Scarce C.G. Haenel Roth-Krnka 1899 Semi-Auto Rifle (R31095)

This is one of the earliest semi-auto rifles. A picture of one is in Jaroslav Lug's "Firearms Past and Present", Volume 2, figure 848. The left side of the receiver on this intersting Haenel Roth-Krnka semi-auto rifle is marked C.G. Haenel, Suhl over System Roth D.R. Patent No 116061 & 118602. This fine sporting rifle's operating system was developed in the late 1800s by Karel Krnka (the son of Sylvester Krnka, known for the Russian Krnka breech loading system). Karel, an Austian Army officer and engineer, worked at both the Gatling Works in Birmingham and G. Roth's firm in Austria. Much like the Remington Model 8 rifle, this rifle has a long recoil action with the bolt and barrel reciprocating in the receiver and action housing. The non-reciprocating charging handle is located on the left. An internal magazine loaded via a quick release floorplate feeds cartridges to the action. The 22" barrel is sleeved with a recoil spring surrounding it. The bore is excellent. It is reproted to be chambered for the German 8X45mm cartridge. This rifle has a bead front sight, a single leaf folding rear sight, and a Lyman tang sight mounted at the rear of the receiver. The bolt has two German commercial crown over N proof marks and is numbered 30, probably this gun's serial number. The gun has approx. 95% blue with a few areas of fading. The toggle safety is mounted on the upper tang. The sporting pistol grip stock with cheekpiece and checkering is fine with light wear.. It has a horn forearm tip, grip cap, and buttgplate, both of which are very good with minor age cracks. The trigger guard and floorplate are decorated wtih fine scroll engraving. It is equipped with two sling swivels. The action functions correctly. This fine sporting rifle sold for $150 (about $5,000 today) in the early 1900s. This was at the time most fine sporting rifles were selling for $40 to $50. Consequentally, very few were made. The Roth Haenel Model 1899 semi-auto rifle may well be the first commercial semi-auto rifle. If you collect early semi-auto rifles, don't miss this fine example.