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LOT 409
Excellent Cased Ludwig Loewe Model 1893 Borchardt Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching
Accessories - Serial no. 881, 7.63 mm Borchardt cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Developed
by Hugo Borchardt and manufactured by Ludwig Loewe & Company, the 1893 Borchardt was among the
first semi-automatic pistols to arrive on the market. Borchardt’s design introduced many mechanical
principles and design concepts that would be revisited and refined by Georg Luger to make the famous
“Pistole Parabellum” Model 1900, essentially making the Borchardt the forefather of about half a century
of European military and commercial handguns. The most critical feature taken up by Luger was the
1893’s toggle-locked short-recoil action, which gives the pistol its distinctive profile. Blade front sight and
“V” notch rear sight, with the address “WAFFENFABRIK/LOEWE/BERLIN” on top of the chamber, “D.R.P./No75837.”
on the front toggle link, “SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT.” on the right side of the receiver, and a set of “crown/letter” proofs on the barrel, chamber and toggle assembly. Installed on the front link is an asymmetrical smooth cocking handle with a spring loaded safety latch; intended to reduce the risk of premature unlocking, Luger would integrate a similar lock into the 1900 but eliminate it as redundant in later models. Matching serial numbers are present on multiple external parts, including the hardwood base of the nickel finished magazine. The pistol comes in a fine black leatherette case with a green felt inner lining, which contains the following included accessories; a matching numbered shoulder stock with black leather holster,
a quick-mountable matching numbered cheekpiece for the stock, a black leather sling, three extra matching numbered magazines, a hardwood dummy magazine that acts as a carrier for an oiler, rod extension and patch jag, a brass rod, a screwdriver handle with two interchangeable blades, and two steel pin punches.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% plus original blue finish, showing some mild wear along the high edges, light spotting and a small amount of handling marks overall. Some barely noticeable dings are present around the sights, the niter blue components retain over 60% of their original bright color, and the straw components have darkened slightly. The grips are also excellent , with a few light scratches and dings. The case shows wear and tear appropriate to age, especially on the underside, restoration on top lid exterior, with some staining, tearing and moth activity on the lining and a bend in the small internal compartment lid. The accessories are very fine overall, with some cracking and scuffing on the leather and mild wear overall. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000
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