Werder M1869 Pistol

Königlich Bayerische Gewehrfabrik Amberg · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1869

Also known as: Werder Pistole M1869, Bavarian Lightning pistol

Overview

The Werder M1869 pistol was a single-shot, falling-block service pistol adopted by the Kingdom of Bavaria. Chambered for an 11mm rimmed centre-fire cartridge, it used the same fast-operating Werder breech mechanism as the M1869 rifle, opening and closing the block via paired trigger-guard levers for an unusually rapid rate of fire for a breech-loader of its day.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	1100 g (38.8 oz)
Overall Length	350 mm (13.78")
Barrel Length	195 mm (7.68")
Action Type	Falling Block
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Stage
Magazine Capacity	1 rounds
Magazine Type	Internal
Effective Range	50 m (55 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Steel
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Wood
Finish	Blued

Calibers

11x35mmR Werder · primary — also known as 11mm Werder Pistol, 11.5mm Werder Pistole

Features

Firing modes: Manual
Feed systems: Single Shot Breech Loading
Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
Features: Single Shot, Falling Block Action, Dual Trigger Levers

Service history

Operators

Kingdom of Bavaria (Bavarian Army) · adopted 1869 · as Werder Pistole M1869

Conflicts

Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)

Production

Production years: 1869-1873

Produced by the Bavarian arsenal at Amberg; short service life before metallic-cartridge revolvers superseded it

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Designer: Johann Ludwig Werder

Discontinued: 1873

Notes

Companion sidearm to the Werder M1869 rifle; the falling-block action, nicknamed the Bavarian Lightning, was prized for the speed at which it could be reloaded.

Background

The Werder action was nicknamed the Bayerisches Blitzgewehr (Bavarian Lightning) for how quickly its falling block could be cycled, letting a trained soldier fire faster than rivals armed with comparable single-shot breech-loaders.