Description
There’s something unmistakable about a Ratzeburg-era Korth the moment you pick it up. The balance, the machining, the almost glass-like polish, it all speaks to a period when every revolver leaving the small German workshop was built with an obsessive, almost artistic level of care. This Korth Ratzeburg Combat 4” chambered in .357 Magnum is a perfect reflection of that philosophy, presented here as a beautifully matched example that feels cohesive in every visual and mechanical detail.
The 4-inch Combat configuration has always occupied a sweet spot within the Korth lineup. It offers the authoritative presence of a duty revolver while maintaining the refined lines and handling characteristics collectors gravitate toward. The barrel profile, with its ventilated rib and precision crown, flows seamlessly into the frame, creating a continuous silhouette that feels deliberate from every angle.
Finished in a deep, lustrous high-polish blue, the revolver showcases the level of surface preparation that defined the Ratzeburg years. Light rolls across the metal in a liquid sheen, highlighting the crisp edges, flawless flats, and meticulous machining that Korth was known for long before CNC production became industry standard.
The cylinder, perfectly indexed and mirror-matched to the frame, locks with the vault-tight precision that made Korth legendary among revolver enthusiasts. Each chamber reflects the same attention to detail seen externally, reinforcing the brand’s reputation for mechanical perfection as much as visual beauty.
Equally striking are the grips. Crafted from richly figured walnut, they provide both warmth and contrast against the dark steel finish. The checkering is sharply executed, offering tactile security while maintaining the elegant, hand-fitted appearance collectors expect. Their tone and grain pattern complement the revolver’s finish perfectly, completing the piece’s cohesive, matching presentation.
Mechanically, the revolver embodies everything that defines a true Korth Combat. The double-action pull is smooth and deliberate, while the single-action break is crisp and clean, a testament to the hand-tuned internals that set Ratzeburg production apart. Timing, lockup, and alignment all reflect the brand’s uncompromising standards.
Presented with its factory box and documentation, this example stands not just as a functional firearm, but as a snapshot of Korth’s formative era, a time when production numbers were small, tolerances were exacting, and each revolver carried the unmistakable fingerprint of master craftsmen.
For the collector drawn to precision revolvers with historical significance, the Korth Ratzeburg Combat 4” .357 Magnum represents a compelling blend of performance, rarity, and visual harmony, a matched piece that captures the essence of German revolver artistry at its peak.
