SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL.

SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL. SN NSN. Cal. “8.5mm Borchardt”. Although Hiram Maxim is best known for his machine guns and sound suppressors, he also collaborated with his workshop foreman, Sidney Silverman to make a handful of semiautomatic pistols covered by British Patent 29836 of 1896 . According to the consignor, this gun is just one of four known examples and has a unique chambering for a cartridge identical to the 7.65 mm Borchardt, but of 8.5 mm caliber. It has a 7″ octagonal bbl and a fixed front sight. The fixed rear sight is integral to a sliding cover attached to the bolt, much in the way of the numbered Bergmann pistols. There are no markings or serial number on the gun whose receiver has a gas port on either side. At the rear is a cocking knob that retracts the bolt and serves as a cocking indicator. On the left side of the receiver is a fire blued spring that acts a bolt retarder. The front of the trigger is checkered and the grips are wood with smooth surfaces. The left panel has been milled with four cartridge indicator sight slots. The magazine is retained by a spring mounted at the base of the backstrap. Walls are open to enhance viewing. To facilitate withdrawal, there is a checkered knob on each side of the forward base. The highly ergonomic grip angle is very similar to that of the Luger, but pre-dates it by two years, and the constriction is extremely simple, the retarded blowback action using a single coil spring both as action mainspring and firing pin spring, and the whole pistol comprising only some 20 components. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex R.K Wilson collection, illustrated “Textbook of Automatic Pistols” 1st ed. 1943 ex Visser collection, illustr. HBSA Journal Vol 2 No 6. CONDITION: Excellent original condition with over 90% strong orig blue. Comparable condition fire blue on the large bolt retarding spring. Smooth grips with minimal handling marks and comparable condition magazine. Bright bore with strong rifling and minimal corrosion. Perfect mechanics. Extraordinarily rare semiautomatic pistol whose historic designers are familiar to every firearms collector. 4-52464 LMA97 (20,000-30,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

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
	3196	$25,875.00	SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL. SN NSN. Cal. “8.5mm Borchardt”. Although Hiram Maxim is best known for his machine guns and sound suppressors, he also collaborated with his workshop foreman, Sidney Silverman to make a handful of semiautomatic pistols covered by British Patent 29836 of 1896 . According to the consignor, this gun is just one of four known examples and has a unique chambering for a cartridge identical to the 7.65 mm Borchardt, but of 8.5 mm caliber. It has a 7″ octagonal bbl and a fixed front sight. The fixed rear sight is integral to a sliding cover attached to the bolt, much in the way of the numbered Bergmann pistols. There are no markings or serial number on the gun whose receiver has a gas port on either side. At the rear is a cocking knob that retracts the bolt and serves as a cocking indicator. On the left side of the receiver is a fire blued spring that acts a bolt retarder. The front of the trigger is checkered and the grips are wood with smooth surfaces. The left panel has been milled with four cartridge indicator sight slots. The magazine is retained by a spring mounted at the base of the backstrap. Walls are open to enhance viewing. To facilitate withdrawal, there is a checkered knob on each side of the forward base. The highly ergonomic grip angle is very similar to that of the Luger, but pre-dates it by two years, and the constriction is extremely simple, the retarded blowback action using a single coil spring both as action mainspring and firing pin spring, and the whole pistol comprising only some 20 components. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex R.K Wilson collection, illustrated “Textbook of Automatic Pistols” 1st ed. 1943 ex Visser collection, illustr. HBSA Journal Vol 2 No 6. CONDITION: Excellent original condition with over 90% strong orig blue. Comparable condition fire blue on the large bolt retarding spring. Smooth grips with minimal handling marks and comparable condition magazine. Bright bore with strong rifling and minimal corrosion. Perfect mechanics. Extraordinarily rare semiautomatic pistol whose historic designers are familiar to every firearms collector. 4-52464 LMA97 (20,000-30,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 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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