December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2022
Originally thought of Louis Marquis while in a World War I POW camp. Marquis would refine his Koppelschloss design and in 1943 received an order for 5 of these belt buckle pistols for Himmer's SS. The 5 original examples were SS marked and exhibited SS eagles on the belt plate. This example, a later produced fantasy piece, consists of a single flip-up block featuring 4 barrels. Intended for the user to press a locking lever at the bottom of the buckle which releases the spring-loaded barrel block, flips up the belt plate, and subsequently allows the user to fire each barrel via its own independent trigger. The belt plate exhibits a silver eagle holding a wreathed swastika. The rear exhibits spurious stampings that include an eagle firing proof, "-89-" serial number, an (Eagle) / 358" waffenamnt, as well as an encircled RZM stamp. Many examples of these belt buckle pistols have been fabricated since the conclusion of World War II, with observed examples all exhibiting inconsistencies between one another. It is the opinion of the cataloger that all, besides the previously noted 5, are fantasy pieces. CONDITION: Metal components retain large amounts of their blue finish, exhibiting areas of wear and thinning as well as some areas of pitting overall. Action operates properly. An intriguing fantasy piece that makes for an excellent conversation starter. MLW