TP-70
The TP-70 is a small double-action pocket pistol designed by Edgar Budischowsky in West Germany. It comes in two calibers, .22 LR and .25 ACP, and blends ideas from Colt and Walther.
Production history
- It was first made by Korriphila in Ulm as the TP 70.
- Later, Norton Armaments in Mount Clemens, Michigan, produced it as the TP-70 (Budischowsky) from 1973 to 1977. These Michigan-made guns are generally seen as higher quality than later US-made models from Florida and Utah.
- The markings and quality varied over time and by maker.
Markings and eras
- Korriphila era (about 1970–1971): marked "KORRIPHILA(R)-GmbH Ulm/Donau" with "Mod. TP 70 Cal. 6,35 (.25 ACP)."
- Budischowsky era (1972–1974): marked "BUDISCHOWSKY-Waffen GmbH Ulm/Do." with calibers for .25 ACP and for .22 LR.
- Korriphila era again from 1976 onward: marked "KORRIPHILA (logo)" and "Made in Germany," with calibers "TP 70 Cal. 6,35 mm" and "TP 70 Cal. .22 lr."
Special editions
- Collector Guns (1977–1980): two series, A (.25 ACP) and B (.22 LR); about 30 pieces of each, with gold-colored slide stop, safety, hammer, trigger, and magazine release.
- Korriphila 20 Years edition (1968–1988): special markings like "Korriphila (logo) 1968 20 Jahre 1988" and varied barrel/slide markings.
- 50 Years edition (2018): five pistols marked "KORRIPHILA (logo) Germany 1968 50 2018" on the left side and "BUDISCHOWSKY-DESIGN Mod. TP 70 Made in Germany" on the right, with .22 LR barrels on these models.
Other makers
- Norarmco, Norton, and American Arms used different markings on their TP-70 pistols.
Safety features
- Most Korriphila/Norton TP-70 pistols include a magazine safety (magazine disconnect).
- The 1986 20-year anniversary edition does not have this magazine safety.
- In general, you may be able to pull the trigger with little effort, but the design of the safety keeps the gun from firing unless the gun is in the proper condition (e.g., magazine in place on versions that use a disconnect).
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:31 (CET).