Handguns from Outer Space: Rare Pistols Made from Meteorite Are Headed for Auction

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 23, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A set of 1911 pistols made from a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite are being offered at auction by Heritage Auctions this July at an opening bid of $550,000 each. The oldest meteorite in the world has been machined into the most famous pistol on earth, a Meteorite 1911. It is truly a work of art and a collector's dream.

According to Heritage Auctions, the world's largest collectibles auctioneer, this rare set of pistols raises the limits of what can be accomplished in the field of gun design to a cosmic level.
These one-of-a-kind meteorite handguns are made from the Swedish Muonionalusta Meteorite which renders them very rare and in high demand. The set of 1911 pistols offered by Heritage are fully operational and have been test fired by Lou Biondo of Business End Customs, considered to be one of the finest 1911 gunsmiths in the world by industry experts. A set like this has never been sold previously and successful bidders can be certain they will be the first private owners of the guns.

Heritage Auctions describes the offering in greater detail at https://fineart.ha.com/itm/meteorites/irons/model-1911-meteorite-pistol-set-iron-ivanorthern-sweden-67-48-n-23-6-e-found-/p/5438-36001.s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1E0Z5P6lAg

Heritage Auctions describes the offering in greater detail at https://fineart.ha.com/itm/meteorites/irons/model-1911-meteorite-pistol-set-iron-ivanorthern-sweden-67-48-n-23-6-e-found-/p/5438-36001.s

Here is an excerpt from their description:

This offering is literally a true 'one-of-a-kind' and represents an incredible combination of meteorite and firearms. Presented here is a set of two Model 1911 type pistols made from the Muonionalusta Meteorite which fell in Sweden. Both right-handed guns, one is a GI Model, and the other is a Custom Model. Both pistols were made by noted gunsmith Lou Biondo of Business End Customs, and each gun has test fired 35 rounds. It is not recommended that these incomparable pistols be an everyday sidearm or be used regularly as the metallic content was not designed for such a use, but these are working guns that fire .45 caliber bullets. The Muonionalusta Meteorite was first discovered in Sweden in 1906 but likely fell about 1 million years ago and is thought to be one of the oldest meteorites dating to some 4.5 billion years. The world-famous Iron features an amazing Widmanstätten pattern when etched that makes the pistols so visually striking. Obviously, a significant amount of meteorite was required as the "raw material" for this cool enterprise. Modeled after the famous Colt 1911 Pistol, originally designed by the legend John Browning, the M1911 became the standard issue sidearm of the United States Military from 1911 until 1968. The world's most respected handgun is considered by many to be the finest service pistol of all time. The history of its role as a combat pistol in conflicts throughout the decades is unparalleled. This is a gun for the ages, and this set made of meteorite is ageless. The pistols are presented in Blaze Display Cases for security and safety. The GI version has a standard slide grip safety, and the Custom version features a beaver-tail grip safety. These Meteorite Pistols represent the first time such an item has been offered at auction or will be sold.

A video of the meteorite pistols can be found by clicking on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1E0Z5P6lAg

For all media inquiries please contact:
Martin Grossman
CEO
The Grossman Group
[email protected]
503.975.9337

For further information contact:

David Sherman
CEO
Meteorite Arms
[email protected]

Craig Kissick
Heritage Auctions
[email protected]
877.437.4824, ext.1995

Lou Biondo
Gunsmith
Business End Customs
[email protected]

SOURCE Heritage Auctions