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Lot 373:U.S.N. Sedgley Mk 2 "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Glove

December 6th, 2019|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 373

Lot 373:U.S.N. Sedgley Mk 2 "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Glove

December 6th, 2019|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$9,500 - $16,000
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Rare U.S. Navy Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device with Fitted Glove

Originally patented in 1944 by Stanley M. Haight, the Sedgley Fist Gun, also known by the nomenclature "Hand Firing Mechanism Mark 2" and noted on the ATF's Curio & Relic List as the "OSS Glove Pistol", 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. In fiction the Sedgley saw its most famous use in the film "Inglorious Basterds" (sic), being used by a pair of the titular operatives to eliminate a pair of Nazi sentries in a movie theater, the first approaching by deception with the weapon concealed beneath a waiter's towel, the other simply running up and punching the second target in the face. Like so many things depicted by Hollywood, the realty is much more mundane. 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 had no integral noise suppression. 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. This Mark Two is of blued steel construction and mounted to a curved steel plate, which is marked "25", "P.F.SEDGLEY, INC" and "U.S. NAVY/PROPERTY", and in turn mounted to a brown leather work glove, left handed. For firing, a spring loaded plunger runs about to the first knuckle on the ring 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 itself is unmarked, but relatively consistent in style and construction with other observed examples

ConditionExtremely fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, mild spotting and light handling marks. The attractively aged glove shows wear and stress lines appropriate to age, with a few holes forming in the lined interior from contact with the plate. Mechanically excellent. An extremely rare and unique World War II inspired invention!
Details
ManufacturerSedgley
ModelMark II
TypePistol
Serial number
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge38
Barrel2 7/8 inch round
Finishblue

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views5230
Catalog page203
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