German 7.65 pistol

[Crij]

Recently I came into possession of a german made 7.65 auto-loading pistol. I am assuming that it is pre-WWI
because it has a symbol stamped into the frame and the slide that looks like the following.

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-|-
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/|\
/ | \
/ / \ \
/_/ \_\
\ \ / /
\ \___/ /
\/___\/

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| \ |
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, Also on the slide it is marked
Deutche Werke Aktiengesellshaft Werke Erfurt
Ortgies? Patent

I am assuming that the first two and last two words of the first line mean that it was produced at a factory in Erfurt
Germany, is the middle word a model, or manufacturer?

Basically the gun is a 8 shot auto loader for 7.65/32 ACP, with a hidden hammer, grip safety, pivoting trigger,
frame mounted barrel, and the sights are part of the slide with a groove between them lower than the rear `V'.

Also on the wood grips there is an badge, approx. 12 mm across, that looks to be a high zinc brass, very yellow, with a stylized `D' that is an animal laying down, the head, neck and chest are the rear upright of the D, the front legs, body and rear legs form the lower part of the D, and the tail arches over the body and curves up and forward forming the rest of the D.

Overall the gun is 6.5 lg., 4.5 tall w/ a 3.5 lg. barrel.

Any information would be greatfully appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Ritch Cizik

 

[Steven Mace]

Ritch, the handgun you're describing is the Ortgies Pocket Automatic Pistol. Production began in about 1921 by Deutsche Werke A.G. in Eufurt, Germany and probably continued until the beginning of WWII. They produced both a 6.35mm(.25 ACP) and a 7.65mm(.32 ACP) version with yours being the later. Your gun in excellent condition could be worth about $225-$300. You can contact Gun Parts Corporation at http://www.gunpartscorp.com for information on replacement parts. Hope this helps!

Steve Mace

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After today, its all historical

 

[Marko Kloos]

Your gun is a German-made Ortgies Pocket Pistol. It was in production between WWI and WWII. There's a site that sells spare parts for the Ortgies, it's http://www.marstar.ca/ortpps.htm.

Deutsche Werke is the manufacturer ("German Works"), Aktiengesellschaft means "stock corporation", and Erfurt is the place of manufacture.