This is an extremely rare example of the very first attempts by the Mannlicher company to produced a magazine fed, semi-automatic pistol. These early pistols are extremely rare today; they were produced on a very limited basis with most of those actually produced either being destroyed or lost over time with the few surviving examples rarely ever seen for sale on the open market, in any condition, much less this example that retains well over 90% of it's blue finish. This was Mannlicher's first real attempt to compete with the other European companies, such as Steyr, Bergmann, Mauser and Schwartzlose etc., who were also developing and producing early semi-automatic pistols in the late 1880s and early 1890s. This specific model eventually led to the later M96 and eventually the successful Mannlicher model 1900 pistol. This pistol is fairly unique in that it uses a non-reciprocating "blow-forward" bolt mechanism with an internal magazine that also functions in a "double-action" mode. The recoil spring is actually housed inside the barrel jacket, around the outside of the barrel and the pistol is charged by pulling the barrel forward. As it returns to it's battery position at the rear of the frame, it strips a round off of the top of the internal magazine. The base of the bullet is seated against the breech face which is actually the upper rear section of the frame with the extractor/ rear sight located just behind the stripper clip guide and in front of the hammer. Obviously when the pistol is fired the action starts the cycling process all over again. It is an extremely well machined pistol typical of early prototype or production models. The left side of the pistol frame is marked with only "FAB. D'ARMES/NEUHAUSEN". To disassemble the pistol you just remove the left grip screw which allows you to remove the wooden grip and receiver side panel and the entire left side of the frame. The internal magazine is attached to this grip and left side of the frame so it all comes out as one unit and exposes all the internal parts. The top of the receiver/chamber area is serial numbered "26" with all the visible serial numbers on the outside or the pistol as well as the internal serial numbers matching. This pistol was a fairly well thought-out design as it has an enlarged trigger guard, with a military style lanyard loop on the bottom of the butt and the rear frame has a raised dovetailed section to accommodate a shoulder stock.

Very fine overall with 75% of the faded original blue finish remaining with the front and rear grip strap, and upper rear section of the frame above the rear grip strap, browning out overall and showing signs of blue loss. The sides of the frame, front section of the receiver, trigger guard and barrel all retain a solid 95% blue finish. Overall the pistol shows a fine old aged light rust just starting to form with some small pin-prick type pitting in the right side of the frame from improper storage. A good professional light cleaning to address the fine rust starting would improve the pistol considerably. Regardless this is a very rare and seldom encountered early prototype Mannlicher Model 94 semi-automatic pistol, for the advanced collector.