July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Extremely desirable Type 59 Makarov pistol manufactured at the Qinghau Machine Tool Factory (more commonly known as Mukden Arsenal while under Japanese occupation) in the Heilongjiang province in China. Due to China's isolationist nature, especially when pertaining to production of military weaponry, little is definitively known about these Type 59 pistols. It is theorized that the Type 59's production lifespan was extremely short, likely from 1959 to 1962 (Possibly even 1959-1960), due to the withdrawal of Russian technical advisors in 1960, as well as the economic and industrial crash which resulted from the Great Leap Forward. This example is stamped with the serial number followed by a factory arsenal code "66" within a triangle stamp, as well as a "59SHI" stamp on the left side of the frame, with the only other external markings being the serial number on the slide and safety lever. Metal components are blued and frame is mounted with a 1-piece brown checkered bakelite wrap around grip that exhibits the Ministry of Public Security emblem of a shield embellished with 5 stars on either side of the grip. 3 - 3/4" barrel exhibits a chrome lined bore. Matching numbers are stamped on the frame, slide, safety lever, and magazine. Trigger, trigger guard top flat, sear bar, trigger bar, as well as the sear bar are appropriately matching via the last 4 digits by an electro-penciled inscription. Pistol is accompanied by an original brown leather holster. Holster features a blue velvet lined interior and a green cord lanyard, and contains an additional non-matching magazine, as well as a cleaning rod. PROVENANCE: From the collection of esteemed NFA firearms enthusiast and collector J. R. Moody. CONDITION: Near mint, with metal components retaining virtually all of their original factory applied blue finish, exhibiting few very light marks from handling and storage. Interior components retain a thick layer of what appears to be original factory grease. Mint bore, exhibiting well defined rifling throughout. Grips are excellent, showing only a couple small marks from handling and storage. Holster shows some cracking on the strap flap, with some wear on the magazine cell, but is otherwise fine. According to "The Makarov Pistol: China, Bulgaria, and Khyber Pass Copies" by Henry C. Brown, Cameron S. White, and Edwin H. Lowe, it is projected that there are less than 50 examples of the Chinese Type 59 Makarov in the United States. These Type 59 Makarovs are seldom offered for sale and are a holy grail piece among Makarov collectors and enthusiasts. MLW
Accessories
Holster, Spare magazine, Cleaning rod, Lanyard
Caliber/Bore
9x18mm Makarov
Manufacturer
Qinghau Machine Tool Factory