2354

RARE LOWE MODEL 1893 BORCHARDT SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:5,000.00 USD Estimated At:10,000.00 - 15,000.00 USD
RARE LOWE MODEL 1893 BORCHARDT SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.
SN 485. Cal 7.65mm Borchardt. Blue finish with 7-1/2" tapered rnd bbl. Pinned front sight with fixed V-notch rear sight atop the spring housing. It has standard Lowe markings over the chamber with German patent markings on the toggle link and "BUG" proofs on the bbl with "BU" proofs on the side of the receiver. Right side of the receiver is marked "SYSTEM BORCHARDT PATENT". It is mounted with checkered 2-pc walnut grips, matching numbered to this pistol. Accompanied by one orig wood base, matching numbered magazine. There were 1104 of these rare pistols produced by Lowe in the period 1893-1895 and are considered to be the first commercially successful semi-auto pistol. In 1895 the manufacturer was undertaken by DWM who produced nearly 2000 more before the design was superseded by the venerable and ultimately successful Luger pistol. Mr. Borchardt had tried for military contracts but given the somewhat awkward handling and fragile design of his pistol, he was unsuccessful and, for the same reasons, his pistol was not readily accepted with the buying public. In 1895 Hugo Borchardt was requested to consider improving his design, as suggested by Georg Luger through DWM. He became incensed and refused. DWM then proceeded to sponsor Mr. Luger and the rest is history. Borchardt and Luger apparently remained mortal enemies until Mr. Borchardt's death, claiming that Luger had stolen his design. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine. Overall retains 96-97% crisp orig blue with light sharp edge wear and some light thinning on the sides of the receiver where it slides in the frame. Front and back straps have some tiny pin prick rust spotting and bottom edges are turning a little plum. Trigger and exposed springs retain lightly faded fire blue. Straw colors are mostly faded. Magazine is very fine. Left grip has a longitudinal crack otherwise grips are sound and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore, lightly pitted in the grooves. 4-48248 JR374