Josef Laumann was an Austrian designer of early ring-trigger manually repeating pistols, and was one of the first to develop that type of handgun into a semiautomatic. He took an 1891 pattern ring trigger gun and adapted it with an 1892 patent into a simple blowback self-loader – coming very close to being the first self-loading pistol actually built in the process (although he was just beaten out by the Salvator-Dormus).
He continued to refine the design with the financial aid of the Schonberger brothers, who were his financiers in the endeavor. With their assistance, he produced two patterns of 1894 semiauto pistol, although neither would prove successful enough to see substantial production.
I have the great opportunity today to bring you both an 1891 ring-trigger Laumann as well as examples of both the first and second pattern 1894 Schonberger-Laumann semiautos!
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At Forgotten Weapons I think the most interesting guns out there are the most obscure ones. I try to search out experimental and prototype weapons and show you how they work, in addition to more conventional guns that you may not have heard of before. You’re much more likely to find a video on the Cei Rigotti or Webley-Fosbery here than an AR or Glock. So, do you want to learn about something new today? Then stick around!
Items you may have missed...
The Kit of Britishmuzzleloaders: PART SEVEN – Battledress, Khaki Drill, and the 1937 Web Equipment
The 1854/67 Wänzl rifle in caliber 14x33R
Seven shot flintock pistol, 20 shot revolver and other rarities at Holt’s booth at 2019 IWA
George Hyde’s First Submachine Gun: The Hyde Model 33
Bill Ruger’s Prototype WW2 Light Machine Gun
Final Prices: RIA September 2017 Premier Auction (and what I bought!)