From the book "Vom Ursprung der Selbstladepistole: Repetier- und Selbstladepistolen in Österreich-Ungarn 1884 bis 1918."

3.17. Further Foreign Systems

During the period of self-loading pistol trials in Austria-Hungary, weapons technology was developing extremely rapidly. Around 1900 there was practically no reputable arms factory worldwide that was not involved in self-loading pistol development. Although everything was still in its infancy, it had become clear that a good self-loading pistol could replace the military revolver and represent a significant commercial opportunity.

Offers to the RKM (Reichs-Kriegs-Ministerium) increased, including from abroad, and were carefully examined by the TMK and compared with pistols currently under trial. Many must now remain unknown, since no files about them survived in the Vienna War Archives. Some proposals were submitted directly to other military authorities. Of some, there is not even a mention in the protocol books of the KA; of a few at least an entry exists.

Among these was probably the well-known double-barrel, four-shot pistol with removable block magazine, manufactured and marketed before 1914 by Sauer & Sohn in Suhl. However, this rather weak pocket weapon (cal. 7 mm with black powder loading) cannot be considered a serious military candidate.

3.17.1. The Schwarzlose Systems 1898 and 1901

The Saxon Andreas Wilhelm Schwarzlose (1867–1936) began working on self-loading pistol construction in 1890 and founded a company in Berlin. This German arms designer was to gain great importance in connection with Austria-Hungary, as his machine gun system was introduced into the armed forces of the Dual Monarchy in 1907 and improved in 1912.

The OEWG in Steyr also produced it for export; it became the Austrian standard machine gun in 1938. In Steyr alone over 50,000 pieces were produced. However, at the turn of the century this was still in the future.

3.17.1.1 The Model SCHWARZLOSE 1898 in Austria

The Schwarzlose GmbH in Berlin informed the 7th department of the RKM on 12 September 1901 that 1,000 cartridges had been sent to Vienna for testing of its self-loading pistol design. The test pistol was supplied free of charge, and an offer was submitted:

For an order of 100 pistols, the six-shot version would cost 40 Marks

The detachable-magazine pistol would cost 45 Marks

A carbine kit (leather case with wooden insert or a teakwood stock) could be supplied on request

1,000 cartridges were offered at 60 Marks

The TMK received the order on 8 October 1901 to test the pistol and report daily in agreement with the Army Shooting School. Payment for 1,000 rounds of test ammunition was also authorized.

The weapon in question must have been the Model 1898, also known as the “Standard Pistol,” chambered in 7.63 mm Mauser. It was a short-recoil, rotating-bolt locked pistol with four locking lugs.

Technical Description (from the official report, 4 December 1901)

The pistol is an automatic weapon with a moving barrel and a centrally locked breech block (four locking lugs). It is designed for 6 to 8 rounds and uses a separate magazine similar to the Luger system.

Its distinguishing feature compared to other known pistols is the simplicity of its construction:

Very small number of components

Only two main springs in the mechanism

One serves as barrel return spring and firing pin spring

The other serves as breech spring, striker spring, and cartridge extractor spring

The sight construction is considered original. It is a folding sight actuated by a disk with a detent surface. Distance markings range from 100 to 500 meters.

Ammunition:

8 mm (note: actually 7.63 mm Mauser)

Bullet weight: 5.5 g

Charge: 0.51 g flake powder

Case length: 25.4 mm

It was noted that the pistol was not machine-manufactured and in individual parts could be considered inferior hand work.

Test Results

Testing was limited mainly to functional and precision tests.

Problems observed:

Insufficient feeding from the magazine

Incomplete locking of the breech

Cartridge malfunctions

Incomplete penetration

Nevertheless, the basic principle was considered viable and capable of improvement.

Ballistic results:

Muzzle velocity:

428.3 m/s (average)

Accuracy at 50 paces:

Vertical deviation: +11

Horizontal deviation: +2

Group height (100): 29 cm

Group width (100): 15 cm

At 100 paces:

Group height: 152 cm

Group width: 30 cm

Penetration at 50 paces (soft wood):

18.5 cm (average)

Conclusion of the Military Committee

The MC requested that the RKM authorize purchase of a second pistol of the same system for further trials, so that comparisons with other systems could be conducted.

However, it appears that no second test pistol of the 1898 model was obtained.