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MI5 Handler's Wartime Pistol Fetches High Price
5 Nov
Summary
- Wartime pistol owned by MI5 agent handler Mary Sherer sold for £1,600.
- Sherer was instrumental in the WWII 'Double Cross' operation.
- The pistol, a Mauser C96, was found in Gloucestershire and estimated at £300-£500.
A Mauser C96 pistol, once owned by Mary Sherer, an MI5 agent handler instrumental in World War II's 'Double Cross' operation, recently sold at auction for £1,600. This price significantly surpassed the auctioneers' estimate of £300 to £500, highlighting the item's unique historical value.
Sherer is believed to be the first female agent handler in the Security Service. Her work in the 'Double Cross' operation involved managing double agents to provide misleading intelligence to the Germans, a critical strategy ahead of D-Day.
One of Sherer's most challenging recruits was Agent Treasure, a French woman who briefly threatened to cease her false reports to the Germans. The pistol itself, a German-made C96 Mauser, is recognizable by its distinctive 'Broom Handle' grip and is considered an early semi-automatic handgun.
The firearm was discovered during a valuation day in Gloucestershire. Auctioneer Stuart Maule noted that the bidding was driven by the story behind the deactivated gun, attracting enthusiasts of military history rather than just gun collectors.
