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. Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler