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SCHULHOF REPEATING PISTOL WITH ROTARY MAGAZINE, M1887.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:7,500.00 USD Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
SCHULHOF REPEATING PISTOL WITH ROTARY MAGAZINE, M1887.
SN 18. Cal. 8mm. Repeating pistols were the immediate predecessor to semiautomatic arms. All required a manual movement, usually of the trigger, to chamber and discharge the cartridge. Sometimes both actions were performed sequentially, the firing pin falling as the action finally closed. In most cases, upon manual release, a loading bar or trigger lever would spring back to its original position. Schulhof was credited with having developed several types of repeating pistols. This particular version, a later example, has a 5.25" bbl with drift adjustable front and rear sights. The left side of the receiver is hand inscribed "SCHULHOF'S PATENT WIEN". The only other marking on the gun is in SN 18 in small digits that appears high on the back strap. Loading is through a rotary magazine whose cover is secured by a banded spring that locks into left receiver. A finger loop under the receiver was used to close the bolt. Having travelled to its final position, pressure on the trigger releases the firing pin to fire the cartridge. On the left side of the frame, beside the finger loop, is a fire blued safety. Moving the safety up blocks the trigger. Downward movement frees the gun to fire. With only minor pressure, the finger loop disengages and moves forward, ready for the next loading. Most surfaces including the bbl, receiver and magazine cover are nickel plated. The bolt, magazine cover spring, finger loop and safety are fired blued. Grips are walnut, varnished and liberally checkered, with each panel secured by two screws. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex-Visser collection, pictured in the German Motz/Schuy book "Vom Ursprung der Selbstladepistole" page 64, 65. CONDITION: Approximately 95% nickel finish with scattered patches of very light oxidation on the bbl, most noticeably on the left side. The front and back straps are exceptionally nice with only mild dulling. Although the fire blued small parts show more wear, the aging is uniform, in keeping with the overall condition of the pistol, with no effort at enhancement. Orig, untouched grips with excellent checkering, minimal blunting and negligible loss. Near mirror bore with sharp rifling and only minimal erosion. Perfect mechanics. Overall, an extraordinarily nice Schulhof with rotary magazine, one of the best extant. 4-52441 LMA94