*◊ UNIQUE BSA PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN .45ACP.

SN 2C. Cal. .45ACP. Full size Birmingham Small Arms experimental with 5″ locked breech rotating bbl (Steyr M1911 pattern) having fixed front & rear sight. No numbers were applied by the manufacturer; “2C” was applied on the left frame, just ahead of the upper left grip panel, for purpose of importation. Slide deeply scalloped on each side with recessed checkering. Safety lever on left rear of frame rotates up for the safe position, blocking the grip safety. Heel mounted magazine release. Magazine has an in-the-white body with an elevated spine and a detachable floorplate. Black bakelite grips internally secured, centrally marked with the “Stacked Rifle” BSA logo surrounded by bordered checkering. Major parts including bbl bushing sights & trigger are blued with the bbl & magazine wall in the white. Disassembly involves removing the bbl bushing and bbl wrapped recoil spring whose cross section is rectangular rather than circular. After the slide has been removed, the grip panels may be slid up, freed from their interdigitations with the frame, and removed. Accompanied by article in Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association, Vol. II, No. 7, written by Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess describing this very rare group of experimental pistols. In 1919 – 1920 Birmingham Small Arms were persuaded to design a series of pistols to utilize special belted case cartridges designed by Eley Bros as a consequence of the expiry of the Holland belted case patent, but these never proceeded beyond the prototype stage. This pistol was originally chambered for the .39” BSA belted cartridge, but was modified, of which the pistol bears evidence, to use a common production caliber, the .45 ACP. PROVENANCE: Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2, No.7. Ex-Dinely collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: 75% orig blue with expected handling wear, particularly the front & backstraps that have largely drifted to a brown/grey. Excellent orig grips, slightly loose, with mild blunting of the checkering and a few handling dings; no cracks or chips. Bright bore with sharply discernible rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. A truly unique and impressive large bore BSA prototype that was never carried into production. 4-52447 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2261

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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
	2261	$23,000.00	◊ UNIQUE BSA PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN .45ACP. SN 2C. Cal. .45ACP. Full size Birmingham Small Arms experimental with 5″ locked breech rotating bbl (Steyr M1911 pattern) having fixed front & rear sight. No numbers were applied by the manufacturer; “2C” was applied on the left frame, just ahead of the upper left grip panel, for purpose of importation. Slide deeply scalloped on each side with recessed checkering. Safety lever on left rear of frame rotates up for the safe position, blocking the grip safety. Heel mounted magazine release. Magazine has an in-the-white body with an elevated spine and a detachable floorplate. Black bakelite grips internally secured, centrally marked with the “Stacked Rifle” BSA logo surrounded by bordered checkering. Major parts including bbl bushing sights & trigger are blued with the bbl & magazine wall in the white. Disassembly involves removing the bbl bushing and bbl wrapped recoil spring whose cross section is rectangular rather than circular. After the slide has been removed, the grip panels may be slid up, freed from their interdigitations with the frame, and removed. Accompanied by article in Historical Breechloading Smallarms Association, Vol. II, No. 7, written by Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess describing this very rare group of experimental pistols. In 1919 – 1920 Birmingham Small Arms were persuaded to design a series of pistols to utilize special belted case cartridges designed by Eley Bros as a consequence of the expiry of the Holland belted case patent, but these never proceeded beyond the prototype stage. This pistol was originally chambered for the .39” BSA belted cartridge, but was modified, of which the pistol bears evidence, to use a common production caliber, the .45 ACP. PROVENANCE: Illustrated HBSA Journal, Vol 2, No.7. Ex-Dinely collection. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: 75% orig blue with expected handling wear, particularly the front & backstraps that have largely drifted to a brown/grey. Excellent orig grips, slightly loose, with mild blunting of the checkering and a few handling dings; no cracks or chips. Bright bore with sharply discernible rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. A truly unique and impressive large bore BSA prototype that was never carried into production. 4-52447 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 2261 Click here to view provenance 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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*◊ UNIQUE BSA PROTOTYPE PISTOL IN .45ACP.