GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
HIGHLY DESIRABLE GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1901, CALIBER 8.5MM, OCTAGONAL BOLT HOUSING, EXTENDED MAGAZINE. GABBETT-FAIRFAX M1901 23 8.5 MM MODERN; C&R; IMPORT Cal. 8.5mm. At the turn of the last century, the Mars Automatic Pistol Syndicate made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time. This example has a bbl length of 9-1/2", though at least 5/8" of that length houses the bolt. Fixed front & rear sights. Lightly hand engraved on the rib is “MARS PISTOL. 8.5MM.". Unusual octagonal bolt housing. The SN "23" appears at the bottom of the frame and is repeated on bottom of the magazine. Two separate sets of numbering have been added. According to the consignor, the large "93/648" notations on the left side of the gun, one electro-penciled on the forward frame extension, the other scribed upside down on the frame were applied by Kynoch as part of their inventory system. A separately stamped "629" is twice repeated on the frontstrap along with initials "EBL" within a shield - these were applied by the Eley Co. As true for most Gabbett-Fairfax pistols, this one is rust blued except for a few small parts, including the magazine, that were left in-the-white. Checkered walnut grips are each secured with a central screw. To open the action, the hammer is cocked and the carrier knob twisted 45 degrees counterclockwise, which unlocks the bolt from the bbl. As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering. There is no holdopen. Releasing the carrier knob allows the bolt to fly forward and lock into place, though sometimes the carrier ears need to be nudged clockwise to lock into place. The extra-long magazine, protruding about 1/2" below frame, is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser Collection. Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 8. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Orig blue with approx 70% coverage, with sharp edge wear, fading and patchy oxidation, particularly on left side of gun. Comparable staining & oxidation of small parts except hammer that has been lightly cleaned. The same considerations hold true for the magazine whose protected walls are in better condition. Grips have much orig varnish, darkened from oil, with blunted checkering & scattered handing marks. Near mirror bore. Perfect manual mechanics. An very interesting & all matching Gabbett-Fairfax Mars that is seldom offered for sale. 43475-241 LMA (25,000-35,000)