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EXCEPTIONAL DWM SWISS 1898/99 BORCHARDT

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:200,000.00 USD Estimated At:400,000.00 - 750,000.00 USD
EXCEPTIONAL DWM SWISS 1898/99 BORCHARDT
TRANSITIONAL EXPERIMENTAL PISTOL, FACTORY CASED, #6. Cal. 7.65mm Luger. S# 6. Arguably THE MOST IMPORTANT Luger in private hands; one of only two known M1898 Lugers Referenced by Sturgess as "Transitional 1899 Prototype II"; a bridge between the Borchardt and production Luger with many unique features. Factory prototype with 4.75" barrel, drift front sight and "V" notch rear sight. Unmarked chamber and no manufacturer marking on middle toggle link. The serial number "6." is marked on the forward frame, firing pin, rear link, trigger, takedown lever, receiver lug and inner surface of each grip. Breechblock is #17 and intertwined "GL" on rear toggle link. In contrast to production pistols, or even the preproduction M1899/00 pistols as trialed in Switzerland, this pistol has a number of novel developmental features. For example, it has a unique method of sideplate attachment having a fixation hole in its forward extension that links to the trigger (also of unusual design). The spring securing the magazine release button is set at a 45 degree angle with respect to the frame. Instead of a frame mounted safety lever, there is a spring-tensioned grip safety (different from the later M1899 pistols) mounted to the left side. Depression of the safety rotates a blocking bar down, allowing the sear to move and the pistol to fire. Inserted into the left side of the grip safety is a lockable, sliding safety bar; well shown in Swiss Patent 18623 of 2 January 1899. As true for other early Lugers, the firing pin is non-fluted and, as per later trial pistols, actuated by a double-wrapped spring. One of 20 pistols in the May 1899 Swiss Testing Trials, it was later updated to have a shorter, unnumbered 4.75" barrel, improved breechblock (now numbered "17") and forward toggle link (originally with a squared extension, now with the later, rounded configuration). The rear link remains original with matching number and impressed with the GL monogram. Grips are reminiscent of the Borchardt, being meticulously checkered and with a generous, highly varnished border; the same as the later guns supplied to the Swiss trial guns. MAGS: 3 total; tin plated 8 rd.; (all near excellent); pistol fitted with correct flat button magazine plus plain wood plug having GL monogram on base! Two spare flat button magazines with unmarked bases. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: this well-known pistol is in a keyed factory fitted case with provision for tools and accessories plus two spare magazines. The case is covered with black leather and lined with a dark red felt. Included in the case is an unmarked, era-correct oil can, a brass oiler/cleaning jag, a takedown tool and punch. Near excellent case; the lining showing typical areas of discoloration and a few small tears. Very good accessories. Also included is some spectacular original paperwork: two Swiss patents along with their corresponding diagrams. Each patent is printed in German but the info given here is with approximate translations (in quotes); individual patent aspects are listed under #1 and #2. They have Swiss cross in sunburst logos, "Swiss Confederation" (at tops), "Federal Office for Intellectual Property" and "Georg LUGER, in Charlottenburg-Berlin (Deutschland)". Patent forms are displayed showing face page having some explanations plus two more pages of diagram descriptions not showing (folded inside) along with back pages that are blank. Both are displayed in a glass faced metal frame. #1) "Patent No. 17977" as "Form 58" titled "Automatic Lock of Self-Loading Weapons with Movable Operation" dated "3 Oktober 1898". #2) "Patent No. 18623" as "Form 57" titled "Automatically Acting, Notably Detectable Lock Security of Self-Loading Weapons" dated "2 Januar 1899" Also included are three glass faced matching metal framed patent diagrams relating to the patents. #1) for patent 17977 labeled "2 Leaves, No. 1" showing diagram figures 1 through 6, #2) for patent 17977 labeled "2 Leaves, No. 2" showing diagram figures 7 through 11 (11 is a rifle) plus #3) for patent 18623 labeled "1 Leaf" showing figures 1 through 7. All of the above framed documents are in remarkable, near excellent condition. CONDITION: The pistol retains a phenomenal 98-99% bright original blue except over the back of the frame (just above the lanyard loop) where it was cleaned/polished (a long time ago, based on the toning). Strawed parts include the takedown lever, trigger, extractor, ejector, anti-bounce bar, magazine release button, sear retention spring and grip safety extension; all have just the right amount of fading, showing no suggestion of enhancement. Comparable condition fire bluing on the front sight and grip screws. Crisp grips with just a few miniscule mars and retaining virtually all their original varnish. Bright bore with strong rifling. Near excellent manual functioning of mechanics. Discreetly import marked using a fine laser etching method in an unobtrusive area. An absolutely fantastic developmental Luger, and one that has been well documented in several reference texts including "Parabellum" by Vittorio Bobba on pp 42, 43 (full page, color) and the "Borchardt & Luger Automatic Pistols" series by Geoff Sturgess on pp 165-167 (discussed in exquisite detail with numerous images). The finest and most important Luger in private hands. A truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! PROVENANCE: From the esteemed collection of Paul Regnier, Switzerland. (01-17708). ANTIQUE. $400,000-750,000.