Normandy Tank Museum Auction

[Ian Johns]

I wasn't sure if anyone saw this, shame.

http://argunners.com/normandy-tank-m...re-collection/

Catalogue
http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/sear...ale_no=3114+++

[David Dunlop]

Just spotted this news item a few moments ago.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/09/16/news...ion/index.html

David

[Michael R.]

1. In addition of the lot’s hammer price, the buyer must pay the different stages of following costs and fees/taxes:
1) Lots from the EU:
• From 1 to 50 000 €: 25% + current VAT.
• From 50 001 to 1 200 000 €: 20% + current VAT.
• Over 1 200 001 €: 12% + current VAT.

Lot 95 1944 CHRYSLER M4 SHERMAN " 105 "
N°: 56934
Certificat de neutralisation catégorie 8 n°137705, daté 25.07.06
Crew : 5 men
Engine: C-4 Continental 9 cylinder radial
Weight : about 32 tons
History: The 105 mm caliber M4 Sherman is one of the rarest versions as Chrysler only made 800 of them during World War II. There are very few left in the world.

Origin and condition:
Bought and restored in 2003, this "105" M4 is a unique piece. It is the 11th of only 800 made. The restoration was done by Nerrant family and the result is simply staggering. The 9 cylinder Continental radial engine is new and the engine compartment was restored and reassembled in factory-like conditions. The Sherman's interior and turret were totally reconditioned in their original configuration, and not one storage rack is missing. The attention to detail was extreme, as all of the accessories are present. Because of the considerable difficulty to find certain parts nowadays, a similar restoration would be extremely hard to undergo. This tank has taken part in numerous commemoration events such as the D-Day's 70th anniversary, the Liberation of Paris, Cannes, Nice and also that of the Czech city of Pilzen. This M4 is in running condition and is quite pleasing to use and drive.

Description:
Like the collection's M3 Scout Car, this "105" M4 bears the markings of General Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division. It is nicknamed "the Moskowa" in the colors of 501st tank regiment which took part in the Liberation of Paris on August 25th 1944. Future French celebrities such as Moncorgé, later known as Jean Gabin, but also Jean Marais served in this famous division.

Technical annex:
Tank hoisting cable, shovel, axe, pickaxe, hand-crank engine starter, large tank camouflage netting, one gasoline jerrican, three US packaging bags, one 105 mm howitzer ammunition wooden crate, antenna transport cover, and special tightening wrench for the tank's tracks.

Estimation 200 000 - 400 000 € SOLD 239 000 plus 20% (EUR 286,800) plus Value Added Taxes.

[Michael R.]

1. In addition of the lot’s hammer price, the buyer must pay the different stages of following costs and fees/taxes:
1) Lots from the EU:
• From 1 to 50 000 €: 25% + current VAT.
• From 50 001 to 1 200 000 €: 20% + current VAT.
• Over 1 200 001 €: 12% + current VAT.

Lot 46 1944 CHRYSLER M4A4 SHERMAN
Hull #18688 –
Deactivation certificate # 178578, 07.04.15 calibre: 75 mm
Motor: Ford GAA V8
Crew: 5 men
Weight: about 32 tons

History:
When the M3 middle-sized tank's design was completed in March 1941, the US Army's engineers immediately started working on its successor: the M4. The plan was to come up with a fully rotating turret equipped with a 75 mm M3 canon, without modifying the tank's engine or driving system. The new tank's prototype, called T6, was made thanks to a special type of mold. However, in order to simplify its production, the later models' chassis were welded together instead of the molded design. The prototype was sent to the Aberdeen test track in September 1941. Its production was given the highest priority. So much so, that the M3's production immediately ceased as soon as the M4's had started. From the start of the project till the first deliveries, only 13 months had passed. The M4 is considered to be one the greatest industrial successes of all time. Its production went on till April 1945. The M4 is undoubtedly the most famous world war two Allied tank. It is the most produced American tank in world war two, with close to 50 000 units produced (all versions included). Its nickname "Sherman" was given by the English when they got delivery of their first units through the Lend Lease agreement. The US Army quickly adopted this nickname, as the Medium M4 Tank is dubbed "M4 Sherman".

Origin and condition:
This Sherman recently joined the collection and was completely restored at the museum's workshop. The restoration was done following very strict rules and is in running condition. It is powered by a powerful GAA Ford V8 which develops 500 hp. The engine is as new and is certainly the best in terms of torque, flexibility and reliability. The turret, equipped with a 75 mm canon, was restored with as many original parts and accessories as possible: microphone, gourds, fire extinguisher, decontaminator, radio and cover, spare 50 cal. canon, TI flashlight, intercommunication set, scope, etc. The iron combat tracks are in very good condition. This restoration is well accomplished and makes this M4 a great machine in usage and demonstration.


Description:
The M4A4 bears the colors of the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels". A historical reference to the famous American Armored Division which took part in the Cobra operation in July 1944 under the command of General Patton and Bradley. This battle was one the most important in the Battle of Normandy as it allowed to break through the front and liberate western France all the way to Paris.
This Sherman is in the same exact configuration as the tanks engaged during the summer of 1944. Notice there are no unnecessary markings on the tank, so that it would go unnoticed. The tanks' breakthrough the Normand "bocage" will be the theatre of devastating tank battles.

The tank's exterior equipment is resumed to bear minimum, as the crew's personal belongings are safely stored in the back of the vehicle. The frontal glacis' contains a spare wheel but also an additional shielding. The complementary water jerricans and canvas buckets were used by the crew to wash out the unrelenting waves of dust from their hands in faces. The crew is equipped with goggle glasses and the 30 cal. coaxial machinegun on the turret replaced the heavy 50 cal. since it was more convenient in the Normand "bocage" and during close combat. The camouflage net is essential when stopping for a rest in order to cover up the tank and make it invisible to Luftwaffe bombers.

Technical annex:
Turret searchlight, shovel, axe, pickaxe, hoisting cable, mallet, special wrench designed to tighten the tracks. Diverse equipment including: two water jerricans, three 50 cal. ammunition boxes, one gasoline jerrican, one water bucket, a large mesh camouflage netting, two US packing bags, M4 quick start cable. Turret armament includes a 30 cal. machinegun and cradle (copies), two M18 episcopes and a coaxial machinegun tube.

Estimation 250 000 - 400 000 € SOLD 280 000 plus 20% (EUR 336,000) plus Value Added Taxes . . . currently 20% in France.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Note that the M4A4 is not fitted with the Chrysler A57 Multibank engine it would have had during WW2. When being restored, it was fitted with a Ford GAA V8 engine as normally fitted to the M4A3 variant.

[Tim Bell]

All prices here...

https://artcurial.infinitebidding.co...ref=KJCJLD9OTO

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

All prices here...

https://artcurial.infinitebidding.co...ref=KJCJLD9OTO

For the record:

M4A4 s/n 18688: €280,000
Estimate: €250,000 - €400,000
(Note: fitted with Ford GAA V8 engine)




M4(105) s/n 56934: €239,000
Estimate: €200,000 - €400,000




M7B1 s/n 4393: €200,000
Estimate: €100,000 - €180,000

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

All prices here...

https://artcurial.infinitebidding.co...ref=KJCJLD9OTO

One thing I heard is that one of the bidders who bought a lot of the items for a lot of money from the museum thought all of the kit had actual 6th of June 1944 provenance.....