Page 344 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1678
Valmet (VKT)/Inter Armament L-39 Lahti Semi-
Automatic Anti-Tank Rifle, Class III/NFA Destructive Device, with
Case and Extra Magazines - Serial no. 1993, 20 mm (Cannon) cal., 50
inch round bbl., blue finish, metal stock, hardwood grips. Introduced
in 1939 and rushed into service for the Winter War, the Lahti L-39 fires
a 20mm anti-tank round from a top-loaded magazine and was capable
of successfully engaging the Soviet armor of the era. It was fielded under the
nomenclature “20 pst kiv/39” (as seen on this example). Measuring taller than
a man and weighing in at close to 110 pounds, the L-39 is fitted with a ported
muzzle brake, a long vented hardwood barrel shroud, left-offset blade and tangent
sights, a dual-mode bipod with brass covered wood skids and swing-out spiked legs, crank- action cocking handle, smooth hardwood grips with an oversized steel handguard, wooden
cheek piece, and an adjustable rubber recoil pad. The left side of the receiver bears the military
nomenclature, “VKT” logo, and “SA” Finnish Army acceptance mark. Included with the lot is a transport case, five metal magazine cases and ten extra magazines. CONDITION: Very fine, with 80% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, a plum tone to the barrel, and mild handling marks overall. The cheek piece and barrel shroud show a number of scuffs and dents, and the bipod assembly shows a strong green paint finish on the upper surfaces and exposed aged brass on the bottom and edges of the skids. The recoil pad is scuffed and torn. The case is rough, with the magazine cases showing wear appropriate to age. Mechanism is stiff, but appears to be in good order. 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.
342
British Boys Mark I Bolt Action Anti-Tank Rifle with Finnish Army Acceptance Marks and Accessories, Class III/NFA Destructive Device - Serial no. B6630, 55 cal., 36 inch round bbl., blue finish, metal stock. Developed by BSA and Captain H.C. Boys under the name “Stanchion” and renamed on acceptance in 1937, the Boys Rifle fired a proprietary 55 caliber armor piercing round. Many were converted to 50 BMG after WWII, with few left in the original 55 Boys and fewer still brought back to the States. This example bears a “SA” cartouche on the left side of the receiver, the acceptance proof of the Army of Finland. Though technically aligned with Nazi Germany and the Axis, Finland received material support from some Allied nations during the Winter War with the Soviet Union. While wartime developments in armor technology made these rifles obsolete for their original job, they found use targeting softer vehicles, enemy equipment, and snipers in cover too sturdy to punch through with conventional weapons, essentially becoming anti-material rifles decades before the term would be coined.
Fitted with the early “circular” muzzle brake, left-offset blade front and two-position elevation
adjustable peep sights and a top loading Bren-style magazine. The barreled receiver is installed in a
steel frame with integral shock absorber, folding “T” shaped front monopod, hardwood cheek rest and rear pistol grip, and a rubberized shoulder pad with integral oiler. Included with the rifle is a metal magazine case (empty). CONDITION: Fine, with 50% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, scattered oxidization, edge wear and handling marks. The stock assembly retains about 60% of the black and green paint finish, with areas of exposed metal having aged to a brown patina and scattered scuffing. The bolt catch
needs adjustment, otherwise mechanically fine. 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: 5,000 - 7,500
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
LOT 1679