Almost certainly manufactured during the violent "warlord" period of the Chinese Civil War. Many Chinese produced pistols of that period were based on existing European designs; however, this example appears to be a completely domestic design. This specific pistol has prominent markings either side of the slide that appear to have been intended to spell "AUTOMATIC", but are comprised of random English/Latin letters. There are also two "&" symbols and the serial number marked twice. The pistols is a blowback design and chambered in .7.63 mm Mauser Auto, fitted with a blade front sight and a small notch rear sight, grasping serrations on both sides of the slide, and a safety lever that may have functioned at one time. It is also fitted with a very attractive pair of hardwood grips that have been expertly relief carved with Chinese dragons on both panels. The grips appear to have received various finishes, which may have originally been a multi-colored layered appearance. This specific pistol is pictured and discussed on p. 188-189 of the book "Pistols of the Warlords: 1911-1949" by Ian McCollum.