November 17 & 18, 2021 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2021
Manufactured by American Machine & Foundry in 1962-1963 for CIA clandestine operations, these extremely scarce CIA Deer Guns were manufactured with the same intent as the much more commonly known "Liberator" pistols, and were intended to be air dropped to South Vietnamese guerrillas during the Vietnam War. Constructed of 1 piece aluminum castings and featuring an unscrewing barrel (which the user would use to load a new cartridge), these pistols were extremely inexpensive to manufacture. Other notable features include a cone shaped cocking lever, milled trigger, as well as a raised cross hatch pattern on the grips. Designed with secrecy in mind, these CIA Deer Pistols bear no markings or proof marks in order to conceal their place of origin. That being said, there is no documentation of these pistols use in Vietnam, leaving the extent of their usage unknown. Almost all of the 1,000 examples known to have been manufactured were destroyed, and it is speculated that only a handful of these Deer Pistols are still in existence today. CONDITION: Aluminum frame shows areas of corrosion and cleaned oxidation all around as well as areas of age related discoloration. Barrel has been refinished, retaining a dull blue finish and exhibiting areas of pitting beneath the bluing. Action is frozen, with the cocking lever and trigger being locked in place and requiring gunsmith attention. An exceptionally rare pistol that is an important piece of the CIA's clandestine history. MLW
Manufacturer
American Machine & Foundry