BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 3, NICKEL FINISH.

SN 3072. This is a late example of a M1896 #3 semiautomatic pistol as produced for the Bergmann company with extractor and contoured backstrap. Chambered for the 6.5mm Bergmann grooved 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, a dovetailed front sight and a fixed rear sight integral to the bolt that is afixed to a sliding cover over the ejection port. The lugged bbl is bore gauge marked 278 on the left side. Adjacent to this number is the Crown U proof marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber. The left receiver, with short flutes and a contoured grip, is marked “Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.”. The serial number 3072 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. V.C.S. were the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann in Suhl, which was their location. Matching walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Factory original special order nickel plated finish. While there was only minimal buffing to prepare for plating, the Crown/U markings are only faintly discernible. Internal parts show no such polishing, the nickel being applied to the fresh machined components without further preparation. The Bergmann logo remains very sharply struck. Early peeling on front and back strap. Original straw on hammer (90%) and trigger (30%). Original fire blue on safety (90%). Dull bore with very shallow rifling and moderate corrosion. Mechanically perfect. 4-52206 LMA23 (3,500-5,500) – Lot 3033

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3033	$8,050.00	BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 3, NICKEL FINISH. SN 3072. This is a late example of a M1896 #3 semiautomatic pistol as produced for the Bergmann company with extractor and contoured backstrap. Chambered for the 6.5mm Bergmann grooved 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, a dovetailed front sight and a fixed rear sight integral to the bolt that is afixed to a sliding cover over the ejection port. The lugged bbl is bore gauge marked 278 on the left side. Adjacent to this number is the Crown U proof marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber. The left receiver, with short flutes and a contoured grip, is marked “Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.”. The serial number 3072 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. V.C.S. were the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann in Suhl, which was their location. Matching walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Factory original special order nickel plated finish. While there was only minimal buffing to prepare for plating, the Crown/U markings are only faintly discernible. Internal parts show no such polishing, the nickel being applied to the fresh machined components without further preparation. The Bergmann logo remains very sharply struck. Early peeling on front and back strap. Original straw on hammer (90%) and trigger (30%). Original fire blue on safety (90%). Dull bore with very shallow rifling and moderate corrosion. Mechanically perfect. 4-52206 LMA23 (3,500-5,500) – Lot 3033 Auction: Firearms - Spring 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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BERGMANN M1896, NUMBER 3, NICKEL FINISH.