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EXCEEDINGLY RARE KRNKA M1897 EXPERIMENTAL PISTOL.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:12,500.00 USD Estimated At:25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
EXCEEDINGLY RARE KRNKA M1897 EXPERIMENTAL PISTOL.
SN 27. Cal. 8mm. Only a handful of Krnkas are known in the collecting community. An exceedingly scarce pistol, it has been variously termed Krnka, Roth-Krnka, and most recently Roth-Theodorovich. The most commonly encountered reference is used in this description. Virtually all are different as the developers strove to construct a more reliable and easier to manufacture pistol. Pistol #8 was presented and evaluated by the Austrian military in 1897. This example, very similar to #8, has a fluted 7" bbl that extends just over 2 inches beyond the barrel shroud. Fixed front and rear sight. The top of the rib is marked with an encircled GR monogram and the word "PATENT". The serial number is over the chamber. The gun is blued except the bolt, bolt release, hammer and trigger. Coarsely checkered bordered grips. At the base of the frame is a heavy rotatable lanyard ring. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex-Visser Collection. Pictured in the German text "Vom Ursprung der Selbsteldepistole". CONDITION: 97% of restored blue with high point wear and occasional scattered patches of cleaned oxidation, particularly on the right side of the frame. The small parts have been lightly cleaned but all edges are sharp including the knurling at the back of the bolt stop and the checkering over the hammer. Orig well-fitting grips with minimal blunting of checkering and negligible losses. Bright bore with sharp rifling and minimal oxidation. Perfect mechanics. Even though restored, this is an extraordinary gun, suitable for the most advanced collection. 4-52454 LMA88