December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2024
Fearing the granting of Home Rule to Ireland in 1913, thousands of Ulstermen swore an oath to resist this effort by force. They planned and executed the clandestine purchase and very successful importation of thousands of rifles: commercial export Mannlichers, German Gewehr 88s, and Italian Vetterli-Vitalis. This rifle is one of the very few extant remaining turn-bolt Mannlichers. Most of these UVF rifles were surrendered to the British in the 1920s, and were then given to the Ethiopians by the British to resist Mussolini in the 1930s. Only a handful of them have survived anywhere. This particular rifle was featured in an American compendium of guns that was produced in the 1950s, and it can be identified by the stampings on its butt stock: “12469” and the UVF’s “Red Hand of Ulster” (“For God And Ulster”) insignia. Its serial number, 12469, is both on the receiver and on the butt stock. Accompanying this rifle is a unique Mannlicher charger clip that was a gift from the late Herb Woodend of the MOD Pattern Room. Herb had saved it from his “family” guns in Northern Ireland in the 1960s, which are now in the Royal Armouries collection in Leeds, England. This rifle was featured in a 2004 Shooters’ Bible article and has been displayed in exhibitions for gun collecting clubs in the Mid-Atlantic region over the past 20 years. If there are any other surviving examples of this very rare gun in any American gun collections, they most likely could be counted on the fingers of one hand, if that. PROVENANCE: Kenneth Smith-Christmas collection. CONDITION: Excellent, with the vast majority of the original bluing throughout, with some superficial scratches and freckling to barrel and receiver and thinning to sharp edges. Stock with handling marks and impressions throughout, with a few chips missing, primarily at forearm recess. Mechanically fine, bore is excellent with strong rifling. UVF cartouche crisp and clear. Charger with some patination throughout.
Caliber/Bore
8x57mm Mauser