*◊ FABULOUS GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .360″, IN OAK CASE.

SN 57. Cal. .360. 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. This very late example has a bbl length of 9-1/2″, though at least 5/8″ of that length houses the bolt. Fixed front & rear sights. Lightly hand engraved on the rib is “360 MARS PISTOL (PATENTED) BIRMINGHAM.”. The SN “57” appears on the back of the bolt, back of the hammer, and on bottom of the magazine. On the bottom of the frontstrap is “57/9/2”, significance unknown. 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. Walnut grip panels are smooth and heavily varnished. 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 As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering.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, though sometimes the carrier ears need to be nudged clockwise to lock into place. The magazine is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. The pistol comes in an English pattern oak case, with a blank brass disk inletted into the lid. The interior of the case is lined with green felt baize and compartmentalized for the pistol that will only fit with the magazine removed. The magazine fits into a separate compartment. There are two additional compartments, likely for ammunition and cleaning supplies, and a block for six rounds of ammunition (not included). PROVENANCE: Illustrated R K Wilson, “Textbook of Automatic Pistols”, 1st Edition 1943, Plate VIII. Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2 No 8. Ex Visser collection. Ex R.K. Wilson collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Bright orig blue with 95-97% coverage, with sharp edge wear and thinning of the front & backstrap. Comparable condition in-the-white parts that show minor age appropriate staining & minimal oxidation. The same considerations hold true for the magazine. Grips have most orig varnish and only a few surface dings. Near mirror bore. Perfect manual mechanics. An extremely attractive Gabbett-Fairfax Mars, particularly as it presents in the unique English pattern case. 4-52412 LMA110 (35,000-55,000) – Lot 1319

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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
	1319	$63,250.00	◊ FABULOUS GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .360″, IN OAK CASE. SN 57. Cal. .360. 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. This very late example has a bbl length of 9-1/2″, though at least 5/8″ of that length houses the bolt. Fixed front & rear sights. Lightly hand engraved on the rib is “360 MARS PISTOL (PATENTED) BIRMINGHAM.”. The SN “57” appears on the back of the bolt, back of the hammer, and on bottom of the magazine. On the bottom of the frontstrap is “57/9/2”, significance unknown. 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. Walnut grip panels are smooth and heavily varnished. 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, though sometimes the carrier ears need to be nudged clockwise to lock into place. The magazine is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. The pistol comes in an English pattern oak case, with a blank brass disk inletted into the lid. The interior of the case is lined with green felt baize and compartmentalized for the pistol that will only fit with the magazine removed. The magazine fits into a separate compartment. There are two additional compartments, likely for ammunition and cleaning supplies, and a block for six rounds of ammunition (not included). PROVENANCE: Illustrated R K Wilson, “Textbook of Automatic Pistols”, 1st Edition 1943, Plate VIII. Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2 No 8. Ex Visser collection. Ex R.K. Wilson collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Bright orig blue with 95-97% coverage, with sharp edge wear and thinning of the front & backstrap. Comparable condition in-the-white parts that show minor age appropriate staining & minimal oxidation. The same considerations hold true for the magazine. Grips have most orig varnish and only a few surface dings. Near mirror bore. Perfect manual mechanics. An extremely attractive Gabbett-Fairfax Mars, particularly as it presents in the unique English pattern case. 4-52412 LMA110 (35,000-55,000) – Lot 1319 \| Click here to view provenance 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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*◊ FABULOUS GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1905, CALIBER .360″, IN OAK CASE.