| Werder pistol model 1869 | |
| Origin: | Bavaria |
| Type: | Service pistol |
| Is Ranged: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| Designer: | Johann Ludwig Werder |
| Design Date: | 1869 |
| Cartridge: | 11.5mm |
| Caliber: | 11.5mm |
| Action: | Falling block |
| Sights: | Fixed front blade and rear notch |
The Werder pistol model 1869 was an infantry and light cavalry falling block pistol invented by Johann Ludwig Werder in Bavaria and based on his rifle design of 1868.[1] It was one of the first centerfire pistols to be adopted for use by a European military.[2]
Although it was originally known as the "Bavarian Lightning pistol" because of its rate of fire,[3] the Werder pistol was proved to be too heavy for practical use and not used during the Franco-Prussian War.[4]
It was also phased out by the Dreyse Rifles still used by 1870 and put into training service in 1891 with the introduction of the Gewehr 88.