GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
INCREDIBLY RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT NAZI PROOFED CZ-37 SEMI-AUTO RIFLE, FORERUNNER OF THE GERMAN SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLE PROGRAM. CESKA Z BROJOVKA CZ37 53 7.92 MODERN; C&R Cal. 7.92mm. This exceedingly scarce and low numbered rifle was manufactured in Czechoslovakia and is marked "CESKA ZBROJOVKA / A.S. VPRAZE" which translates to "CZECH ARMS WORKS INCORPORATED AT PRAGUE". It also bears Czech Army acceptance marks and dated "1937" with later added Nazi eagle over "359" proofs indicating Walther inspection. This rifle incorporates an unusual flip-up charging handle which locks the bolt in the forward position when horizontal and unlocks the bolt for charging when vertical. One can see elements of the ZK420-S and ZH29 in this rifle, as well as features which would be later incorporated into the German G41 rifle, such as fixed magazine loaded from the top with the bolt open, and flip-up style safety. Dual sling swivel mounts for both side and underneath mounting. The Czech's were at the leading edge of technological firearms development and high quality construction in the 1920's and 1930's. This rifle exhibits matching numbers, including electro-pencil "53" on underside of bolt. Sold without reserve. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Fred Novy. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish near excellent. High, lustrous commercial blue finish thinning to grey metal at high edges with a somewhat plum colored rear sight base. Bolt and safety are in-the-white, as is the bolt handle and trigger. Sliding action cover reveals an extremely clean internal mechanism and excellent bolt face. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Wood is extremely fine to near excellent with professionally repaired chips out of the wood where the action meets the buttstock at the rear of the receiver. In butt compartment, accessed by a bullet tip applied to the buttplate, is a complete cleaning kit with rods and an oiler. Later seen in German G.43 & K.43 rifles. This rifle is exceedingly handsome and an exceedingly rare specimen of pre-WWII semi-auto rifle development in Europe. 51661-3 JWK (20,000-30,000)