Manufactured c. 1897-1898 as one of approximately 1,000 of the Bergmann Model 1897 "No.5" pistols produced. It was Bergmann's first locked breech pistol design, developed for use with a more powerful 7.8 mm bottleneck cartridge similar to the 7.63 mm Mauser Auto in hopes of securing a military contract. Features a fixed blade front sight on the barrel shroud, elevation adjustable notch rear sight on the frame (graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters), "PISTOLET BERGMANN/PATENT BREVETE S.G.D.G." marked on top of the bolt cover, commercial "crown/crown/U" proof on the left of the frame, serial number on the right of the fame, five magazine witness holes machined into both sides of the magazine well, a mounting eyelet for a shoulder stock at the base of the grip frame, along with niter blued and straw colored components. Fitted with a pair of "B" logo checkered hard rubber grips and a blued magazine with matching "280" serial number on the underside. Note: This item is restricted under various state-level assault weapons bans and cannot be sold or transferred to residents of CA, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MD, NJ, NY, or WA. Please check your local laws and regulations prior to bidding. Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler