~ 1921-1924 German Ortgies Werke Semi-Automatic Pistol Cal 7.65 - Deactivated ~
The pistol is deactivated to the current UK/EU standards, so It doesn't cock, dry fired nor striped.
The magazine can be removed and the slide and trigger move on spring tension.
It is serial numbered 160875
Heinrich Ortgies designed the pistol while living in Liège, Belgium during World War I. 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". The production of the pistols eventually passed to Deutsche Werke in 1921, 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", which was 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.
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 26 September 1921, at Halensee, Germany, took the prize firing an Ortgies.
The US outlaw John Dillinger carried an Ortgies.
Several hundred Ortgies pistols in both .25 and .32 ACP saw service with Finnish prison authorities throughout World War II
An Ortgies pistol chambered in 6.35 mm, was presented to Eva Braun by Adolf Hitler. It differs only slightly from a standard Ortgies pistol, in that it has a small gold plate inlaid into the side of the slide, stamped "Eva Braun". The pistol was removed from her house following World War II, and has made its way through a few auction houses since.
