1093 EXTEMELY RARE U.S. MODEL 1928 SWISS HAEMMERLI

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This item SOLD at 2023 Nov 03 @ 11:41UTC-4 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
MARTINI SINGLE SHOT FREE RIFLE. Cal. 30-06. S# 499 matches on bbl. and receiver. Bbl. 31 1/2" (80.01 centimeters). In 1928 Springfield Armory purchased from Haemmerli 10 complete "Free Rifles" & 30 rifles complete but w/out bbls for International competition. This rifle is 1 of the 10 complete models making it an extremely rare piece. These rifles were purchased because it was felt by members of the 1927 shooting team that the fast lock time, longer bbl. & better balance of the Martini Rifles used by the Swiss team put the U.S. team at a slight disadvantage. These rifles featured a 4-lever, Swiss trigger & a special trigger guard and 2 adj. buttplates each hand fitted to the individual rifle. The palm rest is fully adj. The receiver is marked on right side "RUDOLPH HAEMMERLI & CIE / LENZBOURG (SUISSE)". Receiver ring marked on top w/ logo resembling a hammer at the center of a 4 pointed star. Original bbl. is marked on top over chamber "SPECIAL RIFLE". Bbl. is marked on bottom "R.H.CIE" plus 2 tiny acceptance marks, "N", "519.2" & "W.S.0", "35" over "4" (similar to fraction), "7.6" also has hand scribed "1-14" TWIST". Bbl. is fitted w/ scope blocks approx. 6 3/8" on center. Lyman 48 rear sight w/ tall elevation knob & target type windage knob. Fitted w/ 1" sighting disk. Sight has mismatched numbers. Approx. 5/8" in diameter globe front sight fitted for interchangeable inserts, mounted on heavy windage adj. base. 2 piece walnut stock set. Forend is retained by wedge & has recess inside for spare firing pin and spring. Matching numbered firing pin is present however the spring is not present. Buttstock is equipped w/ raised dished cheek piece & scroll on right side of butt. Integral thumb rest has stippled surface. European style butt swivel. Adj. buttplate base marked on bottom left w/ Swiss Cross & "101632". Top left of base & buttplate numbered "1345". Top buttplate tang is numbered to match rifle. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES : Reprinted internet research which shows period photo of a Martini match rifle in the hands of World Champion match shooter Morris Fisher.1. Extra .22 LR barrel 30" long with off-center breech to use centerfire fining pin. Fitted with extra long custom scope blocks. Target fron sight base with front dovetail. Marked on top left ."22 LONG R." "C.C. JOHNSON" "THACKEY,O." Marked underneath "R.H. CIE" "38251".22 LONG R" "CC JOHNSON." CONDITION: 80% original blue with wear handling marks. Good shiny bore with lightly worn bore with lightly worn lands. 2. Matching prong buttplate of more open configuration. Plum colored steel. 3. Wood checked buttplate with coarse checkering. 4. 3 blued steel globe front sights w/post and apertures. 5. 1" rear sigh aperture. 6. .22 Long Rifle extractor. 7. Matching Thumb lever. 8. double barrel ring. 9. Matching tumbler. 10. 10 spare firing pins, one is matching. 11. Spare main spring. CONDITION: stock set has a lg. degree of its original finish w/ moderate wear & scattered handling marks commensurate w/ extensive careful use. Buttstock has tiny crack at top behind receiver. Thumbrest has missing chip at top outer edge. Buttstock has two spots of white paint on right side. Forend has notable deep scratch on left rear. Bbl. & receiver retain approx. 80% original blue w/ thinning light wear & scattered scratches. Bbl. has notable area of missing finish due to removal of sm. area of light oxidation on left rear. Bbl. has narrow area of abraded finish between scope blocks possibly from use of bbl. vise. Buttplate & finger lever have notable plum coloration. Buttplate has areas of raised metal inside likely done w/ sm. chisel to create a non-slip surface. Palm rest has lightly worn appearance on metal parts. Wooden ball has been replaced by molded material. Very good shiny bore. PROVANANCE: from the Estate Collection of Thomas J. Mulligan. (23-1233/RW). CURIO. $3,000-5,000.