Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Auction Company is pleased to present this DESIRABLE semi-automatic pistol today for a penny-start auction; this is the AMT (Arcadia Machine & Tool) Auto Mag Model 280!
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AMT, the manufacturer of Auto Mags, made the two final lots of the guns. The "C" series, the first of these two lots, was almost identical to the "B" series, except that only 50 units were produced. The "B" series was manufactured in 1979. The serial numbers of the "C" series were in the format of C00001-C00050, with the series being produced in 1979. The "Last" series was manufactured in 1982.
This particular firearm is part of the series designated as the "C" series, and it is identified by the serial number C00028. This serial number is significant because it indicates that this gun is the 28th example produced out of 50 guns that were manufactured in this specific series!
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: AMT (Arcadia Machine & Tool)
Model: Auto Mag Model 280
Serial: C00028
Date of Manufacture: 1979
Caliber: .44 AMP
Finish: Stainless
Barrel Length: 6.5" Vent Ribbed Barrel
Optics/Sights: Integral Ramp Front with Behlert Adjustable White Outline Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Polymer
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with the AMT logo and "AUTO MAG / .44 AMP MODEL 280 / EL MONTE, CALIF. / PATENTED." The right side of the slide is marked "MADE IN U.S.A."
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Auto Mag Corporation designed the .44 Auto Mag pistol between 1966 and 1971. It is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .44 AMP. In 1970, the president of Auto Mag Corporation, Harry Sanford, established a factory in Pasadena, California. The first pistol was shipped on August 8, 1971, but the company declared bankruptcy on May 3, 1972, after making fewer than 3,000 pistols. The company underwent several name changes, including TDE (Trade Deed Estates), OMC, Thomas Oil Company, High Standard, and AMT (Arcadia Machine & Tool). It opened and closed several times between 1973 and 1982.
Model: Auto Mag Model 280
Serial: C00028
Date of Manufacture: 1979
Caliber: .44 AMP
Finish: Stainless
Barrel Length: 6.5" Vent Ribbed Barrel
Optics/Sights: Integral Ramp Front with Behlert Adjustable White Outline Rear
Stock/Grips: Black Checkered Polymer
Action: Semi-Automatic
Markings: The left side of the slide is marked with the AMT logo and "AUTO MAG / .44 AMP MODEL 280 / EL MONTE, CALIF. / PATENTED." The right side of the slide is marked "MADE IN U.S.A."
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Auto Mag Corporation designed the .44 Auto Mag pistol between 1966 and 1971. It is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .44 AMP. In 1970, the president of Auto Mag Corporation, Harry Sanford, established a factory in Pasadena, California. The first pistol was shipped on August 8, 1971, but the company declared bankruptcy on May 3, 1972, after making fewer than 3,000 pistols. The company underwent several name changes, including TDE (Trade Deed Estates), OMC, Thomas Oil Company, High Standard, and AMT (Arcadia Machine & Tool). It opened and closed several times between 1973 and 1982.
During this period, an additional 6,000 pistols were produced and sold, bringing the total to about 9,000. Sanford continued to sell spare parts until he passed away in 1996, and his son, Walter, continued to sell the remaining parts online through automagparts.com. The production guns were made in .44 AMP, while experimental pistols were made in .45 ACP, .30 AMP, .357 AMP, and .41 JMP. Changing calibers usually only required exchanging the barrel as the frame, magazine, and bolt could be used with all calibers except .45 ACP.
The Auto Mag Corporation was not successful for several reasons. The design team, headed by Mark Lovendale, took the AutoMag pistol, originally an unreliable experimental machined chrome-moly steel prototype designed by Harry Sanford and Max Gera, and created a more production-oriented and marginally reliable stainless steel version. However, the Lovendale design team believed the Auto Mag pistol was not ready for production. It required further changes to improve reliability and could not be produced profitably. They also believed that even with a finished design, the wholesale price of the pistol had to be greatly increased, or the company would go bankrupt. The design team was unable to convince Sanford, and they all resigned. The pistol was then produced by the remaining staff and put into production. Unfortunately, the expensive manufacturing processes and materials, unreliability in function, and the need for many parts to be produced by sub-contractors made the gun unprofitable, resulting in the bankruptcy of the original company.
Condition:
Overall, this example is in "LIKE NEW" condition, showing no evidence of regular consumer use or handling whatsoever!
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
