Mauser pistol makes ton price at sale

Press, 19 April 1982, Page 22

Mauser pistol makes ton price at sale

By

DERRICK ROONEY,

Postal bidders generally had the upper hand on Saturday when the New Zealand Antique Arms Association held its halfyearly conference and auction of firearms, militaria, and related ephemera in Christchurch. It was a quiet sale, so much so that the occasional outbreak of spirited bidding seemed almost out of place. Postal bidders were dominant, especially in the upper echelon of prices, and as a result • the association’s auctioneer, Mr Les Perham, was able to push the lots through at the nearrecord rate of about 100 an hour. Another record was set by a rare early American military rifle, a Spencer Model 1859 three-band lever-action rifle made by the Spencer Arms Company, of Massachusetts. It is in the very unusual .56 rimfire calibre, and it is believed that there are few. if any. other examples in New Zealand. A willing bidder secured it for $675, a probable record for a rimfire rifle in New Zealand. Another rare early rimfire rifle among the top lots was a high-grade Ballard-action target rifle made by the Marlin Firearms Company, of Newhaven. It is unusual to see a rifle in the common .22 rimfire calibre among the top lots, but this was a superbly-made piece and a postal bidder had to go to $6OO to get it. Though made possibly in

the 1880 s, it was still in excellent working order, with a good bore and crisp edges on the octagonal barrel. The receiver still had its original case-hardening colours, and the stock the original finish. A horn butt-plate carried the Marlin crest. While the demand for militaria generally seemed somewhat slow, and a couple of offbeat items which might in other auctions have been expected to fetch perhaps $5 or $6 - a World War II field dressing and a framed World War I cutting — went-for, $1 each to reluctant bidders, it was a military item which topped the sale. This was a German "broomhandle" Mauser pistol, complete with- the wooden holster which doubles as a shoulder -stock. The stock had an embossed blade, and the grips were ebonite. The pistol was dated about 1904. The postal bidders for this rare item were outgunned by a bidder from the floor, who went to $825 to gel it. Another good item, a 54-bore wedge-frame Webley percussion revolver, in a western-type leather holster, went for $425. but these were the only sales above $4OO. Ethnic items, which usually meet- a ready demand, seemed a little slower to sell than unsual. and an African assegai, with a large, leaf-shaped blade, and a

Masai short sword were returned; *’ to the vendor, though one was/T sold after the sale. An unsualMasai spear with a long handle*.' and a narrow blade 86cm long'.'*; was more appealing to bidders,,’ and sold for $55. * Items of collector's ammmuni-". ~ tion met a ready sale, and keen,-* 1 ’ bidding for .. firearms used by. New Zealand forces over the*', years indicated an interest in "home-grown" mili-.>'' taria. A two-band Snider rifle, con-4,-verted from a went to a postal bidder, against »• competition from the floor, for. 4 $4OO, despite a broken nose and firing pin, and somtr,.chipping to the forewood. wise it was in good conditioner though. The earlier models of rifle, which are becoming harder/*; to find in “as issued” condition/-*; met a readv sale. A Mark 2 Lee'/ Metford rifle, stamped "SparKys brook 1893,’’. brought $275, and Mark 2 BSA “Long Tom" rifle ' went for $290. Another "Long,. Tom" fetched $260, and a No. ,1-5/ Mark 1. SMLE rifle, dated went for $275. Delegates from the assbeia-*’,. lion’s branches throughout the/.’ country, and members from aljl*? parts of Canterbury, attended th’er*. auction and the general meetings which preceded it. A number • new members were accepted in ' the morning.