Ludwig Loewe & Co. Borchardt C-93

The Borchardt C-93 pistol was world's first mass produced semi-automatic pistol developed by Hugo Borchardt in 1893. It was based upon the Maxim toggle-lock principle and manufactured by the German arms concern Ludwig Loewe & Co in Berlin, Germany. The Borchardt C-93 pistol was chambered for the 7.65x25mm (.31 cal) smokeless round designed by Hugo Borchardt. It was offered for commercial sale in 1894 by Ludwig Loewe & Co. (Receiver marked "WAFFENFABRIK LOEWE BERLIN") but soon in 1897 they merged with DWM (Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken) so later models had DWM marks on receiver. The pistol used a toggle lock system and it was main inspiration for Georg Luger when he developed Luger P-08 pistol. The Borchardt C-93 pistol came with walnut detachable stock. It was accurate pistol but complicated and expencive to manufacture. Today some Borchardt C-93 pistols can reach unbelievably high prices in auctions. One cased with accessories that was a presentation from Kaiser Wilhelm II to German Attache Adm. Charles Vreeland in the early 1900s was sold in 2013 for $105,500.00. Other cased with accessories that was made for Don Porfirio Diaz, president of Mexico was sold in 2013 for $149,500.00.