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6/11/2019 10:48:04 AM

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Section 8: Handguns
Subject: Dreyse M 1907 7.65 Msg# 1048694

From:

Mark Freburg Forum Manager

Joined 4/3/2000

To:

TJ Parmele (Read)

Joined 6/1/2005

These are interesting guns because, depending not only on the usual aspects of condition, but also on their markings showing their ownership by various police agencies of the times, their value today can vary wildly. I have grown more aware of these through my son's interest, and have seen them sell for everywhere from under $400 to over $1300, all in the first half of 2019.

Image below from TJ Parmele - Image Title: photos
Image Info: The 1907 Dreyse pistol was patented on 21 February 1908 by Rheinische Metallwaaren- & Machinenfabrik. The gun has long been attributed to Louis Schmeisser, though his name does not appear on the patent. The patent does not show the hinged upper receiver and barrel--what was actually patented was the design of the breech block/slide and the front bushing. However, another patent by RM&M, German patent 185411, dated 4 January 1906, shows a gun with a barrel that can be hinged upward, which looks very much like a Bergmann Simplex, a gun also attributed to Louis Schmeisser. The 1907 Dreyse is a striker-fired unlocked-breech design chambered for the 7.65mm Browning cartridge (.32 ACP). It was strongly influenced by the 1900 Browning, though the Browning has its recoil spring above the barrel, while the Dreyse has a concentric recoil spring. Nonetheless, the overall shape is similar, as are the grip angle, the magazine release, and the positioning of the manual safety. Both guns have breech blocks that protrude from the rear of the gun during recoil. The only advantage of Schmeisser’s design is that it can be disassembled somewhat more easily than the Browning. It does not require a screwdriver to remove screws from the breech block, like the Browning, though it does require some sort of tool to depress the recoil spring bushing.

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