SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN 7.63MM.

SN NSN. Cal. 7.63mm. 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. The construction 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. According to the consignor, this gun is just one of three known examples and the only one chambered for the 7.63mm Borchardt. It has a 6.5″ rnd 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 the left side to relieve gases from a split case, similarly to the blow-back Bergmann pistols. 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 fire blued trigger is checkered and a rotatable lanyard ring is mounted at the bottom of the frontstrap. The grips are vulcanized rubber 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 predates it by two years. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser collection, illustrated HBSA Journal Vol 2 No 6, illustrated TBLAP, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Excellent original condition with nearly 98% strong blue and minor scattered erosion on forward bolt shroud. Comparable condition fire blue on the large bolt retarding spring and trigger. Smooth grips with minimal handling marks. Right grip has been repaired near the top with the repaired area having minor losses. Excellent magazine whose condition is in keeping with the balance of the pistol. Bright bore with strong rifling and minimal corrosion. Perfect mechanics. Extraordinarily rare semiautomatic pistol whose historic designers are familiar to every firearms collector. 4-52463 LMA8 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1299

Auction: Firearms - Fall 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
	1299	$43,125.00	SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN 7.63MM. SN NSN. Cal. 7.63mm. 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. The construction 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. According to the consignor, this gun is just one of three known examples and the only one chambered for the 7.63mm Borchardt. It has a 6.5″ rnd 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 the left side to relieve gases from a split case, similarly to the blow-back Bergmann pistols. 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 fire blued trigger is checkered and a rotatable lanyard ring is mounted at the bottom of the frontstrap. The grips are vulcanized rubber 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 predates it by two years. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser collection, illustrated HBSA Journal Vol 2 No 6, illustrated TBLAP, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Excellent original condition with nearly 98% strong blue and minor scattered erosion on forward bolt shroud. Comparable condition fire blue on the large bolt retarding spring and trigger. Smooth grips with minimal handling marks. Right grip has been repaired near the top with the repaired area having minor losses. Excellent magazine whose condition is in keeping with the balance of the pistol. Bright bore with strong rifling and minimal corrosion. Perfect mechanics. Extraordinarily rare semiautomatic pistol whose historic designers are familiar to every firearms collector. 4-52463 LMA8 (20,000-30,000) – Lot 1299 Auction: Firearms - Fall 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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SUPER RARE M1897 SILVERMAN-MAXIM PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN 7.63MM.