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Hugo Borchardt
This was once an important piece in the world class collection of German industrialist Karl Press. At the time it was purchased by
a previous owner, Doug Smith, from the Press Collection, it was represented as having come from the Borchardt family. Reportedly,
a fair amount of research was done by Smith to affirm this fact. The original buyer of the Luger, Lee Engles, a well-known East coast dealer at the time affirmed that he had purchased it at a Rochester, New York, gun show directly from a G.I. who had been stationed in Berlin at the end of World War II. Research of 1941 phone directories for Berlin proved that there were members of the Borchardt family in and around the Charlottenburg area, a very wealthy region of Berlin. The G.I. could have secured the carbine from a Borchardt family residence, or, since all German citizens were required to turn in their arms, it is very likely that the gun was turned in with other weapons and was salvaged at that time. This is one of the most significant presentation Lugers in the world and is in exceptional original condition. CONDITION: Excellent plus. The pistol retains 99% plus original
factory blue and 95% plus original factory straw colors. The grips are also excellent showing minimal evidence of handling, a beautiful color, highly figured grain and absolutely crisp checkering. The stock and forearm are excellent showing only very minor handling and storage marks on the surface and retain virtually all of their original factory finish. The horn buttplate has bug damage to about 50% of its surface. All accessories are in near mint condition. Mechanically excellent. Case is extremely fine with some minor scuffs and wear on the edges, a few overall scattered scratches, and some minor losses on the left lower edge. Interior is crisp with one or two small faded spots and is otherwise a crisp green color. The handle shows wear and flaking. This is considered by many to be the single most significant Georg Luger presentation Luger Carbine extant and has ties to Hugo Borchardt.
Provenance: The Lee Engles Collection; The Karl Press Collection; The Doug Smith Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 350,000 - 475,000
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Featured in "The Gun Report" from November 1998