German Proofed .380 Dreyse Revolvers Constabulary Type - Berlin Police Revolvers?

[Freikorps1919]

Ok, so I have seen these revolvers floating around on various auction sites and google searches leading to forum discussions, and I have 2. There are a multitude of different variants of constabulary type revolvers but I am focussing on this specific one. People have been guessing what they are with essentially no actual solid findings. 1 auction site back in June sold an example and listed it as a "Berlin Police Revolver circa. 1900." Would anyone actually know if this is possible, and is there is any documentation or photos?
Based on the number font, lanyard loop, and overall style of the pistol these were probably made by Simpson Suhl because when compared to Argentinian and Brazilian contract Nagants they share a lot of similarities in style. They definitely aren't Belgian, they are too high quality and the style and proof stamping is inconsistent with antique Belgian pistols.
Kind of a shot in the dark but if anyone has any information it is greatly appreciated.

 

[SCHUPO]

The revolver that you show is described as a "Bayerischer Gendarmerie-Revolver Modell 1892" in the Horst Friedrich book. The Berliner Typ is very similar but has a safety lever on the left side of the frame. Below is an example of the Berlin Type Police revolver. These Police revolvers are difficult to sort out unless they are property marked to a law enforcement agency.

Here is a 9mm Single Action / Double Action German Police revolver in my collection. These are described in the new Horst Friedrich book, "Dienstwaffen der deutschen Polizei und Gendarmerie, Historie, Technik, Kennzeichnung" in Chapter 9. My example is similar to the Bavarian Gendarmerie and Berlin Type examples shown in his book.

This six shot "Polizei Revolver" has a case hardened frame with the octagon shaped barrel, fluted cylinder, trigger group assembly and hammer nicely blued. The black ebony grips are finely checkered and the butt plate has a lanyard ring as is normal for these police revolvers. There is a safety lever on the left side of the frame and the top strap is engraved with "Polizei Revolver". This revolver has Belgian proof marks and was made by Jean-Baptiste Ronge in Liege for the German market around 1894. Ronge also made special order police pistols for the "English Constabulary" and the "French Gendarmerie" with the appropriate markings. The unmarked generic German made revolver holster can fit a S&W M&P with a 4" barrel or this pistol.

I hope this is helpflul.

 

[Freikorps1919]

Thank you, this helps a ton! I have been looking for months and was unable to find much I was just imagining there would at least be some reference material that would identify this revolver, but it was hard to pinpoint where even to begin to look as they are only proof marked and it was difficult to search.

 

[SCHUPO]

You are welcome.

Also from the book, "Dienstwaffen der deutschen Polizei und Gendarmerie - Weimarer Republik 1919-1933" by Horst Friedrich, I thought I would show an example of the "Polizeirevolver (Constabulary-Typ) und Taschenrevolver" shown on pages 222-223. These small six shot revolvers were typically .320 or .380 caliber made without manufacturer markings according to Friedrich. He shows two examples along with a soft brown leather holster (Tasche) and indicates they were used in the Bavarian Pfalz and the Peoples state of Hessen as well as Prussia. He also sites them being listed in circa 1910 catalogs as "Constabulary-Revolver oder Polizei-Revolver" for Polizeibeamten with a distinctive grip form known as the englishen Revolvern. This, I believe, refers to the British Constabulary "Bulldog" revolver design.

My revolver has no maker but is fully German black powder Nitro proofed with no other proof marks as are yours. It is .320 caliber and is six shot with plain blond wooden grips made in the distinctive "englishen Revolvern" style as shown by Friedrich. The finish is heat treated throughout showing very attractive metal work. There is a safety lever on the left side of the frame and a lanyard ring on the butt. These are both found on German Police revolvers of the time. The light brown leather holster has a belt loop and a flap that is secured with a button. While the revolver has no maker, or property, markings it is identical to the two examples shown by Friedrich.

 

[Freikorps1919]

You are welcome.

Also from the book, "Dienstwaffen der deutschen Polizei und Gendarmerie - Weimarer Republik 1919-1933" by Horst Friedrich, I thought I would show an example of the "Polizeirevolver (Constabulary-Typ) und Taschenrevolver" shown on pages 222-223. These small six shot revolvers were typically .320 or .380 caliber made without manufacturer markings according to Friedrich. He shows two examples along with a soft brown leather holster (Tasche) and indicates they were used in the Bavarian Pfalz and the Peoples state of Hessen as well as Prussia. He also sites them being listed in circa 1910 catalogs as "Constabulary-Revolver oder Polizei-Revolver" for Polizeibeamten with a distinctive grip form known as the englishen Revolvern. This, I believe, refers to the British Constabulary "Bulldog" revolver design.

My revolver has no maker but is fully German Nitro proofed with no other proof marks as are yours. It is .320 caliber and is six shot with plain blond wooden grips made in the distinctive "englishen Revolvern" style as shown by Friedrich. The finish is heat treated throughout showing very attractive metal work. There is a safety lever on the left side of the frame and a lanyard ring on the butt. These are both found on German Police revolvers of the time. The light brown leather holster has a belt loop and a flap that is secured with a button. While the revolver has no maker, or property, markings it is identical to the two examples shown by Friedrich.

Excellent example

 

[LangeKerl]

Fascinating revolvers and information!

 

[SCHUPO]

Thank you. The German Police used revolvers prior to circa 1900 when they adopted the then new semi-automatic pistols. They also utilized the large caliber Reichsrevolvers and kept some revolvers in arms room storage for emergencies.

 

[ccj]

nice examples

 

[armystuff]

I just found the site and it's a great subject. I have one of these pistols exactly is pictured with black grips. I've posted all my pictures and info here. Please check it out and give me your thoughts. I'll watch this and the other site. Thanks

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/wehrmacht-uniforms-and-equipment/firearms-forum/14364471-can-you-help-identify-this-pistol