This is another rare early Steyr-Mannlicher designed pistol. This pistol is actually called the Model 1896/03 due to the fact that it was originally developed in 1896 (at the same time the 1896 Mauser pistol was), but it was not commercially introduced on to the market until approximately 1903. This variation has the shorter 4 3/4 inch barrel with the desirable detachable magazine box and the solid (non-slotted) back strap. This design allows the pistol to be loaded by just removing and then loading the detachable box magazine or via stripper clips through the top of the action (when the bolt is to the rear) just as you can like the rest of the Mannlicher rifle and pistol designs. These early Mannlicher pistols also have several other unique features such as a barrel that screwed into an upper receiver versus the one-piece design of the 1896 Mauser. It has an internal hammer with a small short external cocking indicator on the rear of the pistol. The front sight and front sight base is actually brazed to the top of the barrel, and a fixed rear sight is machined directly into the top rear section of the upper receiver. The left side of the barrel, the barrel extension, both grips and trigger are all correctly numbered "85". The magazine is numbered "406". The entire pistol does not have any standard Austrian or German proofmarks, but it is interesting to note that the top of the barrel extension has the standard intertwined "BP" Swiss proof from the Bern factory. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips

Very fine with 85% of the blue finish overall with edge and high spot wear with exposed barrel thinning overall. Additionally, the square end of the barrel breech shows some wrench marks where it looks like someone tried to remove it. The smaller parts retain 20% of their straw colors overall. The walnut grips are in fine condition with distinct checkering on both sides showing honest wear across the checkering mixed with some pressure dents. A very scarce early Steyr-Mannlicher semi-automatic pistol.