Service history | |
| Used by | |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Karel Krnka |
| Manufacturer | Steyr |
| Produced | 1912–1945 |
| No. built | Up to 300,000 |
| Variants | Doppelpistole M.12 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) |
| Length | 216 mm (8.5 in) |
| Barrel length | 128 mm (5.0 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | |
| Action | Recoil operated |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,120 ft/s (341 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 50 m (160 ft) |
| Feed system | 8-round integral magazine, fed by stripper clips |
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Steyr M1912, also known as the Steyr-Hahn, is a semi-automatic pistol developed in 1911 by the Austrian firm Steyr Mannlicher and designed by Karel Krnka, based on the mechanism of the Roth–Steyr M1907. It was developed for the Austro-Hungarian Army and adopted in 1912 as the M1912. It was in service in a limited capacity for the Wehrmacht until the end of World War II.
The M1912 was originally chambered for the 9mm Steyr round, but after the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 the M1912 was taken into Wehrmacht service and about 60,000 were rechambered in 9mm Parabellum and remained in service until the end of the war.
The M1912 was developed as the Model 1911 as a military weapon, but it was not accepted until 1914 as the M12. It was originally issued to the Austrian Landwehr while common army units were issued Roth–Steyr M1907 handguns and Rast & Gasser M1898 revolvers. Orders were also placed by Chile and Romania. During World War I, Austria-Hungary experienced shortages of handguns and production of the M1912 was increased. Germany also placed an order for 10,000 of the type (not to be confused with the later incorporation of the M1912 by the Wehrmacht in World War II), chambered for the 9mm Steyr cartridge.
After World War I, a commercial model (The Steyr M1911) was produced and was quite popular with army officers, but Steyr had to rely on foreign exports to sustain production. After the annexation of Austria by Germany, the Wehrmacht placed a small order (60,000+) chambered in 9mm Parabellum. In German service, its official designation was 9mm P12(Ö)('Ö' for Österreichische, "Austrian"). Pistols in Wehrmacht service were distinguished by the 08 stamp on the slide and the Wehrmachtadler ("Wehrmacht Eagle") emblem above the trigger.
The M1912 is a dependable and consistent performer, its operating system being generally of good quality was able to endure the adverse conditions of trench warfare during World War I.
...
Wikipedia