GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
*EXCEPTIONALLY RARE EARLY HYDE MODEL 33 MACHINE GUN (CURIO & RELIC).HYDE3317445 ACPNFA; C&RCal. 45ACP. 11-1/4" bbl. George Hyde was a German born machinist and gunsmith. He came to the United States after WWI and established the Hyde Arms Corporation in New York. The model 33 was his first machine gun design which in many ways was reminiscent of the Thompson machine gun. The model 33 is a select fire blow back machine gun with a selector which indicates "R.F." when forward for fully automatic fire and "S.F." when to the rear for semi-auto fire. There is a separate safety also on the left hand side and a detachable matching numbered buttstock with the latch on the underside. Cocking is achieved by pulling back the knurled knob at the rear of the rnd receiver tube. This specimen includes one orig 20 rnd magazine and the bbl does not have a compensator as did the subsequent model 35. The Hyde machine gun was a competitor to replace the Thompson machine gun with the idea that its functioning components were less complicated, had a lighter recoil and would function better under adverse conditions. However it had a disconcerting feature of the charging handle moving to the rear approximately half an inch with each shot which was noticeable to the firer's eye. The Hyde's magazine is attached and removed by sliding it side to side through a groove cut in the receiver. 20 rnd magazines were standard but there were also magazine units with overall capacity of 40 and 60 rnds which were simply 20 rnd capacity magazines brazed together which could be slid into line as needed. The model 33 was later followed with the model 35 which had a compensator. Neither one was adopted for military service and Hyde later went on to design the very successful M3 grease gun and liberator pistols. This specimen is an often overlooked but none the less very interesting evolution in American machine gun design. SN's match between receiver and buttstock. Extractor not present but would appear that a machinist could construct one with little difficulty. This is a National Firearms Act item and requires BATF approval prior to transfer. This item is fully transferable on an ATF form 3 or form 4, as Curio & Relic eligible. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine to very fine. Orig finish turning to a somewhat gray patina with some high edge wear and handling marks. There are three noticeable scratches on left side of magazine and some handling marks and dings to the wooden furnishings. Mechanics are crisp, bore is fine with shiny rifling and grooves. This is an exceedingly scarce model of a very interesting machine gun design which exhibits high quality manufacture. The gun holds up comfortably and well. A real find for the American historical machine gun enthusiast. 52883-1 JWK (35,000-45,000)