Lot 514: Cased Loewe 1893 Borchardt Pistol with Many Matching Accessories

Developed by Hugo Borchardt and manufactured by Ludwig Loewe & Company, the 1893 Borchardt was among the first semi-automatic pistols to arrive on the market. Borchardt's design introduced many mechanical principles and design concepts that would be revisited and refined by Georg Luger to make the famous "Pistole Parabellum" Model 1900, essentially making the Borchardt the forefather of about half a century of European military and commercial handguns. The most critical feature taken up by Luger was the 1893's toggle-locked short-recoil action, which gives the pistol its distinctive profile. Blade front sight and "V" notch rear sight, with the address "WAFFENFABRIK/ LOEWE/BERLIN" on top of the chamber, "D.R.P./No75837." on the front toggle link, "SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT." on the right side of the receiver, and a set of "crown/letter" proofs on the barrel, chamber and toggle assembly. Installed on the front link is an asymmetrical smooth cocking handle with a spring loaded safety latch; intended to reduce the risk of premature unlocking, Luger would integrate a similar lock into the Model 1900 but eliminate it as redundant in later models. Matching serial numbers are present on multiple parts, including the hardwood base of the nickel finished magazine and the interior of the smooth bordered grip panels. The pistol comes in a fine black leatherette case with a green felt inner lining, which contains the following included accessories: a matching numbered shoulder stock with black leather holster, a quick-mountable matching numbered cheekpiece for the stock, two extra matching numbered magazine, a hardwood dummy magazines that acts as a carrier for an oiler, patch holder and patch jag, a brass rod, and a screwdriver handle (sans blade).

Very fine, with 80% plus original blue finish, showing some areas of gray and brown patina most noticeable on the rear mainspring housing and front sight, mild spotting and edge wear, and light handling marks. The grips are fine, with some mild scattered dings. The case is fine, with numerous scuffs on the fine, mostly intact exterior, typical of age, the handle detached but included. The very good holster shows wear and cracking appropriate to age, with mild wear on the other accessories. Mechanically excellent.