Deutsche Werke Ortgies Serial Numbers
Question for Mark Christian---I have a Deutsche Werke Ortgies. I own several Ortgies pistols and none have a serial number above 141,000. Ortgies 6.35mm serial number list Friends, Following is a list of serial numbers (and features) of Ortgies 6.35mm pistols I have observed and which have been reported to me. Please report other examples if you are able to positively confirm the serial number (even the first few digits), and also provide as much information as possible about presence or absence of 'Germany' marking, the pistol's finish, slide legend, grip material and grip medallions.
Jump to navigationJump to search| Ortgies Semi-Automatic Pistol | |
|---|---|
Ortgies 7.65 mm semi-automatic pistol with grip safety engaged | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Weimar Republic |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Heinrich Ortgies |
| Manufacturer | Ortgies & Co. |
| Produced | 1919 – 1924 |
| Variants | 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | |
| Feed system | box magazine |
The Ortgies 7.65 mm pistol was a hammerlesssemi-automatic pistol produced in Germany in the years immediately after World War I, first by its inventor Heinrich Ortgies and then by Deutsche Werke. Inexpensive, but of good quality, the pistol achieved considerable success at contemporary shooting competitions[1] and, as an export product, was popular throughout the Americas.[2]
Design[edit]
The pistol was produced in 6.35 mm, 7.65 mm, and 9 mm Kurz variants. Although not expensive, at the time it was of advanced design and high quality construction with relatively few parts, well sealed against dirt. Metal components were forged or machined, and assembly in general made no use of screws, even securing the wooden grips with metal clips, although some examples do incorporate a single screw for that purpose. The hammerless action depended on a spring-loaded striker to fire the cartridge. As in early Colt and Browningpocket pistols, the Ortgies striker also operated as an ejector as the slide traveled backwards after discharge.[1]
Unusual design features included the safety and the magazine. The safety was a lever inset into the back of the grip and, with the gun cocked, forced backward out of the grip into the 'safe' position by spring tension from the firing pin upon depression of a button under the slide. Thus, engaging the safety simultaneously reduced tension on the firing pin spring. To disengage the safety, a shooter simply would squeeze the grip, pressing the lever forward and locking it flush with the back of the frame.[1]
At least the earlier Ortgies magazines could accommodate both 7.65mm (aka .32 ACP) and 9 mm Kurz, (aka .380 ACP) ammunition and were interchangeable between pistols of either calibre. One side of the magazine was marked for 7.65 mm and featured seven holes showing the positions that cartridges of that size would occupy when loaded; the other side had similar holes and markings for 9 mm cartridges.[1] Modern replacement magazines are purpose-built for one caliber only.
Production[edit]
Heinrich Ortgies designed the pistol while living in Liège, Belgium during World War I.[3] After the war, he moved to Erfurt, Germany, where in 1919 he commenced production of the pistol in his own factory. The weapons bore the mark 'Ortgies & Co. – Erfurt' on their slides and a circular brass insert in their grips marked with a stylized 'HO.' Ortgies died later that year, and eventually production of his pistol passed to Deutsche Werke, a shipbuilding company headquartered in Berlin. For a short time thereafter, the slide marking was changed to 'Deutsche Werke Aktiengesellschaft Berlin' before changing again to 'Deutsche Werke Aktiengesellschaft Werke Erfurt,' ultimately shortened to 'Deutsche Werke – Werke Erfurt.' Deutsche Werke pistols continued to feature the 'HO' brass grip inset until relatively late in their production, when they substituted one with a new trademark depicting a stylized crouching cat with long tail forming an S-curve over its back.[1]
In keeping with prevalent economics in Germany at the time, factory finishes were limited to bluing or, rarely, nickel. The latter finish could be either matte or bright. No Ortgies pistol was produced with a chrome finish or, aside from one known salesman's sample, with factory engraving.[1] Production ceased in 1924.
Performance[edit]
Download game eroge apk android. The Ortgies was a well-balanced, sturdy weapon that found considerable favor in competitive shooting. In 1921, prize winners at some 70% of principal shooting competitions had chosen Ortgies 7.65 mm pistols, and the winner of the German championship on September 26, 1921, at Halensee, Germany, took the prize firing an Ortgies.[1] At the other end of the user spectrum, outlaw John Dillinger carried an Ortgies,[4] and several hundred Ortgies pistols saw service with Finnish prison authorities through the World War II period.[5]
In popular culture[edit]
The Ortgies 7.65 is the pistol that Seymour Glass uses to shoot himself at the end of the short story 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' by J.D. Salinger.
References[edit]
- ^ abcdefgKoelliker, Donald W., 'Ortgies: A Well-Known but Little Studied German Armsmaker of the Early Post-War Years,' Gun Collector's Digest 1981, accessed April 19, 2010
- ^REME Museum of Technology Internet site, accessed April 19, 2010.Archived March 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^'Deutsche Werke – Ortgies,' Belgian Littlegun Internet site, referencing Ian Hogg and John Weeks, Pistols of the World, accessed April 19, 2010Archived July 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^Guns and the Gunfighters, by the editors of Guns and Ammo, New York: Bonanza Books, 1975 (ISBN 0-517-37154-5), dustjacket quoted at Arms2armor Internet site, accessed April 22, 2010
- ^Jaeger Platoon: Finnish Army 1918–1945 Internet site, accessed April 19, 2010.
Ortgies Serial Number List
LSB#: 180129MG64
Make: Deutsche Werke
Model: Ortgies Model 1920 Large Frame (http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/Ortgies/ortgies.html)
Serial Number: 116413
Year of Manufacture: 1921-1924
Caliber: .32 A.C.P. (7.65mm Browning)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto Pistol with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “DEUTSCHE WERKE” and “WERK ERFURT” with a circled stylized “D” in the center. The right side of the slide is marked “ORTGIES’ PATENT”. The right side of the frame behind the trigger is marked with a “Crowned N” proof. The bottom of the frame in front of the trigger guard is marked “116413 / Germany”. The barrel at the port is marked with a “Crowned N” proof and “CAL. 7,65m/m”. The underside rear of the frame (above mainspring housing) is marked “L”. The left side of the barrel at the chamber and the right flat on the underside of the slide are marked “116413”. The right flat is also marked “7’ and the left flat is marked “N” and with a script “R”. There is also a script “R” marked on the left side of the barrel chamber and on the left side of the frame just below it.
Barrel Length: 3 ½”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a short blade fixed to the slide. The rear sight is a “V” groove in the base formed on the back of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: There are no grips on the gun.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: The finish is original.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with very light wear in the rifling. There is light erosion scattered throughout the bore, mostly in the grooves.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 35% of its metal finish. There is surface loss on the edges of the slide and frame, and thinning on the remainder, with a plum colored patina starting to develop in the thinned areas. There is extremely light pitting scattered over the edges of the slide. There are light handling marks scattered over the surfaces with several small dings. The tips of the slide serrations show moderate wear. The markings are mostly clear with a few shallow characters. Overall, this handgun rates in about Poor condition.
Mechanics: The striker, striker spring and its guide rod are missing, as a minimum. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol does not come with a magazine.
Our Assessment: From Wikipedia: “The pistol was produced in 6.35 mm, 7.65 mm, and 9 mm variants. Although not expensive, at the time it was of advanced design and high-quality construction with relatively few parts and well-sealed against dirt. Metal components were forged or machined, and assembly in general made no use of screws, even securing the wooden grips with metal clips. The hammerless action depended on a spring-loaded striker to fire the cartridge. Unusual design features included the safety and the multi-caliber magazine. The safety was a lever inset into the back of the grip and, with the gun cocked, forced backward out of the grip into the 'safe' position by spring tension from the firing pin upon depression of a button under the slide. Thus, engaging the safety simultaneously reduced tension on the firing pin spring. To disengage the safety, a shooter simply would squeeze the grip, pressing the lever forward and locking it flush with the back of the pistol. The Ortgies was a well-balanced, sturdy weapon that found considerable favor in competitive shooting. In 1921, prize winners at some 70% of principal shooting competitions had chosen Ortgies 7.65 mm pistols, and the winner of the German championship on September 26, 1921, at Halensee, Germany, took the prize firing an Ortgies. At the other end of the user spectrum, outlaw John Dillinger carried an Ortgies.”. This is a very uniquely made pistol that has seen some use as well as having some of its parts removed. There is about 35% of its original finish remaining and the serial numbers are all matching. The bore is gray with very light wear in the rifling and light erosion in the grooves. This pistol should be of interest to collectors as it was only made for 3 years by Deutsche Werke – production being forced to stop due to the Treaty of Versailles. There are enough variations in slide markings and calibers to make an entire collection of just Ortgies pistols. Hopefully, some of the collectors have some spare parts they can use to get this old gem functioning again.
CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible handgun CAN be transferred as a dealer sale in California but CANNOT be sold as a Private Party Transfer (PPT) at our shop in Simi Valley. All cartridge firing handguns (even C&R's and antiques) sold to a California resident must be DROS'd. This does not apply to out of state residents.
Deutsche Werke Ortgies Parts
www.LSBauctions.com, Phone: (805) 285-0715, Fax: (805) 285-0729
The Best Place to Buy, Sell or Consign Firearms ~ We Turn Your Guns Into Cash
Photographer for Gun Digest Standard Catalog of Firearms.
Shipping:
Your item will be shipped within 1 week of receipt of good funds, usually the next day. You will receive an automatic notification with a tracking number upon shipment, to let you know that we have received funds. (Please obtain a tracking number from your carrier for immediate delivery confirmation of payment). If you are in Southern California, you are welcome to pick your item up and complete the transfer at our shop in Simi Valley (M-F, 8-4 and Saturday By Appointment).
This gun can only be shipped to an FFL or C&R, and it will be shipped from an FFL. Please include a copy of your C&R or your dealer’s license with payment. These can also be faxed or emailed. It is your responsibility to ensure that the gun is legal to own and receive in your area. If you would like to be notified when we receive your payment, please obtain a tracking number from your carrier.
We always combine on shipping to save you as much as we can. You can generally assume it will be full shipping charge on the first item, 1/2 on the second, 1/3 on the third, etc. Exceptions only arise when the items are going to different locations (different licenses), or when they are exceptionally large, heavy or valuable and cannot be combined.
Payment:
Full payment on non-layaway items is required within 14 days. We accept Cashier's Checks, Money Orders, Cash, Personal Checks and Cards. Personal Checks are held a full week for clearance. All paper forms of payment already reflect a 3% cash discount. To pay online, please use the 'Pay Now' link at the bottom of the invoice, which will be sent after the sale. Please contact us if you would like to pay with American Express. To call and pay by phone, please wait until the afternoon on Monday after the sale. To help us properly apply your payment, please indicate what item you have purchased when your payment and/or FFL are sent. If you would like to be notified when we receive your payment, please obtain a tracking number from your carrier.
CA Sales tax applies to CA buyers (7.25%).
Layaways are offered on all items, requiring a 20% non refundable down payment within 7 days of the auction’s close and the balance within 60 days. We do not require prior notice to place an item on the layaway. No returns are accepted on layaway items and the item will be considered abandoned after 60 days. To make credit card lay away payment please contact us. All items purchased in an auction will be combined into one invoice. This invoice must be paid in full before any/all items are shipped.
Successful Bidder Instructions:
You will be invoiced by the morning following the sale. This invoice will include totals for the sale and all instructions. Please keep an eye on your spam folder and inquire to auctions@LSBauctions.com if you have not received one by morning.
If you win an item and are not willing or able to complete the sale, you are liable for 5% of the sale price.
Returns (less shipping) are accepted within 3 days of when the item is delivered with signature confirmation. Returns are accepted for material misrepresentation, non disclosed flaws, overrepresentation & damage in shipping. Sometimes we miss, overlook or confuse things and we promise to make it right as best we can when we do. It is our goal to resolve return issues to keep all parties satisfied with their dealings (look at our feedback). Our return policy is not designed for folks who have just changed their mind or who did not fully read the description. Returns are very costly for both the buyer and for us, so please ask all of your questions before bidding and please be sure you can legally purchase this item. Thank You!
Please leave feedback when the gun is happily received, this tells us that you have happily received your item. If you are not satisfied, for any reason, please contact us before leaving negative or neutral feedback. Our only goal is to make sure your are happy with your purchase.
Money Orders,Personal Checks,Cashiers Checks,
Ships Using: