October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
An extremely desirable and early M1894, No. 3, with hexagonal chamber with no extractor. The lugged barrel is marked 278 on the left side. Adjacent to bore gauge number is the Crown/Crown/U proof marking that is repeated on the left side of the chamber. The left receiver, with short flutes, is marked "Patent Brevete S.G.D.G.". The serial numbers 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 and Suhl. Walnut grips are finely checkered without a border and without a logo. This magnificent Bergmann is cased in its original silk lined Morocco leather presentation case featuring a white silk banned with gilt Bergmann legends. Accessories comprise an original screwdriver, a cleaning rod with handle, original oil bottle. PROVENANCE: Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection. CONDITION: While we always hesitate to use the term mint, this Bergmann is as close to a mint more-than-a-century old pistol can be, simply magnificent in ever aspect. It retains virtually all of the original bright blue with negligible sharp edge wear. There is no thinning of the front strap and only trace thinning of the backstrap. Virtually all the brilliant straw remains on the hammer, safety retainer, and trigger. Safety retains virtually all of its nitre blue. Crisply checkered walnut grips are close to pristine. Mechanics are excellent. Bore is excellent. Virtually all the varnish remains on the handles of the screwdriver and cleaning rod. Case lid slightly loose. Otherwise, probably one of the finest No. 3 Bergmanns in existence. MZ CORRECTION: The left side of the frame has a small area of pitting with some surrounding scratches.
Caliber/Bore
6.5mm Bergman