*◊ FABULOUS GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1900, CALIBER .45, GRIP SAFETY.

SN 41. Cal. .45. At the turn of the last century, Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax patented and made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time, all produced with military trials in mind. Those made by him prior to his bankruptcy in 1903 bear serial numbers up to 41 or 42 and have chequered grips. This example, one of the last made by Gabbett-Fairfax personally, 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 “MARS PISTOL 0″ 45.”. The SN “H41″ appears on the bottom of the frame and is repeated on bottom of the magazine. 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. Frame is unique among Mars pistols in being fitted with grip safety. Walnut grip panels are checkered with a border around the screw escutcheons. 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 As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering.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. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser Collection. Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 8, illustrated TBLAP. 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 in the larger caliber with a grip safety. 4-52414 (35,000-50,000) – Lot 2259

Auction: Firearms - March 2015

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
	2259	$74,750.00	◊ FABULOUS GABBETT-FAIRFAX MARS M1900, CALIBER .45, GRIP SAFETY. SN 41. Cal. .45. At the turn of the last century, Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax patented and made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time, all produced with military trials in mind. Those made by him prior to his bankruptcy in 1903 bear serial numbers up to 41 or 42 and have chequered grips. This example, one of the last made by Gabbett-Fairfax personally, 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 “MARS PISTOL 0″ 45.”. The SN “H41″ appears on the bottom of the frame and is repeated on bottom of the magazine. 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. Frame is unique among Mars pistols in being fitted with grip safety. Walnut grip panels are checkered with a border around the screw escutcheons. 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. PROVENANCE: Ex Visser Collection. Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol. 2, No. 8, illustrated TBLAP. 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 in the larger caliber with a grip safety. 4-52414 (35,000-50,000) – Lot 2259 Auction: Firearms - March 2015 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 M1900, CALIBER .45, GRIP SAFETY.