NOTE: Photographs taken today with the high mega-pixel camera show more than we sometimes can see with the human eye. Magnified close-ups show us tool marks and natural surface conditions that one normally doesn't see in the ordinary handling of the weapon.  Photographs are copyrighted, all rights reserved, any extraction, reproduction or display of gun pictures without the express consent of the Phoenix Investment Arms is strictly prohibited. Thank you for your cooperation.

The is an original case with a working lock that has not be restored or tampered with in any way but bears the 100 year old effects of time and use.  Still fully function to hold the complete Borchardt and accessories as originally issued.

The C93 (1893) Borchardt semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 7.65x25mm  (.31 Cal) smokeless round designed by Hugo Borchardt and originally manufactured by the German arms concern  Loewe & Co. Ludwig Lowe & Companies of Berlin who offered it for commercial sale in 1884. In January 1897 Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) took over production during a merger.

The Borchardt pistol was expensive to produce and unwieldy to handle. The 90° grip and the return spring so far to the rear, although balanced, was difficult because its recoil was unexpectedly powerful. The barrel length is 7 1/4" with an overall length of 14". It weighs 2 1/2 lbs. The serial number appears on the front bottom of the barrel, the trigger, the rear toggle, the bottom of the grip frame, the magazine and the stock attachment.  The Borchardt originally sold in the US for $30.00.

The cartridge used in Borchardt C-93 Pistol inspired the development of the cartridge used for Mauser C96 pistol (7.63 Mauser): they have the same dimensions, but the 7.63 Mauser is too powerful to be used in a Borchardt C-93.

While other designers had created self-loading pistols in the past, only the Borchardt sold in appreciable numbers. The Borchardt utilized a toggle lock, but housed the locking mechanism and springs in a large, bulbous assemblage at the rear of the receiver. To make matters worse, the grip of the Borchardt quite nearly ran in a vertical direction, providing an uncomfortable grip angle.

In 1894 the US Military Attaché in Berlin, Lt. Robert Evans, reported firing the Borchardt and stated it had very little recoil.  The Boston Herald of November 22, 1894 reported the US Navy tested the Borchardt and the weapons was exhibited by Georg Luger himself. An extract of the article stated; "A light adjustable stock may be affixed, making for all practicable  purposes a carbine for the cavalry".

The barrel is Crown B.U.G Proofed. Good crisp proof on the frame and toggle. The stock lug bears the serial number. Collectors prize the guns that are BUG proofed.  The Crown B means the barrels were tested using a heavier load in accordance with the 1892 proof law. The Crown U (Untersuchung) means it was inspected after assembly and the Crown G (Gozogen) means a rifled barrel.  What a magnificent gun that is at least 113 years old.

Guns produced after January 1897 under the DWM banner are marked SYSTEM BORCHARDT. PATENT. DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-UND MUNITIONSFARBRIKEN BERLIN, in three lines on the right side of the receiver, though retaining the patent mark on the toggle of D.R.P. №75837.

When a cartridge is fired the barrel and breech bolt locked together, recoiled until a pair of lugs on the frame lifted the toggle-joint action of the breech and allowed the bolt to continue it's travel independent of the barrel. The bolt when recoiled farther, ejected the empty case and cocked the arm, then returned, feeding a new cartridge into the chamber, pushing the barrel forward and locked rigidly as the toggle joint fell into line.

It is entirely subjective to give any Luger a rating of excellent or fine, just as it is to declare it xx% blued or strawed. Few Lugers are out of the box new and these are premium priced. Bluing percentages is like Beauty, in the eye of the beholder.  We strive to provide pictures so you can judge for yourself if the gun meets your criteria.

Hugo Borchardt created the 7.65mm x 25mm cartridge specifically for his gun. It came in a 85gr FMJ round that could reach 1280 ft./sec. velocity and delivered 312 Ft/lb. of energy. This cartridge is similar to the 7.63 x 25 mm Mauser cartridge, but a weaker powder charge. This cartridge was the basis of the 7.63x25 Mauser, 7.65 x 21 mm Luger Parabellum, and 7.62x25  Tokarev cartridges.