This is an exceptionally rare, early production 1900 Mannlicher semi-automatic presentation pistol that has been lavishly factory deep relief chisel engraved and fitted with a beautiful set of walnut grips that have been adorned with various inlays. The Calligraphic monogram of Sultan Abdülhamid II is among the medallion designs. The pistol itself also carries a factory inscription or presentation which experts attribute to the Sultan of Turkey. This pistol, various accessories and tools are all housed in a hand tooled, gold guilded and dyed, leather bound display case. The 1900 Mannlicher pistol itself is a very early design that was very unique for the time in that it was blowback operated and fired the 7.65mm Mannlicher automatic cartridge (similar to the 7.63 Mauser cartridge). The interesting aspect of the pistol is that it uses an internal magazine that is loaded from the top, via stripper clips, which are positioned in the clip guides located on top of the slide, and it has a two-piece barrel. At the time of its development, this pistol was considered very innovative as well as strong and reliable; it fired a high velocity cartridge, making this a highly desirable and sought after weapon for any country. The pistol, as noted, has been engraved on over 95% of the metal surfaces. The only area not engraved is the front grip strap which carries the inscription and the barrel rib. The engraving is an early deep relief Germanic style that has been executed in a vine and floral pattern with the punch dot background. It is fitted with a set of standard walnut grips that have been inlaid with very nicely detailed vine and floral pattern that compliment the metal engraving of the pistol. In the center section of each grip panel there is a 1 1/2 inch by 1 inch oval panel, inlayed into the grip which has been beautifully carved with a large sun-burst pattern in the background, over a set of cross-flags that depict the Cross and Crescent symbol of the Ottoman Empire or Sultan of Turkey. Surrounding the flags on both sides are various implements of war, which include swords, pistols, cannons, lances, pikes, etc. The factory inscription is in three lines and reads "RHEINISCHE METALLWAAREN U./ MASCHINEN FABRIK, ABTEILUNG SÖMMERDA EHRHARDT WERKE". A loose translation is "Metalware and Machine Fabricating Department, at Sommerda works, from Ehrhardt Works". A brief history or connection of this inscription to the pistol and to the company is in order. Heinrich Ehrhardt was a young engineer who in 1889 accepted a subcontract from the large German manufacturing firm of Hörder Bergwerks- und Hüttenverein (HBH), a major ammunition contract for the Imperial German Army. After completion of this contract, he developed several new patents and also designed a new rapid firing cannon which he later sold to Norway and eventually Germany. With the proceeds from these contracts and with the help of several venture capitalists in 1891 he formed the new company of Rheinische Metallwaaren- und Maschinenfabrik, near Erfurt. In 1901, he acquired the old Munitions-und Waffenfabrik AG of Sömmerda in Thuringia, previously known as Dreysesche Gewehrfabrik, a manufacturer of handguns and cartridges. From this small start, he was able to develop several unique patents on metal fabricating techniques which he developed into the Rheinmetall Works, one of the largest German metal working companies in Europe. Based on what the inscription says and the time frame for this pistol, this describer theorizes that this pistol was probably a gift or presentation to the Sultan of Turkey for a military contract that may have used some of the raw material from this company or actually for small arms fabricated at the Sommerda works, probably in the 1901-1905 time frame. The Imperial German government and the Turkish Empire were very close allies during this time and sold thousands of rifles, pistols, cannons and various war material to each other. As noted, the pistol and various accessories are all housed in a beautifully leather bound French fitted case that has been overlaid with several panels of almost a damascene leather pattern on all four sides as well as the lid. The center section of the lid has a raised hand carved leather coat of arms that looks like a double flag hanging on each side with a turban on top, with a crescent moon in the center. There is no name, markings or inscription on the coat of arms. The bottom front of the case is marked in gold "H&C SCHULTZE DUSSELDORF". Inside the case are five compartments one for the pistol, screwdriver, cleaning rod, silver oiler bottle and small pin punch (which is missing). The lining is a light blue felt with the following three-line gold letter inscription on the inside of the lid "EHRHARDT WERKE/ABTEILING SOMMERDA, GEWEHRFABRIK/SYSTEM MANNLICHER 1903". The barrel and lower frame have a rust blue finish, with the remainder of the frame and slide having a casehardened factory finish. The trigger, extractor and safety lever were all gold plated at one time. It has matching numbers on the various parts with the side of the slide having a small double "crown/U" proofmark. Certainly this has to be one of the crown jewels of this auction.

Very fine overall with 95% plus of blue finish on the barrel and lower receiver group, with the balance silvered out to gray, and the casehardened factory finish also very fine. The grips are excellent showing only minor handling marks with all the inlays intact. The carving is also clear, sharp and very distinct. The case is also very fine with the underside of the case showing some loosing of the leather material. The blue felt lining inside shows some light wear where the pistol was housed where it contacted the sides of the pistol. An extraordinary example of a cased Mannlicher royal presentation pistol.