Today on Gus’ Gear, I have a different type of pistol to examine. Schwarzlose wanted to enter the pistol market, but in order to avoid Browning’s patent on the blow back system, the Schwarzlose M1908 uses a blow forward system. The breach block is integral to the frame and the slide moves forward under the pressure and friction of the bullet moving down the barrel. The slide returns to the battery position, picking up another cartridge for the next shot. This type of action makes for a very strong recoil as the mass of the barrel moving forward has to be absorbed by the hand and with a blow back pistol the rear movement of the slide counteracts the force of the recoil.
The left view shows the A. W. Schwarzlose Gm.b.H. Berlin on the upper rear of the frame and the safety lock engaged to over ride the grip safety (the grip safety is visible in the disassembled view of the pistol. The holster is marked BA XI for Bekleidungsamt which is in Kassel, Hesse.
The right view of the pistol shows a nice engraving of a Schwarzlose M1907 machine gun to give it some credibility. Also visible are the proof marks just behind the trigger. A crown over a B for the export market and a crown over a U for the German market. These were not issued by the German military, but were available for private purchase by officers. About 10,000 were manufactured between 1908 and 1911.
Disassembly is fairly easy, after removing the magazine and clearing the chamber, the barrel can be moved forward to extend the mainspring guide rod out of the frame, there is a small hole in the end of the rod that a pin punch can be inserted into and then the rod is pulled forward and rotated upward to engage the spring follower in a notch in the frame. Then the barrel can be pulled forward off the frame. This photo shows the grip safety in the forward/safe position, this is the only safety on the pistol and must be depressed to fire. It can be locked in the fire position with the small button just behind the trigger. The removable magazine holds seven rounds of 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) cartridges and has a typical European heel release that is a struggle to release.