I do believe that total production of the Borchardt was something like 1500 units, of which the first 1000 were marked to Ludwig Loewe - Berlin and the final production lot (500 guns) was marked to DWM: Deutsche Waffen-und-Munitionsfabriken.
Alan Lever had a cased Borchardt with most of the accessories in his shop in 1965. It was one of the later guns, DWM, and was in what I would call "very nice" condition (about 90% inside and out with a superb bore). One of the magazines (there were 2 spares in the case, plus one in the gun, plus the Dummy Magazine, so there was 1 missing) was not there, but pretty much everything else was.
I saw it sitting in the glass case and just stared at the thing. Finally, an older gentleman in a business suit came in and Mr. Lever went to talk with him. They started a tour of the shop and, in a short while, ended up where I was standing, staring at that wonderful piece of Art. Mr. Lever opened up the case and brought out the wonderful thing and asked if I would like to hold it. Of course, I said 'yes' and so was handed the Borchardt.
From holding it and trying the balance and grip, I can definitely understand the Luger being a very very very distinct improvement..... but as a PISTOL. Considered as a SEMIAUTOMATIC CARBINE, I would think the Borchardt would have had the advantage, especially considering the much longer barrel than most Lugers ever were to sport.
Mr. Lever asked if I was interested in the gun and I was stupid enough to ask the price. It was $1,000 at that time..... and I was making $222.10 a month, gross, working for CPAL. Mr. Lever then said that if I wanted it, he would hold it and reduce the price (I had bought a fair bit of junk there) to his cost: $750. That was still more than 4 months of my pay, after taxes, nearly 5. I had to shake my head, one of the hardest things I have ever done, and decline the offer. The gun then was passed to the older gentleman, who looked it over very carefully and pronounced it a beautiful thing, but very expensive. Mr. Lever then went to serve a customer, leaving the older gentleman and myself to talk. We had a good talk about guns and then the older man left the shop. I waited around until the shop closed because my buddy was working there and we would go for a coffee after he got off work.
First thing when we got out the door, my buddy asked me, "What the hell were you and Austin Taylor talking about?"
"Who's Austin Taylor," I asked. (I'm a Prairie kid, remember?)
"The old man you were talking with; that was Austin Taylor! He owns half the province!!"
"Well, we were talking about the Borchardt. I think he really liked it."
"He might, but he collects Colt One-and-a-halfs and Cloverleafs. We save all the very best ones for him. He's got one wall of his office covered with them. Right now I think he has every calibre made, every barrel length, boxed originals, custom-made ones, engraved ones, you name it.... likely the best collection in the world."
The Borchardt disappeared from the showcase about 2 weeks later and I have no idea where it went. But I did see the one, so there likely still is one in the country.
The price then, 45 years ago, was horrific. The price today would be horrific squared, I would think.
But billionaire or not, I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Austin Taylor. He could have bought the whole darned shop with a personal cheque...... but instead, he marvelled over that Borchardt.... and he allowed a 20-year-old kid to HOPE.
But the Borchardt will still be out there somewhere. I just don't think you're gonna run into it at the range this afternoon...... but, you never know.
Me, I'm always ready to see another. I have exactly ONE round for one!
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