EXTREMELY RARE, CASED PRESENTATION LOEWE MODEL 1893 BORCHARDT TO DON PORFIRIO DIAZ, PRESIDENT OF MEXICO SEMI-AUTO PISTOL.

EXTREMELY RARE, CASED PRESENTATION LOEWE MODEL 1893 BORCHARDT TO DON PORFIRIO DIAZ, PRESIDENT OF MEXICO SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. SN 266. Cal. 7.63 MM Borchardt. Spectacular cased Borchardt pistol that was presented to General Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico. Pistol is a standard early Borchardt by Loewe with 7-1/2″ tapered rnd bbl, fixed sights with the Loewe marking over the chamber and patent markings on the toggle link. Bottom of the bbl has “BUG” Proofs with additional Proofs on the right side of the frame, which is also marked “SYSTEM BORCHARDT.PATENT.” Pistol has standard appointments with matching numbered, checkered walnut grips and has an orig magazine in the well numbered “447”. Accompanied by its orig diamond pattern red leatherette case that has brass corner reinforcements and a cut corner gilded plate in the lid, 4″ x 1-3/4″, engraved in period script “Exmo Senor / Don Porfirio Diaz / Presidente de la Republica Mexioana”. Front of the case has a latch at each end with a matching leather wrapped carrying handle whose brackets and all other exterior furniture are gilded. Interior is bright green velvet lined and French fitted in the bottom for the pistol, a matching numbered shoulder stock with attached black leather holster, a matching numbered attachable cheekpiece, three orig matching numbered magazines, a wooden dummy magazine/cleaning hold-open with concealed brass cleaning rod and oiler, the orig wooden handle for screw driver blades, two screw driver blades, two orig punches, and a nickeled 2-pc parts box that appears to have contained lubricant. Covered compartment in the right front contains the screwdriver blades and punches. All together a truly spectacular presentation set. Parts of this pistol are pictured on pp. 116 & 519 of Volume 1 of The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols, Gortz & Sturgess. P. 116 illustrates the chamber markings of this pistol and also illustrates the Berlin Crown/BUG Proof mark locations. The caption states that this is one of a small group of Borchardt pistols with Proof marks on the underside of the bbl and right side. P. 1428 of Volume 3 of the referenced publication illustrates the entire case set, open to show contents, the top with presentation plaque and the front of the case. The authors indicate that the diamond grained red Moroccan leather covered case is an extremely rare factory deluxe presentation case and that the fittings are all regular 93 case items that have been gilded. The authors speculate that this set may have been a presentation by the manufacturer as an inducement for adoption of their products or that it may have been a presentation to President Diaz from Kaiser Wilhelm II or possibly by the German government. President Diaz was apparently very friendly with the Kaiser and initially sought asylum with the Kaiser’s family when he was deposed in 1911 following the 1910 Mexican Revolution. The authors state that there is one other example like this known that had associations with the Vickers Company of England. Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori was born Sept. 15, 1830 in Oaxaca, Mexico, trained for the priesthood at age 15, and in 1850 studied law. Prior to that, however, in 1846 Mr. Diaz participated in the Mexican-American War of 1846. In 1855 he joined a band of guerrillas fighting Santa Anna who was attempting a resurgence to power. His star began its medioric rise in 1862 when he became a Brigade General fighting the French. Between 1863-1867 he was offered various positions of power under Emperor Maximilian, which he refused. In 1868, when President Juarez came to power, he resigned his commission and returned home. But again in 1871 he led a revolt against Juarez, but was defeated and again returned home after accepting amnesty. In 1874 he was elected to Congress but again led a revolt in 1875, and in 1876 he led a failed attempt to unseat President Tejada, which failed. In November, 1876, he returned to Mexico from the U.S. and again faced the government forces whom he defeated, and in May, 1877 was elected President of Mexico, a title which he held off and on for over 30 more years. By 1908 Mexico’s government had become corrupt and oppressive and in 1910 Francisco Madero led a revolt which overthrew President Diaz causing him to flee to Spain in May, 1911. He died July 2, 1915, in exile in Paris and is buried there. In 1938 his 430-pc collection of arms was donated to the Military College of Canada, in Kingston, Ontario. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, pristine new and unfired. Overall retains about 99% crisp orig factory blue with bright fire blue on all the appropriate parts. Grips are crisp with a few crushed diamonds on the right side, otherwise shows no additional flaws and retains virtually all of its crisp orig varnish. Case has some slight losses of leather covering on the lid with a few light handling and storage nicks and scratches and retains virtually all of its remaining orig red finish. Mounts on the case retain most of their orig gilding. Interior is equally pristine as are the accessories. Holster is intact with crackled surface and some minor finish losses around the toe but interior is as new showing no sign the pistol has ever been inserted. 4-52097 JR408 (150,000-300,000)

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
	3210	$149,500.00	EXTREMELY RARE, CASED PRESENTATION LOEWE MODEL 1893 BORCHARDT TO DON PORFIRIO DIAZ, PRESIDENT OF MEXICO SEMI-AUTO PISTOL. SN 266. Cal. 7.63 MM Borchardt. Spectacular cased Borchardt pistol that was presented to General Porfirio Diaz, President of Mexico. Pistol is a standard early Borchardt by Loewe with 7-1/2″ tapered rnd bbl, fixed sights with the Loewe marking over the chamber and patent markings on the toggle link. Bottom of the bbl has “BUG” Proofs with additional Proofs on the right side of the frame, which is also marked “SYSTEM BORCHARDT.PATENT.” Pistol has standard appointments with matching numbered, checkered walnut grips and has an orig magazine in the well numbered “447”. Accompanied by its orig diamond pattern red leatherette case that has brass corner reinforcements and a cut corner gilded plate in the lid, 4″ x 1-3/4″, engraved in period script “Exmo Senor / Don Porfirio Diaz / Presidente de la Republica Mexioana”. Front of the case has a latch at each end with a matching leather wrapped carrying handle whose brackets and all other exterior furniture are gilded. Interior is bright green velvet lined and French fitted in the bottom for the pistol, a matching numbered shoulder stock with attached black leather holster, a matching numbered attachable cheekpiece, three orig matching numbered magazines, a wooden dummy magazine/cleaning hold-open with concealed brass cleaning rod and oiler, the orig wooden handle for screw driver blades, two screw driver blades, two orig punches, and a nickeled 2-pc parts box that appears to have contained lubricant. Covered compartment in the right front contains the screwdriver blades and punches. All together a truly spectacular presentation set. Parts of this pistol are pictured on pp. 116 & 519 of Volume 1 of The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols, Gortz & Sturgess. P. 116 illustrates the chamber markings of this pistol and also illustrates the Berlin Crown/BUG Proof mark locations. The caption states that this is one of a small group of Borchardt pistols with Proof marks on the underside of the bbl and right side. P. 1428 of Volume 3 of the referenced publication illustrates the entire case set, open to show contents, the top with presentation plaque and the front of the case. The authors indicate that the diamond grained red Moroccan leather covered case is an extremely rare factory deluxe presentation case and that the fittings are all regular 93 case items that have been gilded. The authors speculate that this set may have been a presentation by the manufacturer as an inducement for adoption of their products or that it may have been a presentation to President Diaz from Kaiser Wilhelm II or possibly by the German government. President Diaz was apparently very friendly with the Kaiser and initially sought asylum with the Kaiser’s family when he was deposed in 1911 following the 1910 Mexican Revolution. The authors state that there is one other example like this known that had associations with the Vickers Company of England. Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori was born Sept. 15, 1830 in Oaxaca, Mexico, trained for the priesthood at age 15, and in 1850 studied law. Prior to that, however, in 1846 Mr. Diaz participated in the Mexican-American War of 1846. In 1855 he joined a band of guerrillas fighting Santa Anna who was attempting a resurgence to power. His star began its medioric rise in 1862 when he became a Brigade General fighting the French. Between 1863-1867 he was offered various positions of power under Emperor Maximilian, which he refused. In 1868, when President Juarez came to power, he resigned his commission and returned home. But again in 1871 he led a revolt against Juarez, but was defeated and again returned home after accepting amnesty. In 1874 he was elected to Congress but again led a revolt in 1875, and in 1876 he led a failed attempt to unseat President Tejada, which failed. In November, 1876, he returned to Mexico from the U.S. and again faced the government forces whom he defeated, and in May, 1877 was elected President of Mexico, a title which he held off and on for over 30 more years. By 1908 Mexico’s government had become corrupt and oppressive and in 1910 Francisco Madero led a revolt which overthrew President Diaz causing him to flee to Spain in May, 1911. He died July 2, 1915, in exile in Paris and is buried there. In 1938 his 430-pc collection of arms was donated to the Military College of Canada, in Kingston, Ontario. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, pristine new and unfired. Overall retains about 99% crisp orig factory blue with bright fire blue on all the appropriate parts. Grips are crisp with a few crushed diamonds on the right side, otherwise shows no additional flaws and retains virtually all of its crisp orig varnish. Case has some slight losses of leather covering on the lid with a few light handling and storage nicks and scratches and retains virtually all of its remaining orig red finish. Mounts on the case retain most of their orig gilding. Interior is equally pristine as are the accessories. Holster is intact with crackled surface and some minor finish losses around the toe but interior is as new showing no sign the pistol has ever been inserted. 4-52097 JR408 (150,000-300,000) 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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