Steyr-Pieper 1908 Pocket Pistol

This is the smallest pistol I've ever handled. I don't have huge hands, probably average size but held it for scale. It is a bit awkward to hold and my finger feels huge on the trigger. Makes me feel like Andre the Giant.

These were never issued but were very popular with Austro-Hungarian officers in WWI. They were also popular with the Austrian police after the war. Officers who have no real need for a pistol other than an emergency, I understand, police not so much. 25 automatic, six rounds. They started making these in 1909 which is why they are sometimes called that instead of 1908, they suspended production due to the war in 1915, this one is dated 1914, and started production up again for the civilian market in 1919 and continued to 1933.

They are weird because they were specifically designed to be fired either semi-auto or single shot. The barrel hinges up for single loading. The magazine has two locking points, the upper one holds it too low for the action to pick up the next round so you have to load the barrel by tipping it up. Need rapid fire, slam the magazine fully in.

Thanks to Mike for finding this and letting me know about it as well as getting it functional again, the trigger bar was missing as well as the magazine.

More information: http://www.hungariae.com/Stey09.htm

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Here's with the magazine in the single shot position

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It does appear to be all matching with the numbered parts, not all are numbered.

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It was very stiff so I took it apart and cleaned it. Found some wear burrs on it here and there so filed them off and it works much more smoothly now. Found two more numbered parts, all matching still.

Cool little pistols. I had a very kind offer from a gent here to test fire one that was being repaired in my state, but I was unable to take advantage of the opportunity due to a nasty bout with an illness.

Its a little to small for my big paws to fire. Glad you are happy with it. Have fun