SOLD
19,000.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2010 Sep 11 @ 16:18UTC-5 : EST/CDT
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This is an excellent example of a very unique and rare WWII Nazi escape device in the form of a four barrel Nazi Belt Buckle firing pistol. It is theorized that this device was developed as some kind of a last ditch escape device that would be used by high ranking SS, Army officers or Nazi party members to evade capture by the Americans or Russians. The original design was the product of inventor Louis Marquis, who supposedly came up with the idea for this design while interned in a WWI POW camp. As an engineer and inventor, Marquis refined his original design after his release and in 1943 reportedly received an order to make examples for Himmler's SS. The front of the belt buckle has a large gold washed aluminum Nazi Army eagle affixed to it. Normally these eagles are the natural aluminum silver color. This is the first Nazi gold eagle the writer has seen on one of these buckles. According to page 31 of "Inside The Third Reich Memoirs" by Albert Speer, Hitler was the only member of the Nazi Party to wear the gold "badge of sovereignty", the eagle with the swastika in its talons. Everyone else wore the round party badge. The device operates by depressing a small lever on the right underside of the device which allows the belt buckle cover to spring open. Then the firer depress two levers at the right end of the belt buckle which allows the four-steel integral barrels (numbered 2 on the underside) to spring out into the fully cocked position. Firing is easily accomplished by just depressing one of four levers on the right side of the buckle to fire each barrel individually. Fairly simple device in operation with a very complicated design to manufacture. It is accompanied by a "Certificate of Authenticity" dated July 2005, from John Gangel stating that this specific belt buckle pistol was originally owned by Sidney Aberman, an early collector of extraordinarily unique and one of a kind firearms and weapons, and more recently in the collection of Dr. Jack Strassman of Altoona PA, another well known east coast collector. The example is chambered in 7,65mm auto caliber (normally found in 22 caliber), and is marked on the back; "D.R.P./ angem./7,65". Regardless of how plausible the theory on the use of this device is, it is still a very unique and rare WWII item.
BBL: 1 3/4 inch four barrel group
Stock:
Gauge: 7.65 mm auto
Finish:
Grips:
Serial Number: 2
Condition: Excellent overall with most of the metal surfaces still in the original unpolished "in the white" condition, with 90% of the blued front cover still remaining. It functions fine. A very unique and desirable WWII collectable.
Auction Location:
4507 49th Avenue, Moline, Illinois, 62165, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview: Open to the public Thursday, September 9th from 10 AM to 6 PM and Friday, September 10th from 8 AM to 10 AM.
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
19.5% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Please contact the auction house for the preferred shipper’s contact information
Payment Details:
Payment Information: Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO ALL BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency or certified check drawn on an American bank. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer's hammer. Buyer’s Premium: All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser of 19.5% of the bid price. There is a 2.5% discount for payment with cash, approved check or wire transfer. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes before any lot may be transferred. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All items purchased by absentee bidders must be paid for in full immediately upon notification.
1. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE. The following conditions of sale make up the entire terms and conditions on which items listed in our catalog and addendum sheets will be offered for sale or sold by Rock Island Auction Company (known hereafter as "RIAC") and any client for whom we act as an agent. Any notices, posted or oral during the sale, are also part of our condition of sale agreement. These are the conditions of the sale. Acceptance of a bidder card or a bidder number constitutes acceptance of the following terms and conditions. The purchaser's rights and our respective rights and obligations hereunder are governed by Illinois law. By bidding at our auction whether in person or by agent, sealed bid, telephone bid or other means, the buyer or bidder agrees that the contract created by these conditions of sale is made and performed in the County of Rock Island, State of Illinois and further agrees that should any dispute arise from this contract the jurisdiction for contractual disputes is Rock Island County.
2. BUYER'S PREMIUM AND SALES TAX. All bid prices “hammer prices” (means the price at which a lot is knocked down to the purchaser) will be subject to a buyer’s premium 17.5% payable by the purchaser. The buyer’s premium shall be reduced to 15% provided the payment is paid by cash or the equivalent of cash (cashier’s check, wire transfer, or approved personal check). If the account is settled by credit card, the buyer’s premium then shall be the standard 17.5%. This is not an aggregate percentage on the total items bid rather a per item percentage rate. The premium is added to your successful bid and the two together equal the total purchase price. Some items are exempt from Illinois sales tax and others may be subject to Illinois sales tax or local sales tax. The tax is computed on the total purchase price. To establish a tax free sale, a copy of a valid reseller's permit or other instrument of information must be provided to our satisfaction establishing a sales tax exemption. Any purchaser claiming an exemption yet unable to provide proof will be required to pay the tax to us and seek a refund from the State of Illinois. Generally, all items shipped out of state are tax free sales. We have been authorized by the consignor to retain as part of our remuneration, the buyer’s premium payable by the purchaser.
3. METHOD OF PAYMENT. Auction sales are strictly for cash, cashier’s check or checks (with prior approval of the management), MasterCard, Visa or Discover. NOTE TO FOREIGN BUYERS: Method of payment will be U.S. currency, certified check drawn on an American bank or wire transfer.
4. TERMS OF PAYMENT. At the announcement of “SOLD”, the highest bidder will have purchased the offered lot. All sales are final at the fall of the Auctioneer’s hammer or at the announcement of "sold". This purchase is subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein. The purchaser assumes full responsibility thereof and if requested will sign a confirmation of the purchase. The purchaser further agrees to pay the purchase price, buyer’s premium and any applicable taxes. All items purchased by successful bidders must be paid for in full the day of sale. All property must be removed from our premises at the purchaser’s expense no later than 5:00 p.m. five days following the date of sale unless otherwise agreed. If the property is not removed, it may be transferred to a public warehouse for the purchaser at the purchaser’s risk and expense.
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