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FMG Publications Sponsors Auction To Benefit First Shots

SCAR 17S rifle in .308, donated by FNH-USA

FMG Publications

San Diego, Calif. --(Ammoland.com)- FMG Publications is sponsoring an auction on GunBroker.com to support NSSF’s First Shots program.

The auction, to be held July 2-July 23, is part of FMG’s Shooting Industry Masters shooting competition.

“We’re excited to take support for First Shots to the next level,” said Randy Molde, Masters chairman. “Partnering with Gunbroker.com makes it possible to promote these incredible auction opportunities to their millions of online visitors. We appreciate what Gunbroker.com is doing to support and build the future of our industry.”

The auction on GunBroker.com will feature a SCAR 17S rifle in .308, donated by FNH-USA; a customized Springfield Armory XD Tactical in .40 S&W, donated by Cylinder & Slide Shop; and a Ranger Break-Top in .22 Magnum, donated by North American Arms.

“These companies really stepped up to the plate to help us, and help the NSSF’s First Shots program by donating these great firearms,” said Roy Huntington, publisher and editor of American Handgunner magazine, who worked with the companies to obtain the donated firearms.

The firearms will be highlighted on GunBroker.com as part of the Treasures & Traditions Charity Auctions, which alternates with other charity auctions on the home page.

This year’s Shooting Industry Masters will be held at the Rockcastle Shooting Center, Park Mammoth Resort, in Park City, Ky., July 22-23. Those taking part in the event will be able to place their last-minute bids for the firearms at an onsite GunBroker.com bidding station. Bidding will close at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time July 23.

Each year, FMG conducts a major raffle during the Masters to raise money for NSSF’s First Shots program. This year, in addition to the raffle, money will be raised at the event’s 10 side matches and through the GunBroker.com auction.

The Masters has raised over $57,000 for First Shots in two years. In all, the Masters has raised nearly $112,000 to support NSSF programs.

Bob Delfay, president of the Hunting Heritage Trust and the Treasures & Traditions program, is assisting FMG Publications in this auction.

Customized Springfield Armory XD Tactical in .40 S&W, donated by Cylinder & Slide Shop

Ranger Break-Top in .22 Magnum, donated by North American Arms

For more information on the Shooting Industry Masters, visit www.shootingindustry.com.

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Rare Pistol Owned by Howard Hughes and Used in Epic “Hell’s Angels” To be Auctioned
By Pete R Suciu

Howard Hughes Hell’s Angels Luger Pistol to be Auctioned

FirearmsTruth.com

Michigan --(Ammoland.com)- A rare German Luger pistol once owned by aviation pioneer Howard Hughes could reach new heights when it goes up for auction in Solana Beach, Calif. on September 1, 2011 from Craig Gottlieb Militaria Auctions.

The iconic handgun was used in the 1930 epic World War I film Hell’s Angels, which Hughes directed.

The gun was used in the final scene of the Hollywood blockbuster that introduced actress Jean Harlow to the silver screen. It was one of the most expensive “talkies” ever produced. It was also notable for introducing the phrase “excuse me while I put on something more comfortable” into the American lexicon.

The history of the gun is also unique. It was once owned by Hell’s Angels screenwriter Joseph March, who received the Luger from Hughes as a gift. The written provenance that comes with the Luger is thus excellent. Included with this famous gun is a letter from the screenwriter’s family, including the family member who sold it to a collector in 1992. But, the most compelling provenance is the movie itself.

“When you play back the scene frame-by-frame, you can easily make out the unique features of this rare model Luger,” says Gottlieb, noting the slender barrel, unique grip safety and the shape of the other features, which are unique to this rare pistol. “If Hughes had used a regular Luger, we would never know if this was really the same gun.”

The letter that accompanies the Luger states that Hughes gave it to March in the 1930s “as a token of appreciation following the film.”

Gottlieb places a conservative estimate of $50,000 on the gun, and notes that a pistol owned by gangster Al Capone recently sold for almost $110,000 at auction in London. He is no stranger to exotic collectibles, and he recently obtained the desk set that was used by Adolf Hitler to sign the Munich Agreement in 1938, and this set will also be up for auction in September.

Now we’ll see if the sky is the limit for the Luger.

Peter Suciu is executive editor of FirearmsTruth.com, a website that tracks and monitors media bias against guns and our Second Amendment rights. Visit: FirearmsTruth.com

Also be sure and read Peter’s newest book “America’s Road to Fascism: From the Progressives to the Era of Hope and Change“

Filed under: Gun Gear by Ammoland 2 Comments »