GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
IMPORTANT VERY RARE/UNIQUE MAUSER CONSTRUKTION 02 PROTOTYPE SELF-LOADING RIFLE.MAUSERCONSTRUKTION157.92MMMODERN; IMPORTHistorically significant Mauser Construktion 02 Prototype Self-Loading Rifle, serial number 15. Paul Mauser''s only real disappointment was his inability to develop a practical self-loading rifle. In fact, he spent most of the latter part of his life working almost solely on the issue, and developed or had a hand in developing some seventeen different designs and variations. Mauser rejected tapping gas from the barrel and due to patent fights with Georg Luger, the toggle action as well. He thus focused on the short and then the long-recoil principle in which the barrel slid back and forth. His early efforts were with the short recoil/transverse flap lock C98 (Construktion 1898) rifle produced for the GPK (Gewehr Prüfungs Kommission, or Rifle Testing Commission) small caliber trials in which these rifles were unsuccessful, and in 1901 he even lost an eye test firing one of the examples. The Construcktion 02 was patented in 1902, and represented the fourth of his many concepts. This prototype now utilized a long-recoil action with a rotating bolt, a safer operating system since the locked bolt and barrel recoiled together over the entire action length before opening. It could function as either a semi-automatic or a bolt action repeater. To chamber a round, the bolt handle was unlocked and the entire mechanism, including the barrel brought rearward and released to latch the bolt to the rear while the barrel returned to the firing position in front of the magazine. As the barrel arrived forwards, it tripped a latching bar to release the bolt, which then flew forward to strip a cartridge from the internal magazine. Once the bolt handle was locked, the weapon operated as a semi automatic. Mauser presented examples of the C 02 to the GPK (Gewehr Prüfungs Kommission, or Rifle Testing Commission) in Spandau for trials in 1902-1903. Unfortunately, problems with extraction and ejection were common. Mauser attempted to solve this by using greased ammunition, which military authorities rejected. This C 02 was one of the samples Paul Mauser submitted to the GPK, and originally manufactured as a full stocked military rifle. The barrel is “S” bore (0.323”) which was exclusively used by the German Army at the turn of the last century when this rifle was produced. While mechanically original and complete apart from the original military muzzle/bayonet support collar, it was restocked in sporter configuration sometime after the trials. Sporter-style front and flip up rear sights were also added. An amazing find in any condition, this is a singular opportunity to own a step in self-loading rifle history- a weapon that was conceived, handled and fired by Paul Mauser himself and possibly the only known example that still exists. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Excellent, with metal retaining ca. 95% of its original bluing. Slight freckling to safety leaf spring, and few scratches and scattered handling marks. Beautiful light hardwood stock is very fine, with checkering at wrist and a few minor scratches and spotting that does not detract. Bore shows strong lands and grooves. 43475-943 DW2 (20,000-35,000)