History:
The Reform Pistols was constructed around the turn of the century and patented in 1906 as "Deutsches Reichspatent Nr 177023" (the patent-number ist marked at the left side of the barrel-block together with the German nitro-powder proof mark).
The exact start of the production is unknown, but estimated between 1907 and 1910, as the .25 ACP cartridge got popular shortly after the presentation together with the FN Browning model 1906.
The acceptance of this pistol was mainly based on itīs compact design (flat and good to carry as hidden). When self-cocking pistols were coming up more and more the technical concept was too old and the production ended.
The gun is working similar to a double-action revolver, just moving up a barrel-block instead of turning a cylinder. The empty cartridges are blown out by the gas-pressure of the following shot. For this purpose there are small drills between the barrels about 6 mm behind the muzzle. The cartridges bump against the hammer, which is deflecting them, so that the shooter do not get them into his face. The last cartridge has to be removed by hand.
Technical Datas:
SYSTEM: repetition pistol with moving barrel block
CARTRIDGES : 4 barrels
CALIBRE : .25 ACP
BARREL LENGTH : 75.1 mm , 4 grooves turning right
WEIGHT EMPTY : 350 g
TOTAL LENGTH : 133 mm
TOTAL HEIGHT : 108 mm
TOTAL WIDTH : 20.2 mm
TRIGGER : Single Action, Double Action
SIGHT : fix
SAFETY : safety-lever acting on the hammer
FINISH : browned
GRIPS : hard rubber