1495 SCARCE RETAILER MARKED ROTH SAUER MODEL 1905

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Cal. 7.65mm Roth-Sauer. S# B808. Bbl. 4". Designed by Karel Krnka and financially backed by George Roth, only a few thousand Roth-Sauer Model 1905 semi-automatic pistols were produced before production ended, with the 1905's successor, the Roth-Steyr Model 1907, finding greater success just a couple of years later. This example is marked "PATENT/ ROTH" over the chamber, with J.P. Sauer & Sohn's "wild man with a club" logo marked behind the rear sight. The bbl. rib does not bear J.P. Sauer's & Sohn's mfg. information, as is standard, and instead is retailer-marked "R. MULLER, CAPE-TOWN". Bolt and left side of the frame exhibit a double crown over "U" commercial proof. Butt is stamped with the full S# "B808". Metal components exhibit a blue finish overall, with the bolt assembly, bbl., and trigger remaining in white. Frame is mounted with 2-piece checkered hard rubber grips that are embossed with the J.P. Sauer & Sohn logo at the center of the panels. All numbers are matching and include the frame (exterior and interior), sideplate, bolt assembly, bbl., bbl. extension, both halves of the bbl. nut, bolt catch button, and internal mag. housing, with the grips matching via an extremely faintly inscribed "808" on the interior of the panels. CONDITION: metal components retain the majority of their original factory blue finish, exhibiting scattered handling marks, some small areas of mild wear, and losses to the finish on the top of the bbl. and right side of frame. In-the-white components exhibit scattered spots of age-related discoloration, but otherwise are very good overall. Very bright bore, exhibiting light pitting and good rifling throughout. Grips show some minor marks and small chips from handling and storage, but otherwise are very good overall. A nice example of an already seldom-seen Roth-Sauer Model 1905 semi-automatic pistol with a rare retailer mark. PROVENANCE: the collection of Curtis H. Halvorson. (23-5855/MLW). CURIO. $2,000-3,000.