SILVERMAN-MAXIM M1896 prototype pistol
Sold in auction (March 2014) for $37,775.00

SN NSN. Caliber .455 Webley Mk I Revolver. Although Hiram Maxim is best known as inventor of the machine gun and for his suppressors, he also collaborated with Louis Silverman, his long term assistant and then Superintendent of the Maxim-Nordenfeldt Machine Gun Factory, to make a handful of semiautomatic pistols, patented in 1896 (British Pat 29836/1896), distinguished by their modern, 45° angled grip (the first pistol with such an ergonomically angled grip) and extremely simple construction, having only some 16 components. According to the consigner, this gun is just one of three known examples and has a unique .455 Revolver chambering. It has a 7.2” round bbl and a fixed front sight. The fixed rear sight is integral to a sliding cover attached to the bolt, much in the way of the numbered Bergmann pistols. There are no markings or serial number on the gun whose receiver has no gas port to vent gas from split cases, nor the bolt friction retarding spring of other known examples. At the rear is a cocking knob that retracts the bolt and serves as a cocking indicator. The front of the trigger is checkered and the grips are vulcanized rubber with smooth surfaces. The left panel has been milled with four cartridge indicator slots. There is a large lanyard ring at the base of the front strap. The magazine is retained by a spring mounted at the rear of the backstrap. Walls are open to enhance viewing. To facilitate withdrawal, there is a checkered knob on each side of the forward base. PROVENANCE: Collection of Geoffrey Sturgess, ex-Dinely collection, illustr. HBSA Journal Vol 2 No 6, illustr. TBLAP. CONDITION: Excellent original condition. Smooth metal surfaces, that were never blued, are now pleasantly toned with a near uniform patina. Smooth hard rubber grips with minimal handling marks. Tiny chip missing from the top of the right panel. Magazine, largely protected from the elements, shows much less oxidative patina than the pistol. Bright bore with strong rifling and minimal corrosion. Perfect mechanics. Extraordinarily rare semiautomatic pistol whose historic designer is familiar to every firearms collector.