Belgian Bergmann-Bayard Model 1908 9mm Pistol

Status
Not open for further replies.

Von der Goltz

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2018
Messages
139
Location
Cripple Creek SW VA
Here are a few photos of my Bergmann-Bayard 9mm Model 1908 semi-auto pistol serial number 12266 along with German language instruction booklet. This pistol is Belgian-proofed and may have seen service in WWI since many of these pistols were taken into German military service after the German Occupation of Belgium in 1914.


Bergmann1.jpg

Bergmann2.jpg
Bergmann3.jpg
 
It suggests a more than passing resemblance to a Mauser '96 Broomhandle.
Bergmann's first self-loaders predate the Mauser C96. However, while they pioneered the layout (not to imply that Paul Mauser stole the concept - it was somewhat common sense by that time), the C96 came to the market simultaneously with Bergmann No.1 and fired a much more powerful cartridge. Bergmann clearly was not competitive. In a span of a year, Bergmann had to redesign their just-released gun and add a locked breech mechanism. So, the were "inspired" by Mauser, but probably not in the way you're thinking when looking at the pictures.
 
I had one of those 1908 Bergmanns at 19 in College in Georgia , it was from my families collection. It fired 9mm Luger pretty well ! I did find an old box of 9mm Bergamann with it , but they went pretty fast ! They are neat old things. I al;ways wondered why the detachable magazine was so small capacity !
 
Von der Gltz

Always liked the lines of the Bergmann-Bayard Model 1908. Thanks for sharing another interesting pistol from your collection!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top