Morphy Auctions is one of the largest American auction houses and every year hosts multiple firearms auctions. Among these auctions, the most prominent ones in terms of the amount and significance of consigned lots are the Morphy Extraordinary Firearms Auctions. Browsing the catalogs of these auctions you can find a huge variety of rare, unique and historically significant guns – from old muzzleloading firearms to modern machine guns and everything in between. We browsed the online catalog of the upcoming October 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms Auction and found some of the most interesting lots related to the MENA region.
While the catalog of the mentioned auction has many more lots from Silah Report’s regions of interest we picked the six most interesting ones. I highly recommend you browsing the catalog yourself and I assure you that you’ll find many more interesting firearms. Our list below goes in no particular order. It includes the lot names, most interesting images and the auction house’s description. The lot names are also linked to the corresponding Morphy Auction pages where you can find more images of the firearms as well as the descriptions of their condition and legal status in case if you are interested in placing a bid.
Lebanese F.S.I. Roll Marked Colt M16A1
“This lovely high condition Colt M16A1 has a Lebanese Cedar Tree roll marked on the left side of receiver, over “F.S.I / M16A1 / CAL. 5.56MM / FSI000002″. F.S.I. probably referring to the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (French: Forces de Securite Interieure), and research indicates that the Internal Security Forces are occasionally referred to as F.S.I. Standard A2 style configuration with ribbed polymer handguard, carry handle adjustable rear sight, A2 grip, A2 buttstock with fixed swivel and butt trap. Lower with shelf. Birdcage flash hider. This rifle is accompanied by what appears to be the original shipping box as it fits the rifle and accessories correctly, but does not have writing on it. Accessories comprise a sealed cleaning brush, sealed cloth accessory case, empty plastic oil bottle, sealed black nylon sling, sealed 30 round magazine, sealed cleaning rods, and manual.”
The final price is not available.
Fabrique Nationale (FN) Manufactured UZI Submachine Gun
“This very gun is featured in “Silencer’s of the World” in detail. Although NFA electronic registry indicates “Israeli Military Industries” as the manufacturer, this gun is clearly marked with original factory manufacturer’s marking on left side of receiver, “FABRIQUE NATIONALE D’ARMES DE GUERRE_HERSTAL BELGIQUE. Visible numbers are all matching including receiver, top cover, and pistol grip assembly with selector marked “A,R,S”. One can also see “SIONICS USA” lightly engraved on left side of top cover. One magazine included with this gun as well as a Military Armament Corporation M-10 suppressor with cloth cover. These items will incur two separate transfer taxes if transferred on ATF Form 4’s.”
Sold for $23,370
Turkish Contract 8mm Vickers Machine Gun
“This is a rare Turkish contract Vickers machine gun professionally remanufactured on a VSM Cincinnati side plate. This gun was originally built for the Turkish government in the 1920’s. Turkey was allied with Germany during World War I and had large stocks of 7.92 (8mm) Mauser ammunition on hand as well as a significant number of Maxim guns. Following World War I, Britain was successful at negotiating better relations with Turkey including military aid which included Turkey receiving Vickers guns. The Turks insisted the guns be provided in 7.92mm as they had millions of rounds in this caliber. Additionally, they required their own model tripod with “soup plate” traversing dial, AA extension, antiaircraft spider sights, and a rear “flag” folding rear sight. These guns also sported the early “flat nose” muzzle booster and smooth water jacket. This gun incorporates all of these features and also includes a mounting bracket and 08/15 drum and also a Turkish 8mm aluminum belt. A reproduction water jacket cover is also included.”
Sold for $15,990
Turkish Contract Conehammer Mauser C96 Pistol
“Dated 1314 in the Islamic calendar, translating to 1896 in the traditional Western Gregorian calendar. A superb and essentially untouched specimen with all proper markings. Serial number 371. Sight graduated in Farsi. Floorplate and follower numbered 377 and mismatched numbers are not uncommon in military pistols. Grips numbered 371. Gun has the tughra of Sultan Abdul-Hamid II. Additionally, this ultra rarity bears IRS3833B from the days when shoulder stock pistols had to be registered with the federal government.”
Sold for $8,820
Egyptian Maadi Arm Select Fire Rifle Imported to the USA by Steyr
“Matching “0856” serial numbers can be found on bolt assembly, bolt carrier, and electropencilled on recoil spring and receiver cover to match serial number of gun. Import marked on right side of receiver for Steyr. Rear sight correctly graduated out to 1000 meters instead of 800, correct reinforced stock, and cleaning kit in butt trap. Rear sight block with Maadi logo on left side, and the “Pharaoh’s Crown” on right. Ancillary parts are correctly parkerized. Very rare “Made in Egypt” commercial magazine.”
Sold for $29,520
7 Pound Rifled Cannon Bearing The Royal Arms Of Afghanistan And Farsi Inscription
“This well forged steel rifled cannon is similar to the British muzzle loading mounting cannon. This cannon was cast, likely in Kabul, and bears the deeply engraved Afghani National Arms. The tube is 40″ including cascabel. The 3″ bore has three small grooves and three large lands. Middle Eastern cannons from this period are rarely encountered in America or Europe as most were melted and reused. Cannon comes on a wooden naval type carriage with mounts. Quite possibly the only cannon of its type in the United States and thus a rare opportunity to purchase such a historic cannon, considering the Afghan War is the longest war in American history.”
Sold for $3,075
I hope you enjoyed this list of six unique MENA related firearms seen in the upcoming Morphy Auction’s catalog. Morphy October 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms Auction will take place on October 22 and 23. Once the auction ends, we’ll update this article with the prices that each of the lots was sold at.
Images courtesy of Morphy Auctions, www.morphyauctions.com