Ortgies Vest Pocket Pistol
Deutsche Werke AG, Werke Erfurt · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1919
Also known as: Deutsche Werke Ortgies, Ortgies Pocket Pistol, Ortgies Selbstladepistole
Overview
The Ortgies Vest Pocket Pistol was a series of compact blowback semi-automatic pistols designed by Heinrich Ortgies and originally produced in Erfurt, Germany from 1919. Production was acquired by Deutsche Werke AG in 1921, who continued building the pistol until 1924. Notable for its near-screwless construction, ingenious spring-retained grip panels, and the ability to convert larger frames between .32 ACP and .380 ACP by simply rotating and removing the barrel, it represented an unusually high standard of engineering for an interwar pocket pistol. The smaller frame was offered in .25 ACP.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 595 g (21.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 165 mm (6.50") |
| Barrel Length | 87 mm (3.43") |
| Height | 113 mm (4.45") |
| Width | 25 mm (0.98") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 275 m/s (902 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 175 J (129 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.65x17mm Browning SR (.32 ACP) · primary — also known as .32 ACP, 7.65mm Browning, 7.65 Auto
- 6.35x16mm Browning (.25 ACP) — also known as .25 ACP, 6.35mm Browning, 6.35 Auto
- 9x17mm Kurz (.380 ACP) — also known as .380 ACP, 9mm Kurz, 9mm Short, 9mm Browning Court
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety, Manual Safety
- Features: Screwless Construction, Interchangeable Barrels, Spring Loaded Grip Panels, Concealed Hammer
Variants
- Ortgies Vest Pocket .25 ACP — Subcompact
- Ortgies Pocket .32 ACP — Compact
- Ortgies Pocket .380 ACP — Compact
Service history
Operators
- Civilian market · adopted 1919
Production
Estimated total produced: 400,000 · Production years: 1919-1924
Estimated 400,000+ produced across all calibers during the brief production run. Heavily exported to the United States during the 1920s.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Heinrich Ortgies
Discontinued: 1924
Notes
Available in three calibers: 6.35mm (.25 ACP), 7.65mm (.32 ACP), and 9mm Kurz (.380 ACP). The .32 and .380 versions share a frame and can be converted by swapping the barrel.
Background
The Ortgies has almost no exposed screws - the wooden grip panels are held on by an internal spring catch hidden inside the magazine well, a design quirk that delights collectors and infuriates first-time disassemblers in equal measure.