GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
RARE 1917 TRANSITIONAL FRENCH SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE. FSA 1917 f6385 8MM LEBEL MODERN; C&R Cal. 8mm Lebel. 31" bbl. Marked "MA". This rifle exhibits a further development in the transition of the semi-automatic rifle with a modification of a bolt hold open latch incorporated onto the right side of the receiver in the form of a sprung lever which engages the charging handle arm when the bolt is withdrawn from the rear and the magazine is empty. Visible numbers appear matching on receiver, bbl, charging handle, bottom plate and stock assemblies. Both front and rear stock wood pieces match with a 2-3/4"l x 3/4h triangular sliver of the stock missing at left side receiver, which does not affect serviceability. This very interesting design loads by opening the magazine and inserting the rnds with a special rifle clip arrangement into the receiver and then closing the sheet metal magazine cover again. Action seems a bit sluggish and may need a good cleaning. Included in this lot is an orig makers marked brown leather sling. PROVENANCE: From the Estate of World Renowned British Rifle Collector Robert W. Faris. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish extremely fine as refinished with several dings and light pitting in spots under the refinish. Lustrous blue with some brown patina and flecks of corrosion on the magazine cover with a uniform brown scale on the buttplate and wear to the finish where the charging handle rides in the receiver. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Wood is extremely fine with some dings, chips and handling marks, but otherwise very serviceable. Quite a fine example of post-WWI improved transitional semi-auto rifle. 51608-8 JWK (2,500-5,000)