Pieper Bayard Model 1908 Pocket Pistol Rig

Description

10/16/25 - This is a nice example of a Belgian Pieper "Bayard" Model 1908 Pocket Pistol. Model 1908 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 After 1923, when it was superceded by a newer model, it was referred to as the Old Model Bayard. 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 7.65mm. This one is all matching and has retained about 95% of its original finish. While there isn't a ton of actual finish loss, there is general high edge wear and small pits throughout. There is a number lightly scratched onto the left side of the gun. Fitted with horn grips - small crack on the left side. Great bore with strong rifling. Comes as a rig with a nice tan leather holster and two magazines. The holster shows surface cracking in the leather.