Historic Firearms & Early Militaria
Historic Firearms & Early Militaria
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Description
U.S. Experimental Model 2 Helmet
Lot # 103 (Sale Order: 101 of 370)
The opening years of the First World War were fought with the typical pageantry that had accompanied European combat for generations. Bright uniforms with unique combinations of headgear and equipment were commonplace, and were far more at home on the parade ground than the quagmire of mud and twisted barbed wire that characterized the later portions of the conflict. Combat deaths related to debris and shell fragments began to climb, and the warring powers soon developed "new" steel helmets, hearkening back to the days when armored warriors strode the same French battlefields a millennia before.
In an effort to produce their own helmet, the U.S. Army Department of Ordnance turned to Dr. Brashford Dean, then Curator of Arms and Armor at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In April 1917, Dean was Commissioned a Major and set to work spearheading the research and development of helmets and body armor for the United States Army. One of the first, developed in June of that year was designated the "Model 2." Inspired by designs of 15th century Europe, the helmet was formed of 12% manganese steel and featured a three-pad liner of a design already in use by many European powers. About 2,000 of these experimental helmets were produced by Ford and Company of Philadelphia in late 1918 and is one the rarest of all American experimental helmets. Despite its comfort and good degree of protection, it bore a striking resemblance to the German Model 1916 "Stahlhelm" and concerns over mis-identification and friendly fire quickly retired the model.
Condition: Good. Some scratching to exterior finish with one detached liner pad. Cloth chinstrap shows very little fraying.
EST $1000 - 3000
U.S. Experimental Model 5A Helmet
Lot # 104 (Sale Order: 102 of 370)
Manufactured by the Hale and Kilburn Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, designer Dr. Brashford Dean considered this model to be the most effective of all prior designs in terms of protection, comfort, and ease of production. In April 1918, 5,000 units were shipped overseas for field trials but were much like the earlier Model 2, found to be unacceptable due to their resemblance to the German helmets in use at the time. The later model 5a featured a variant four-finger liner and extra strip of steel on the rear portion of the shell. While the helmet would remain officially unadopted, the liner would be used in the development of the M1917A1.
Condition: Some scratching to interior and exterior paint present. Liner is in good condition with some wear to edges but otherwise intact. Chinstrap some some minor staining but shows no serious fraying or tears.
EST $1000 - 3000
Exceptionally Scarce Imperial German See-Batallion Tschako
Lot # 105 (Sale Order: 103 of 370)
Condition: Very good overall. Only minor thinning of cloth body with leather parts showing some crazing to finish. Front visor has some cracking on left side with some minor loss of lacquer layer. Brass parts are bright and retain most if not all of their original gilt finish. An exceptional example of a very scarce Imperial German marine cap.
EST $1000 - 3000
Imperial German Prussian Senior Non-Commissioned Officer's Pickelhaube
Lot # 106 (Sale Order: 104 of 370)
Condition: Good condition overall. Some crazing of finish with some imperfections around eagle, possibly from shifting or old replacement. Some tarnishing to brass parts with spike showing some evidence of cleaning. Liner is in good condition with some electrical tape repairs just under cockades with missing string tightener.
EST $800 - 1200
** Springfield Armory US M1 Garand Rifle
Lot # 107 (Sale Order: 105 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: This is a nice, mostly original early WWII M1 in excellent condition with an excellent bore. The metal surfaces are smooth and all markings are crisp. It retains nearly all of the original parkerized finish and the walnut stock, handguard, and forearm are very good.
EST $1000 - 1500
** Inland M1 Carbine with Four-Digit Serial Number
Lot # 108 (Sale Order: 106 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Good. Retains much of the Parkerized finish, clear markings in metal. Mechanically functional, good bore with even oxidation. Stock with scattered bumps and dings.
EST $1000 - 2000
** Remington Model 11 Sportsman WWII Military Anti-Aircraft Trainer
Lot # 109 (Sale Order: 107 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Excellent condition with an excellent bore. This gun remains in like new condition. The mount is very good with minor wear to the painted finish that would benefit from a thorough cleaning. This is an interesting piece for the advanced military collector.
EST $1000 - 1500
**Springfield U.S. Model 1903-A1 National Match Rifle
Lot # 110 (Sale Order: 108 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Good. Only minor scratches and imperfections to reblued finish, mostly on muzzle and sharp edges. Some minor rust frosting on polished parts and buttplate. Stock shows some minor handling marks but is free of major cracks and splits. Bore is good to very good; mostly bright with some minor spots of old fouling. Visible edges to rifling.
EST $1000 - 3000
** USMC M1 Garand Sniper Rifle with M82 Scope
Lot # 111 (Sale Order: 109 of 370)
This rifle is not listed by serial number in the Springfield Research Serial number records as an M1C, but not all guns are in these records. The rifle falls in the serial number range of a group of M1C rifles and appears to be correct, as examination of the staking around the Griffin & Howe mounts inside the receiver appears untouched and unmolested period of use work.
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Fine. Retains most of the applied Parkerized finish with the markings on the receiver a little light. Cartouches weak. Mechanically functional, very good bore. Scope with clear optics. Stock with wear, scattered bumps and dings and more serious nick under the forward portion of the scope mount. Cheek rest very good with some wear, sling good and well worn.
EST $5000 - 10000
** Remington US M1903A4 Rifle with Weaver Model 330 Scope
Lot # 112 (Sale Order: 110 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Fine. Retains most of the Parkerized finish, visible markings clear and crisp, mechanically functional, fine bore. Scope with clear optics. Stock crisp with no markings and showing only some light handling marks. Sling about good.
EST $2000 - 4000
** Springfield Armory M1903 Rifle with Star Gauged Barrel
Lot # 113 (Sale Order: 111 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Fine. Retains most of the finish with crisp, clear markings. Mechanically functional, fine bore. Stock very fine, crisp and feathery with fine cartouche and P inspection mark.
EST $1500 - 2500
** WWII USMC Rebuilt M1903 Rifle
Lot # 114 (Sale Order: 112 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Very good as rebuilt by the USMC during WWII. Retains most of the greenish Parkerized finish on the metal with clear markings throughout. Mechanically functional, fine bore, muzzle erosion measures 2. Stock with some added finish and with some scattered bumps and dings. Sling about good with wear.
EST $1000 - 1500
** Winchester M1 Carbine with Weaver 330 Telescopic Sight
Lot # 115 (Sale Order: 113 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Very good. Retains most of the Parkerized finish, markings clear. Mechanically functional, good bore that is dirty and greasy and needs to be cleaned. Stock sanded without markings, showing some scattered minor dings. Scope with clear optics.
EST $3000 - 5000
** Type II National Match M1 Garand
Lot # 116 (Sale Order: 114 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Excellent condition with an excellent bore. The stock has been sanded and refinished.
EST $2000 - 4000
** Winchester U.S. M1 Carbine in Display Case
Lot # 117 (Sale Order: 115 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Good to very good. Some thinning and scratching to finish with some handling marks to stock. Crisp cartouches with a mostly bright barrel showing visible edges to rifling.
EST $2000 - 3000
* Springfield Model 1903 Pope Heavy Barreled Target Rifle
Lot # 118 (Sale Order: 116 of 370)
*FFL required
Condition: The rifle is in excellent condition with an excellent bore and unmarred rust bluing. The stock is unmarred. Front sight is missing. Bore is excellent.
EST $7500 - 10000
** Springfield U.S. M1-D Sniper Rifle
Lot # 119 (Sale Order: 117 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Very good. Retains much of the Parkerized finish with clear markings. Mechanically functional, fine bore, throat erosion measures "1," muzzle erosion could not be checked without removing the flash hider, but should be similar based upon the bore condition. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Scope with clear optics.
EST $1500 - 2500
*** Savage Model 1928A1 Sub-Machine gun
Lot # 120 (Sale Order: 118 of 370)
Condition: Retaining most of the military style finish. Bore is bright and shiny, Mechanically excellent. Wood is very good to excellent. Overall excellent example 1928A1 by Savage.
EST $20000 - 30000
** Colt Model 1911A1 With Service Ace Conversion
Lot # 121 (Sale Order: 119 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Fine. Retains most of the finish with some high edge wear and scattered minor surface oxidation and some brownish discoloration. All markings clear and crisp, mechanically functional, very good bore that needs to be cleaned. Grips very good with light wear and the right panel with a small crack at the lower screw.
EST $1000 - 1500
** 1942 Production US M1911 Pistol by Colt
Lot # 122 (Sale Order: 120 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Fine. Retains most of the Parkerized finish with some high edge wear and minor thinning, as well as a couple of minor surface scuffs. Mechanically functional, fine bore with some frosting. Grips with some light wear.
EST $1500 - 2500
** Rock Island Arsenal Rebuilt US M1911 Pistol with Remington UMC Slide
Lot # 123 (Sale Order: 121 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Very good as refinished. Retains most of the Parkerizing with some high edge wear, markings slightly worn from the polishing prior to refinishing. Blued barrel with loss and wear at the contact points and on the barrel hood. Mechanically functional, very good bore, grips crisp with fine checkering and light surface wear. Grip screws with some slot wear.
EST $1000 - 1500
** Published Walther ac44 P38 with Holster from the Warren Buxton Collection
Lot # 124 (Sale Order: 122 of 370)
This exact gun is pictured on p.253 and described on p.252 of Warren Buxton's The P.38 Pistol, Volume I.
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Very fine. Retains most of the blued finish with some thinning and high edge wear, frame with notably plum tone. All markings clear and crisp, mechanically functional, fine bore. Grips with some light handling marks and minor scuffs. Holster fine with clear markings and some light wear and use.
EST $1000 - 1500
** Springfield US Model 1911 Pistol
Lot # 125 (Sale Order: 123 of 370)
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Good as refinished. American Eagle mark removed from right side of slide and part of the word "MODEL" is obscured. Other markings remain clear and legible. Retains some of the applied blued with wear and some cold blue touch up on the slide. Metal with scattered surface oxidation as well as some scattered corrosion. Mechanically functional, good bore that needs to be cleaned. Wood grips well worn with soft checkering and rounded edges.
EST $1000 - 1500
** Smith & Wesson M&P Revolver Presented To General Jonathan M. Wainwright
Lot # 126 (Sale Order: 124 of 370)
The revolver is accompanied by a copy of the Roy Jinks S&W factory letter confirming the configuration of the revolver, including the satin blue finish, factory applied presentation and the fact that the revolver was shipped on November 10, 1950, directly to Luther Goodwin; the chief of police for Cleveland, TN at the time. The revolver was sold through the Drisman Hardware Company of Chattanooga, TN.
The revolver was presented during a banquet that occurred while General Wainwright was in the area, where he apparently spent time with the locals hunting wild boars and sampling Jack Daniels provided by the owner of the distillery, Rigger Motlow. Several letters regarding the event from participants are included as well as an original 8"x10" black and white glossy of the General at the dinner, stamped TOM GALLANT / CHATTANOOGA NEWS / FREE - PRESS, with handwritten identifications of the of those in the photo on the rear. The revolver is additionally accompanied by a 1990 dated bill of sale where it sold for $25,000.
General Jonathan W. "Skinny" Wainwright (1883-1953) came from a family of military men who served their country with distinction. His grandfather was killed in action during the Civil War. His father lead a squadron of cavalry during the Spanish-American War at the Battle of Santiago (Cuba) and was killed in action in the Philippines in 1902. J.W. Wainwright attended West Point, graduating in 1906, was assigned to the 1st Cavalry and saw combat in the Philippines during the Moro insurrection. During WWI he served as the assistant chief of Staff of the 82nd Division, which saw combat during the offensive actions at Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. After WWI he saw a variety of assignments, attended the US Army Command and General Staff School and the Army War College. In 1940, he returned to the Philippines as a general and the senior US Army field commander under General Douglas MacArthur. The United States entered WWII in December of 1941.
In his new command, General Wainwright oversaw the US resistance to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines under General MacArthur. Eventually Wainwright took over MacArthur's role as Allied Commander Philippines in March of 1942 after MacArthur was evacuated. In order to try to save the lives of his men, General Wainwright ordered the surrender of the US forces in the Philippines in may of 1942, when it became clear that they could not hold out against the Japanese onslaught. He then became the highest ranking American officer to be a prisoner of war and spent the next three years incarcerated by the Japanese in various POW camps. There he suffered the depredations and abuse of his captors, along with his men. When General Wainwright was liberated he reported to his old commander General MacArthur and was present on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered unconditionally. Wainwright was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor on September 19, 1945 for his Philippine service and internment. He retired as a 4-star general and died in 1953 of a stroke.
This is a fantastic presentation piece to a true American hero and Congressional Medal of Honor winner with iron clad provenance and documentation that would be the centerpiece of any advanced Smith & Wesson of World War II related collection.
Provenance: From the Collection of Peter Wainwright Jr.
**C&R or FFL required
Condition: Excellent. Revolver retains nearly all of the original factory satin blued finish, nearly all of the vivid case color on the hammer and trigger. Cylinder with a light turn ring through the stop slots. Revolver retains clear, crisp markings throughout. Mechanically functional, fine bore, bright chambers and likely unfired. Grips fine as well with one some very light handling marks.
EST $20000 - 30000
David Clark Company S1034 Pilot's Protective Assembly Training Suit for High Altitude
Lot # 127 (Sale Order: 125 of 370)
Lot consists of an extremely rare United States high-altitude pilot's pressure suit including helmet, vest, and torso harness parachute rigging. Issued to pilots in pairs with a single helmet, the suit allows operations at the exceptionally high altitudes reachable by aircraft such as the U.S. Air Force's U-2 as well as NASA's ER-2 and WB-57F, replacing the long-serving S1030 suit in 1996.
Manufactured by the David Clark Company of Massachusetts, which developed spacesuits for the Gemini Program (1961-1966), the S1034 was considered a "clean sheet" design, essentially redesigned from the ground up with specific requirements and desires in mind. The suit is comprised of four layers: an internal nylon layer for comfort, a thermal/bladder layer of two types of non-porous material, a mesh which helped in keeping the suit's form when inflated, and an outer shell of fire-retardant yellow nomex. One of the most distinctive features of the S1034 were the low-torque rotating glove bearings, which had until that point had not been standard issue on any flight suit despite their comfort and ease of use. Popular with test pilots and personnel, the S1034 offered superlative protection while offering a level of comfort necessary for flights that could last up to ten hours. Due to the effectiveness of the new suit design, the S1034 was used as the base model for further development including NASA's Launch Entry Suit (LES) and S1035 Advanced Crew Escape System (ACES). The helmet appears to be a variation of the earlier S1031 model featuring a low-profile microphone, anti-suffocation valve and feeding tube port.
Also featured with this lot is the accompanying integral rescue harness and parachute, which when fully loaded included a life raft, extra oxygen tanks, and rescue supplies (not included). Attached via a system of straps, this egress system was designed to be worn with the suit during flight and was connected to a vest equipped with water activated flotation wings, drastically improving pilot survivability in the case of water landings. Helmet is marked with 1982 production and 1989 refurbishment dates, with parachute retainer assembly marked with 1997 production, 2001 modification, and 2004 overhaul dates. Suit is marked with "ML" medium-long size tag and accompanying model information with no further dates as well as "FOR TRAINING USE" throughout. Also includes boot-locking spur devices for pilot's seat. A remarkable and exceptionally rare piece of aviation history.
Condition: Some staining and wear from training use with no major tears, holes, or rips immediately visible. Parachute not inspected. Please contact the Historic Firearms and Militaria Department for specific questions regarding the condition of this lot.
EST $15000 - 20000