Bittner Repeating Pistol
Gebrüder Bittner · Pistol · Discontinued · 1893
Also known as: Bittner Repetierpistole, Bittner Model 1896
Overview
The Bittner Repeating Pistol is a manually-operated mechanical repeater designed by Gustav Bittner in Weipert, Bohemia (Austria-Hungary). Rather than self-loading, it is cycled by a ring lever integrated with the trigger guard, which works a linear, rotating bolt to chamber and fire each round. It feeds from a fixed five-round internal magazine loaded with a Mannlicher-style en-bloc clip and is chambered for the proprietary 7.7mm Bittner cartridge.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 820 g (28.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 290 mm (11.42") |
| Barrel Length | 137 mm (5.39") |
| Action Type | Lever Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | En Bloc Clip |
| Maximum Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Browned |
Calibers
- 7.7mm Bittner · primary — also known as 7.8x17R Bittner, 7.7x17 Bittner
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: En Bloc Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Ring Lever Operated Repeater, Fixed Internal Magazine, En Bloc Clip Loading, Tangent Rear Sight
Service history
Operators
- Civilian market
Production
Estimated total produced: 500 · Production years: 1896-1898
Disputed; sources range from a few hundred (~500) to as many as ~3,000. Civilian production only
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Gustav Bittner
Discontinued: 1898
Notes
Often called the most successful European mechanical repeater pistol, it was rendered obsolete almost immediately by self-loading designs such as the Mauser C96, which appeared the same era. Sometimes dated to the 1896 patent rather than the 1893 design.
Background
Regarded as the last great gasp of the mechanical repeater pistol before self-loaders made the concept obsolete, the Bittner gained a cult following after a similar pistol appeared as Captain Mal Reynolds' sidearm in Firefly and Serenity.