Page 364 - 4094-BOOK1

362
LOT 439
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: 1,800 - 2,500
LOT 437
Rare Chinese Ministry of Public Security
Issued Military Type 59 Makarov Semi-
Automatic Pistol Rig with Two Matching
Magazines and Holster - Serial no. 4061453,
9x18 mm Makarov cal., 3 3/4 inch round bbl., blue
finish, synthetic grips. Manufactured c. 1959-1960,
the Makarov pistol was adopted by China as a
sidearm for the military and armed police services,
with this example bearing grips with the “5 stars
in a shield” logo of the Ministry of Public Security;
established in 1954, the Ministry has a broad
“national security” mandate, covering mundane
law enforcement activity and more advanced
intelligence, counterintelligence and cybersecurity
tasks, including the modern “Golden Shield” and
(reportedly) the “Great Firewall of China” projects.
Blade front and notch rear sights, with the “66 in
triangle” factory mark and “59SHI” nomenclature on
the left side of the frame, matching numbers on the
slide, frame and magazine, and the aforementioned
grips in brown plastic. No import markings are
visible; while not documented, Makarovs that lack
import marks are often associated with military/
intelligence service “war trophy” bring-backs, with many attributed as
Vietnam War captured. Included with the lot is a second matching magazine
(also marked “1” to distinguish it as the spare), brown leather holster,
shoulder strap and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Excellent, with 98% plus bright original blue finish, showing
minor handling marks and a few very light scratches. The grip is also
excellent, with a similar level of wear. Mechanically excellent. Holster is very
fine, showing some minor oil staining and flex marks on the exterior. Writer
does not recall another example!
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 436
Very Scarce Tokyo Gas & Electric
Company Baby Nambu Semi-
Automatic Pistol with Matching
Magazine, Extra Magazine, and Holster
- Serial no. 6080, 7 mm Nambu cal.,
3 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish,
checkered hardwood grips. The
semi-official officer’s pistol of the
Imperial Japanese Military, the Baby
Nambu was intended as a “home
grown” option for Japanese military
officers privately purchasing a sidearm.
Approximately 550 Baby Nambu pistols were
manufactured by the Tokyo Gas & Electric Company
for sale through the officer’s union system. Fixed sights,
with the “GTE” logo on top of the chamber, the 3-symbol Nambu
nomenclature and serial number on the right side of the frame,
checkered hardwood grips and straw finished small parts. Matching numbers
are present on multiple parts, including the left grip panel (right unnumbered) and
one of the two included nickel finished magazines (the other is non-matching numbered).
Also included is a brown leather flap holster with barrel rod and shoulder strap.
CONDITION: Fine, with 70% of the arsenal refinished blue finish, showing patches of
cleaned-up pitting on the front of the triggerguard and underside of the barrel, mild
spotting concentrated on the gripstraps, and minor spotting and handling marks overall.
Strong straw color is present on the extractor, turning dark or wearing bright in other
areas. The grips are good as revarnished, with some dings and scuffs. Mechanically
excellent. The holster is very good, with some scuffs and cracking.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
As pictured & described in Pistols of the
Warlords: Chinese Domestic Handguns,
1911-1949 by McCollum
LOT 438
Unique and Desirable
Korean War-Era Pusan
Jin Iron Works Copy of a
1911A1 Semi-Automatic
Pistol - Serial no. 140, 45
cal., 5 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut
grips. Manufactured c. 1949-1950, this is a scarce example of a
copy of the legendary Model 1911A1 pistol that was produced
by the Pusan Jin Iron Works in the Republic of Korea. The Pusan
Jin Iron Works was a South Korean factory known for producing copies
of 1911/1911A1 pistols, often utilizing American made parts. The Pusan pistols
are often noted for being fairly low finish quality compared to their American
counterparts, but are generally fully functioning copies unlike many of the Vietnamese
made copies. Some of the Pusan pistols we have previously encountered have utilized
major components which were U.S. made, while this example appears to have been
almost entirely Korean produced, apart from possibly the thumb safety and the grips.
Unlike many of the Korean made 1911A1 copies, this particular example does not have
a functioning thumb or grip safety. The left side of the slide on this example shows the
standard Pusan Jin marking and is numbered “9” internally. The Korean made barrel is also numbered “9” on the
bottom, and “9” has been stamped internally on the frame, indicating that this slide and barrel were specifically
fitted to this frame. The right side of the frame is again marked with the typical Pusan marking over the serial
number “No140”. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, serrated slide stop, checkered thumb safety (possibly
U.S. production), short grip safety, serrated narrow hammer, an arched and serrated mainspring housing with
a lanyard loop, an unmarked unfinished magazine with pinned base, and a pair of double diamond pattern
checkered walnut grips that are likely of U.S. manufacture.
CONDITION: Very good as handmade at the Pusan Iron Works, showing primarily a grey patina overall with the
typical crude machining marks, some scattered patches of light spotting/pitting, and some scattered light dings.
The grips are good with moderate wear and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. A rare example of a
South Korean produced copy of the legendary Model 1911A1 pistol!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500