GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXTREMELY RARE MANNLICHER M1901/04 SELF-LOADING CARBINE PROTOYPE.MANNLICHERM1901457.63MMMODERN; IMPORTCal. 7.63mm. This near unique (only one other example is known in the Thun W+F collection) Mannlicher semi-automatic carbine prototype was developed from Mannlicher's M1896 semi-automatic pistol. There are no externally visible SNs. In the carbine format, this piece has a walnut stock & forend, and a detachable box magazine. It has a short adjustable rear sight which has no numerical gradations. Forend & grip are both checkered. Forearm is uniquely constructed so that it surrounds the bbl but is fixed to the frame and does not recoil with the barrel unlike the normal Mannlicher M1901 Carbines; forestock & handguard are one piece. Although the carbine has no visible marks on its exterior, the consignor reports that it was made at the Fabrique d'Armes in Neuhausen, Switzerland. The caliber utilized is the long 7.63x45mm Mannlicher M904 cartridge, and the design incorporates the last Mannlicher patents for a non-recoiling forend. The more common M1901 Mannlicher pistol-carbine has the fore-end/hand guard attached to the barrel, and it recoils with the barrel to the detriment of handling, or, a more serious fault, the barrel is easily pulled back before firing to the point of unlocking the bolt if the fore-end is gripped to pull the gun into the shoulder, rendering this weapon unsafe, as was noted by contemporary writers. Mannlicher’s last patents of 1904 addressed this problem, which is cured in this carbine by disconnecting the barrel so it can recoil within the fixed fore-end. This short lightweight carbine has a 19" bbl and comes with a detachable box magazine. See references in Mannlicher Rifles and Pistols by Walter H.B. Smith, pgs. 204-212, and Repetier-Und Automatische Handfeuer Waffen Der Systeme Ferninand Ritter Von Mannlicher by Conrad von Kromar, p. 34. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Metal finish retains approx 90-95% bluing. Wood surfaces have some minor scratches & dents. The bore and the muzzle crown are excellent. Mechanics are fine and fully functional. Magazine is fully functional with an excellent spring & shows 80% bluing. The carbine shows no evidence of field use. 43475-937 JJW12 (10,000-15,000)