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LOT 504
Excellent Antique Mauser Model 1896 Cone Hammer Broomhandle Pistol
with Matching Numbered Shoulder Stock - Serial no. 5260, 7.63 mm
Mauser auto cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured about 1897. Blade front and tangent rear sights, the
latter graduated “1” to “10”, with the top of the chamber marked “WAFFENFABRIK/MAUSER/OBERNDORF A/N”, the left side is marked with a “crown/crown/U”
German test proof, and an Oberndorf antler proof on the right flat. Matching numbers are present on the frame, hammer, bolt, follower, floorplate, hammer group, trigger housing, and the ribbed grip panels. The back strap is additionally marked “JR/18359”. Includes a hardwood shoulder stock, numbered to match the pistol on the blued mounting iron. Per a set of included notes, this pistol was acquired from Rupert Clarke, Third Baronet of Rupertswood, and in turn was formerly the property of his father, Rupert Clarke, Second Baronet of Rupertswood. The Rupertswood Baronetcy was the first baronetcy created in Victoria, Australia, and one of a limited number of active baronetcies in Australia.
The Second Baronet was involved in agriculture and politics, while the Third Baronet had a notable career in World War II as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Alexander of the Irish Guards (later Governor-General of Canada) in Burma, Tunisia, and Sicily, as well as active in sailing and horse racing.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 90% plus original blue finish, showing some light spotting, edge wear, and handling marks. The grips are excellent with some light dings, and the stock is fine with mild spotting on the mounting iron and light scattered dents and scratches on the wood. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 505
Very Scarce World War I Era German Dreyse Model 1910 Large Frame Semi-
Automatic Pistol in 9mm Parabellum - Serial no. 3024, 9 mm Luger cal., 5 inch
round bbl., bright finish, plastic grips. Manufactured between 1912-1915, with a
limited amount of surviving examples left today. Designed by Louis Schmeisser,
better known for his design of the Bergmann machine gun, the Dreyse Model 1910 is a blowback operated semi-
automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm, built with intent for use by the German military and police. It shares some visual and operational similarities to the more common smaller Dreyse Model 1907 pistol chambered in 7.65mm auto that preceded it, although it charges differently. For chambering of the first round the charging handle is operated by lifting upwards, gripping the serrations at the rear prior to
pulling backwards, then pushing forward against spring pressure before closing it back downwards where it clicks into place ready for firing in semi-
automatic. Matching full and partial serial numbers marked on the frame, receiver, bolt, charging handle, various components, top lip of the base of the magazine,
and faintly handwritten underneath the grips. “Crown/N” German commercial proofs on the left of the frame, barrel housing, and charging assembly. “Rheinische Metallwaaren-& Maschirenfabrik/AET. SOMMERDA.” manufacturer markings on the left of the receiver and “DREYSE” on the right above the ejection port.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting bright metal surfaces, with a few small patches of light pitting and some light wear to the manufacturer stampings on the frame. Grips are fine with some light handling marks. Mechanically needs adjustment.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 506
Documented British William J. Whiting Experimental Prototype Webley
Model 1903 Striker Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 3C, 38 CF cal., 5 5/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, absent grips. This unique Webley prototype semi-automatic striker
fired pistol remains in the white, and, although it is incomplete, it appears to function using two locking
lugs located at the rear of the barrel that are grabbed by arms located on the sides of the bolt when it is in the closed
position. When fired (if it were in a complete functional state), the pressure initiates a rearward motion, and after recoiling
a short distance, the locking arms are pushed upwards utilizing a camming system in order to unlock the bolt from the
rear of the barrel, allowing the bolt to separate and continue its motion rearward for ejection while the barrel hits a stopping
point. No spring is currently present, but a spring would act on the bolt in order to push it forward to feed another round into the chamber
and lock. Simpson import marked on the bottom front flat area of the frame above “WEBLEY M-1903 .38 CAL ENGLAND”. This pistol follows
the same basic mechanical principals of the September 4th, 1903, dated British patent number 19,032, granted to Webley & Scott Revolver and Arms Co. and William John Whiting, although the pistol depicted in said patent has general visual differences and utilizes a hammer fired system as opposed to the striker fired system in this example, indicating this is likely an improved variation. The inventor of this pistol, William J. Whiting, took out a total of 34 patents during his career, notably the more well-recognized production variations of Webley & Scott automatic pistols of the
early 20th century. This exact pistol is described in detail and pictured on pages 87-92 of the book “Webley & Scott Automatic Pistols” by Gordon Bruce in which it
mentions that this design was likely made in an attempt to interest the British military after their rejection of the .455 Webley Fosbery automatic revolver.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibiting bright exposed metal surfaces with a few small patches of light pitting visible. Mechanically able to be manipulated by hand, but is incomplete in its current state. This likely one-of-a-kind Webley Model 1903 prototype semi-automatic pistol serves as an important evolutionary piece in early semi-automatic pistol development and would make a fine addition to any advanced firearms collection!
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
381
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK WEBLEY & SCOTT
AUTOMATIC PISTOLS BY BRUCE