*EXTREMELY RARE, ONE OF A KIND PROTOTYPE SWEBILIUS/HANITZ PUMP ACTION RIFLE FROM THE WINCHESTER COLLECTION.

*EXTREMELY RARE, ONE OF A KIND PROTOTYPE SWEBILIUS/HANITZ PUMP ACTION RIFLE FROM THE WINCHESTER COLLECTION. SN 1390. Cal. 250-3000. The design for this rifle was patented by Carl G. Swebilius and Hans T.R. Hanitz on July 27, 1915 while Mr. Swebilius was an employee at the Marlin Firearms Company. The patent for this rifle and the one for the unusual little sight in a dovetail in the front receiver ring were assigned to Marlin. Marlin subsequently produced their sight as the Model 32 Wind-Gage rear sight. According to Marlin Firearms, Brophy, the sight was prone to damage and consequently is “scarce”. An example is pictured on p. 641 of the referenced publication. The sight on this rifle has been damaged and the screw on the right end is missing. Rifle has a 24″ stepped lightweight tapered rnd bbl with gold bead dovetailed front sight in a pedestal front mount with no other provisions for sights except as previously noted. It has a 2/3 length magazine tube supported on the front end with a solid, pinned bbl band. The action of this rifle greatly resembles the Marlin Model 38 externally, which was not introduced until after WWI. Examining both rifles shows the immediate similarities including shape of the action, the push button slide release inside the trigger guard and the vertical push button safety through the upper & lower tangs that is pushed upwards to fire and pressed down to engage. The trigger guard is extended forward with a serrated latch in the bottom which secures a single column box magazine that appears to be able to accept four rds. Bottom front edge of the receiver is engraved in period script “W.R.A. Co. / 1390”. The receiver has a takedown feature with a large headed knurled screw which releases the lower receiver, trigger group and magazine housing which is dovetailed into the receiver. The bolt, and action are simplicity itself with extremely few moving parts. Mounted with nicely figured uncheckered straight grain American walnut with 7-1/2″ long round ribbed forearm secured with three screws to the operating rod and a straight grip stock with Marlin embossed hard rubber buttplate. Accompanied by its orig zinc Winchester Museum tag number “1390” which is appended from the trigger guard with a brass wire. Also accompanied by a Winchester Museum letter identifying this rifle as found. The rifle was part of the sale of approx. 124 rifles & shotguns from the Winchester Museum to well-known firearms authority, dealer & author, Norm Flayderman in 1976 and is listed on the attached inventory. Additionally accompanied by a letter on The Marlin Firearms Co. letterhead over the signature of William S. Brophy, dated July 14, 1981 and addressed to Norm Flayderman. Mr. Brophy states that he has “…checked my personal file of patents and have confirmed my speculated opinion that your rifle is a Gus Swebilius prototype.” Another paragraph identifies the patents for this rifle, copies of which Mr. Brophy provided and also accompany this rifle. PROVENANCE: Richard Rohal Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains about 95% strong orig blue with light front sight boss and bbl band wear with sharp edge wear on receiver and slide wear on magazine tube and slide rod. Magazine retains 88-90% strong orig blue. Forearm has a hairline from the right screw escutcheon forward, otherwise wood is sound with light handling & storage nicks & scratches. Rear sight missing its screw as previously noted. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40430 JR305 (2,500-5,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010

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
	1571	$4,025.00	EXTREMELY RARE, ONE OF A KIND PROTOTYPE SWEBILIUS/HANITZ PUMP ACTION RIFLE FROM THE WINCHESTER COLLECTION. SN 1390. Cal. 250-3000. The design for this rifle was patented by Carl G. Swebilius and Hans T.R. Hanitz on July 27, 1915 while Mr. Swebilius was an employee at the Marlin Firearms Company. The patent for this rifle and the one for the unusual little sight in a dovetail in the front receiver ring were assigned to Marlin. Marlin subsequently produced their sight as the Model 32 Wind-Gage rear sight. According to Marlin Firearms, Brophy, the sight was prone to damage and consequently is “scarce”. An example is pictured on p. 641 of the referenced publication. The sight on this rifle has been damaged and the screw on the right end is missing. Rifle has a 24″ stepped lightweight tapered rnd bbl with gold bead dovetailed front sight in a pedestal front mount with no other provisions for sights except as previously noted. It has a 2/3 length magazine tube supported on the front end with a solid, pinned bbl band. The action of this rifle greatly resembles the Marlin Model 38 externally, which was not introduced until after WWI. Examining both rifles shows the immediate similarities including shape of the action, the push button slide release inside the trigger guard and the vertical push button safety through the upper & lower tangs that is pushed upwards to fire and pressed down to engage. The trigger guard is extended forward with a serrated latch in the bottom which secures a single column box magazine that appears to be able to accept four rds. Bottom front edge of the receiver is engraved in period script “W.R.A. Co. / 1390”. The receiver has a takedown feature with a large headed knurled screw which releases the lower receiver, trigger group and magazine housing which is dovetailed into the receiver. The bolt, and action are simplicity itself with extremely few moving parts. Mounted with nicely figured uncheckered straight grain American walnut with 7-1/2″ long round ribbed forearm secured with three screws to the operating rod and a straight grip stock with Marlin embossed hard rubber buttplate. Accompanied by its orig zinc Winchester Museum tag number “1390” which is appended from the trigger guard with a brass wire. Also accompanied by a Winchester Museum letter identifying this rifle as found. The rifle was part of the sale of approx. 124 rifles & shotguns from the Winchester Museum to well-known firearms authority, dealer & author, Norm Flayderman in 1976 and is listed on the attached inventory. Additionally accompanied by a letter on The Marlin Firearms Co. letterhead over the signature of William S. Brophy, dated July 14, 1981 and addressed to Norm Flayderman. Mr. Brophy states that he has “…checked my personal file of patents and have confirmed my speculated opinion that your rifle is a Gus Swebilius prototype.” Another paragraph identifies the patents for this rifle, copies of which Mr. Brophy provided and also accompany this rifle. PROVENANCE: Richard Rohal Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Overall retains about 95% strong orig blue with light front sight boss and bbl band wear with sharp edge wear on receiver and slide wear on magazine tube and slide rod. Magazine retains 88-90% strong orig blue. Forearm has a hairline from the right screw escutcheon forward, otherwise wood is sound with light handling & storage nicks & scratches. Rear sight missing its screw as previously noted. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. 4-40430 JR305 (2,500-5,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2010 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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