This is an example of a very rare Model 1895 Krnka Prototype/Test pistol as developed by Karel Krnka. Karel was a very talented engineer born in 1858 in Bohemia, (today upper Czechoslovakia) that was credited with the development of one of the forerunners of the more successful Roth semi-automatic pistol. This example is a very late version that was probably developed/produced for the Austro-Hungarian test conducted in 1897/98, but probably never used. There were only a handful of these early pistol produced at best with almost no examples surviving in the world today. This example is serial numbered "39" and may be one of the very last example ever produced and probably is why it has remained in original condition. Krnka was credited with several innovative patents during his life time; two of the early patents were on a redesigned extractor and ejector. This pistol has a very unique mechanism that has a locked breech with an actual "rotating/turn bolt" mechanism with the noted improved extractor mechanism. It is also fitted with an early hold-open device based on the use of the magazine follower, with a side mounted bolt release, operating in the same manner as many of the current day semi-automatic rifle and pistols. It also has an internal magazine like the M1907 Roth pistols and is loaded via a magazine stripper through the top of the action. It is cocked/loaded by pushing the barrel reward, inserting a loaded stripper, pushing the rounds into the internal magazine and withdrawing the stripper, allowing the bolt to go forward and ready to fire. One of the most interesting and unique features of this pistol is that it actually can fire in a double action manner and has a rebounding hammer. This rebounding mechanism works when you fire the pistol and the trigger is released the hammer automatically rebounds to the half-cock position. It is fires a 8mm pistol cartridge, and holds approximately 10 rounds. The top of the barrel has an integral milled rib that is marked with an encircled "GR" followed by "PATENT" with serial number "39" stamped on top of the chamber area, with no other markings on the pistol. It is fitted with a set of walnut grips that have an old, old black painted type finish. Originally it had a lanyard loop on the underside of the grip/frame, however that is missing. This ultra rare, early semi-automatic pistol is complete with one original stripper clip, that is also marked on the back side with the encircled "GR" marking.

Fine condition with 70% of the original blue finish overall with even honest wear and blue loss on the sides of the frame (cold blue applied here) and top of the barrel mixed with a brown patina overall. The grips are also in fine condition with visible distinct checkering with minimal handling marks overall. The upper right side of the frame over the chamber area and right side shows some minor old light pitting probably from sitting in a holster at one point. Regardless this is an extremely rare and very early semi-automatic Krnka prototype/test pistol.