*◊ UNIQUE “BABY” GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .45″ SHORT MARS.

SN 2B. Cal .45. At the turn of the last century, the Mars Automatic Pistol Syndicate made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time. Though most were .360 or 8.5mm caliber guns, a small number were made in with a .45″ bore. This late example is possibly unique in being chambered for the Short .45” Mars cartridge, and is also unique in that it incorporates all features of Great Britain Patent 25656/05 and is probably the last pistol made by the Mars Pistol Syndicate before its failure and liquidation in 1906. Affectionately known as “The Baby”, despite its massive dimensions, has a relatively short (for a Mars pistol) 7-3/8″ bbl (at least 5/8″ of that length houses the bolt) with fixed front & rear sights. The gun was originally unmarked except for the SN “0” on the rear bolt carrier. “2B” was applied to the left frame, above the trigger guard cutout, for purpose of importation. As true for most Gabbett-Fairfax pistols, this one is rust blued except for a few small parts, including the magazine, that were left in-the-white. Smooth walnut grips with single screw retention. To open the action, the hammer is cocked and the carrier knob twisted 45 degrees counterclockwise, which unlocks the bolt from the bbl. As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering. There is no holdopen. Releasing the carrier knob allows the bolt to fly forward and lock into place. The unnumbered magazine is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. PROVENANCE: Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2 No 8. Ex Wilson collection. Ex Visser collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: At least 98% blue. Several of the small parts have been repolished. Orig grips with minor varnish loss; each panel has a very, very fine vertical crack that is difficult to discern. Magazine bright with a few scattered freckles of oxidation. Bright bore, lightly frosted with strong rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. One of the most striking Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistols, particularly in the large .45 caliber, an early version of today’s “Terminator”. 4-52415 LMA108 (35,000-50,000) – Lot 1318

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
	1318	$51,750.00	◊ UNIQUE “BABY” GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .45″ SHORT MARS. SN 2B. Cal .45. At the turn of the last century, the Mars Automatic Pistol Syndicate made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time. Though most were .360 or 8.5mm caliber guns, a small number were made in with a .45″ bore. This late example is possibly unique in being chambered for the Short .45” Mars cartridge, and is also unique in that it incorporates all features of Great Britain Patent 25656/05 and is probably the last pistol made by the Mars Pistol Syndicate before its failure and liquidation in 1906. Affectionately known as “The Baby”, despite its massive dimensions, has a relatively short (for a Mars pistol) 7-3/8″ bbl (at least 5/8″ of that length houses the bolt) with fixed front & rear sights. The gun was originally unmarked except for the SN “0” on the rear bolt carrier. “2B” was applied to the left frame, above the trigger guard cutout, for purpose of importation. As true for most Gabbett-Fairfax pistols, this one is rust blued except for a few small parts, including the magazine, that were left in-the-white. Smooth walnut grips with single screw retention. To open the action, the hammer is cocked and the carrier knob twisted 45 degrees counterclockwise, which unlocks the bolt from the bbl. As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering. There is no holdopen. Releasing the carrier knob allows the bolt to fly forward and lock into place. The unnumbered magazine is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. PROVENANCE: Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2 No 8. Ex Wilson collection. Ex Visser collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: At least 98% blue. Several of the small parts have been repolished. Orig grips with minor varnish loss; each panel has a very, very fine vertical crack that is difficult to discern. Magazine bright with a few scattered freckles of oxidation. Bright bore, lightly frosted with strong rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. One of the most striking Gabbett-Fairfax Mars pistols, particularly in the large .45 caliber, an early version of today’s “Terminator”. 4-52415 LMA108 (35,000-50,000) – Lot 1318 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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*◊ UNIQUE “BABY” GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .45″ SHORT MARS.