Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction, this is the Anciens Etablissements Pieper 1908 Bayard.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Anciens Etablissements Pieper
Model: 1908 Bayard
Serial: 13982
Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Integral V-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The top of the slide is marked “BREVETE S.G.D.G. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908”. The left side of the slide is marked “CAL. 7.65 MODELE DEPOSE”. The left side of the frame is marked “ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS PIEPER HERSTAL-BELGIUM” and a knight riding a horse above “BAYARD”. The right side of the slide is marked with Belgian proof marks and the serial number “13982”. The right side of the frame is marked with Belgian proof marks and the serial number “13982”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Bayard Self-Loading Pistol, commonly known as the Model 1908 following its U.S. patent date, was the hallmark product of Anciens Établissements Pieper (AEP). While the firm was founded in 1866 by Henri Pieper—a pioneer of mechanized production and a founding partner of FN—the pistol emerged after the company’s 1905 reorganization and the establishment of a modern factory in Herstal, Belgium. Developed from 1906–1907 patents by Pieper employee Bruno Clarus, the design was marketed under the “Bayard” trade name; while associated with the legendary horse of Charlemagne, the name likely derived from the street of the Pieper family residence. The design emphasized extreme compactness, achieved by positioning the recoil spring in a tube directly above the barrel and incorporating a tool-less disassembly system operated via the front sight. Mechanically, it was a hammer-fired, unlocked-breech pistol featuring an internal recoil buffer and a complex hammer-locking pawl marketed as an “automatic safety.” J. Howard Matthews noted that production was staggered across 6.35mm, 7.65mm, and 9mm calibers, with the gun remaining closely aligned with Clarus’s original patent specifications despite refinements to the horizontal transfer bar. During the 1914 German occupation, the Herstal plant fell under German control, leading to the production of examples—primarily in 7.65mm—that bore German military proofs in place of Belgian markings. It was a successful competitor to contemporary FN Browning, Clement, and Steyr models; its complex rocker-arm disconnector system could become unreliable with age, a weakness noted by firearms expert J.B. Wood. Following the introduction of a successor in 1923, the original design was officially designated the “Old Model Bayard” until production effectively ceased, leaving a legacy of miniaturization that would later influence the design of the Smith & Wesson Model 61 Escort.
Model: 1908 Bayard
Serial: 13982
Caliber: .32 ACP (7.65mm)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 2"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Integral V-Notch Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Grips
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: Standard / The top of the slide is marked “BREVETE S.G.D.G. PATENTED SEPT. 8, 1908”. The left side of the slide is marked “CAL. 7.65 MODELE DEPOSE”. The left side of the frame is marked “ANCIENS ETABLISSEMENTS PIEPER HERSTAL-BELGIUM” and a knight riding a horse above “BAYARD”. The right side of the slide is marked with Belgian proof marks and the serial number “13982”. The right side of the frame is marked with Belgian proof marks and the serial number “13982”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Bayard Self-Loading Pistol, commonly known as the Model 1908 following its U.S. patent date, was the hallmark product of Anciens Établissements Pieper (AEP). While the firm was founded in 1866 by Henri Pieper—a pioneer of mechanized production and a founding partner of FN—the pistol emerged after the company’s 1905 reorganization and the establishment of a modern factory in Herstal, Belgium. Developed from 1906–1907 patents by Pieper employee Bruno Clarus, the design was marketed under the “Bayard” trade name; while associated with the legendary horse of Charlemagne, the name likely derived from the street of the Pieper family residence. The design emphasized extreme compactness, achieved by positioning the recoil spring in a tube directly above the barrel and incorporating a tool-less disassembly system operated via the front sight. Mechanically, it was a hammer-fired, unlocked-breech pistol featuring an internal recoil buffer and a complex hammer-locking pawl marketed as an “automatic safety.” J. Howard Matthews noted that production was staggered across 6.35mm, 7.65mm, and 9mm calibers, with the gun remaining closely aligned with Clarus’s original patent specifications despite refinements to the horizontal transfer bar. During the 1914 German occupation, the Herstal plant fell under German control, leading to the production of examples—primarily in 7.65mm—that bore German military proofs in place of Belgian markings. It was a successful competitor to contemporary FN Browning, Clement, and Steyr models; its complex rocker-arm disconnector system could become unreliable with age, a weakness noted by firearms expert J.B. Wood. Following the introduction of a successor in 1923, the original design was officially designated the “Old Model Bayard” until production effectively ceased, leaving a legacy of miniaturization that would later influence the design of the Smith & Wesson Model 61 Escort.
Contents:
This example will ship with a leather holster and two 5-round magazines.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
Bryant Ridge also reserves the right to cancel any sales that may occur while gunbroker.com is experiencing technical issues that affects the entire site or a complete site outage, within an hour of the auction ending.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1176234793 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-05-31 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
215 |
SoldOutTime: |
2026-05-31 17:05:21 |
