A scarce example of a Borchardt Automatic pistol with detachable stock. Designed by Hugo Borchardt and manufactured by Ludwig Lowe of Berlin between 1893 and 1899, the Borchardt was the first successful automatic pistol design. The Borchardt was also the first automatic pistol tested by the U.S. military; an example was evaluated by the U.S. Naval Ordnance Board on November 21, 1894. The distinctive Borchardt design features a toggle action, centrally located trigger, grip and eight round magazine and detachable wooden stock that attaches to a lug on the rear of the pistol receiver. The pistol has a fixed front sight and screw adjustable rear sight. Thee pistol has a rust blue finish with niter blue trigger and small components. The walnut grips have checkered panels; the stock and grips have an oil finish. The eight round magazine has a nickel-plated finish with a wooden base. The stock is secured to the by tightening a thumb wheel, and the right side of the stock has a wire sling loop. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "SYSTEM BORCHARDT". The top of the chamber is roll-stamped: "WAFFEBFABRIK/LOWE/BERLIN." in three lines. The top of the toggle is marked: "D.R.P./No.75387" The serial number, "448" is visible on the stock lug, the bottom of the frame magazine housing and on the face of rear sight. The magazine base is serial numbered: "388". The detachable stock has no visible serial numbers. The stock has been period modified by adding 1 1/4-inch extension to the butt. The walnut stock extension is well-executed and matches the original stock closely.

Very fine. The pistol retains approximately 75% of the slightly faded original blue finish. The finish loss is greatest on the grip straps which have a silver-gray patina and there is moderate edge wear on the high points of the barrel, frame and toggle. The two-piece walnut grips show moderate handling wear and there are scattered flat spots in the checkering. The mismatched number magazine retains about half of the original nickel-plated finish. The magazine has scattered age discoloration and there is a small chip missing from the right side of the wooden base. The grip screws have some screw-driver battering. Mechanically fine. The period modified/lengthened stock is very good with several scattered, minor dents. This is a solid example of a scarce and important Borchardt Automatic pistol.