The late 19th century saw the beginning of the semi-automatic era. Countless makers came up with untold designs, all striving to create a more perfect pistol.
In 1898, Austrian Ferdinand Mannlicher had designed a new 7.65mm semi-automatic pistol that utilized a wrap-around cover plate to protect its lockworks. By 1899, the design included a large safety lever mounted to the left side of the frame.
In an effort to secure government contracts for the design, Mannlicher did what government contractors have always done. He commissioned a few custom-made, elaborately inlaid and engraved examples to be presented to influential leaders such as Kaiser Wilhelm II and Sultan Abdul Hamid II of Turkey in hopes of greasing the skids and securing a lucrative military order.
Shown above is serial number 231, which was presented to the Kaiser. The pistol featured full engraving with a gold-plated safety lever and trigger (both worn considerably by time), and high-end wood grips inlaid with ivory accents.
The pistol was housed in an equally impressive presentation case, complete with tools outfitted with hand-carved handles.
Despite Mannlicher’s best efforts at buttering up his potential customers with these gorgeous guns, no contracts ever materialized for the M1899. Only about 350 ever made. The design didn’t really catch on until Mannlicher made a few more modifications to the safety and disassembly lever to the pistol that would eventually became the M1901.
Logan Metesh is a firearms historian and consultant who runs High Caliber History LLC. Click here for a free 3-page download with tips about caring for your antique and collectible firearms.
Manlicker?
Bwahahahahahaha!!!!
That was my inner 12 year old.
Sorry. I can’t help it. I absolutely must wonder if any government official upon receiving a Presentation Grade gun actually took it outside, shoot the dickens out of it and declared it gold-plated crap (or a great gun, whichever it actually was).
It’s always been a fantasy of mine to become President and actually do that with whatever State Gifts might come into my itchy hands.
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For US Presidents, it used to be fancy Winchester 94s and Model 70s, and those have a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and ease of handling.
That thing is Hillary ugly. Though a common thing for the automatics of the era.
Ugly? I think it looks pretty. Austria tried to embellish a presentation Glock for NYPD with silver plating and gold inlays and what not but the frame and grip melted, haha.
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