BERGMANN M1897, No. 5, PRESENTATION, WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK.

BERGMANN M1897, No. 5, PRESENTATION, WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK. SN 117. Cal. 7.8mm. Bergmann made approximately 1,000 M1897s. During its production there ensued a number of variations, largely directed to the milling pattern of the right frame. Compare this gun to the M1897, serial number 156, elsewhere in this auction. Most were sold with a leather covered shoulder stock that was often “lost” over the years. This example has a 3″ bbl whose shroud is affixed with a drift adjustable front sight. The rear sight is graded from 100-1000 meters with gradations of 1,3,5,7,9,1000. As is typical for the numbered Bergmann pistols, a sliding cover is attached to the bolt. In this case, the cover is inscribed with “DEM ERKENNER DER BERGMANN-PISTOLE DR. REINH. GUNTHER VON THEOD. BERGMANN”. According to the consignor, the inscription was from the inventor Theodor Bergmann to Dr. Gunther, his agent in Switzerland, for promoting the pistol in Swiss trials. The left side of the frame was marked with a Crown/Crown/U while the right side of the frame was marked with the serial number 117 that is repeated on the bottom of the magazine. Each side of the magazine well is drilled with four visualization holes. Normally, the M1897 will have a strawed hammer, safety stop, trigger and bbl shroud lever while the extractor sight bar and safety are fired blue. Wood grips are finely checkered with a thin border. The matching stock has a color case hardened lug numbered to the pistol and retained by two fired blued screws. The spare pouch on the right side of the stock is empty and there is no cleaning rod in the provision along the spine. The lid is secured by a single brass stud that extends from the flap. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex Visser collection, illustrated in Sturgess “The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols”. CONDITION: Approximately 90-95% original blue with muzzle and sharp edge wear. Backstrap is thin, showing evidence of cleaning. Many of the small parts have lost their heat treated colors and now appear gray, namely the front sight, hammer, sight bar, safety stop, and trigger. Remnants of straw remain of the shroud locking lever. About 70% fire blue remains on the safety. Original grips with blunted checkering and staining consistent with the condition of the pistol and magazine. The bolt return spring is sluggish, requiring an assist for full closure. Mechanics otherwise perfect. Matching stock with brown smooth leather body showing minimal crazing and good flexibility. The leather smell is strong and the body/flaps supple, probably recovered a long time ago. Approximately 80-90% of the case hardening remains on the matched lug. Overall, an exceptional M1897 Bergmann rig with a historic presentation association. 4-52046 LMA101 (15,000-22,500)

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
	3192A	$23,000.00	BERGMANN M1897, No. 5, PRESENTATION, WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK. SN 117. Cal. 7.8mm. Bergmann made approximately 1,000 M1897s. During its production there ensued a number of variations, largely directed to the milling pattern of the right frame. Compare this gun to the M1897, serial number 156, elsewhere in this auction. Most were sold with a leather covered shoulder stock that was often “lost” over the years. This example has a 3″ bbl whose shroud is affixed with a drift adjustable front sight. The rear sight is graded from 100-1000 meters with gradations of 1,3,5,7,9,1000. As is typical for the numbered Bergmann pistols, a sliding cover is attached to the bolt. In this case, the cover is inscribed with “DEM ERKENNER DER BERGMANN-PISTOLE DR. REINH. GUNTHER VON THEOD. BERGMANN”. According to the consignor, the inscription was from the inventor Theodor Bergmann to Dr. Gunther, his agent in Switzerland, for promoting the pistol in Swiss trials. The left side of the frame was marked with a Crown/Crown/U while the right side of the frame was marked with the serial number 117 that is repeated on the bottom of the magazine. Each side of the magazine well is drilled with four visualization holes. Normally, the M1897 will have a strawed hammer, safety stop, trigger and bbl shroud lever while the extractor sight bar and safety are fired blue. Wood grips are finely checkered with a thin border. The matching stock has a color case hardened lug numbered to the pistol and retained by two fired blued screws. The spare pouch on the right side of the stock is empty and there is no cleaning rod in the provision along the spine. The lid is secured by a single brass stud that extends from the flap. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection, ex Visser collection, illustrated in Sturgess “The Borchardt and Luger Automatic Pistols”. CONDITION: Approximately 90-95% original blue with muzzle and sharp edge wear. Backstrap is thin, showing evidence of cleaning. Many of the small parts have lost their heat treated colors and now appear gray, namely the front sight, hammer, sight bar, safety stop, and trigger. Remnants of straw remain of the shroud locking lever. About 70% fire blue remains on the safety. Original grips with blunted checkering and staining consistent with the condition of the pistol and magazine. The bolt return spring is sluggish, requiring an assist for full closure. Mechanics otherwise perfect. Matching stock with brown smooth leather body showing minimal crazing and good flexibility. The leather smell is strong and the body/flaps supple, probably recovered a long time ago. Approximately 80-90% of the case hardening remains on the matched lug. Overall, an exceptional M1897 Bergmann rig with a historic presentation association. 4-52046 LMA101 (15,000-22,500) 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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