I wanted to add another Korth revolver to my collection for a while now, but I was waiting for the perfect example to pop up. I wasn’t interested in a model from the new Korth company in Lollar, but I did want another Ratzeburg model from the 70‘s or 80‘s. This time period is my favorite vintage for Korth handguns. 
Korth was founded in the mid 1950‘s by Willi Korth. The first revolvers did not go into production until nearly 10 years later. The very early Korth revolvers were simple service guns and not overly extravagant in comparison to where Willi eventually took them. By the early 1970‘s the legendary Korth Combat was released. This revolver went through minor tweaks and changes throughout the next several years, until it was totally perfected to Willi’s liking. By the late 1970‘s, Willi felt his revolver had reached this perfection and he started work on his semi auto pistol. By the early 1980‘s, Korth had turned over the company to his successor and resigned due to poor health.
The Willi Korth’s Autopistol did finally go into limited production in the late 1980‘s. Despite incredible levels of refinement and build quality, the auto was not a success. It suffered from a stratospheric price (near $7000 in 1989) and a falling block design that had never been fully perfected. On the other hand, the Korth Combat revolver was a masterpiece of engineering. All parts on Korth handguns start as the highest quality steel forgings with a super-high tensile strength. Each revolver requires about 70 labor hours to complete. They were built at a rate of 100 to 120 per year by five gunsmiths, so these were never big production firearms.
I won’t go into the specifics of the design. Michael Zeleny’s studies are available online and are far more in depth than anything I could try to explain here. From a build quality standpoint, there is nothing better in the revolver world. The Korth Combat is made from the best and hardest tool steel and completely built by hand using the best processes. It is a perfect piece of machinery and very tightly fit with the closest of tolerances. The gun literally feels like one solid piece of steel in your hand. The Combat’s accuracy potential, as well as its strength and durability is remarkable. While they are ultra refined, that doesn’t prevent them from being among the most durable revolvers in the world.
Aesthetically speaking, the Korth Combat certainly took some design cues from the Colt Python, which is not a bad thing. While the Korth can’t quite match the iconic beauty of the Colt, the finish is of much higher quality and the gun itself is on an entirely different level of refinement, strength, and execution. I am a huge fan of the Colt Python and own several. However, I need to be honest and say that there is really no comparison in terms of build quality and durability. I’ve never spoken to anyone with first hand experience with both that would disagree with me.
It may just be the only 357 Magnum that can match the Manurhin MR73‘s strength and durability. I think the Manurhin MR73 is the best overall 357 Magnum when everything is taken into consideration, including its vast service pedigree. However, the Korth Combat is the finest. To put it in different words, the Korth is a bit cold and stark without the same character. Its basically too perfect, if that makes any sense whatsoever. The MR73 has certain intangibles that make me prefer it to the Korth overall, but absolutely nothing I’ve ever seen or touched can match the Korth’s refinement and attention to detail.
The Korth’s metal work and quality level of machining are almost otherworldly. The fitting is, likewise, out of this world. The outward appearance of the gun features sharp angles and beautiful curves blended like no other revolver. The roll marking is finely done and doesn’t detract from the gun’s clean look. Coupling all this with incredible surface smoothness and finishing and its makes the Korth look and feel as though it were built by aliens. The action is smoother than a Python’s and has the precision of a Swiss watch. Its a perfect revolver. From just a refinement standpoint, the revolver I own that probably gets the closest is a 1935 S&W Registered Magnum. However, even that pales in comparison to the Korth when everything is taken into consideration.
This particular example was built in 1985 and is a truly stunning example of the most perfectly built 357 Magnum of all time. Its in like new condition (looks unfired) and complete with the optional leather case and 9mm cylinder. It is a 36xxx Series gun, which were built well after Willi Korth had left the company and nine years after my other Korth revolver from 1976. This model is incredibly well built and probably even slightly tighter than my earlier 3“ Combat. In typical Korth fashion, the bluing is deep and glossy with a black appearance. Its some of the nicest bluing I’ve ever seen. The import mark is small and was placed in an inconspicuous spot, which is great. The last thing I want is an large import mark on a Korth.
The triggers on these are amazing and I love the way they point and handle. The walnut Nill grips fit my hands perfectly. For those that don’t know, the cylinder release is on the right side of the hammer and easy to reach. The cylinder then can be completely removed via the button on the right side of the frame in front of the trigger guard. It makes the gun easy to clean and cylinders easy to swap. Its a great design and generally unique to Korth (later copied by Janz).
I know its a very bold statement to declare a particular 357 magnum the finest in the world. However, I would challenge anyone to really get a look at one of these before crying foul. While I’m only stating an opinion, I’m very confident in that opinion. I’m fortunate enough to own all the top 357's and this is the finest one I know of. Like I said above, I do prefer the Manurhin MR73 because its just my kind of gun. However, I’m not letting my preference cloud my judgment. The Korth just can’t be topped. There really are no equals.
Please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts. The gun’s beauty and elegance can’t be fully captured with a camera, but I did my best.
Thanks for reading.
Here is my entire Korth collection, albeit small...
1976 Korth Combat 357, 1985 Korth Combat 357, and 1989 Korth Autopistol 9mm
Korth was founded in the mid 1950‘s by Willi Korth. The first revolvers did not go into production until nearly 10 years later. The very early Korth revolvers were simple service guns and not overly extravagant in comparison to where Willi eventually took them. By the early 1970‘s the legendary Korth Combat was released. This revolver went through minor tweaks and changes throughout the next several years, until it was totally perfected to Willi’s liking. By the late 1970‘s, Willi felt his revolver had reached this perfection and he started work on his semi auto pistol. By the early 1980‘s, Korth had turned over the company to his successor and resigned due to poor health.
The Willi Korth’s Autopistol did finally go into limited production in the late 1980‘s. Despite incredible levels of refinement and build quality, the auto was not a success. It suffered from a stratospheric price (near $7000 in 1989) and a falling block design that had never been fully perfected. On the other hand, the Korth Combat revolver was a masterpiece of engineering. All parts on Korth handguns start as the highest quality steel forgings with a super-high tensile strength. Each revolver requires about 70 labor hours to complete. They were built at a rate of 100 to 120 per year by five gunsmiths, so these were never big production firearms.
I won’t go into the specifics of the design. Michael Zeleny’s studies are available online and are far more in depth than anything I could try to explain here. From a build quality standpoint, there is nothing better in the revolver world. The Korth Combat is made from the best and hardest tool steel and completely built by hand using the best processes. It is a perfect piece of machinery and very tightly fit with the closest of tolerances. The gun literally feels like one solid piece of steel in your hand. The Combat’s accuracy potential, as well as its strength and durability is remarkable. While they are ultra refined, that doesn’t prevent them from being among the most durable revolvers in the world.
Aesthetically speaking, the Korth Combat certainly took some design cues from the Colt Python, which is not a bad thing. While the Korth can’t quite match the iconic beauty of the Colt, the finish is of much higher quality and the gun itself is on an entirely different level of refinement, strength, and execution. I am a huge fan of the Colt Python and own several. However, I need to be honest and say that there is really no comparison in terms of build quality and durability. I’ve never spoken to anyone with first hand experience with both that would disagree with me.
It may just be the only 357 Magnum that can match the Manurhin MR73‘s strength and durability. I think the Manurhin MR73 is the best overall 357 Magnum when everything is taken into consideration, including its vast service pedigree. However, the Korth Combat is the finest. To put it in different words, the Korth is a bit cold and stark without the same character. Its basically too perfect, if that makes any sense whatsoever. The MR73 has certain intangibles that make me prefer it to the Korth overall, but absolutely nothing I’ve ever seen or touched can match the Korth’s refinement and attention to detail.
The Korth’s metal work and quality level of machining are almost otherworldly. The fitting is, likewise, out of this world. The outward appearance of the gun features sharp angles and beautiful curves blended like no other revolver. The roll marking is finely done and doesn’t detract from the gun’s clean look. Coupling all this with incredible surface smoothness and finishing and its makes the Korth look and feel as though it were built by aliens. The action is smoother than a Python’s and has the precision of a Swiss watch. Its a perfect revolver. From just a refinement standpoint, the revolver I own that probably gets the closest is a 1935 S&W Registered Magnum. However, even that pales in comparison to the Korth when everything is taken into consideration.
This particular example was built in 1985 and is a truly stunning example of the most perfectly built 357 Magnum of all time. Its in like new condition (looks unfired) and complete with the optional leather case and 9mm cylinder. It is a 36xxx Series gun, which were built well after Willi Korth had left the company and nine years after my other Korth revolver from 1976. This model is incredibly well built and probably even slightly tighter than my earlier 3“ Combat. In typical Korth fashion, the bluing is deep and glossy with a black appearance. Its some of the nicest bluing I’ve ever seen. The import mark is small and was placed in an inconspicuous spot, which is great. The last thing I want is an large import mark on a Korth.
The triggers on these are amazing and I love the way they point and handle. The walnut Nill grips fit my hands perfectly. For those that don’t know, the cylinder release is on the right side of the hammer and easy to reach. The cylinder then can be completely removed via the button on the right side of the frame in front of the trigger guard. It makes the gun easy to clean and cylinders easy to swap. Its a great design and generally unique to Korth (later copied by Janz).
I know its a very bold statement to declare a particular 357 magnum the finest in the world. However, I would challenge anyone to really get a look at one of these before crying foul. While I’m only stating an opinion, I’m very confident in that opinion. I’m fortunate enough to own all the top 357's and this is the finest one I know of. Like I said above, I do prefer the Manurhin MR73 because its just my kind of gun. However, I’m not letting my preference cloud my judgment. The Korth just can’t be topped. There really are no equals.
Please enjoy the pics and share your thoughts. The gun’s beauty and elegance can’t be fully captured with a camera, but I did my best.
Thanks for reading.
Here is my entire Korth collection, albeit small...
1976 Korth Combat 357, 1985 Korth Combat 357, and 1989 Korth Autopistol 9mm
My 4" M28 has seen off two 6" Pythons in the accuracy stakes and I can control the trigger better in DA. LOL Ok, I bagged one for a mate of mine and we're always trying to out do each other. We both could do well on a given day. 
