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LOT 472
Chinese Copy of a Mauser/Mannlicher
Type Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial
no. 12345678, 7.63 mm cal., 7 1/4 inch round bbl., gray/brown
patina finish, plastic grips. This classic Chinese Warlord pistol
is a copy of a European semi-automatic pistol, with features
similar to those found on a Mauser or Mannlicher pistol. The
frame and slide are marked with various Belgian style proof marks and the word
“NATIONALE” as well as other false European style stampings. This is common on
Chinese copies of European pistols of the early 20th century; it was thought that
more discerning Chinese buyers would prefer a Belgian or German pistol, and these
were meant to simulate the correct markings. With a fixed pinched blade front and
a false tangent rear sight. Grips are a clear acrylic, and the rear grip strap is slotted for
a stock.
CONDITION: Good with a primarily
mottled gray/brown patina displaying
areas of edge wear, moderate spotting
and light pitting. Grips are also good.
Mechanically good.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 471
Documented
Chinese
“Warlord”
Semi-Automatic Pistol in Emulation of the
Austrian “Tom” Photographed and Described
in “Pistols of the Warlords: 1911-1949” - Serial
no. 18, 7.65 mm auto cal., 3 1/4 inch round bbl., nickel
finish, hardwood grips. Likely manufactured
in China during the first half of the 20th
century, a great deal of ‘cottage industry’
sprung up in the nation during the time to
fill the demand for weapons created by political disputes great
and small. While the European and American
manufacturers were very well represented,
especially among the better funded military
forces, the market was simply too large and
too hungry for importers alone to fill the
need. This lead to the creation of hybrid
domestic copies of foreign designs such
as this example, which utilizes a straight
blow-back action, single and double action
trigger, and is visually very similar to the
Austrian ‘Tom’ pistol. This specific pistol
is also pictured and discussed on pages
470-471 of “Pistol of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic
Handguns, 1911-1949” by Ian McCollum. Features fixed blade front and notch rear sights, one Chinese
character on the left of the slide, “Danton” (reference to Spanish Gabilondo trademark on the left side of slide) and
several references to Russia (left tang and right side of slide), along with “WADE IM RUSSIA” on the right side, in
English lettering with the stereotypical misspellings. Fitted with a pair of hardwood grips with hammered brass
medallions and an unmarked nickel finished magazine.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining 80% replated nickel finish with light pitting under the plating, some flaking at
the edges, on the trigger, and slide serrations, along with light spotting and handling marks. The refinished grips
are also very good with scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically good.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 469
Unique
Documented
Chinese Copy
of a Fabrique Nationale Model 1900
Semi-Automatic Pistol Photographed
and Described in “Pistols of the Warlords:
1911-1949” - Serial no. 1059, 7.65 mm auto
cal., 4 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber
grips. Patterned closely after the
Fabrique Nationale Model 1900, this
pistol shows the typical markings
of a Chinese workshop imitating
those found on the
European pistol
they were copying.
These copies of
popular European
pistols were
manufactured
at a variety of
workshops and
arsenals in China, mostly during the period
of the Chinese Civil War. The left side of the
slide and frame both show random combinations of
western letters, imitating the original Fabrique Nationale
markings, as well as close copies of Belgian proofs. The
right side of the slide, frame, and rear sight are all numbered “1059”. It is fitted with a functioning thumb safety,
blade front sight, and notch rear sight, with a cocked indicator which blocks the rear sight both when the pistol
is cocked and when it is not. The grips are checkered hard rubbed with large imitation “FN” monograms at the
top. This specific example is pictured and described on p. 360-361 of “Pistols of the Warlords: Chinese Domestic
Handguns, 1911-1949” by Ian McCollum. Pistols such as this saw hard use during both phases of the Chinese Civil
War and Japanese invasion and are rare in any condition.
CONDITION: Very good, showing primarily a plum-brown patina overall with a few patches of scattered light
pitting and mostly clear markings. The grips are also very good with a hairline crack at the top of the right panel,
some mild wear, and otherwise well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 470
Very Scarce Early
Production Two-Digit
Serial Number 75
Fabrique Nationale Model
1903 Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 75, 9 mm cal., 5 inch
round bbl., blue finish, synthetic grips. Blade and notch sights,
with standard commercial markings on the slide, matching serial
numbers on the frame, slide and barrel, checkered grips with raised
“FN” logos, and an unmarked magazine.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 95% of the slightly faded original blue finish, with a few
small rough patches on the right side of the slide, scattered light spotting and some
light handling marks. The grips are very fine, with a few light chips on the left panel
and crisp checkering and decoration. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN PISTOLS
OF THE WARLORDS BY MCCOLLUM
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN PISTOLS
OF THE WARLORDS BY MCCOLLUM