Page 347 - 89-FLIPBOOK2

Production of these experimental Swift Rifle Co. pistols for British Military testing is believed to only have been ten, with eight known to have survived.
LOT 1419
Rare Swift Rifle Co. Tarn Experimental British Military Semi-Automatic Pistol - Serial no. 106, 9 mm para cal., 4
7/8 inch round bbl., blue finish, hardwood grips. This is a rare example of an experimental military pistol produced by the
Swift Rifle Co. for British military trial in 1945, with the total production limited to just 10 pistols serial numbered 100 through
109, of which, eight including this example are known to survive. Some sources indicate that these pistols were originally patented by Lubicz Bakanowskie, a Polish ex-pat working for the Swift Rifle Co., however other information indicates that the actual designer was Teofil Tarnowski, which would explain the name of the design. The pistol is a simple blowback design and was manufactured with two different sight configurations and a similar but smaller prototype in .32 ACP nicknamed the TE-TAR was also produced
by Webley in small numbers. This example is marked with British proofs on the chamber hood of the barrel, on the upper right of the slide, and on the right of the frame which also has “NOT ENGLISH MAKE”. Lower on the right is a faint British crossed pennant proof. It is fitted with the more rudimentary of the two sight variations, having a sighting groove running the length of the slide with a fine blade within the groove towards the muzzle. The left side of the slide is marked “NO. 106/TARN. 9.MM” and “NO. 106” is repeated on the left of the frame. It has a bottom magazine release, a lanyard ring on the lower left of the grip frame, and is fitted with a pair of checkered hardwood grips. The gun tested poorly against its competitors in the 1945 trials and was turned down by the British military, who decided to instead go with the FN GP-35
High Power pistol. All examples of the pistol were returned to the
manufacturer and eventually sold to an American arms dealer
in 1953.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 98% plus of the factory
refurbished blue finish with a few scattered light handling
marks. The grips are very good with a moderate flat spot in
the left panel, minimal handling marks, and otherwise crisp
checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare opportunity to own an
exceptional example of this rare British military prototype pistol!
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
345