Bergmann Simplex

The Bergmann Simplex was a compact firearm produced in the early 1900s, utilizing innovations from the earlier Bergman Model 1896 and 1897 pistols,^[4] being essentially a down-scaled version of Model 1897.^[2] It was chambered for the proprietary Bergmann-Simplex 8mm cartridge.

Bergmann Simplex
Bergmann Simplex Model 1900 German, 8mm Bergman Simplex cartridge
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Germany  Belgium
Production history
Designer	Theodor Bergmann
Designed	1897[1]
Produced	c.1897-1914;[1] introduced to markets in 1901.[2]
No. built	Est. 4000 or more[3][1]
Specifications
Mass	32.0 oz (1.0 kg)
Length	8.5 in (217 mm)
Cartridge	8x18mm Simplex
Action	blowback
Feed system	5- or 8- round detachable box magazine

Although production began in 1897, the design itself was actually patented in 1901, with the gun beginning sales in 1901 as well.^[2] After a few copies were manufactured in Austria, its designs would be sold to a unidentified Belgian company in 1904. This Belgian company would manufacture 4,000 copies and would discontinue it, after the German aggression against Belgium in 1914.^[3][1]

The Simplex proved popular in Spain, to a point it prompted local gunsmiths to start making counterfeit copies of the Simplex.^[3][1]

The Simplex, while doing better commercially than its predecessor design, the Model 1896/1897 family, was still not a successful firearm. It was considered under-powered, cumbersome and developed a reputation for poor reliability.^[3] Additionally, it did not fare well against the other compact pistols in the market; particularly the FN-Browning designs.^[5]

Development and construction

The Bergmann Simplex incorporated experience from the earlier Bergmann pistols. It is nearly identical with the Bergmann Model 1897, but is smaller in size and its original one-piece grips having the word Simplex on them.

The Bergmann Simplex was a semi-automatic weapon, operating on the principle of a free-bolt recoil. The lock consists of a simple single-action system, using hammer as a striker, without self-cocking.

The Bergmann Simplex was fed from a replaceable box magazine with a capacity of 6 or 8 rounds. The magazine was located in front of the trigger.

It fired a relatively weak 8 mm cartridge.^[6] This made it possible to construct the weapon with an unlocked bolt.^[7] Its barrel was rifled, had six right-handed grooves.

Manufacturing quality of Bergmann Simplex was lacking, with issues being found in its "soft" feeling frame, the one-piece rubber grip being fragile and the extractor and the ejector being prone to breaking.^[8]

See also

• List of front-magazine pistols
• List of semi-automatic pistols

References

Sources

• Edward Clinton Ezell (1993). Handguns of the World: Military Revolvers and Self-loaders from 1870 to 1945. Barnes & Noble. ISBN 9780880296182.
• Shideler, Dan. 2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms. Krause Publications, 2008. ISBN 978-0-89689-608-6.

Citations

1. R.K. Wilson: Textbook of automatic Pistols. Palladium Press, Birmingham, Alabama USA 1999. Page 14.
2. Edward Clinton Ezell (1993) p.369; First introduced as the Bergmann Selbstlade Pistole Modell 1901, the 8mm Bergmann Simplex looked like a scaled-down Modell 1897; but in the Simplex, the designers reverted to a simple blowback mechanism.
3. Kinard, Jeff (2003). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 188. ISBN 9781851094752.
4. Dougherty, Martin J. (2014). "Early Cartridge Pistols". Pistols and Revolvers. Amber Books Limited. ISBN 978-1-78274-266-1. The Bergmann 1896 pistol was typical of the experimental weapons of the time – it had some promising features but also a few flaws. Among these was an ejection system that bounced the spent round off the next round in the magazine. This feature was dropped on the 1897 Bergmann Simplex model and subsequent designs.
5. Edward Clinton Ezell (1993) p.369; Unfortunately for the Bergmanns Industriewerke and its licensees, pocket pistols, such as the FN-Browning were much more popular and successful.
6. Hans A. Erlmeier and Jakob H. Brandt: Handbuch der Pistolen- und Revolver-Patronen, Band 1 Zentralfeuer, Metrische Kaliber. Journal Verlag, Schwend GmbH, Schwäbisch Hall 1967.
7. Chris, McNab (October 27, 2004). The Great Book of Guns: An Illustrated History of Military, Sporting, and Antique Firearms (1 ed.). Thunder Bay Press; First Edition Thus. p. 122. ISBN 978-1592233045.
8. Walter, John (2008). "4. The Pre-1900 Automatic Pistols". The Hand Gun Story: A Complete Illustrated History. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 9781783469741. A modified version of the basic blowback pistols was made in the early 1900s as the 8mm Bergmann-Simplex, which had a detachable box magazine. A few thousand may have been made. in Germany, though not by Schilling. It is often claimed that the guns were made in Liége, but they invariably bear German proof marks and one of the lesser Thuringian gunmakers was probably responsible. Manufacturing quality is not particularly good. The frame is comparatively soft, the one-piece rubber grip was fragile, and the extractor and ejector were both prone to fracture.

External links

• Bergmann Simplex