Page 385 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 651
omhandle
Rare “Shansei Arsenal” 45 ACP Bro
Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 5278, 45 ACP cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. This is a rare Shansei Arsenal manufactured variant of the Model 1896 Broomhandle Mauser pistol. At that time, the Chinese Army was intrigued with the 1896 Broomhandle Mauser pistols that had been purchased earlier from Germany. So in the late 1920s, they set out to develop their own design, only chambered in the larger 45 ACP cartridge. An estimated 8,000 were manufactured in the 1929/30 time frame with several hundred actually imported in the 1980s. They are a close copy to the original 1896 Mauser model in a much larger configuration. These were used by both the Nationalist Chinese and Communist soldiers. The right side of the frame has the Chinese markings indicating adoption in 1930, the left side having the Chinese factory markings, and the left side of the chamber area stamped with the serial number. It has the same standard barrel mounted blade front sight with the area machined for a tangent rear sight (which is now missing). Late style small ring hammer, with the old style safety lever. It has crudely stamped exterior markings and serial numbers, and it is fitted with the Chinese manufactured grooved hardwood grips. The exterior numbers are matching. The underside of the butt has the stub for the lanyard loop, and it comes with an original lanyard ring. CONDITION: Fine with 40% of the thin, much faded original finish remaining overall, edge wear and blue loss on the frame rails and sides of the receiver, all the remaining blue finish having completely browned out. The hardwood grips are very good overall, showing even wear across the face of the grips with 40% of the varnish still remaining, fitting nice and tight against the frame. Mechanically functions fine. Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 652
Very Fine Mauser
Model 1896
Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol with Matching
Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 122206, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal.,
5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock, walnut grips.
The left side of the chamber is marked with a single “crown/
crown/U” commercial proof, matching serial number on major
parts, and partial serial number marked on the top of the
cocking piece, back of the hammer and on the inside of each
grip panel. The “crown/crown/U” proof is also on the top of the cocking piece. Fixed front blade sight with a tangent rear sight graduated from 50 to 1,000 meters. All blue finish with fiery
niter blue on the small components. Fitted with matching numbered (last three digits of serial number, “206”) grooved walnut grips and a lanyard ring on the butt. Includes a correct pattern walnut shoulder stock with attaching iron matching numbered “206”. Import marked, on the right side of the frame under the grip.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish and 80%
plus of the original niter blue with the balance mostly a bright grey patina,
primarily on edges and high spots. The grips are fine with mild wear on
the right panel, a few scattered light handling marks on the balance.
Mechanically excellent. The re-oiled stock
is very good with a couple cracks and
some scattered minor dings.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 653
Very Scarce Gustav Bittner Model 1893
Manual Repeating Pistol - Serial no. 29, 7.5mm
cal., 6 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
hardwood grips. Developed in the 1890s, Bittner’s pistol is
an excellent example of the “manual repeater” class of handgun. The rival to the
single and double action revolvers of the early cartridge era, manual repeaters
were brought to an end by the rise of semi-automatic pistols; anyone good enough
to design and build a manual repeater could make a semi-auto. Bittner’s design uses a
rotary locking bolt operated by a ring lever and a fixed bar lever for the trigger, and fed via an internal
magazine loaded with en bloc clips (clips not included). Blade front and elevation adjustable notch
rear sights, with the Bittner trademark and “PATENT/BITTNER” on the right side of the frame. The frame construction is elegantly machined and casehardened steel, with a set of checkered hardwood panels covering the magazine spring and a pair of checkered fine contour grip panels.
CONDITION: Very good, with traces of the blue finish, strongest on the barrel, with much of the frame having turned a mixed brown patina, some vivid case colors visible on the top rear of the frame, edge wear and
mild handling marks overall. Some light dings and scratches are present on the wood, which is good overall. Mechanically functions fine.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 654
Excellent
Roth-Steyr
Model
1907 Semi-
Automatic Pistol, Serial Number “6”
- Serial no. 6, 8 mm Steyr cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Per the included consignor statements, this pistol
was the property of Major (ret) Thomas Rostkowski of the United States Air Force. Per the
supplied narrative, it was in the 1950s when Rostkowski obtained the pistol, which he states
was a war trophy taken from Germany following WWII; “the country was awash with pistols.
The German Army had taken the pistols of every country they defeated and issued them to
their own troops. In turn our GIs took them from the Germans”. He notes that he let a number of
impressive pistols pass by in those days, but made a point to hold onto this Roth-Steyr because
of the very low serial number. The exact date and location of capture is not recorded, though
chances to score a trophy pistol were plentiful in those days. This very high condition example is
dated “Wn (eagle) 9” on the back, with “WAFFENFABRIK STEYR” on top of the barrel rib and a set of
fixed sights. Fitted with a set of ribbed hardwood grips with an unmarked unit disc on the right side.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% plus original blue finish, showing some light rear grip strap browning, edge wear, and handling marks overall. The grips are very fine, with a few light dings and dents. Mechanically excellent. An exceptional Roth-Steyr pistol with a history, a low single digit serial number, and a condition that would be a difficult combination to beat.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 655
Chinese Contract
Astra Model 900 Broomhandle Semi-Automatic Pistol
- Serial no. 27154, 7.63 mm Mauser auto cal., 5 1/4 inch round
bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. Manufactured from 1927 to 1941.
Blade front and 1,000 meter tangent rear sights, with the “P in shell”
proof on the right side of the barrel, chamber and frame, and the
three line Astra address and patent date on the side plate over a
set of Chinese markings. A large ring hammer is present, with niter
blue safety and trigger, and a set of matching numbered 12-groove grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% plus original blue finish, showing some edge wear, handling marks and light spotting overall. Heavier oxidization is present on and around the grip frame, obscuring the proof markings on the right side, along with a few other scattered patches. The grips are fine, with some scattered handling and storage marks, residue in the right grooves, and attractive color. Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
SERIAL NUMBER 6
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