Manufactured in the 1890s by the German firm of Ludwig Loewe (later DWM), the Model 1893 was the work of Hugo Borchardt, formerly the Superintendent of Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company, and was among the first viable semi-automatic pistol designs to hit the commercial market. The Borchardt Pistol was also an important forerunner to the work of Georg Luger, who would refine the core mechanical principles of the Borchardt to make his own eponymous and world famous handgun. This example was not finished and remains "in the white" as an early prototype with no visible serial numbers or proof marks on the pistol besides the replacement nickel finished magazine with number "41" stamped on the walnut base. The front sight does not have serrations as typically seen on subsequent production examples, and the rear grip strap has a protruded section with a square cut hole, most likely intended for a different type of shoulder stock, with an empty threaded hole located on the bottom of the main spring housing. Smooth borders on the unnumbered checkered walnut grip panels, fixed blade and notch sights, with "WAFFENFABRIK/LOEWE/BERLIN." marked on top of the chamber, "SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT." on the right of the frame, and the patent marking "D.R.P./No75837." on the front toggle link.

Very good with scattered dark colored light pitting and freckling, bent lanyard loop, some dings and defined markings and edges in the metal. Grips are also very good with some light wear and handling marks. Mechanically fine. This prototype Borchardt pistol would make a fine addition to any advanced early military pistol collection.