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LOT 467
Very Scarce and Excellent Bergmann Mars Model 1903 Semi-
Automatic Pistol in 9mm - Serial no. 809, 9 mm cal., 4 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, hardwood grips. A contemporary to the DWM Luger and the
Mauser Broomhandle pistols, the Bergmann Mars was the predecessor of
the Bergmann-Bayard pistol, with only 900 manufactured in 9mm Largo. The Mars saw relatively limited adoption as a
military arm, being accepted but not fielded by the Spanish, on order with Greece but undelivered before World War
One broke out, and successfully adopted by Denmark. Fixed blade front and notch rear sights, with “CAL9.” on the left
side of the receiver, “crown/crown/U” proofs on the barrel, receiver, bolt and trigger guard, and “BERGMANN/MARS/PAT.
BREV./S.G.D.G.” on the locking block. Fitted with a straw finished hammer and trigger, niter blue safety and locking block,
and checkered hardwood grips.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% plus original blue finish, showing some
dings on the right sideplate, edge wear and mild handling marks. The grips
are very good replacements, with some dings. The magazine is a mixed
numbered, refinished replacement, with mild spotting, handling marks,
and shallow pitting. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 466
Rare Bergman Model 1897 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 110, 7.8 mm cal., 4 1/2
inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Developed in the late 1890s, the Model 1897 (also known as the
Number Five) was an important developmental step between Bergmann’s earlier fixed magazine handguns and
the Bergmann Mars pistol, retaining the same grip and frame profile as the earlier designs while integrating a
detachable magazine and a short recoil locking breech mechanism capable of handling the more potent 7.8mm Bergmann cartridge.
Like its competitors for military contracts, the Mauser Broomhandle and Loewe/DWM Borchardt, the 1897 includes a mounting point
for a factory developed stock holster, permitting use as both a handgun and a pistol-caliber semi-automatic carbine. Blade front and
elevation adjustable bridge rear sight graduated to 1000 meters, the former mounted on a hand-detachable shroud for the recoiling
barrel, with a set of “crown/crown/U” proofs on the left side of the frame and “PISTOLET BERGMANN/PATENT BREVETE S.G.D.G.” on the
reciprocating bolt cover. The magazine and magazine well both have viewing ports on each side for round counting, with a niter blue
finished safety, straw finished small parts, and a set of hard rubber grips with “B” emblems at the top. A short extension to the grip
frame houses a rectangular mounting slot for the included stock holster, which has an exposed steel mounting iron with spring-loaded
catch at the front, and brown leather covering the stock framework to make the holster with brass rivets and closure stud.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 60% plus original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, high edge wear, scattered spotting,
and light handling marks. 40% of the original niter blue and 30% of the straw colors are present on the small parts, with a
mixed patina on the remainder. The grips are very good, slightly oversized, with minor dings on the sharp checkering.
The recoil spring is broken, otherwise mechanically very good. The stock is good, with absent shoulder strap, detached
internal components, and cracking and scuffs of the leather.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000