RARE Belgian Lepage Model Automatic Pocket Pistol, Blue 3 5/8″ SA Semi-Automatic Pocket Pistol, MFD 1925-1932 C&R
SOLD FOR: $711.00
LSB#: 150817RM54
Make: Manufacture D’Armes Lepage, Belgium
Model: Automatic Pocket Pistol
Serial Number: 14355
Year of Manufacture: 1925-1932
Caliber: 7.65mm (.32ACP)
Action Type: Single Action Semi-Auto with Removable Magazine
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked “MANUFACTURE D’ARMES LEPAGE-LIEGE-BELGIQUE / CAL. 7.65 BREVET NO 305326”, “Lion / PV” and “* / C” (Louis Brenu 1924-1948). The left side of the barrel is marked with a “Lion / PV” proof, a “* / K” inspection mark (Walthere Delsaux 1929-1968) and a Crowned “E / LG / *” proof. The left side of the frame is marked “7.65BB”, “Lion / PV” and “* / K”. The mainspring housing is marked “14355”, and at least the last 3 digits were stamped over the top of different numbers.
Barrel Length: 3 5/8”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a rounded blade fixed to the top of the barrel. The rear sight is a “U” groove in the top of the slide.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are checkered black animal horn marked “LEPAGE” in a banner across the center of the grips. The smooth borders are slightly dull from handling. The checkering shows light wear with a large marred area in the top half of the right grip. The grips rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: The finish has been professionally restored.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the pronounced rifling is sharp. There is no erosion but there are three small protrusions into the top of the bore where the front sight is located. There are scratches under the finish on both sides of the front sight, but nothing deep enough to penetrate into the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 85% of its current of its metal finish. There is thinning in the front half of the barrel, the edges of the slide and frame and on the magazine housing. There are two tiny dings in the left top edge of the slide and tool marks around the extractor pin in the top of the slide. There are scratches under the finish on the top rear of the slide, around the trigger guard and in the front strap, with light marks under the finish in the backstrap. The serrations on the safety and hammer show compression marks and the slide serrations have been ground flat in places. The screw heads are distressed and the markings are very shallow. Overall, this handgun rates in about Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. This pistol has a manual safety as well as a magazine disconnect. There are two finger grooves in the front strap for ensuring a firm grip on the short grip frame. We did not fire this handgun.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with one blued magazine. The magazine shows thinning and light marks on its body and thinning on the front edge of its floorplate. The magazine is in about Very Good condition.
Our Assessment: This is a nice example of a rare and seldom seen Belgian Lepage semi-auto pistol manufactured between 1925 and 1932. It is a very well made and innovative design for the time. The demise of the pistol probably had more to do with the Great Depression and better marketing from its rivals than with anything else. The pistol has been refinished, and has about 85% of its current finish remaining. There is thinning in the front of the barrel, the edges of the slide and frame and on the magazine housing. There are tool marks and scratches under the finish on the top of the slide and dings under the finish in the mainspring housing. The original serial number stamped on the mainspring housing has been overstamped with another number. The grips are black checkered animal bone that show light wear in the checkering that has a large marred area at the top of the right grip. The bore is bright with sharp pronounced rifling, but there are three tiny protrusions into the bore in the area of the front sight. This pistol should attract considerable interest from collectors of European handguns. If the collectors don’t show enough interest, some lucky shooter will get a chance at a unique and well-made vintage pistol.
