Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3421

Lot 3421:U.S. Navy Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device

May 21st, 2023|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 3421

Lot 3421:U.S. Navy Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device

May 21st, 2023|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$5,500 - $8,500
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

U.S. Navy Sedgley Mark Two "Fist Gun" Hand Firing Device

Originally patented in 1944 by Stanley M. Haight, the Sedgley Fist Gun, also known by the nomenclature "Hand Firing Mechanism Mark 2", has been the subject of great speculation and a certain amount of fantasy about its intended purpose and end users; some sources describe it as an assassination weapon or attribute it to the Office of Strategic Services (to the point of actually being listed as "OSS Glove Pistol" in the ATF's Curio & Relic List), and in fiction they were featured in the film "Inglorious Basterds" (sic) being used by two of the titular commandos to eliminate a pair of Nazi sentries during their attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Per the original patent, Haight's pistol was designed with the regular soldier in mind first and foremost. Citing the prevalence of sneak attacks and hand to hand combat in warfare, Haight designed a weapon that could be ready and at hand at all waking hours, so even if a soldier was caught unaware or while separated from his regular service weapon, he could simply ball up his fist and make a good, loud response. Additionally, the original patent points out that any concealability was secondary to speed of deployment, actively distancing the Fist Gun from previously designed ''sneak'' weapons, and aside from using subsonic loads, there is no on-board provision for noise reduction. Documentation of actual use in the field is virtually non-existent, though the Sedgley has been reported in/on the hands of WWII U.S. Navy Construction Battalion (Seabee) men operating heavy equipment like boats or tractors. The weapon is of blued steel construction and mounted to a curved steel plate, which bears the Sedgley nomenclature. For firing, a plunger mechanism runs forward, parallel to the barrel, with a round button about 3/4 inch ahead of the muzzle; making a fist takes the fingers out of the way and exposes the plunger, which you then jam into your would-be ambusher's nearest body part, promptly discharging the 38 caliber round at near-contact distance. After discharge, the soldier could either manually eject the empty shell and reload, or keep hitting the enemy with the over one pound steel blunt instrument strapped to their hand. This particular example is not fitted to a glove.

ConditionFine, with 50% of the original blue finish, showing numerous scattered patches of brown and gray oxidization, patches of pitting, and some dents on the plunger assembly and muzzle (the muzzle dent does not appear to affect the bore). The plunger is a bit stiff and the safety needs adjustment, otherwise mechanically fine.
Details
ManufacturerSedgley
ModelMark II
TypePistol
ClassCurio & Relic Handgun
Caliber / Gauge38
Barrel2 3/4 inch round
Finishblue

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views2590
Catalog page248
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 229U.S. Navy Remington Jenks "Mule Ear" Carbine with Maynard Primer
View Lot
Lot 3304U.S. Navy Remington Jenks "Mule Ear" Carbine Maynard Primer
View Lot
Lot 513Etched U.S. Navy Officer's Sword with Scabbard
View Lot
Lot 527U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 Mark I Bolt Action Rifle
View Lot
Show More