3189

FANTASTIC BERGMANN M 1894, No.2, FOLDING TRIGGER, SERIAL NUMBER 16.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
FANTASTIC BERGMANN M 1894, No.2, FOLDING TRIGGER, SERIAL NUMBER 16.
SN 16. Cal. 5mm. Theodor Bergmann was an early pioneer in the development of European semiautomatic pistols in the late 1890s and early 1900s. All of the Number 2s, 3s and 4s, had an integral magazine that was loaded by rotating down the magazine sideplate and inserting a strip of cartridges from the side. The earliest M1896s in 5mm had a folding trigger. This example has a lugged 3” bbl with a fixed front and rear sight. The bolt has no extractor and there is open top ejection. The left side of the bbl is marked 611 along with a Crown U that is repeated on the left side of the receiver. Under the lug, on the left side of the frame is “PATENT BREVETE S.G.D.G.” The right side of the frame, under the barrel lug, bears the serial #16 that is repeated under the trigger. In the center of the sideplate is the Bergmann factory logo featuring a miner surmounted by the word” “Gaggenau” and over V.C.S. Suhl. In this case, V.S.C are the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann, and Suhl which was the location. The hammer and safety stop are strawed while the safety is fire blued and the trigger and its transfer bar are in the white. Walnut grips are finely checkered and without a logo. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection. CONDITION: At least 98% strong, original rust blue with only faint, sharp edge wear. The same holds true for the front and backstrap. Comparable condition straw and fire blue on the small parts. The trigger and transfer bar are not quite as nice on the left side, with about 20% of the surface drifting to a mild patina. Crisp orig grips with no chips or losses. Bright bore with strong rifling and perfect mechanics. It would be very difficult to upgrade this folding trigger Bergmann with one of the lowest serial numbers known, and one of the first commercially produced auto pistols! 4-52202 LMA105