GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
FANTASTIC LOT OF 2 RARE KNOBLE AND WALTHER PROTOTYPE PISTOLS. Knoble Prototype NSN 22 LR MODERN; C&R .22 Cal. 5" bbl with fixed front sight. Straight blow back single action design. Checkered hammer with smooth grips that appear to be made of walnut. A .45 Cal. variation was submitted to the U.S. Army Pistol trials of 1907. This is a shop or inventors prototype and is comprised of a Colt barrel and shop made components. Very few Knoble Pistols exist however James D Julia Auction sold a similar prototype chambered for .30 cal, in 2014 for over $9000.00. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Typical shop model in unfinished condition with numerous spots of period pitting and slight corrosion. Walnut grips are fine and solid . Little or no attempt was done to embellish this gun other than leave a very slight engine turned finish on the sides of frame. 51569-55 TDW (10,000-15,000)
WALTHER OLYMPIA 5 32ACP MODERN; C&R 7.65 Cal. Tool room prototype of a Walther Olympia pistol in 7.65 that was never taken into production. Blow back mechanism with internal hammer, safety lever mounted on the left frame just ahead of the grip panel. Push button magazine release. This unfinished in the white example unmarked except for the number 5 marked on the left frame under the grip has a 7 1/2 inch bbl. with vertically adjustable front sight with crew adjustable rear sight. Slide has fine grasping serrations toward rear and frame is tapped and slotted for target weights. Numerous small parts are blue finished and appear to have utilized from the existing Olympia production. 2 piece checkered walnut grips with a Walther 7.65 magazine with extended base.This is the only example of the 7.65 Olympia pistol known to exist, formerly in the Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess Collection. PROVENANCE: The Esteemed Collection Of Noted Expert And Author Warren Buxton. CONDITION: Bright in the white metal with rough machine marks showing minimal age related staining. Blued parts retain much of their original finish. Grips are very fine with several small bruises and scratches. Most all varnish remain and checkering is sharp. Bore and mechanics a sharp and crisp with only a manual inspection. 51569-84 TDW (600-1,000)