Description
9/21/22 – This is a very nice example of a Belgian Pieper “Bayard” Model 1908 Pocket Pistol. ÄúModel 1908Äù has become a standard designation for this gun, after the date the U.S. patent was issued, but it was not used by the Pieper company, which always referred to the gun as the Bayard Self-Loading Pistol, or simply as the Bayard Pistol. After 1923, when it was superceded by a newer model, it was referred to as the ÄúOld Model Bayard.Äù The Bayard pocket models were made by Anciens Etablissements Pieper (A.E.P.) and were produced in three calibers: 6 .35, 7.65, and 9 mm. The first to be produced was the so called Model of 1908 which appeared in late 1909 or early 1910. The first advertisement of this pistol appeared in the April 1, 1910, issue of Schuss and Waffe. The design was based on patents taken out by B. Clarus from 1905 to 1907 and purchased by A.E.P. in 1907 or early in 1908. This particular gun is chambered in 6.35mm. This one is all matching and has retained about 98% of its original finish. There is just very minor muzzle wear and some freckling on both grip straps. Comes with nice period-correct grips (one hairline crack on the left side) and one proper magazine. Excellent bore with great rifling.
