Page 340 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1671
Soviet PTRS Semi-Automatic Anti-Tank Rifle, Class III/NFA Destructive Device - Serial no. C1179, 14.5 mm cal., 53
inch round bbl., blue/black finish, walnut stock. Designed by Sergei Simonov in 1938, the PTRS-41 (Simonov Anti-Tank Rifle) was manufactured throughout World War II between 1941-1945 and uses the same 14.5x114mm round as the PTRD-41 bolt-action anti-
tank rifle, but with a magazine-fed semi-automatic action. Although tank armor advanced rapidly throughout World War II, one of the most famous incidents involving successful use of the PTRS-41 was during the Battle of Stalingrad in which one was positioned on the roof of a fortified apartment building that Red Army defenders held for 60 days between September 27th-November 25th, 1942 against the Wehrmacht offensive; the PTRS-41, aiming downward, ambushed numerous unsuspecting German tanks from above, knowing that the tanks were unable to elevate their weapons enough to shoot back, and penetrated their thin turret-roof armor causing massive damage to the crews inside. The PTRS-41 platform found a second life in the form of the SKS semi-automatic rifle, which took the PTRS-41 action and scaled it down to a shoulder arm chambered for use with the 7.62x39mm cartridge. This rifle features a large disc-shaped muzzle brake mounted to the blued barrel, hooded pin front and tangent rear sight, swiveling bipod, a hinged cover that opens from the bottom for loading with a five-round en bloc clip, a smooth wood pistol grip, and a wood club foot buttstock with multi-layered recoil pad. The right of the buttstock is marked with the Russian Izhmash factory mark consisting of an arrow inside of a triangle.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% of its original black finish with scattered light scratches and handling marks as well as some patches of light pitting. The bolt is bright with some light pitting. Retains 75% of the attractive original plum blued finish on the barrel with some light wear and handling marks. Stock
is very good with some scattered mild scratches, crisp markings on the right of the buttstock, and retains its buttpad which has only light wear. Mechanically excellent. These impressive PTRS-41 semi-automatic anti-tank rifles are rarely seen today. NOTE: This Destructive Device is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
338
LOT 1672
Desirable World War I German Spandau Maxim Model 1908/15 Class III/NFA C&R DEWAT Registered Machine Gun with Bipod and Drum Magazine - Serial no. 5490, 8 mm cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Originally developed by Hiram Maxim in the 1880s, the Maxim Gun is credited as the first true automatic weapon, using the energy generated by firing the round to cycle the weapon, and was one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century, as it was the first self-sustaining, heavy machine gun used by any country on the battlefield. Predating the idea of the air-cooled quick-change barrel, Maxim dealt with the technical challenge of the massive heat generated by automatic fire by installing a water-filled jacket around the barrel, an innovation that would continue to be used for decades afterwards. It was adopted by the British Army in 1895, with the Imperial German Army following suit in 1899, and then the Russian Army in 1905.
It was used heavily by all three of the aforementioned users throughout World War I as a ground mounted version in trench
warfare. It earned the nickname the “Devils Paintbrush” due to its ability to mow down hundreds of men during the large scale
assaults from the trenches. The large distinctive steel water jacket held seven quarts of water to cool the barrel which allowed it
to have long sustained bursts of fire of up to 500 rounds before the water started to boil. At around 2,000 rounds of sustained
fire the water would all boil off and the jacket had to be refilled. This was quite an astonishing feat in 1915. This “1918” dated
World War I Imperial German Army Model 1908/15 Maxim heavy machine gun was manufactured by the Spandau Arsenal.
“5490/c/M.G.08/15./Gwf./SPANDAU./1918.” marked on the top cover. Features include a recoil boosting muzzle device, large
steel water jacket, blade front sight, tangent rear sight graduated from 400-2,000 meters, crank-adjusted spring tension
regulator on the left side of the frame, pistol grip mounted safety, and a solid hardwood buttstock. Matching serial number
marked on various components. It has been deactivated by welding a plug in the chamber of the barrel and welding it to the receiver, with the breechblock still mobile and unwelded. Includes its sheet metal bipod and one large drum magazine.
CONDITION: Very good as deactivated, retaining 60% original blue finish overall mixed with light brown patina and scattered some surface rust. Retains traces of original green paint in protected areas and on the bipod. The markings are clear and distinct. Wood is also very good with scattered scratches, dents, chips, and a few mild cracks at the rear of the buttstock. The trigger does not reset on its own, otherwise the item dry cycles well. NOTE: This is a registered DEWAT weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), as a National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon, that is fully transferable. It has been classified as a Curio or Relic as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500