GUN SPRING 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/11/2017
RARE WHITE MERRILL TOOL ROOM EXPERIMENTAL .38 CAL PISTOL, SECOND VARIATION. WHITE-MERRILL PROTOTYPE NSN 38 RIMMED CAL MODERN; C&R Cal. .38. After the M1907 White-Merrill pistol with its one-handed cocking features was rejected by the US military, Merrill went to work on another pistol design he hoped would be of more interest. This second Merrill pistol differed considerably from his previous effort. The 1908 second type of .38 Cal, pistol developed by J.C. White was striker fired using a rotating locked breech action. The only example extant is the tool room prototype offered in this auction as an incomplete firearm that has no markings, SNs, or proofs. Mounted on top of the bbl shroud is a small front sight. There is no rear sight or trigger guard, though after the bolt is pulled back, the firing pin extends from the back of the bolt to serve as a cocking indicator that is released by pulling the trigger. The magazine retainer is a brass strip welded to the backstrap that extends down to reach under the floorplate. There are no grips, nor provisions for any grip screws. The unfinished magazine is a closed structure without markings or indicator holes. On the floorplate is a perpendicular brass strip to aid in grasping. Also included with this gun is a hang tag from early owner, Alex Montgomery. Montgomery was one of the very first major collectors of early experimental pistols. This exact pistol is illustrated in a display article by Montgomery on pp.53-62 of World's Guns and Other Weapons, 1958. PROVENANCE: The Frank H. Wheaton, III Collection. CONDITION: Excellent in the white metal with surprising little oxidative disturbance, considering that the tool room sample is over 100 years old. No evidence of cleaning. Though incomplete, the bolt retracts fully, the firing pin releases when the trigger is pulled, and the magazine is nicely retained within the frame. Although this gun, as per its more developed counterpart, were never considered by the U.S. Ordinance Dept, its pattern is well recognized and invariably mentioned in the same breath as its more famous cousins. An interesting part of the American firearms scene in the early 20th century. 51516-3 LMA (7,500-12,500)