3547

Rare Nazi Experimental/Prototype, Gustloff-Werke Semi-Automatic Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Rare Nazi Experimental/Prototype, Gustloff-Werke Semi-Automatic Pistol
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.

Estimate: $8500 - 13000
This is a excellent example of a super rare Gustloff-Werke experimental/prototype double-action semi-automatic pocket pistol as developed in 1939. Development of the pistol was promoted by Fritz Sauckel, Gauleiter of Thuringia and founder of Gustloff-Werke. The historical background on this rare pistol is that in January 1940 a prototype pistol was submitted to Adolf Hitler with the suggestion that it be adopted for use by the various police agencies, with production being at the old Weimar factory using slave labor from the nearby Buchenwald Concentration Camp. However, due to the outbreak of WWII and large numbers of both Walther PP and PPKs pistol already in use throughout the German military, no order ever materialized. Consequently, no production progressed beyond the experimental stage of development. It is estimated that fewer than 100 of these rare prototype pistols were ever manufactured, with this specific pistol being number "unnumbered" on the butt of the grip with the accompanying magazine being serial numbered "02", which may indicate that this example was the second model actually produced. The pistol has an all blue completely unmarked slide that has a raised serrated sight rib with a blade front sight and drift adjustable rear sight. The duraluminum frame is also void of any factory finish, still retaining it's original dull aluminum-gray color, certainly both are indications that this was a very early preproduction or prototype pistol. The pistol has an all blue unmarked or proof barrel. These pistols utilized a simple blow-back operation with a steel slide similar in shape to the Walther PP models albeit with a completely internal hammer design (enclosed rear end of the slide) combined with an all duraluminum frame similar to the Sauer Mod. 38 pistol. The pistol has sliding safety on the left side of the frame and frame-mounted magazine release. Two unique aspects of this rare pistol are that is has a two-piece frame with the front portion being a steel triggerguard that slides onto the front of the duraluminum frame and the other is that the safety and mainspring mechanism is actually inset in a simple steel stamped frame that is mounted on the back side of the left grip. Both concepts would certainly have increased production dramatically. It is fitted with a set of checkered walnut grips with a the lower-half of each grip panel being checkered with a large circled "G" on the lower left side. This pistol is accompanied by a simple post-war black leather flap holster with holster.
BBL: 4 inch round
Stock:
Gauge: 7.65 mm auto
Finish: blue/aluminum
Grips: walnut checkered
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very fine with 97% of the original blue finish still remaining on the slide and trigger guard with the duraluminum frame still retaining it's original correct unfinished gray-color as noted above. The grips are excellent with very nice checkering on both sides and minimal handling marks, with a small chip on the left upper corner of the grip panel, that could be easily repaired. Certainly a very rare and unique early preproduction/prototype Gustloff pistol.