3370

EARLY BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 3, WITH V. C. SCHILLING ADDRESS.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 9,500.00 USD
EARLY BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 3, WITH V. C. SCHILLING ADDRESS.
SN 106. Caliber 6.5mm Bergmann. This is an early example of a M1896 #3 semiautomatic pistol as produced by the Bergmann company without an extractor and a narrow grip. Chambered for the 6.5mm Bergmann grooveless rimless 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 4.5" bbl, an integral front sight and a fixed rear sight integral to the bolt that is afixed to a sliding cover over the ejection port. The unnumbered lugged bbl is is Crown U proofed, a marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber. The left receiver, with short flutes, is marked "Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.". The serial number 106 appears on the right side of the receiver, just below the flute. In the center of the sideplate 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. "V. CHR. SCHILLING, SUHL, MADE IN GERMANY" is marked on the partially refinished magazine cover. Walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. PROVENANCE: Joseph J. Schroeder, Jr. Collection. CONDITION: Original finish, estimated at 97%, excepting the partially refinished magazine cover as noted in the description. The straw that was originally used to finish the hammer, safety retainer, and the trigger is in the same condition as the pistol. Similar considerations apply to the fire blue on the safety lever. Crisply checkered grips showing no losses or splits. Bright bore with sharp rifling and mild corrosion. Mechanically perfect. 4-48518 LMA56