Page 225 - 87-BOOK3

LOT 3404
Unique British Prototype Orman Patent Aluminum Frame Self-Loading Pistol - Serial no. 4C, 45
CF cal., 5 inch round bbl., bright/blue finish, hard rubber grips. This early advanced prototype semi- automatic pistol was patented by Benjamin Orman under British patent number 14,746 dated June
24th, 1912, as well as U.S. patent number 1,128,180 filed June 23rd, 1913 and granted February
9th, 1915. It utilizes a short recoiling barrel, two-lug rotating telescoping bolt with a threaded shaft, an accelerator lever mounted in the left of the chamber that pivots upon firing in order to launch the bolt carrier rearwards, which then unlocks the rotating bolt. This unique pistol demonstrates an
extremely early use of lightweight cast aluminum in firearms, with an aluminum frame and bolt housing. The barrel, chamber, bolt and small parts are made of steel. Fixed blade front sight and notch rear sight. Rotating safety lever on the left of the frame behind the trigger that acts as a trigger block when engaged. The serial number “4C” was later applied to the left frame
for importation purposes, and a Simpson Ltd. import marking is stamped on the underside of the frame. “Crown/V” London proofs marked on the barrel, top of the chamber, left of bolt carrier, and on left of the bolt housing. Fitted with a magazine drilled with six
indicator holes.
CONDITION: Fine, with smooth brown patina on the originally in-the-white barrel and chamber, strong traces of original blue finish on the bolt carrier, trigger and safety lever, with bright surfaces on the aluminum. Grips are also fine with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Dinely Collection; The Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,500 - 11,000
LOT 3405
Very Scarce Haeussler Patent Adlerwaffenwerke Semi-Automatic Pistol -
Serial no. 1251, 7.25 mm cal., 3 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
Developed around 1915, the Haeussler pistol is a straight blowback semi-automatic
using a proprietary 7.25mm cartridge and a hinged dust cover assembly for easy field stripping and
cleaning. Only approximately 100 of these pistols are believed to have been made. Mechanically, the pistol
shows a strong resemblance to the work of Hugo Borchardt and Georg Luger, especially in the sear striker
assembly, the overall shape of the frame and the grip angle. Blade front and notch rear sights, with a tapered
barrel, safety switch on the left side of the frame, and “PATENT HAEUSSLER/ADLERWAFFENWERK/ENGELBRECHT
& WOLFF” on the right side. With a pair of checkered grips with imprinted eagle designs, a straw finished trigger,
and one magazine with a matching partial number.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, particularly on the barrel and grip straps, with bright edge wear and scattered handling marks. Bright straw colors remain on the back left side of the trigger, with a smooth gray patina on the remainder. The grips are rough, with a number of cracks and chips with the right panel mostly intact and the left 75%. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Bob Bretherton Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
NOTICE THE SIX INDICATING HOLES ON THE MAGAZINE
223