They are interesting pistols. Be careful to only shoot standard speed ammunition...high velocity ammunition will crack the frame or slide.

 

Haven't seen one in many years. Thanks!

 

Very nice, love the manual! No worries about the standard velocity ammo, I don’t shoot high velocity in any of my prewar autos.

 

Many Reisings on the market have cracked because shooters didn't know or care about the ammunition restriction. One has to be very careful when potentially buying one of these. Many sellers think they're worth a bundle due to rarity whether it's cracked or not.

 

I actually bought mine from a gunsmith through his website and specifically asked if he had checked it for cracks… and got a response saying it had a very nice bore. When I asked again he said no cracks, terrible customer service but the price was right so I took the chance and bought it. Whole transaction was so frustrating I wouldn’t deal with him again but the gun is nice and solid so I guess it worked out!

 

Pretty neat. Thanks for showing.

 

That's neat to see. Thanks.

I'd enjoy taking it out for a bit of plinking if I had one. Love .22 caliber guns.

Figured it was a standard velocity only proposition which would be just fine.

 

Very interesting guns. The early ones were made in Hartford and the later ones were made in NY. The CT gun is on the left and NY on the right. There are some subtle differences. The original magazines are 12 round. I have also seen a third variation that has a push button on the side instead of the pivot which these have.

 

Very nice. Mine is serial 10003, which I believe makes it only the 3rd New York gun.

Very interesting guns. The early ones were made in Hartford and the later ones were made in NY. The CT gun is on the left and NY on the right. There are some subtle differences. The original magazines are 12 round. I have also seen a third variation that has a push button on the side instead of the pivot which these have.

 

Scan of an original, very early owner's manual which has a lot of good info... PDF of the full manual is attached (hopefully).

 

I’ve got one that’s been welded and I need to file the welds so I can shoot it!

 

I studied them when I tried to win a couple the past few years. Very interesting for sure, and the guy's history too.
On the cracking, sounds similar to a lot of High Standards .22s, they crack if Hi Velocity is used.

 

The Astra is perhaps relevant? Although not a tip-up that I can see. Came to mind from the '60s Gun Digests that I used to devour as a teen.

 

That's a Star Model F
I've got one of those and it's a lot stronger than the Reising, I think.
The Walther Olympia (and it's later clones) is pretty similar on the surface as well.

 

The Model F was a very nicely made 22. Pushing the straw colored button just ahead of the thumb safety allows you to retract the slide, lift it at the rear and then carefully slide it forward and off the barrel. I know of no weaknesses in the design.

Somone(s) here has a Hartford Arms 22. Interesting cosmetic clone of The Woodsman, and reasonably rare these days.

 

I bought one a few years back since it looked like a 'twin' to my late '20s Walther Olympia. When it arrived it looked nearly new and unfired. I was going to shoot it sometime with the Olympia, but if I do it won't see much ammo thru the barrel. It came with a nice fitted display case, an extra set of grips and a manual.

Randy

 

A customer sent me one of these to take apart and clean. First one. Having one hell of a time getting the sear spring back in. I couldn't see inside the receiver when removing the sear so I have no idea how it goes back in and interacts with the sear. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

I know this thread is a few years old, but I recently acquired a Reising .22 pistol and found this thread discussing these guns.

I collect primarily pre-war American semi autos but I didn’t even know these pistols existed until shortly before I found this one. It’s a Connecticut made gun and it’s in really nice shape. I was amazed at the really reasonable price I paid for it too, especially considering the condition. Maybe that reflects the general obscurity of these guns?

 

Looks like just a touch of holster wear which begs a couple-few fascinating questions.
Quite a stunner!

 

Sadly, I haven't a clue but I'd be mightily surprised if it wasn't more than double that.
Rare in general and very nicely presenting in particular.

 

This isn’t a perfect comparison because it’s just the listed price and hasn’t actually sold yet, but this Reising is for sale at Legacy Collectibles for about three times what I paid for mine, but it also includes a few accessories and a holster too which must make up some of that asking price.

Scarce Reising Standard Model Target Pistol w/ Holster

6/24/25 - For sale is a Reising Arms Standard Model pistol chambered in .22 LR. These handguns were produced in the early 19040s as a project for Eugene Reising. The pistol has a nice polished blue finish throughout. Theres visisble scattering of wear on the barrel and front sight ring. Front...

legacy-collectibles.com

 

Well... lokee-there. Almost the exact wear at the sight band.
I should think that that holster, in that condition, has to be a couple-few hundred bucks alone.
I don't know pooh-from-popola about the market but it seems a fine deal all-in.

 

Couple quick shots of my 22 Reising with the box and cleaning rod.

 

I have a Reising .22 but am several thousands miles from so I can’t get any photos of it. Once I return I can post some.

There were maybe 5000 made in the 1920s and many found today have cracks in them due to use of high velocity ammunition…they’re made only for standard velocity stuff.

 

Here's my Reising...back from a two week trip and now have time to catch up...