3380

*EARLIEST PRODUCTION BERGMANN SIMPLEX M1901 WITH WOOD GRIP.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
*EARLIEST PRODUCTION BERGMANN SIMPLEX M1901 WITH WOOD GRIP.
SN 22. 8mm Bergmann Simplex. The Bergmann Simplex was a compact firearm produced under license, in Belgium in the early 1900s, that combined features from the Bergman Model 1896 and Bergmann Mars M1903. Production is usually estimated at 3500 guns. This very early example has a 3.5" bbl with a fixed front and rear sight. A Crown U proof on the top of the bbl rib is repeated on the receiver. The left side of the receiver is marked "PATENT BREVETE S.G.D.G.". There are no markings on either side of the frame except for the safety designations. The serial number 22 is on the butt. The bolt pulls back to function in the manner of other auto-pistols of the era. A thin ejector is screw mounted on the left side of the receiver and the magazine is released with a button in front of the magazine well that is fenestrated on each side with four holes. The five shot magazine in this pistol is drilled with three indicator holes that, when inserted, line up with the top three holes in the magazine well. On the left side of the frame is a safety with a forward detent marked "S" and a rearward detent marked "F". The hammer and trigger are strawed while the safety lever is fire blued. Earliest pistols were fitted with a single piece finely checkered walnut grip secured by a screw on the tang and a second screw on the butt. PROVENANCE: Joseph J. Schroeder, Jr. Collection. CONDITION: Original blue, 30-40%, with considerable oxidative and storage related loss. Comparable oxidative losses involve the strawed hammer and trigger and the fire blued ejector. The fire blue on the safety lever has been restored. Checkered grips with blunted diamonds. A small crack is below the left tang and small chips missing from the top front corner on each side. Mechanically sound. Dull bore with sharp rifling and moderate corrosion. 4-48528 LMA59