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LOT 1394
Very Scarce German V. C. Schilling Bergmann Model 1896 No. 2 First
Iteration “Folding Trigger” Semi-Automatic Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 386, 5mm
Bergmann cal., 4 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/straw finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1896-
1897 by the V. Charles Schilling firm of Suhl, Germany, as one of fewer than 500 Bergman Model 1896 No. 2
first iteration “folding trigger” pocket pistols completed. The first iteration of the Model 1896 No.2 pistol used a
hinged forward-folding trigger installed ahead of the magazine, with a long transfer bar connecting it to the rest of
the mechanism, intended to make it more easily concealed in a pocket. Proving accident prone and unpopular on the
commercial market, the first iteration of the Model 1896 No. 2 was phased out of production for a second iteration with a conventional fixed trigger,
released less than a year later. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, commercial “crown/crown/U” proofs on the barrel, extension, and bolt,
“611”, “587 97”, and a double headed eagle stamped on the left of the 4 1/4 inch octagon barrel (a possible replacement), three-line “PATENT/BREVETE/
S.G.D.Q” marked on the left of the frame, along with the serial number on the right of the frame and the circled Bergmann “mountain man” logo on the
right side plate. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips with matching “386” serial numbers stamped on the interiors and a lanyard ring on the lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% period refurbished blue finish, 20% niter blue finish, and traces of straw colors, with some light edge wear and thinning with mostly brown
patina visible on the balance, silvering on the straw colored components, some minor pitting visible under the finish, and clear markings. The re-checkered grips are very good
with some light handling marks and defined checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1393
Exceptional V. C. Schilling Bergmann
Model 1896 No. 3 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Holster, Two En-Bloc Clips, and
Registration Card Named to The 58th President
of Mexico, Jose Lopez Portillo - Serial no. 752, 6.5 mm Bergmann
cal., 4 3/8 inch round bbl., blue/straw finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
c. 1896-1897 by the V. Charles Schilling firm of Suhl, Germany, as one of
approximately 4,400 Bergman Model 1896 No. 3 pistols completed. Features fixed
blade front and dust cover top strap notch rear sights, commercial “crown/crown/U” proofs visible on the left of
the barrel and extension “278” stamped on the left of the 6.5 mm Bergmann chambered barrel, three-line “PATENT/BREVETE/S.G.D.Q” marked on the left of the frame, the serial number
on the forward right portion of the frame, the oval encircled Bergmann “shining mountain man” logo on the right side plate, and “A 711” (likely an inventory number) marked on the front strap. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut
grips stamped with matching “732” serial numbers on the interiors. Includes a dark leather flap holster fitted to the pistol with a brass cleaning rod and two Bergmann pattern en-bloc clips with 10 total painted hardwood dummy
cartridges. Also included with the pistol is a Mexican Secretary of National Defense federal weapons registration card, dated January 14, 1986, and listing the serial number as the barrel marking “278”, named to the 58th president
of the Mexican Republic Jose Lopez Portillo (1920-2004). A member of Mexico’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), Lopez Portillo served as president from 1976 to 1982, after winning as the only official candidate during the
1976 election cycle.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% original blue finish, 60% plus original niter blue finish, and 75% original straw colors with some scattered minor edge wear, thinning on the grip straps, front of the frame, and barrel with some
silvering and brown patina visible, a few minor visible patches of freckling, some dried grease in protected areas, and some scattered minor handling marks and scratches. The grips are also very fine with minor compression wear to
the otherwise defined checkering. Mechanically fine. The holster is very good with a split flap loop and some light cracking.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
Ronald Reagan &
Jose Lopez Portillo