[3][1] The Simplex, while doing better commercially than its predecessor design, the Model 1896/1897 family, was still not a successful firearm.

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 Bergmann Simplex was fed from a replaceable box magazine with a capacity of 6 or 8 rounds.

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.