DWM Borchardt Model 1893 C93 7.65x25mm Semi-Automatic Pistol, 1897-1902 C&R
SOLD FOR: $5,478.00
LSB#: WY240827RL054
Make: Deutsche Waffen Und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Model: C93 Borchardt
Serial Number: 2119
Year of Manufacture: 1897-1902
Caliber: 7.65mm x 25mm Borchardt
Action Type: Striker-Fired, Semi-Automatic Pistol fed by Removable Magazine
Markings: The left of the barrel extension is marked “36405” with German proofs. The left side of the trigger is marked “2119”. The left of the front toggle has German proofs. The top of the front toggle is marked “D. R. P. / NO75837.” (the patent number.) . The right side of the barrel extension is marked “SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT. / DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFABRIKEN. / BERLIN.” The butt of the frame, behind the magazine well, is marked “2119”.
Barrel Length: 7 1/2″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a triangular blade integral to a banded base at the muzzle. Oddly, the blade is serrated on the front face. The rear sight is a “V”-notch integral to the top-rear of the recoil spring housing.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece walnut. The grips were checkered, but the checkering has worn nearly smooth with the borders the most visible feature of the checkering. There are scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches with one more notable ding at the front edge of the left panel toward the bottom. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in Good condition.
There is a mounting lug for a stock on the rear of the recoil spring housing. The lug shows extensive welding and grinding. We were not able to remove the lug from the extension on the recoil spring housing.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished. The barrel assembly is not original to the frame. Some other small parts may be replacements, we have not disassembled the pistol.
Bore Condition: The bore is gray with well defined rifling. There is scattered erosion and stubborn fouling in the bore. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates about 6 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 40% of its current metal finish. The rear toggle is cracked at the hinge, showing signs of welding and grinding. The finish is thinning at all edges. There is scattered light finish wear with more notable wear in the grip areas. There are some patches of more notable wear on the sides of the recoil spring housing and barrel extension. There are tool marks on each side of the barrel toward the rear. There is a cluster of nicks in the frontstrap. There are other scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some scattered light oxidation in the worn areas. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with usable slots. The markings range from clear to worn and incomplete. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fair condition as refinished and not parts-original.
Mechanics: Likely due to the non-matching barrel assembly, the safety is not able to be engaged as the sear-bar does not clear the edge of the safety. Otherwise, the action functions correctly. Due to the damage to the toggle link, this pistol is not safe to fire. We have not fired this pistol. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This pistol comes with a single magazine.
Our Assessment: As handgun design has distilled, there are many expected features in a semi-automatic handgun. This was not always the case, and early automatic pistols showed a wild variety of designs and features. The C93, while a little odd by modern standard, may be considered the father of all modern semi-automatic pistols. Hugo Borchardt was a firearms designer who had to have come across the Maxim gun which used a toggle-locked bolt. Inspired by Maxim’s use of the toggle link mechanism, he set out to design an automatic pistol using the same toggle link action; this time operating upwards instead of downwards as on the Maxim. In addition to the toggle link, Borchardt also devised a new way to load this pistol – the detachable spring loaded magazine located in the handle of the gun. Over the past 120 years magazines have not evolved much from Borchardt’s early design!
Originally produced by Ludwig Loewe & Company of Berlin, Germany, the pistol was chambered for the 7.65×25mm Borchardt cartridge, a fairly zippy round pushing an 85gr bullet at about 1,300 fps. Production at Loewe would eventually move to DWM, where Georg Luger simplified the design for his own iconic pistol.
This DWM exmaple shows its age, but Borchardts don’t come around that often. Even as a display, it will make a fine centerpiece in a collection of early autoloaders. It would also be well worth the effort to restore. Please see our photos and good luck!
Please forgive any typos, I was educated in California. -Bud
