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BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 2, SOLD BY WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 2, SOLD BY WESTLEY RICHARDS & CO.
SN 658. Caliber 5mm Bergmann. This is an early example of a M1896 #2 semiautomatic pistol as produced by the Bergmann company. Chambered for the 5mm Bergmann cartridge. Theodor Bergman was an early pioneer in the development of European semiautomatic pistols in the late 1890s and early 1900s. His early models were of distinctive design and had a silhouette that would never be confused with a competitor. 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. This particular pistol has a 3.25" bbl, a dovetailed front sight and a fixed rear sight integral to the bolt. Extraction is through a large oval port cut into the top of the bbl extension. The lugged bbl is marked 611 on the left side. Adjacent to this number is the Crown U marking. The left receiver is marked "Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.". In the center of the left frame is the Bergmann factory logo featuring a miner surmounted by the words "Gaggenau" and over V.C.S. Suhl. In this case, V.C.S. were the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann and Suhl which was the location. Grips are hard rubber and finely checkered without logo. The top of the pistol is marked "Westley Richards & Co. London", reflecting distribution in England. According to Joseph J. Schroeder, the gun appeared in Westley Richard's sales records. Markings are absolutely correct. PROVENANCE: Joseph J. Schroeder, Jr. Collection. CONDITION: Stunning 97-98% bright blue, all original, with slight thinning of the front and backstraps (mostly the backstrap), and white highlighting of all significant markings. Strawed hammer, safety retainer, and trigger with a fire blued safety as correct for this pistol. Crisp comparable condition hard rubber grips with minimal blunting of checkering, no cracks and no chips. Mechanically perfect. An outstanding Bergmann Number 2 that could only be improved with a presentation case. 4-48514 LMA45