FACTORY CASED, ALL ORIGINAL, BERGMANN NUMBER 3, M1896, WITH WATSON, LONDON RETAILER MARKINGS.

SN 1668. Cal. 6.5mm Bergmann. This is a late example of a Bergmann M1896 Number 3 semiautomatic pistol with extractor and contoured backstrap. Theodor Bergmann was an early pioneer in the development of European semiautomatic pistols in the late 1890s and early 1900s. 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 pistol has a 4.5″ bbl, marked by the retailer “WATSON BROS./29 OLD BOND ST./LONDON”, 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 screw-in bbl is marked 278 (bore size) on the left side. Adjacent to this bore number is the Crown U marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber along with the British Crown/V view proof mark. The left receiver, with long flutes, is marked “Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.”. The SN 1668 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. In this case, V.C.S. were the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann in Suhl, which was their factory location. The contemporary UK importer, “Westley Richards & Co.” is neatly hand inscribed on the left side of the bbl extension. Walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. Complementing the gun is a factory black leather bound case secured two thin brass clasps. The green silk lined lid still has remnants of a retailer label, presumably the one used by Watson Brothers. The base of the case, lined in dark green felt, is missing the bordering cord. Although the base of the case is partitioned for clips, an oil bottle, a screwdriver and a cleaning rod it only contains a spare firing pin and three recoil springs. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dinely Collection, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Superb 97-98% bright blue, all original, with sharp edge wear and trace thinning of the frontstrap and backstrap. Except for minor oxidative flecking, virtually all the brilliant straw remains on the hammer, safety retainer, and trigger. Comparable high condition fire blued safety. Crisply checkered walnut grips with minimal darkening, though the right panel has a very noticeable bruise above the escutcheon and has some blunted diamonds. No cracks or other losses. Mechanically perfect. One of the best “Watson Brothers” Bergmann Number 3s recently offered for sale, even better in its original case. 4-52204 LMA18 (8,500-12,500) – Lot 1316

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
	1316	$8,625.00	FACTORY CASED, ALL ORIGINAL, BERGMANN NUMBER 3, M1896, WITH WATSON, LONDON RETAILER MARKINGS. SN 1668. Cal. 6.5mm Bergmann. This is a late example of a Bergmann M1896 Number 3 semiautomatic pistol with extractor and contoured backstrap. Theodor Bergmann was an early pioneer in the development of European semiautomatic pistols in the late 1890s and early 1900s. 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 pistol has a 4.5″ bbl, marked by the retailer “WATSON BROS./29 OLD BOND ST./LONDON”, 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 screw-in bbl is marked 278 (bore size) on the left side. Adjacent to this bore number is the Crown U marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber along with the British Crown/V view proof mark. The left receiver, with long flutes, is marked “Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.”. The SN 1668 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. In this case, V.C.S. were the initials for V. Charles Schilling, who made the pistols for Bergmann in Suhl, which was their factory location. The contemporary UK importer, “Westley Richards & Co.” is neatly hand inscribed on the left side of the bbl extension. Walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. Complementing the gun is a factory black leather bound case secured two thin brass clasps. The green silk lined lid still has remnants of a retailer label, presumably the one used by Watson Brothers. The base of the case, lined in dark green felt, is missing the bordering cord. Although the base of the case is partitioned for clips, an oil bottle, a screwdriver and a cleaning rod it only contains a spare firing pin and three recoil springs. PROVENANCE: Ex-Dinely Collection, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Superb 97-98% bright blue, all original, with sharp edge wear and trace thinning of the frontstrap and backstrap. Except for minor oxidative flecking, virtually all the brilliant straw remains on the hammer, safety retainer, and trigger. Comparable high condition fire blued safety. Crisply checkered walnut grips with minimal darkening, though the right panel has a very noticeable bruise above the escutcheon and has some blunted diamonds. No cracks or other losses. Mechanically perfect. One of the best “Watson Brothers” Bergmann Number 3s recently offered for sale, even better in its original case. 4-52204 LMA18 (8,500-12,500) – Lot 1316 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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FACTORY CASED, ALL ORIGINAL, BERGMANN NUMBER 3, M1896, WITH WATSON, LONDON RETAILER MARKINGS.