EXTREMELY RARE SWISS SIG MONDRAGON MODEL 1894 “MARCHING FIRE” RIFLE.

SN 98. Cal. 5.22mm. 29-1/2″ round bbl, blue finish, walnut stocks. The Type IIA Mondragon is an extremely rare rifle with a straight pull bolt that was made by SIG of Switzerland to the advanced concepts of Gen. Manuel Mondragon of the Mexican Army. It was developed to fire a unique small caliber high velocity cartridge using an “en bloc” clip loading type magazine as later implemented in the Garand. The unique “piston” cartridge for this rifle incorporated a cartridge case with internal case diameter washer (piston) attached to the base of the small (5.2 mm dia) bullet which was used to transmit the initial gas impulse to the bullet over the initial bullet/piston travel of ca. 20 mm before the piston/bullet assembly separated as the piston washer impacted the inside of the shoulder of the cartridge case. The bolt has three separate sets of locking lugs: one set is around front of the bolt body, a second set is at the rear of the bolt body, the third set is around the cocking knob assembly. More interesting is the 3-position selector switch mounted on the right side, just above the trigger, marked “A” (safe), “L” (normal fire position),”R” (rapid fire). The idea was to be able to fire the gun by pulling the trigger normally or fire by simply driving the bolt forward (not touching the trigger). Most of the quick firing was to be done while advancing, hence the “marching fire” appellation for this rifle. The rifle has a 2-pc stock with a machined receiver and a very intricately designed bolt. The fore-end is a single piece of wood that wraps around the bbl, much in the manner of a Mannlicher M1897/03 Carbine. The forward bbl band & lug are reminiscent of a Swiss K31. In the center of the forend is a rotating sling swivel. The rear sight is graduated from 6-20 and has a flip-up option for 400 meters. SN “98” appears at the rear of the bbl, left side of the receiver, on the follower and on the bolt handle. On the rear tang is the manufacturer identification: “FAB.D’ARMES/NEUHAUSEN”. The buttstock is fitted with a single sling swivel and a metal buttplate. Although very few of these rifles were made, the prospect of marching rapid fire was a novel consideration and laid the groundwork to explore automatic loading selective fire. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Near excellent with approx 95% orig rust blue finish showing speckling and fine patina as one would expect in an experimental/military gun of this vintage. The sides of the rifle present extremely well with much of the patina confined to the in-the-white bolt assembly and the bottom of the magazine well. Wood retains a commensurate amount of orig varnish with some flaking near bottom of buttstock and scattering of handling dings as one might expect after over 100 years. Bore is dark with seemingly sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. An extraordinarily rare rifle by any standard and one that could easily be the centerpiece of an advanced collection. 43475-922 LMA (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3705

Auction: Firearms - October 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
	3705	$23,000.00	EXTREMELY RARE SWISS SIG MONDRAGON MODEL 1894 “MARCHING FIRE” RIFLE. SN 98. Cal. 5.22mm. 29-1/2″ round bbl, blue finish, walnut stocks. The Type IIA Mondragon is an extremely rare rifle with a straight pull bolt that was made by SIG of Switzerland to the advanced concepts of Gen. Manuel Mondragon of the Mexican Army. It was developed to fire a unique small caliber high velocity cartridge using an “en bloc” clip loading type magazine as later implemented in the Garand. The unique “piston” cartridge for this rifle incorporated a cartridge case with internal case diameter washer (piston) attached to the base of the small (5.2 mm dia) bullet which was used to transmit the initial gas impulse to the bullet over the initial bullet/piston travel of ca. 20 mm before the piston/bullet assembly separated as the piston washer impacted the inside of the shoulder of the cartridge case. The bolt has three separate sets of locking lugs: one set is around front of the bolt body, a second set is at the rear of the bolt body, the third set is around the cocking knob assembly. More interesting is the 3-position selector switch mounted on the right side, just above the trigger, marked “A” (safe), “L” (normal fire position),”R” (rapid fire). The idea was to be able to fire the gun by pulling the trigger normally or fire by simply driving the bolt forward (not touching the trigger). Most of the quick firing was to be done while advancing, hence the “marching fire” appellation for this rifle. The rifle has a 2-pc stock with a machined receiver and a very intricately designed bolt. The fore-end is a single piece of wood that wraps around the bbl, much in the manner of a Mannlicher M1897/03 Carbine. The forward bbl band & lug are reminiscent of a Swiss K31. In the center of the forend is a rotating sling swivel. The rear sight is graduated from 6-20 and has a flip-up option for 400 meters. SN “98” appears at the rear of the bbl, left side of the receiver, on the follower and on the bolt handle. On the rear tang is the manufacturer identification: “FAB.D’ARMES/NEUHAUSEN”. The buttstock is fitted with a single sling swivel and a metal buttplate. Although very few of these rifles were made, the prospect of marching rapid fire was a novel consideration and laid the groundwork to explore automatic loading selective fire. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Near excellent with approx 95% orig rust blue finish showing speckling and fine patina as one would expect in an experimental/military gun of this vintage. The sides of the rifle present extremely well with much of the patina confined to the in-the-white bolt assembly and the bottom of the magazine well. Wood retains a commensurate amount of orig varnish with some flaking near bottom of buttstock and scattering of handling dings as one might expect after over 100 years. Bore is dark with seemingly sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. An extraordinarily rare rifle by any standard and one that could easily be the centerpiece of an advanced collection. 43475-922 LMA (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3705 Auction: Firearms - October 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.

.red{fill:#B50938;} .white{fill:#FFFFFF;} .blue{fill:#005596;}

EXTREMELY RARE SWISS SIG MONDRAGON MODEL 1894 “MARCHING FIRE” RIFLE.