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The Evolution of the Korth Sport Revolver

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  • Andyd

    Member
    Mar 11, 2018
    163
    26
    Here is a short overview of the evolution of the Korth revolver and its special features that set it apart from other wheel guns:

    Korth started manufacturing firearms in 1964 with .38 Special Police revolvers that were not commercially successful and production of a little less than 1.000 revolvers continued through 1965 when he also started to make the first Sport series revolvers in the 21 serial range. These guns were all very well made and exquisitely finished.

    Korth Police
    ebZOmVBh.jpg


    Below is an example of a 1966 vintage revolver with the ejector rod being pulled forward to release the cylinder. The push button for cylinder removal is a larger blued knob just as on the Police models.

    1WzvABMl.jpg


    In 1967 and 1968 the models in the 22xxx and 23xxx serial range had a smaller knob to take out the cylinder and the trigger rebound spring was accessable from the outside. The grips are generally still very crude and unchanged from the 22xxx. I changed them to a pair of the later Nill manufactured grips.

    ulxa2bHl.jpg


    In 1969 till 1971 starting with the 24xxx and 25xxx serial range the revolvers had the action evolution basically finished and the new cylinder latch on the right side of the hammer and a square ending ejector housing. Most importantly an exchangeable bearing was placed on top of the trigger which allows a very repeatable stacking and incredibly smooth double action. From this model on the grips were manufactured by Nill to Willi Korth's specs.

    4GowKtEl.jpg


    In 1971 with the 26xxx serial numbers the adjustment for the trigger rebound spring was slightly redesigned and the ejector housing used a slanted design.

    MM0Zw3Al.jpg


    In 1975 starting with the 30xxx serial range the Sport revolvers have a two piece barrel with a shroud and full underlug. The barrel profile is round.

    TaHVNQbl.jpg


    Since the new barrel shroud immediately drew comparisons with the Colt Python Willi Korth changed the profile to a slightly slab-sided design in 1979, starting with the 32xxx series. This was basically the Korth Sport in its final form.

    rlBQE9Ll.jpg
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    Andyd

    Member
    Mar 11, 2018
    163
    26
    One of the other improvements, especially over my 1952 vintage S&W K-22, is the smooth extraction of .22 l.r spent cases. Willi Korth pushed hardened steel bearings into the chamber, which led to a glassy smooth finish, making extraction a breeze, even after a few boxes of .22.

    My shooting skills have deteriorated a little over the last five years and I attributed that to ageing eyes. I am, after all, 59. When I teach other shooters, I eliminate mistakes one by one. For flinching I use the mixed live round and fired shell drill, for the common sighting mistakes, I let them shoot from a sandbag. I used the sandbag myself with a rimfire Korth at 25 meters and got all five shots nicely in the 10 ring with CCI standard ammo. My K-22 can do the same and I have a 1960 Colt OMM that is about equally accurate. That is also an easy task for my Hämmerlis - but not for me :) .
     

    Andyd

    Member
    Mar 11, 2018
    163
    26
    Below are some more photos of a Korth with the sideplate and hammer removed. On top of the trigger and held in place by the pin of the hand is the exchangeable roller for the hammer sear. Early Korths were delivered with 5 different size rollers, later models only with three rollers. Changing the rollers, which is about as complicated ( or easy ) as changing the rebound slide spring on a S&W, will change the stacking in double action, from barely noticeable to a good resistance. Disadvantage of the round bearing is, that when the trigger is pull past a certain point - but the hammer did not fall yet - releasing the trigger will make the hammer fall and fire a shot. This makes it necessary to catch the hammer spur and release the hammer manually.

    I got below Korth for $400, rusted, without grips but it cleaned up well and I have a few spare sets of Korth grips and parts in my parts bins.




    Korth rusty 1.jpg
    Korth rusty 4.jpg
    Korth rusty saved.jpg
     

    benenglish

    Just Another Boomer
    Staff member
    Lifetime Member
    Admin
    Nov 22, 2011
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    Thanks, OP. Good stuff.

    Now educate us on Picra revolvers. If you've got all those Korths, surely you've also got a Picra or two. :)
     

    Andyd

    Member
    Mar 11, 2018
    163
    26
    Thanks, OP. Good stuff.

    Now educate us on Picra revolvers. If you've got all those Korths, surely you've also got a Picra or two. :)
    Nope,

    not on my list. Neither is a Manurhin MR73, I shot several and they are nice but not for me.

    I am contemplating a Czech Brno Grand, though, if I find one for a favourable price.
    Brno Grand .38.jpg
     
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