Imperial Russian Aviator’s Albums coming for auction at Christie’s

[Aerobuff]

Hello Folks,
Go to Christie’s and search:

Sale 2434, Russian Art, 13 April 2011
Lot 266: A Group of Photograph Albums of Aviation Interest


Lot Description
A Group of Photograph Albums of Aviation Interest
Russia, circa 1915
Comprising three albums relating to the Russian air force during World War I, including photographs of airplanes, pilots, aerial reconnaisance and Ensign Harold Porte and his family, a few with handwritten inscriptions, together with Ensign Porte's membership booklet from the Imperial All-Russian Aero-Club
The largest 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm.) long (4)


Looks like a very interesting grouping, I wish they had more photos posted.

If you look at the first photo, of the album to the right, top row, it looks a M1895 or M1904 Colt-Browning Machine Gun (also know as the “potato digger” do to its swing piston action) mounted on the top wing, a rather unusual firearm to have mounted on an aircraft.

[Aerobuff]

To see this type of gun in action go to YouTube and search:

Tales of the Gun - Early Machine Guns 3/3

And go to 2:36 minutes. I wonder if the air resistance slowed the rate of fire any? It already had a relatively slow rate of fire of about 400rpm (rounds per minute).

I am thinking that the one in the photo might be an M/95-14, which was manufactured specifically for the Russians, in the caliber of 7.62x54R, the standard round of the Russian army at that time. During the Second World War the Finnish military recorded, that some 2nd line Soviet units were still using these machineguns!

[Aerobuff]

Here is a link for the auction results: A Group of Photograph Albums of Aviation Interest | RUSSIA, CIRCA 1915 | Russian Works of Art & Fabergé Auction</li> | Photographs, Russia | Christie's

Estimate was: $1,500 - $2,500
Price Realized: $8,125

[Varese2002]

Thanks Aerobuff for hinting at this auction. It is always interesting to see what is auctioned and what the prices are, which are certainly not bad for the seller The buyer of the lot will be very careful with his expensive new buy, so sure he will not rip the albums apart to sell the picture separately against high prices.

Kees

[Aerobuff]

I am glad to hear that.