This is a rare example of one of the very early Steyr/Mannlicher self-loading, "blow-forward" Model 1894 pistol that were manufactured by the Swiss at the Neuhausen factory. This beautiful pistol is one of his very first "blow-forward" prototypes which has the extremely low serial number of "15". There were a handful of these very early prototypes manufacture in Switzerland under a short lived agreement between Mannlicher and the Swiss, with all later manufacturing being done by the Austrian Steyr factory. These early Mannlicher pistols were all designed by Ferdinand Von Mannlicher. Von Mannlicher was an exceptional early engineer, who designed several early semi-automatic rifle and pistols from the early 1890s through post WWII. One of the interesting features of this design is that it looks like it has a standard removable pistol clip, however it actually has a permanently installed internal magazine that loaded from the top of the action via a stripper clip. The other unique design feature is that the barrel actually moves forward, during the firing/cycling of the pistol hence the name "blow-forward" is associated with this design. When the barrel returns into battery (e.g. when the barrel is moving towards the rear of the action) it strips off and chambers a new cartridge from the internal magazine. It is also a "double action" mechanism with a rebounding hammer. When a cartridge is in the chamber with the hammer down, you just pull the trigger as in the double action mode, just like pistols today. Very unique for "1894". The left side frame cover is marked "FAB. D'ARMES/NEUHAUSEN", with a small circled "HH" Swiss proof on the rear of the butt. The top of the barrel and left side of the receiver are stamped with serial number "15" and when you remove the left side and side plate you will see that all of the internal parts are correctly numbered "15", clearly indicating it has all matching numbers. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips. It has an all rust blued finish with straw color small parts and case colors on the trigger and hammer.

Excellent with 97% plus of the original blued finish overall with only minor edge and high spot wear. The grips are in excellent condition with nice original varnish overall with sharp distinct checkering on the sides. As noted this beautiful pistol has all matching visible and internal parts. A super rare, early high condition prototype pistol for the advanced automatic pistol collector.