Restoration of WWI Austro-Hungarian Steyr Hahn Pistol

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Today I'm taking care of a Model 1912 Steyr Hahn pistol, marked 1916, so over 100 years old.
It has a light coat of rust and discolored grips, but the conditions underneath are much worse than they appear. Will it work ever again?
A special thanks goes to Michelangelo Neri Orliani for helping in the making of this project
If you can and want to help me making videos like this, you can directly support me on Patreon:
/ backyardballistics
with your help, I can keep making educational content without having to give up my freedom of speech to the advertiser's needs.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Stay fully informed on issues from around the world and across the political spectrum at ground.news/backyard. Subscribe for unlimited access to media bias, blindspots and comparative media coverage.

[@armageddontools]

Ever since i stopped caring and reading news i live peacefully as a buda ! I am few more years away from levitating !

[@armageddontools]

Thank you for explaining about different finish and how to get it. Your videos are always educational and fun to watch.

[@alexgarcia1145]

$

[@DavidGarcia-wf9ut]

Le BLÉÄÛ

[@shaned93]

Hey, I love your videos and work. I have a question though. I have an 1894 English Bulldog chambers in 44. webly short or 44. bulldog. It's missing a hammer spring and a trigger spring but overall in good shape. Do you take clients for restoration? I even have some 44 bulldog ammo I could send

[@redwizard9857]

You should take pictures of all of the guns you have in storage so you can hold a community post so we can vote which gun we want to be restored next.

[@DementiaGaming69420]

That’s a great idea!! He should do that!

[@racimlongou5178]

​@@DementiaGaming69420 That's a wild username

[@Eluhawk]

You are the only person I have found on youtube that has actually shown an extensive breakdown of this gun instead of just the slide and barrel. Also, the most comprehensive way to operate the entirety of the weapon. Thank you. Everyone else is either too afraid to do a full takedown and also doesn't fully understand the operation of the weapon.

[@spicy110]

You are no wrong about fake content! What is sad is how blatent it is vs how many people watch them.

[@bandwagon240]

What's even worse than fake restorations is the fake pet rescue ones. Just can't believe someone would intentionally starve and abuse an animal only for YT views. Sick people.

[@alfordjohnson2383]

CAN THERE BE THAT MANY RUST GUN IN THE HANDS OF SO MANY RESTORATORS. ??

[@omniscientbarebones]

@@alfordjohnson2383 No, most guns while never be found again, Most you’ll see here will be fake restorations where its very clear it’s either paint or rust that has been artificially put on the metal with an oxidizer.

[@alfordjohnson2383]

@@omniscientbarebones THANKS FOR THAT INFORMATION....

[@A_Sailors_Prayer]

Always thought it was a thing just never had it confirmed

[@chrisoliver4757]

What a lovely old pistol, it's fascinating listening to you speak as you clean them, thank you for enjoying your work.😁

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

thank you for watching!

[@davekennedy6315]

It's so incredibly seeing your incredible skills at work. Seeing a firearm that looks like it just got fished from the sea restored into looking as good as new. Love it!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I truly appreciate your kind words! Just as curiosity, guns, or steel parts in general, that have been in seawater for long periods of time get in much worse conditions, especially if in shallow waters. Most of the times what comes out of the sea is beyond repair...

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

This was dry rust not caused by direct water contact, but rather the kind of rust you see from being stored for a very long time in less than ideal conditions as evidenced by the clean outside of the barrel and the hammer.

[@davekennedy6315]

@@sheerluckholmes5468 I live in England and most metal things rust away to nothing. So we don't tend to see old metal items last like the various firearms featured on here. Our rust goes deep and destroys everything, that's why we don't have all that many old cars unless they are taken care of.

[@ashleysmith3106]

Good on you for calling out the fake restoration videos on KZbin ! So many of the so-called "Restorations" are nothing but butchery, so it's great to see guys like you and Mark Novak not only doing things properly, but explaining the whole procedure clearly and accurately ! The 1912 Steyr is one of the favourites of my collection!

[@KhrisMiddletonFitnessOfficial]

So many of them add stupid details to the guns they "restore".

[@troudbalos333]

The sand blasting, mirror polish and spray can (that are definitly not the original color) all show me that this aint it. That aint restoration. What anger me the most is people in the comments. "Wow it look so much better!" Bruh he just painted a gun silver with acheap ass paint after sand blasting it and he didnt even put a layer of undercoating (like that gonna help). People dont even know how stuff are made cuz all they see in product these day is fake and cheap material.

[@echko_9]

I was going to say I always get excited when you post a new restoration video because this is the only channel I know I'm going to get a real firearm restoration. The others all seem to clearly fake them. I appreciate your integrity and thanks for sharing with us and for doing what you do.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

My pleasure. If you like this kind of content Mark Novak is a proper gunsmith, check it on youtube😉

[@PackthatcameBack]

Excellent job and an excellent finish. Your skill and knowledge is clearly shown and I'm happy that it was you who got this gun and not some buff wheel-happy quack.

[@dingyuanliu8769]

He's the only person on KZbin who knows how to properly repair a rusted historical firearm. Good job!

[@AbananaPEEl]

You might be interested in Mark Novak and his gunsmithing channel. I know Backyard Ballistics has cited him as someone he looks to on how to best work on firearms.

[@dingyuanliu8769]

@@AbananaPEEl Thank you! I will watch his video.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

He's a proper gunsmith, I'm just somebody who read a lot of books ;)

[@flybynight9685]

3:58 Exactly. If you’re ruining something just to restore it, say that. Many people would still watch it. Don’t try and deceive your entire audience for views. That’s why I love this channel. It’s real. And I love listening to you talk about the firearm.

[@FixitFrank]

I have the 1912 version that was rechambered for 9mm parabellum. Such a fun pistol. I put a brand new barrel from Steyr in it.

[@noturfather1106]

They make replacement barrels for them?

[@dashingdave2665]

Wonder if they have any left in stock?

[@shinka2109]

@@noturfather1106 sorry for 9 months, but there are aftermarket conversion barrels

[@oolooo]

Yet again , your content is of astounding quality .You treat these babies right , how they deserve . Now I want a Bodeo video from you .

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I just checked, a few days ago, that we have 2 bodeo's in similar conditions to this one, that is mild surface corrosion, but likely bad damage underneath. We also have one that somebody over the years tried to "restore" by painting it with some horrible black enamel. I think I'm going to do that one, what do you think?

[@oolooo]

I think I love you , basically

[@urbiburbi]

@@Backyard.Ballistics that would be wonderful

[@Vikingwerk]

Before watching your channel, I never would have imagined restoring firearms would require so much skill in chemistry. Amazing work!

[@williambehr2312]

Wow, I usually don't comment on videos at all but this was more than restoration you actually taught me some useful chemistry that I'm gonna use to stain the handle of a sword I'm making right now. This is the content KZbin was built for!!

[@stevenicholas5651]

Thank you for your honesty. I also see many fake restoration videos on KZbin and it's a shame somebody would purposely rust a perfectly good gun instead of finding a truly old firearm in need of restoration. I deeply enjoy all your chemistry demonstrations and showcasing. This is something that no other gunsmith or gun restorer does on KZbin and it's infinitely valuable to us all. Also I like the longer videos. I'd love to see 30-45 minute video lengths. I understand this may not be possible but maybe it's a goal for the channel in the foreseeable future. Regards from America!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Hello there! What's even worse is that somebody is doing the same thing with live animals instead of inanimate objects, in order to make a video about "curing" them. I'm working on a "fake detector" tutorial, I'm hoping to publish it next week on my second channel.

[@stevenicholas5651]

@@Backyard.Ballistics On animals! What the hell? That's just absurd and cruel. Yes please make that video for us. Also what is your 2nd channel? Do you have a link for it here somewhere? Maybe in your "About" tab? If not adding the link there might be helpful! Thanks for the reply.

[@shodefektiv]

kzbin.info/door/GHpRPav34_OtbmueojBiOA There u go, beyond balistics

[@notnowchief.3089]

Hate to break it to you .... But He's INTENTIONALY Rusting these pistols and Acting like a he's "Saving" Them... So many people on this page praising this the fake

[@korbetthein3072]

@@notnowchief.3089 Got proof?

[@lucasblanchard47]

I really need to watch more of your videos. It’s really cool to know that you genuinely restore antiques that have rusted naturally over time and haven’t been artificially aged. Even cooler that you actually FIRE them after restoration! Great content, much love from Texas!

[@RedFeatherAngler]

Happy to see you back, posting great content. Definitely one of the best gun channels on youtube!

[@KuruGDI]

11:40 As a tea enthusiast I noticed that many times before and now I know why this happens. I never thought that I would learn something like this in a video about gun restoration 😄

[@michaelbrunson7764]

Absolutely love all the chemistry info and explanations. I am a biochemist by education. I don’t do much lab work any more, but I love the info and explanations you provide. As my very first chemistry professor said on my first day of gen chem years ago, “Chemistry is the crowning jewel of the sciences”

[@MayheM_72]

As a huge WW1 fan (even before the big WW1 game craze several years ago) and fascinated with the Austro-Hungarian military, this is simply awesome! Between this, the Frommer Stop, and the Mannlicher M95, the Austro-Hungarian arms were so cool!

[@Nugz_2008]

I am convinced this is the only legit restoration channel

[@scrambledeggs2176]

I find it so cool that you just know how to fix them

[@dwgutierrez]

I think you should change the channel name to Backyard Ballistical Chemist. Absolutely amazing how you make your own solutions for bluing, wood restorations, and tempering!

[@skyethegoose]

For a gun over 100 years old, it looks incredible

[@willieckaslike]

Thank you for an excellently presented & informative video. I particularly like the way you explain not only what you are doing, but why you are doing it. The result for a 106 year old pistol is amazing.

[@thelichking9123]

But if we look at the fact that this gun is more than 100 years old, it's still in a good condition

[@robertsmith4681]

I have personally handled and/or fired a number of examples, guns made using industrial processes (post 1880 or so) really don't "Wear out" the way people think they do.

[@lolatu4402]

Like most steel and brass objects, a well maintained firearm can look quite new and function as intended for centuries.

[@makeintoschu]

No, it isn't. There are Steyr-Hahn for sale in Poland for reasonable prices that have more than 50 percent of the original coating and barrel in undisturbed condition.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

If it had been stored oiled in an airtight container it would have looked practically the same as it came out of the factory. With good care guns don't decay, although they wear out with use, but for pistols that means running a whole lot of ammo though it ;)

[@iii1429]

But if we look at the fact is achually in fact in reality in fact 100 years old, to be honest its achually infact in a spledid condition if I say so myself achually

[@dan725]

I guess I’m not sleeping for the next 20 minutes. 3am notification? I just woke up from the notification, but see it’s FRIGGIN BACKYARD BALLISTICS.. I’m WATCHING. I’ll sleep after!!! In fact, I sleep infinitely better after watching a Backyard Ballistics video.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Hope I'm not messing up your sleep schedule too much 😴

[@yes-yw4oz]

Finally new video

[@1101agaoj]

Great job with the restoration and even better to see your new content!

[@Danonito_flavor]

I absolutely love this channel and how thorough you are! Last year I finished a restoration of a Roth Steyr M1907 (Serial #753!!) that belonged to my long gone grandfather and I must say this video gave me a lot of hope of reviving the dark wood! I will revisit the handle wood for sure after watching this :)

[@Danonito_flavor]

@extantfellow46 lt didn't bleach as much as I'd like but I didn't want to push it further so I left it as is, ended up nice though.

[@NickDanger214]

I love your content, I really enjoy how you explain all of the scientific properties of both chemicals and material and how they interact. It shows true craftsmanship.

[@dafukq4163]

words cannot describe how incredible these videos are.

[@chrisgosling6083]

its nice to have a down to earth video with no annoying music playing in the background and some one explaining what they are using and how the chemicals work, the results speak for them self , i cant believe this channel only has 190k subs as it is one of the most informative channels i have found that covers firearm technology and restoration, thankyou for the excellent content !! re manufactured content , it would be interesting if in the video you are going to make you show how the fake ageing is done , thanks again

[@blipblip88]

A gentle restorer with a comprehensive set of great cleaning and restoration tips and caveats; I liked that he took a moment to mention other YT hack "restorers", but if you've watched enough restoration vids, you'll spot them a lightyear away. Good content and wonderful results. Thank you.

[@Briselance]

This great-great-grandfather of a pistol still kicks when you whip him back into shape. I like it.

[@Felix-fy7ki]

Very well done! In this particular case a gentle cleaning and conservation of the existing patina should also have been interesting. PPU is producing the 9mm Steyr I think.

[@azarbuzlargnarlargon7541]

Indeed they do, it's in they catalogue. How obtainable it is, though, could be a problem.

[@treeweasel77]

I just wanted to say I really appreciate the quality of your content and have used this video for a report in my Materials and Processes class in Tech School. Thank you so much for your skills, knowledge and passion for what you do. It shines through in your work!

[@robertlewis4666]

Beautiful job as we have come to expect from you! Nicely done!

[@stiglitz3532]

I am amazed by how much care you put into these restorations; they inspire me to do the same in my community to firearms that have been left away in dire conditions. Thank you for putting such effort into that Steyr, it's a beautiful pistol and you are much luckier than myself to handle such a fine piece of engineering!

[@NikephorosLogothetes]

This guy’s seamless transition to the ad almost gets me every time 😂

[@maksimegaloman]

Yeah, you were right about fake videos. Some of them are really obvious. That's why the only two restoration channels i follow are your and Mark Novak's. A great upload!

[@brett6775]

Dude, you have the best channel on youtube. No BS just lessons on how to do this and good video. I ordered all the stuff I need to rust blue a rifle I have laying around to learn on. Thanks for the tips.

[@Lesardah]

Wow. I was expecting a video where those geniuses bury guns in pickle juice for a week then claim they are "restoring" them. That is NOT what you're doing. Excellent work, great explanations, and bonus range time! Easy sub. Can't wait to catch up on your content!

[@cocakoolaid2283]

Excited to see the newest restoration video. Keep up the awesome work, they're my favorite!

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Glad you like them!

[@tacticalgamer9587]

I love seeing one of favorite firearms being restored to its former glory. Great job!

[@LarryDeSilva64]

It is really amazing to see you use different techniques for bluing and also for the repair of the wood grips to get them a proper color. Thanks for another great restoration video. I send all of my subscribers to watch your channel.

[@chrisgenovese8188]

i watch a lot of restoration videos. this is the first gun restoration ive seen where the gun was fired at the end. its damn impressive you made your own ammo for it too!

[@ricardosantos9960]

Best restoration channel I've seen so far. Not only you do an amazing job you explain all the concepts and techniques perfectly. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

[@simthespark324]

Absolutely love the detail and care on this channel, thank you for your hard work and amazing videos!

[@ItsNotaPhaze]

Props for calling out the fake channels. Some people seem to have found a treasure trove of surface-rusted antiquities

[@MatSpeedle]

Fantastic job, especially enjoyed the lesson on treating the wood grips some real great craftsmanship on show.

[@jtchristiank1]

I normally like the "non talking" restoration vids, but you changed that. You, sir, inspire.

[@Olli120]

I must say, your ad-transitions are consistently very smooth and well integrated.

[@snappers_antique_firearms]

I wish i could find guns in the condition as you do on your channel. I love bringing old guns back to life.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I have to say that if it wasn't for my job I wouldn't have access to all of this, because guns in this condition have no market value, and are usually discarded by market players.

[@wjsj69]

Very impressed with your knowledge and integrity! Learning a lot, thank you!

[@Juanguar]

such a beautiful handgun I’m thankful theres someone that is restoring such beautiful pieces

[@tristanbarnett6271]

Awesome job my friend you restored a piece of History I meant to put a comment on this video when it first came out but I was very busy but I was at least able to watch it I love how you restored it back to original condition and I love the part where you made your own bullets keep up the good work

[@strogmann]

One of the few legit restoration channels. I love your work man keep it up.

[@Andrew-sv6zq]

I love your videos and the restoration processes. I just wish I could locate some of those classic guns like the Steyr. keep up the good and interesting restorations.

[@sillysongs19]

Amazing work, sir. I really like the care you take

[@chrisbraun6534]

Amazing restauration job, my compliments!

[@scott_hunts]

Thank you for these videos, the techniques shown are far more detailed than others online. Your presentation seems much more trustworthy as well, and less damaging. I recently restored a historically significant firearm that was all but destroyed by rust and corrosion. It does not look new even after the work I put in, and the extremely heavy pitting will never be fixed, but the degradation of the piece was halted, the parts now interact in the way they should, and it has been preserved for future generations. My prior attempts at preservation had middling results, with one attempt that I regret due to the loss of a patina that I tried to save while removing some accompanying rust. This most recent project is one that I am proud to call my own work, is is no doubt the best I have done so far. These educational videos helped me a great deal in the proper application of a number of techniques that were new to me. Thank you.

[@famedgaming1865]

Starline makes brand new brass for 9x23steyr and the lee die for .38 super works really well for me. Melting my own heads using a ration of 5% tin to 95% lead has been great too and leaves no streaking. So happy to see more history being preserved. Thank you for the video.

[@rp8133]

Thanx for showing this process. It's a beautiful gun and you made a good job to give this gun a new life. This Steyr really has a modern design and I like the rotating bore design. It is said to give better accuracy.

[@Sion_Revan]

Yay, our favorite Ballistician is back!

[@dalerobertson3740]

I must say, I only watch your channel for this kind of stuff. Not only is it legitimate, you explain everything and really know your stuff. Good content. Keep it coming.

[@stackbrass1278]

absolutely beautiful restoration takes a large amount of passion to restore old yet iconic firearms of time passed the 1912 is one of my favorite pistols in Battlefield 1 just for the reload animation

[@davidtaylor9027]

Fascinating, as usual. Keep them coming!

[@aethertech]

Very nice restoration. The SH pistols do look quite good, just a nice mix of both old and new design philosophy trying to become the next big thing in gun engineering.

[@xavierdaigle515]

Restoring the gun and making your own brass? Your a legend.

[@hank9366]

Well done. Looks great. The methods you used to lighten the wood is new to me. Cant wait to play around with it...Thanks

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Glad to help

[@claytronsworld9485]

WOW!!! I've never seen this handgun or knew about it until today! This is a very interesting build!! So cool!

[@SKYWOLF1974]

fantastic work and very good accuracy... thank you!

[@Andreas-tw4cm]

Great work and very well explained, thank you.

[@anon4854]

My favorite looking pistol of all time. Best sidearm in BF1

[@ScottRuggels]

Love your channel for the clear descriptions of the chemistry as well as the restorations. Looking forward to your restoration guide. As for the M1912 pistol, I love those things. I used to have one, but had to sell it, but my friends still have theirs. A pity about the barrel. Fiocchi used to make the ammo for it, with quality brass. The pistols are so much easier to load with the strippers though, Very quick.

[@Briselance]

Whoa. You have some strippers each time you load these? Ya lucky one.

[@therogers4432]

​​​​​​​​@@BriselanceYes, mainly rusty, painfully neglected strippers in rough condition 😖🤢🤮 that he painstakingly de-rusts 😲 and then restores into useful functioning examples that you could be proud to show-off to all your friends 😊🥰😍😘 👩‍🦰 👩 * ---🛎🛎---* * ---🛎🛎---* ) . ( => ) . ( (🪭) ( v ) I II I I II I II II II II 👢👢 👢👢 And yup... -I have far too much time on my hands... 🙄

[@jamessotherden5909]

It's nice seeing you bring this old pistol back from the sorry state it was in.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

It's nice seeing you comment ;)

[@hookedonbassncats]

I love that you talk well doing it compared to those who stay silent the whole video.

[@TempusViator]

106 years old… that's phenomenal. Excellent video!

[@l.m.g.6691]

You are amazing, this is the only restoration channel I follow.

[@robertsonwilliam573]

I'm not a professional like yourself nor do I have your experience however may I suggest two items that I have found tremendously helpful in my gun restorations? 1: a dishwasher - run stocks or grips through a regular dishwasher and it not only cleans them very well but it also pops out most of the dents 2: a sonic cleaner - removes rust, crud, stuck screws, cleans grips, and generally saves a lot of tedious manual labor. Works great with dish washing soap, laundry detergent, mild acid, or evaporust depending on your needs.

[@devia1988]

I like the chemistry lessons in between the restoration, good stuff!

[@REXOB9]

Thanks for a great video. I really enjoy seeing you restore firearms. Love that you go into the chemistry. Thanks.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

Thank you for watching!

[@Guns_4_Fun]

As a gun loving guy like me it was a pleasure to watch this ☺️ again a great Job this gun looks really powerful for his age...

[@wade6523]

Thank you for saying that. Most of the restoration videos are fake. Clicked on this one because I thought it was the same. Glad to see there is some people with integrity out there. Nice pist0l.

[@diopappa]

Sei un grande, ci metti una passione e una professionalità davvero uniche, spero che tu possa continuare a fare questo lavoro perché è di gran lunga il migliore canale di restauro di armi da fuoco 👏🏻

[@user-kf6nc5jv3l]

Back when I was 15 and completely inexperienced with handguns I got the chance to shoot one of those at an Austrian gun range. What surprised me the most was that I managed to get a way better group (which wasn't too great either) with the Steyr Hahn than with the Glock 17 Gen1 that I shot right right afterwards.

[@Lugia21]

I'm very amazed just by how well the gun looked prior the repair and loved it after it was was finished.

[@18echo]

That grouping at 27 yards is outstanding considering barrel condition and trigger pull 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@GarthKlaus]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@karl2745]

Looks absolutely fantastic great job

[@larss337]

This was a very good restauration. I love these integral magazine, stripper fed early semi autos.

[@goodnough1]

I truly appreciate your honesty.

[@Backyard.Ballistics]

I do my best ;)

[@lachysoutdooradventures2731]

This is so good love how you break down what's what

[@joshjohnson6163]

Got yourself a really cool relic, great restoration!

[@SsgtHolland]

Fine craftsmanship!

[@jimh6763]

Looks great. Good job!!

[@scottcates]

This is exemplary work and ability. Cheers, sir.

[@acomingextinction]

It really is a very elegant looking pistol. Beautiful restoration job as always.