Steyr 1908/34
Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft (Steyr) · Pistol · Discontinued · 1934
Also known as: Steyr-Pieper 1908/34, Steyr-Pieper Model 1908/34, Steyr 08/34
Overview
The Steyr 1908/34 is an Austrian blowback-operated semi-automatic pocket pistol chambered in .32 ACP, a 1934 redesign of the earlier Steyr-Pieper M1908/M1909 built by Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft Steyr to patents originally licensed from the Belgian armorers Jean Warnant and Nicolas Pieper. The update fitted a redesigned receiver and a much heavier breech bolt more nearly resembling a conventional slide, with coarse vertical cocking serrations and a rubber recoil buffer to cure durability problems of the original lightweight slide. It retains the family's signature tip-up barrel, which pivots open for hand-loading a single cartridge while a full magazine is held in reserve.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 630 g (22.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 162 mm (6.38") |
| Barrel Length | 92 mm (3.62") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 282 m/s (925 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 188 J (139 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 |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32 ACP · primary — also known as .32 Auto, 7.65x17mm Browning, 7.65mm Browning
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Tip Up Barrel, Single Shot Mode, Reinforced Breech Bolt, Coarse Slide Serrations, Fixed Sights
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Austrian State Security (Staatspolizei)
- Austrian police forces
Production
Production years: 1934-1939
Late redesign of the M1908; total 1908/34 production not precisely recorded.
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Nicolas Pieper
Discontinued: 1939
Notes
The 1908/34 designation reflects an updated heavy-duty slide introduced in 1934; some earlier M1908 pistols were retrofitted to the same configuration. Many examples carry Austrian police and State Security markings. A smaller companion pattern was offered in 6.35mm (.25 ACP).
Background
The tip-up barrel lets a shooter load and fire a single deliberately aimed shot by hand while keeping a full magazine in reserve, then return to semi-automatic fire once the magazine is seated fully — an unusual dual-mode trick that predated the same idea on later Beretta pocket pistols.