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LOT 1461
Extremely Rare and Highly Desirable Serial Number 43
Gabbett-Fairfax Mars Semi-Automatic Pistol with Case - Serial
no. 43, 8.5 mm cal., 9 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is
an extremely rare example of a Mars semi-automatic pistol chambered
in 8.5mm Mars Auto (aka .335 Mars), as designed by inventor Hugh
Gabbett-Fairfax and manufactured sometime between 1898-1907, with
reportedly only 80 in total believed to have been manufactured in a
variety of configurations, and fewer surviving examples remaining today.
These massive Mars pistols are known for their immense stopping power
and complex design with a futuristic appearance, and were made with
the intent of garnering a military contract; unfortunately with no success.
Some of the earlier examples were manufactured by Webley & Scott, and
others were made by small gunmakers in Birmingham and London. Hugh
William Maunsell Gabbett-Fairfax reportedly went bankrupt in 1903, at
which time a consortium of creditors came to the rescue and continued
to fund production until the syndicate also declared bankruptcy in 1907.
The Mars pistol was submitted to the British Army’s Small Arms Committee
in 1901 for review, and in tests the Mars pistol penetrated an impressive 16
wooden planks, whereas the Colt revolver penetrated only 6 planks and the Broomhandle
Mauser pistol penetrated 11 planks. However, the Mars pistol was rejected as it was simply
too much gun to handle for the testers, with a violent recoil and large muzzle flash. The
Mars pistols were produced in three calibers including the .335/8.5mm Mars, the .360/9mm
Mars and the .45 Mars cartridge which was made in Long and Short configurations. The .335/8.5 mm Mars cartridge was produced for military trials in
France, and utilized a 140 grain bullet with capability of 1,750 feet per second. At one point in time this pistol was actually dubbed the “most powerful”
semi-automatic handgun until the development of the Auto-Mag pistol in the 1970s. Quite a feat for the early 1900s. These early automatic pistols
utilized several very unique designs, namely the rotating round bolt with four locking lugs, a detachable spring-loaded box magazine that inserts
through the bottom of the grip, with the cartridges loading via an elevator/carrier that strips the cartridges rearwards out of the magazine and then
lifts them up to put them in line with the chamber. The pistol is extremely well made with all hand fitted parts, a fine rust blued finish and smooth
walnut grip panels. It has a full-length rib integral with the barrel, an integral fixed blade front sight and notch rear sight. “MARS PISTOL 8.5 M”M”
marked on top of the rib. Serial number “43” above “E” and S” marked on the lower front of the magazine well/grip frame, and matching number “43” is
marked on the side of the original magazine with lanyard loop on the base. Includes a wooden case with green felt lined fitted interior, a screwdriver,
cleaning rod, H. Clarke & Sons rangoon oil tin, and a small oiler.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% original blue finish with the balance thinning to a brown patina, and some scattered patches of light surface oxidation.
Grips are also very fine with scattered scratches and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Case is very good with numerous scratches, and a relined
interior. This extremely rare Gabbett-Fairfax Mars semi-automatic pistol is the missing piece in most advanced early evolutionary pistol collections!
Estimate: 35,000 - 55,000