Pistols of Denmark's Artist-Turned-Inventor Bent Agner Nielsen

Published on January 18, 2021
Duration: 8:43

This review explores the unique firearms designs of Danish artist Bent Agner Nielsen, focusing on his M80 target pistol and later service pistol attempts. The M80, a stainless steel .22 LR target pistol, featured a novel dry-fire mechanism. Nielsen's M800 (.32 ACP) and M900 (9x19mm) service pistols, while accurate, failed to secure military contracts. His final design, the M5, returned to the .22 LR target market.

Quick Summary

Bent Agner Nielsen, a Danish artist, designed unique firearms like the stainless steel M80 .22 LR target pistol, featuring a special dry-fire lever. His M800 (.32 ACP) and M900 (9x19mm) service pistols, though accurate, did not win military contracts. His final design was the M5 target pistol.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Bent Agner Nielsen
  2. 00:44Engraving and Early Design Career
  3. 00:59The Agner M80 Target Pistol
  4. 01:56M80 Dry-Fire Feature Explained
  5. 03:47M800 and M900 Service Pistols
  6. 06:27The Agner & Sander M5 Design

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Bent Agner Nielsen and what was his contribution to firearms?

Bent Agner Nielsen was a Danish artist and painter who transitioned into firearms engraving and later gun design in the 1970s. He is known for his unique pistol designs, including the M80 target pistol and the M800/M900 service pistols.

What are the key features of the Agner M80 target pistol?

The Agner M80 is a stainless steel .22 LR target pistol designed for Olympic-style shooting. It utilizes a magazine-fed, blowback action and notably includes a special lever for dry-fire practice without cycling the slide or hammer.

Did Bent Agner Nielsen's service pistols win any contracts?

No, Nielsen's attempts to enter the military and police market with his M800 (.32 ACP) and M900 (9x19mm) service pistols were unsuccessful. They failed to secure contracts against established manufacturers like Walther and Sig.

What was Nielsen's final firearm design?

Bent Agner Nielsen's final design was the Agner & Sander M5, released in 2005. This .22 LR target pistol marked a return to the target shooting market and featured a heel magazine release and refined target sights.

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