*◊ VERY RARE EARLY SIG MONDRAGON FSlK MODEL 15 “FLYER’S RIFLE”.

SN 2. Cal. 7 MM. Immaculate and exceedingly rare Swiss-manufactured Mondragon “Flieger-Selbstladekarabiner 15”, or “Flyer’s Self-loading Carbine Model 15” from the SIG (Scheizerische Industrie Gesellschaft) factory collection. Developed by the Mexican Army’s General Manuel Mondragon, the FSlK evolved from self-loading patents granted in 1907. Mondragon’s perfected rifle was eventually adopted by the Mexican Army as the “Fusil Porfirio Diaz Sistema Mondragon Modelo 1908”, in honor of the then Mexican emperor. The design incorporated one of the first truly gas-operated piston mechanisms, as well as a locking, rotating bolt, which were well ahead of their time. Other novel features of the rifle included a non-detachable box magazine which was loaded with en-bloc clips, and a gas cut-off, allowing the rifle to used as a straight pull, bolt action in an emergency. Manufacture of the 1908 occurred at SIG in Switzerland due to political unrest at home and lack of suitable factory capacity in Mexico. After only a few hundred were delivered, the Mexican government cancelled the contract due to the high cost per rifle, inability to utilize poorer quality cartridges and the Mexican Revolution that deposed Diaz in 1911. This left SIG with several thousand complete or partially completed rifles which were most sold to the German Army for their aviators in WW1, scrubbed of their Mexican markings. For their part, the Germans found that the close tolerances of the rifle were not suited to the gritty nature of trench warfare, but were acceptable for self-defense use in airplanes and Zeppelins, and thus the FSlK 15 nomenclature. This nearly pristine example, serial number 2, is one of the few without Mexican markings that the Swiss manufacturer, SIG, retained for their factory reference collection. The only outward markings on the rifle besides the rear sight distances and C/arrow at the rear, is the numeral “2” stamped into the receiver, bolt group and rear sight. Includes its original die cast aluminum inventory tag from SIG. Mondragon serial number 2 would be the outstanding centerpiece of any advanced WW1 small arms collection. PROVENANCE: SIG Neuhausen Factory Collection, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Near new, easily over 99% blued finish with only very slight wear on high points and edges. Bolt is correct and “in the white”. Beautiful hardwood stock is original and has just a few small scattered storage dings and scratches which do not detract. Bore has strong lands and grooves. Mechanically fine, with tight, crisp mechanism. Numbered SIG inventory tag attached and in excellent condition. 4-53246 DW3 (25,000-40,000) – Lot 1147

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1147	$40,250.00	Revised: 9/15/2014 Estimate should be $30,000-$40,000. ◊ VERY RARE EARLY SIG MONDRAGON FSlK MODEL 15 “FLYER’S RIFLE”. SN 2. Cal. 7 MM. Immaculate and exceedingly rare Swiss-manufactured Mondragon “Flieger-Selbstladekarabiner 15”, or “Flyer’s Self-loading Carbine Model 15” from the SIG (Scheizerische Industrie Gesellschaft) factory collection. Developed by the Mexican Army’s General Manuel Mondragon, the FSlK evolved from self-loading patents granted in 1907. Mondragon’s perfected rifle was eventually adopted by the Mexican Army as the “Fusil Porfirio Diaz Sistema Mondragon Modelo 1908”, in honor of the then Mexican emperor. The design incorporated one of the first truly gas-operated piston mechanisms, as well as a locking, rotating bolt, which were well ahead of their time. Other novel features of the rifle included a non-detachable box magazine which was loaded with en-bloc clips, and a gas cut-off, allowing the rifle to used as a straight pull, bolt action in an emergency. Manufacture of the 1908 occurred at SIG in Switzerland due to political unrest at home and lack of suitable factory capacity in Mexico. After only a few hundred were delivered, the Mexican government cancelled the contract due to the high cost per rifle, inability to utilize poorer quality cartridges and the Mexican Revolution that deposed Diaz in 1911. This left SIG with several thousand complete or partially completed rifles which were most sold to the German Army for their aviators in WW1, scrubbed of their Mexican markings. For their part, the Germans found that the close tolerances of the rifle were not suited to the gritty nature of trench warfare, but were acceptable for self-defense use in airplanes and Zeppelins, and thus the FSlK 15 nomenclature. This nearly pristine example, serial number 2, is one of the few without Mexican markings that the Swiss manufacturer, SIG, retained for their factory reference collection. The only outward markings on the rifle besides the rear sight distances and C/arrow at the rear, is the numeral “2” stamped into the receiver, bolt group and rear sight. Includes its original die cast aluminum inventory tag from SIG. Mondragon serial number 2 would be the outstanding centerpiece of any advanced WW1 small arms collection. PROVENANCE: SIG Neuhausen Factory Collection, Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Near new, easily over 99% blued finish with only very slight wear on high points and edges. Bolt is correct and “in the white”. Beautiful hardwood stock is original and has just a few small scattered storage dings and scratches which do not detract. Bore has strong lands and grooves. Mechanically fine, with tight, crisp mechanism. Numbered SIG inventory tag attached and in excellent condition. 4-53246 DW3 (25,000-40,000) – Lot 1147 Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note:* All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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*◊ VERY RARE EARLY SIG MONDRAGON FSlK MODEL 15 “FLYER’S RIFLE”.