GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
SUPERB EARLY LOEWE BORCHARDT 1893 PISTOL, EXPERIMENTAL FEATURES, CASED WITH ACCESSORIES. LOEWE BORCHARDT 13 7.63 BORCHARDT Cal. 7.65 mm. This is a very unusual Borchardt in several respects. Unlike a number of other pistols in this serial range that have a sear retained by a separately affixed spring, this gun has the later type sear. There are no proofs on bbl or toggle train, whose breech block is in-the-white. Similarly, there are no markings on right side of receiver. All the numbered parts are "13", including the trigger plate, trigger, and right grip panel (left is unnumbered). The bbl is numbered "30" and is 7-1/2" having pinned front sight and blade rear sight secured by two screws. Top of chamber marked "Ludw. Loewe & Co. / Berlin / 1893." and "D.R.P./No75837." on center toggle link. The main point of interest centers about the unusual attachment at the rear of the main spring housing. Instead of the usual lug, this pistol has a rotate-able tube that slips into a recess of the skeletonized shoulder stock. This unique form of stock and attachment is shown in early Borchardt literature. Rotating the serrated wheel advances a threaded screw to lock the back of the main spring housing onto the front of the matching numbered stock. At the rear of the stock is a loop for a shoulder strap, presently fitted with a modern replacement, that connects to the loop on the left side of the receiver. The ensemble comes with three original magazines, all with matching SN "13", wooden hold open, wood screw driver handle with two blades, small oil bottle, and a larger grease tin marked "Virginia - Fett / Marked for Petri & Stark, Offenbach A/M", and a pin punch. All components contained in an original period oak box, lid lined in green baize, whose base is lined in dark green felt and compartmentalized for the pistol and all accessories. Lid is secured with two rotating clasps and centered keyed lock. PROVENANCE: The Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin Collection - Germany. CONDITION: Pistol retains an amazing 99+% orig blue with the associated small parts and grips in the same condition. As mentioned, the breech block is in-the-white, most of the wear appearing on each side of the cocking knob and slight fading on the forward face of trigger and the right mainspring housing cover plate. Mirror bore and perfect manual mechanics. Comparable condition shoulder stock and each of the mags that show minor oxidative flecking on each side of their bodies. The dummy mag that appears near new, is of a very rare type seen in only one other cased early Borchardt. Near excellent screw driver handle and VG punch whose surface has been lightly
cleaned. A spectacular, super low SN Borchardt, with experimental skeletonized shoulder stock and accessories, in beautiful period, deluxe presentation case. 49828-3 LMA (50,000-100,000)