GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
BSA PROTOTYPE CHAMBERED FOR SPECIAL .34" BSA BELTED CARTRIDGE.BSABELTED CARTRIDGE1c.34MODERN; IMPORTCal. .34. Traditionally constructed BSA experimental, closely modeled after the FN M1910, with 3-5/8" bbl. All blued components, except bbl that is in the white. Unmarked slide with dished sighting plane having shallow front sight and a drift adjustable rear sight. Dished recesses toward the rear for improved gripping. Originally unmarked frame now serialed "1C" on left side, just forward of grip panel, for purpose of importation. Thumb safety on left tang and grip safety that is marked "COCKED" on left side. Bottom magazine release is missing. Plain magazine without indicator holes having a split tail base. Hard rubber grips molded with the oval stacked-rifle BSA logo surrounded by fine bordered checkering. In 1919 – 1920 Birmingham Small Arms were persuaded to design a series of pistols to utilize special belted case cartridges designed by Eley Bros as a consequence of the expiry of the Holland belted case patent, but these never proceeded beyond the prototype stage. This pistol was is the only known example retaining its original belted case chambering for the special .34” BSA cartridge. PROVENANCE: Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2, No.7. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Approx 97-98% orig blue with sharp edge wear and mild frosting of backstrap. Comparable condition magazine. Excellent grips with negligible handling wear, minimal warpage and no splits or cracks. Cocking the pistol will not engage trigger, that loosely rotates, likely missing transfer bar spring. Near mirror bore. Mechanics limited by trigger engagement and missing magazine catch. Regardless of the issues, easily repairable, this is an extremely rare gun, detailed in the accompanying article in [i]Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association[/i], Vol. II, No. 7, written by Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess, that was never placed into production. 43475-273 LMA98 (4,000-8,000)