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  • Auction Catalog #76
  • Lot #1498
Lot #1497
Lot #1499

Lot 1498: USN/Sedgley Mk II Glove Pistol

Rare U.S. Navy Property Marked Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Glove

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 4, 2019

Lot 1498: USN/Sedgley Mk II Glove Pistol

Rare U.S. Navy Property Marked Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Glove

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: May 4, 2019

Estimated Price: $11,000 - $16,000
Price Realized:
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Rare U.S. Navy Property Marked Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Glove

Manufacturer: Sedgley
Model: Mark II
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 38 S&W
Barrel: 2 7/8 inch round
Finish: blue
Grip:
Stock:
Item Views: 5792
Item Interest: Very Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 261
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Description:

Originally patented in 1944 by Stanley M. Haight, the Sedgley Fist Gun, also known by the nomenclature "Hand Firing Mechanism Mark 2", has been the subject of great speculation and a certain amount of fantasy about its intended purpose and end users; some sources describe it as an assassination weapon, or attribute it to the Office of Strategic Services (to the point of actually being listed as "OSS Glove Pistol" in the ATF's Curio & Relic List), and in fiction they were featured in the film "Inglorious Basterds" (sic) being used by two of the titular commandos to eliminate a pair of Nazi sentries during their attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Per the original patent, Haight's pistol was designed with the regular soldier in mind first and foremost. Citing the prevalence of sneak attacks and hand to hand combat in warfare, Haight designed a weapon that could be ready and at hand at all waking hours, so even if a soldier was caught unaware or while separated from his regular service weapon, he could simply ball up his fist and make a good, loud response. Additionally, the original patent points out that any concealability was secondary to speed of deployment, actively distancing the Fist Gun from previously designed ''sneak'' weapons, and aside from using subsonic loads there is no on-board provision for noise reduction. Documentation of actual use in the field is virtually non-existent, though the Sedgley has been reported in/on the hands of WWII U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (Seabee) men operating heavy equipment like boats or tractors. The actual weapon is of blued steel construction and mounted to a curved steel plate, which bears the Sedgley nomenclature and a small "U(anchor)S" stamp. For firing, a spring loaded plunger runs about to the first knuckle on the middle finger, with a parallel single shot barrel about an inch shorter and a small manual safety; making a fist takes the fingers out of the way and exposes the plunger, which you then jam into your would-be ambusher's nearest body part, promptly discharging the 38 caliber round at near-contact distance. After discharge, the soldier could either manually eject the empty shell and reload, or keep hitting the enemy with the 1+ pound steel blunt instrument strapped to their hand. The glove is a fairly standard leather work glove, with the addition of a leather interior pad to protect the back of the wearer's hand from the bolts holding the pistol to the glove and an ink stamped "U(anchor)S" on the left side of the wrist.

Rating Definition:

Excellent, with 95% of the original blue finish, showing areas of spotting, a small amount of pitting on the barrel, and mild handling marks. The glove is also excellent, with some light stains and scuffs. Mechanically excellent.



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