This is a rare example of a Swiss prototype military test pistol similar to the Model 49. These were actually designed and tested after WWII when the Swiss were looking to replace all their aging Luger pistols with a more modern designed semi-automatic pistol. This design was based partially on the original Browning HP pistol with the real visible differences being the heavier lower grip area of the frame, slightly longer and heavier rear frame area and an enlarged/reinforced (heavier) sides on the slide. This specific model is even more interesting in that it is a "gas-operated" or assisted pistol as it has a small gas port on the lower area of the barrel, just directly in front of the mount of the chamber. It is also fitted with a slightly long slide that houses a longer recoil spring and spring guide to accommodate the heavier recoil generated by the gas system. The recoil spring and guide are held in place by a threaded locking nut that projects out in front of the slide. The other design changes are in the rear of the slide, which actually encloses the sides of the hammer, almost giving it a concealed hammer appearance. The internal components and barrel appear to be exactly like a Belgium High Power, except for the gas system. It also retains the original Browning HP, magazine safety, however the sides of the magazine body have been modified by the addition of small finger grasping areas on the sides, with a corresponding cutout area on the lower sides of the frame area. The top of the slide is machined similar to the later Swiss P210 series of pistols with a drift adjustable front sight and a raised, fixed rear sight machined into the top rear section of the slide. The rear of the slide has been machined down making it somewhat narrower however it partially removed the factory markings on the left rear side of the slide. The left side of the slide, frame and rear of the magazine are numbered "19". It has a black painted factory finish with the barrel still in it original "in the white" factory polish. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips and comes with one original magazine. It is estimated that not more than 40-50 of these early experimental test pistols were actually produced with several variations within this group noted, making individual pistols very unique and usually a one of a kind pistol.

Very fine with 90% of the possibly arsenal/factory black baked on paint type (possibly bakelight) finish remaining with some factory touch up on the grip straps, with flaking and wear on all the edges. The grips are in fine condition with nice distinct checkering on both sides with half of the varnish remaining overall with more on the left side, with both grip panels showing wear across the checkering mixed with light handling marks. A very interesting and certainly one of a kind gas operated Swiss Bern prototype test pistol.