New toy!!!

[Britch]

Find this while on vacation at a small "hunting guns" shop in NW PA. This was the only used item they had. Marked Selbstlade pistole "beholla" CAl 7.65 DRP on left and becker & hollander waffenbrau suhl on right. Also has commercial crown over n proofs and imperial army crown D. Picked it up for $70 how did I do? anybody have any idea how to take it apart? I think it has a slide retaining pin which needs to be pushed out but like to know for sure before I try
BRian

[ramon]

Admittedly, I don't know much about this model. I found reference to this pistol in the WHB Smith title, Book of Pistols and Revolvers.

To quote Smith, "This pistol was originally manufactured in Germany by Becker and Hollander of Suhl, was widely used by the Germans in World War I and appeared again during the recent World War. (Note: This design was made in several factories and may be encountered bearing the manufacturing name of Leonhardt, Menta or Stena, who designed it.) It is the elementary blowback design with recoil spring housed below the barrel. Its one unusual characteristic is its system of barrel mounting which permits barrel removal by driving out a barrel locking pin thorugh special holes in the slide."

If I can find more more complete take down info, I'll be pleased to pass it along.

Regarding value. Are you happy with your purchase? I suspect that this pistol is not in great general demand except by those few who might specialize in this particular pistol type. I know you'll enjoy it for what it is and that your expectations for more than a modest return on your investment are tempered knowing that this is not an immediate 'I've go to have it' type of pistol.

Cheers,


Ramon

[ramon]

I just ran an inquiry on the internet and found a Beholla pistol as yours, in probably better condition listed for 410 Euros or approximately $518. The company is Holger Veh Teutoarms located in Germany. I think my general comments in my earlier posting still holds true in that demand for this pistol stateside will not be nearly as strong as it might be overseas. In any event, I think your purchase for $70 is vindicated.

All the best,

Ramon

[Douglas Jr.]

Field Stripping

Brian,

Congratulations for you find. In the Ian Hogg´s book "German Handguns 1870-present", the authors describe how to disassemble this pistol. As soon as I get home (I´m at the office right now, so maybe tonight), I´ll post this info here.

Regards,

Douglas.

[ramon]

Hello again, I have found the take down instructions for this pistol.

First make certain the pistol is empty. Remove the magazine. Take a drift punch and remove the pin from right to left. Pull back the slide until the safety catch can be turned up to engage a notch that is machined into the bottom of the slide. This will lock back the slide. With the slide locked back in this fashion, you then force back the barrel so that the dovetail portion of the breech slides out of its frame mount. Once clear of its mount, you lift the barrel free. Grip the slide, release the safety catch, and allow the slide to move forward until clear of the frame. Remove the recoil spring and its guide rod. This is apparently as far as it is recommended to go. Reassembly is acheived by going in reverse order.

Hope this helps you out.

Ramon

[ramon]

OOPS!

Mr. Aguiar, I apologize to you. I had not read your response before I posted the take down instructions for this pistol. I apologize.

Ramon

[Douglas Jr.]

Don´t worry.

Ramon,

Don´t worry about it! No harsh feelings at all.

Best wishes,

Douglas.

[Jan Balcar]

STENDA was the designer. Not Stena.

[Britch]

Thanks for the info!!!

Brian

[ramon]

STENDA was the designer. Not Stena.

You are, of course, correct. This was a typo on my part for which I apologize.

Ramon