December 14-17, 2021 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2021
Proposed, developed, and mass produced within a span of only 11 weeks, the Joint Psychological Warfare Committee planned on dropping loads of Liberator pistols to resistance and partisans via low flying planes over German occupied countries during World War II. The Liberator kit consisted of a the FP-45 pistol, waxed cardboard box, rudimentary comic strip instruction manual, wooden dowel rod, as well as 10-rounds of .45 ACP ammunition. Never intending to be used for more than just a couple of shots at most, the Liberator's main ideal was to supply resistance fighters with a weapon in which they could easily conceal and utilize to fire upon enemy personnel to ultimately capture more efficient and effective weaponry. This example bears no markings, as to be expected from a clandestine weapon, and features a 4" smoothbore barrel. The frame is constructed of stamped steel components and features an empty chamber at the base of the grip for storage of additional ammunition. Frame is stamped with 2 oiler holes on the left and one on the right side. Pistol is accompanied by an original box, manual, dowel rod, as well as 4 rounds of dummy ammunition manufactured at the Frankfurt arsenal in 1942, a May 28th issue of the Miami Herald entitled "What Your Man Will Undergo When He Invades Hitler's Europe", as well as a previous auction description for this pistol stating that it was from the former collection of Colonel Rex Applegate, as well as a handwritten card by Colonel Rex Applegate that he would set set on his table aside this gun while it was on display. PROVENANCE: Amoskeag Auction, May 23rd, 2013. CONDITION: Excellent, exhibiting some small scratches and marks from handling overall, with some spots of age related discoloration present on the barrel. Bore is very good and shows no evidence of firing. Box has been taped all around, with the bottom having been torn off at one point in time. Manual is very good overall, showing some wear from age as well as a few minor holes at the creases. A very nice example of an unique piece of World War II history that would later go on to influence the CIA Deer Gun. MLW
Manufacturer
U.S. Guidelamp