Impressive and instantly identifiable Gustav Bittner 1896 Repeating Pistol with a color case hardened receiver, checkered walnut forend and grips. One of the last repeating pistols made prior to the introduction of semiautomatics firearms. ANTIQUE!!!

Description:

The Gustav Bittner repeating pistol was made in Austria, beginning in 1896, and chambered for the proprietary 7.7mm Bittner cartridge. Production numbers have been cited from a low of 500 to a high of nearly 3000. This one was numbered "31" on frame under grip, not disassembled. As true for all Bittners, it has a 6” largely octagonal barrel, round where it meets the receiver, with a matted top surface. Fitted with a fixed bi-concave front sight and a cursive rear sight graduated from 50, 100, and 150 meters. There is no Austrian Eagle on top of the receiver. The right side of the receiver is marked “PATENT BITTNER” over the encircled trademark. Virtually all components of the pistol were color case hardened except the barrel that was browned and the sights that were fire blued. A checkered walnut insert is in the forend. Checkered walnut grips secured with a single transverse screw. At the base is a lanyard ring. ANTIQUE!!!

Condition:

VG+ with faded original color case hardening on the receiver, ring trigger, and other small parts. The barrel, usually a plum-brown, has a darker tone, suggesting some rust blue touch-up. VG+ forend and grip: the forend oil darkened, the grip less so with a few light handling marks. Bright bore with easily discernible rifling. Correct manual mechanics.