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LOT 3441
Attractive Engraved, Silver and
Gold Inlaid V.C. Schilling Bergmann
Model 1896 No. 3 Semi-Automatic
Pistol with Case - Serial no. 2183, 6.5
mm Bergmann cal., 4 1/4 inch round bbl.,
blue/silver/gold/bright finish, hardwood
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, and period
retailer embellished with decorative border scroll
engraving along with floral pattern silver inlays and
gold inlaid highlights across the frame, barrel, bolt cover, and
grip straps. Features fixed blade front and bolt cover top strap
notch rear sights, commercial “crown/crown/U” proofs visible
on the barrel, chamber, and bolt, “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, and the oval
encircled Bergmann “shining mountain man” logo on the right side plate. Fitted with a pair of finely checkered replacement walnut grips. Includes a rust brown fitted leather case and a key for the case.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 95% plus period retailer applied blue finish along with nearly all of the silver and gold inlays, with enhanced markings and proofs, some plum coloration visible on the safety lever, some minor freckling
on the underside of the hammer, along with crisp engraving, attractive varied patina on the silver inlays, and bright gold inlays. The grips are very fine with crisp checkering and attractive dense grain. Mechanically functions. The
case is very fine.
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 3442
Fine and Very Scarce German V. C. Schilling
Bergmann Model 1896 No. 2 First Iteration “Folding
Trigger” Semi-Automatic Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 224, 5mm
Bergmann cal., 3 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” stamped on the left of the three inch octagon barrel, three-line “PATENT/BREVETE/S.G.D.Q” marked on the
left of the frame, along with the serial number on the forward right portion of the frame and the oval encircled Bergmann “shining mountain man” logo on the right side plate. Fitted
with a pair of checkered walnut grips stamped with matching “224” serial numbers on the interiors and a lanyard ring on the lanyard loop.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% faded original blue finish, 30% original niter blue mostly on the safety lever, and 30% original straw colors mostly on the hammer, with scattered
light edge and high point wear, some scattered minor patches of spotting, minor cycling wear, some scattered grey and brown patina visible on the straw colors components and
grips straps, and some light handling marks. The grips are very fine with very defined checkering. Mechanically fine. Overall a fine representative example of an original V. C. Schilling
Bergmann Model 1896 No. 2 first iteration “folding trigger” pocket pistol!
Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500