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It is fitted with the original checkered walnut grips along with the original varnished border around the
checkered panel in the center section of each grip. As noted, it has four original matching numbered, nickel
plated magazines with their original walnut base with the two-digit serial number running lengthwise
down on the wooden base of each magazine. The original walnut shoulder stock is complete with the
original blued attaching mechanism, the original black leather holster, which is still attached to the side of
the walnut shoulder stock, as well as the original leather stock attaching straps with the original shoulder
carrying strap. This is an outstanding example of an extremely early, historic cased 1893 Borchardt semi-
automatic pistol rig that was personally owned by J. L. Childs as inscribed on the case plaque. John
Lewis Childs (May 13, 1856-March 6, 1921) was an early entrepreneur who made his early fortune in the
horticulture business. He was an early supplier of high end seeds for all kinds of fruits, vegetables and
flowers and eventually founded the very first American seed catalog in 1874. His business flourished
immensely, and, as his wealth grew, he purchased a considerable amount of land and rental property in the
East Hinsdale and Queens County, New York, area. He eventually amassed more than 1,000 acres of land for
his seed business in the St. James and Eastern Long Island, New York, area and around the Hinsdale Post
Office, eventually renaming this entire area as Floral Park, choosing to name the streets and avenues for
flowers and trees that he grew in his seed business. He was responsible for building more than 20 buildings
in the Floral Park area, mainly hotels, lumber mills and his own printing press business to print his catalogs.
He also provided a huge plot of land for a public park, built the first school, and served as the first mayor of
Floral Park. He was also an enthusiastic ornithologist and had one of the largest private collections which
contained more than 1,100 mounted North American birds.
CONDITION: Excellent with 97% of the original blue finish overall, only minor edge wear, some minor browning/freckling on the grip straps and top
of the receiver, and the toggles showing a different shade of blue as originally heat treated. The grips are also excellent with nice distinct checkering
on both grips, and the left grip showing some very minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The walnut board stock is also excellent with the
attaching iron and screw also showing 97% original blue finish, minor edge wear, and some scattered minor freckling. The leather holster is good
and shows some of the shiny black surface with the balance flaked off. The attaching straps are very good, with good color and tight stitching. The
leather shoulder strap is also very good with nice tight stitching showing 60% of the black leather face with the balance also flaking off. All of the
magazines are very fine with excellent original walnut bases, while the nickel plated magazine bodies are very good plus overall with three of them
showing old rust stains with some minor pitting in a few places. The black leather case is fine with most of the original leather cover still remaining,
numerous handling marks, scratches and pressure dents on the case overall. The lower edges of the lid show some separation on the front and sides,
and the case has all the original hinges, locks, and raised brass tacks on the corners, and a shiny appearance on the original name plate on the lid. The
green felt lining is still on the inside. The case has done its job over the years in protecting all the items inside. A wonderful and very interesting high
condition early production two-digit serial number Borchardt pistol rig with four matching magazines, a matching shoulder stock, and inscribed case
that would be nearly impossible to improve upon.
Estimate: 70,000 - 90,000