July 13-15, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021
One of the most recognizable of the "space age" weapons, the Gyrojet pistol was an attempt to be the next step in small arms technology, using a miniature rocket instead of a lead ball as a projectile, allowing for use of more lightweight material for construction and the trimming of certain mechanisms, such as an ejection system. The Model 137 is one of the earliest of the Gyrojets and was submitted to the U.S. military for use in Viet Nam. This example marked on left side of lug under barrel "MBAssocates / SAN RAMON, CALIF" and "PAT. APPLIED FOR / MODEL 137 CAL. 49" on right. Serial number on butt. Housed in the appropriate "ROCKETEER / AUTOMATIC / ROCKET / PISTOL / MBAssociates / San Ramon, Calif. / Made in U.S.A." marked box and pencil marked "GUILDED MBA / ROCKET GUN"; likely a mistranscription between guilded and gilded. Also included are 12 inert rounds of appropriate copper plated ammo with one expended shell, possibly the test fire for this gun. Furthermore, this example is accompanied by the original one sheet manual, a photocopy of an MBA price sheet, and a copy of a sketch of the gun with advertising points. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining virtually all of the gold plating with some forging flaws from the crude manufacturing process under the gold plating. Follower sits appropriately and action works appropriately when cycled by hand. These early iterations did not have barrels but the "launch tube" is clean. Box has normal age related distress and separation at corners but is complete. Original manual has some losses at top and some scattered minor losses but all printing is easily legible. This is an extremely rare example and with accessories. EW
Item Dimensions: Box: 14" x 9" x 1 - 1/2"
Manufacturer
MB Associates