This is the exceedingly rare 11.5 mm Roth-Krnka experimental made by George Roth for the British auto-pistol trials (c. 1901-1903). The trials are described in the Minutes of the Small Arms Committee, from the Royal Armouries Library at Leeds as well as the National Archives, starting in April 1900 with the Borchardt pistol and ending with the adoption of the .455SL Webley in 1912. The first trial of the 11.35mm Roth (as described by the testing committee) is recorded in Minute 635 of June 1902.

An 8mm Roth had been tested earlier in October 1900 and shortly thereafter Roth submitted two 11.35mm and one 8mm pistol of “improved design”. The last mention of a Roth is Minute 1077 of May 1909 when an 11mm (.403 inch actual) pistol, described as a “Mark II”, was tested. recorded as having an eight round magazine loaded by charger. Velocity was 816.8 fps and penetration 10 half inch boards spaced one inch apart at 25 feet. Bullets weighed 200 grains with steel envelope and 4.7 grains of smokeless powder. The committee concluded that the gun was a handy and well balanced pistol with good certainty of action. It performed well in the sand test, strips easily and had less recoil that the Webley pistol. There was no safety catch which was a disadvantage. The only further comment is “Committee noted”. Source: IAA Forum. (Erlmeier, Brandt Ref. 171).

11.5mm Roth Pistol formerly in the Aberman Collection of Sidney Aberman of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.