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LOT 3351
Rare and Highly Desirable Italian Scotti Model X Semi-Automatic Trials Rifle Serial Number 7 - Serial no. 7, 6.5 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood stock. This is a very rare example of a Scotti Model X semi-automatic rifle that was manufactured in 1933. There were approximately 250 total manufactured for Italian military trials, but ultimately they were not formally adopted by the Italian military. These rifles are highly sought after by early semi-automatic rifle collectors. This rifle was originally designed by Alfredo Scotti in the early 1930s and uses a special form of a gas-operated delayed blowback system for functioning in semi-automatic, with a gas piston below the barrel. This design was also used on the original Hispano-Suiza HS.404, however, with a completely redesigned bolt. It uses standard Carcano clips and is chambered in the 6.5mm Carcano cartridge. The Model X action fires from an open bolt, in which the rifle is cocked by pulling the bolt knob rearwards by hand, where the bolt locks in place, and upon pulling the trigger, the bolt moves forward under spring pressure, picks up a cartridge, chambers and fires it. The rifle has a small gas port and gas cylinder located under the front area of the barrel with an operating rod that interacts by pushing on a lug on the underside of the bolt body. The bolt body is non-rotating, and carries a rotating/separating bolt head. The locking lugs on the bolt head are angled in a way that allows it to unlock under rearward motion of the bolt body and chamber pressure. The bolt stays locked until the bullet passes the gas port, which in turn pushes the operating rod which interacts with the bolt body to initiate it rearward which allows the bolt head to rotate and unlock, driving the complete bolt assembly rearward under residual chamber pressure. These rifles use standard Italian Carcano rifle en bloc clips, in which a clip is able to be loaded through the top of the action; after the last round is fired, the clip ejects out of the bottom of the action. It is fitted with a standard blade front sight and tangent rear sight similar to the Carcano rifles. Serial number “7” marked on the left of the receiver hidden underneath the stock line. The top flat of the barrel at the breech is marked “TERNI”, with serial number “7” on the left and “1933 XI” on the right, indicating manufacture in 1933. The top of the receiver ring is marked “SCOTTI/MOD X” with the left side marked “ARMI AUTOMATICHE SCOTTI-BRESCIA-/GNUTTI”. Matching serial number “7” marked on the bolt head. Fitted in a full length hardwood stock stamped on the left of the buttstock with matching serial number “7” to the rifle. CONDITION: Fine as used in military trials, retains 30% original blue finish mostly concentrated on the front half of the receiver with smooth brown patina on the balance, one ding on top of the left rail of the rear sight, and defined markings and edges in the metal. The stock is also fine with numerous scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. A solid representative example of a rare Italian trials Scotti Model X semi-automatic rifle that would make a fine addition to any advanced military firearms collection! Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
LOT 3352
Very Fine World War II British BSA No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with Scope, Transit Chest and Accessories - Serial no. AF9814, 303 British cal., 25 inch round bbl., blue/black finish, walnut stock. This BSA manufactured No. 4 Mk I (T) Enfield sniper rifle is fitted with a No. 32 Mk III scope and mount. “M47/1943/AF9814” marked on the left of the stock socket. The comb of the stock has a hardwood cheekpiece held on with two wood screws. Standard blade front sight and absent rear sight. Matching serial number “AF9814” marked on the bolt handle. The scope is marked “TEL. STG. No 32 Mk 3/OS.2039A/(logo)/No 20602” above a faint blue painted “B” on the tube, and it has the standard post and cross-hair reticle pattern, and is fitted in a cast scope mount numbered “K31582” on the left. Includes brown leather scope lens covers, bayonet, a green painted wooden sniper rifle transit chest with No. 15 Mk. I white painted stencil letters on the side, brown leather sling, cleaning kit, Parker Hale patent valvespout oiler, extra ladder rear sight, extra middle sling swivel, and a tan canvas scope case. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% wartime arsenal applied blackened oil and blue finishes. Wood is fine as arsenal refurbished, subsequently revarnished, with scattered light dents and handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The scope has an absent piece on the left dial and is otherwise excellent with 97% original blue and black painted finishes, a dented edge on the front knob of the mount, and crisp clear optics. Included transit chest is fine, with one of the leather carrying handles torn/detached (included separately). The remaining accessories are in fine order. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000