Lot 291

Gustav Bittner Model 1896 Manual Repeating Pistol Serial No. 45

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Gustav Bittner Model 1896 Manual Repeating Pistol Serial No. 45

Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

Starting Bid: $7,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 21, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Desirable Austrian Gustav Bittner Model 1896 Manual Repeating Pistol Serial Number 45 Manufactured between 1896-1898 in limited quantities. Originally patented in 1896 in Austria, Gustav Bittner's pistol is an excellent example of the "manual repeater" class of handgun. The rival to the single and double action revolvers of the early cartridge era, manual repeaters were brought to an end by the quick rise of innovative smokeless semi-automatic pistol designs around the same timeframe of this handgun's conception. Bittner's design uses a rotary locking bolt operated by a ring lever and a fixed bar lever for the trigger and feeds via an internal magazine loaded with en bloc clips. It has blade front and elevation adjustable notch rear sights, with "PATENT/BITTNER" above the Bittner trademark marked on the right of the frame. The frame is elegantly machined and high quality casehardened with distinctive colors, with a set of checkered walnut panels covering the magazine spring and a pair of checkered fine walnut contour grip panels. "923. 97." marked on the bottom of the barrel. Serial number "45" marked on the left of the grip frame, with "FS" stamped and "212" handwritten on the interiors of both grip panels.

Manufacturer: Bittner Gustav

Model: 1896

BBL: 6 inch octagon

Gauge: 7.7mm

Finish: blue/casehardened

Grips: walnut

Serial Number45

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Collection of Clive Cussler
  • Condition: Extremely fine, retains 90% plus original blue finish, 80% vivid original case colors, with freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. The wood is fine, with well-defined edges, a few small nicks, and crisp checkering. The firing pin is absent; otherwise, mechanically functions.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000