Bernardon Martin

Model 1907

Designed by Thomas Martin and produced by Etienne Bernardon, the Model 1907 is credited as France's first domestic production semi-automatic pistol design, showing parallels to Browning's Model 1900.

Fixed sights, with "AUTOMATIQUE FRANCAIS" on the right side of the slide and "SYSTEME BERNARDON-MARTIN/BREVETE S.G.D.G." on the left.

What appears to be the Siamese number "8011" is present on the back strap, with an additional three untranslated symbols on the front strap.

While no documentation was supplied by the consignor, these markings suggest that the pistol was exported/carried to Siam at some point in its career, and the overall condition is what you would expect from a sidearm subjected to hard use in Southeast Asia.

Grips are checkered hard rubber, with the "BM" monogram at the top of each.

Bernardon Martin

Model 1907/1908

Designed by Thomas Martin and produced by Etienne Bernardon, the Model 1907 is credited as France's first domestic production semi-automatic pistol design, showing parallels to Browning's Model 1900.

Fixed sights, with "* L AUTOMATIQUE FRANCAIS" on the right side of the slide and "*BERNARDON-MARTIN*SAINT-ETIENNE*/*BREVETE-S.G.D.G.*" on the left.

Grips are checkered hard rubber, with the "BM" monogram at the top of each.

Another feature unusual for this particular gun is the fixed magazine and top loading configuration

Bernardon Martin

Model 1909

Developed in St. Etienne, the Model 1909 is a direct descendant of the Model 1907, one of the first European semi-automatic pistols and believed to be the first semi-auto developed in France.

The chief upgrade of the 1909 is the slide catch, an ambidextrous lever installed on the front of the trigger guard.

Exact production is unknown but believed low; both the 1907 and 1909 were hand-assembled, and Bernardon left the arms trade in 1912.

Fitted with fixed sights, a smooth right grip panel and a checkered left grip panel with "BM" monogram.

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