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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #82

Premier Firearms Auction #82

May 14, 2021 to May 16, 2021

This auction has ended.

/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #82

Premier Firearms Auction #82

May 14, 2021 to May 16, 2021

This auction has ended.

Auction Time Summary

Preview DayThursday, May 13th10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION IFriday, May 14th9 AMLots 1 through 726

SESSION IISaturday, May 15th9 AMLots 1000 through 1718

SESSION IIISunday, May 16th9 AMLots 3000 through 3758

To Be Sold At Auction

Preview Day Thursday May 13th
Open at 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION I - Friday, May 14th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1 and 726
SESSION II - Saturday, May 15th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1000 and 1718
SESSION III - Sunday, May 16th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 3000 and 3758

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company
7819 42 Street West
Rock Island, Illinois, 61201, USA

Phone: 1-309-797-1500

Toll-Free: 1-800-238-8022

Email: [email protected]

Rock Island Auction Company - Rock Island

7819 42nd Street West

Rock Island, IL, 61201, USA

Page 1 of 45

Showing 1-50 of 2,203 results

Immensely Historic and Impeccably Documented Pair of National Treasure Flintlock Holster Pistols Inscribed "AH", and Presented to Revolutionary War Patriot, Founding Father and First United States Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton by General Philip Schuyler, Accompanied by Hamilton’s Field Service Epaulettes Worn by Him While Serving as an Officer Under Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and Future First President of The United States of America, George Washington

Lot 125

Alexander Hamilton's Flintlock Holster Pistols and Epaulettes

These pistols are universally recognized as being among the most historically significant weapons known to exist. Few firearms owned and used by founding fathers during the American Revolutionary War survive, and none that we know of (other than this pair) remain in private hands. Washington and Hamilton are one of precious few founding fathers to actually serve in the Continental army. These and other artifacts were maintained by the Hamilton family for nearly one hundred and fifty years until the 1940s when they were sold by his great-great-grandson Schuyler Hamilton III. Although historians, collectors and owners of various historical arms may attempt to compare these weapons to others, the Founding Father war pistols presented in this lot are the only pistols known with family documentation in the form of notarized affidavits. They have a documented, unbroken chain of ownership from the time of their original sale out of the Hamilton Grange mansion, now a US National Park: Alexander Hamilton National Memorial, to present. The Pistols The pistols have smoothbore, multi-stage barrels with light scroll engraving, "*/EN" maker’s marks and London proofs on the upper left, and “LONDON” signed on the tops. The early “banana” profile locks are convex and signed “ED/NICHOLSON” and have floral scroll engraving and non-bridled pans. The furniture is all brass. The side plates have pierced centers and light floral engraving. The trigger guards have acorn finials and snowflake style designs on the bows. The pommel caps have floral blooms. The wrist escutcheons have the significant initials “A H” inscribed for Alexander Hamilton and border engraving. The stocks have raised shell carving around the upper tangs. In the ramrod channel near the for-end tip, the second pistol has "I-DAVIS" and "IIII." Their Provenance These immensely important pistols were sold by Schuyler Hamilton to respected antique and firearms dealer Robert Abels in 1942; he was working in New York City at the time. In an included original notarized letter of provenance addressed to Robert Abels, dated August 4, 1942 and on his own letterhead stationary from Croton-on-the-Hudson, Schuyler Hamilton III describes these pistols as, “the property of my Great-Great Grandfather, Alexander Hamilton." He further states that these pistols were presented to Hamilton following the historic Battle of Saratoga by General Philip Schuyler, Hamilton's father-in-law. He points out that the pistols were passed down to John C. Hamilton, then to Major General Schuyler Hamilton, then to Schuyler Hamilton Jr., and finally to himself. He then additionally describes the pistols at length, and finally notes that the pistols were housed at Hamilton Grange in New York, Alexander Hamilton's historic home, which is now a museum and national memorial. Lastly, an original sales receipt on Robert Abels paperwork is signed and dated by Schuyler Hamilton and accompanies the aforementioned letter. The pistols were featured on the cover of Mr. Abels' Catalog No. 22 in 1943 (original copy included with lot), and that entry lists much of the same information from the letter, while adding that the pistols were determined to have been manufactured c.1760, restocked in American walnut c.1770 and used by Hamilton as Lt. Colonel of Artillery (photo copy of the cover and relevant page included). A copy of the magazine “Antiques" April, 1945 issue with an article featuring the pistols provides the same information based on Mr. Abels catalog description, and is included with our documentation. An included 1979 letter from Mr. Abels to Clark V. Cail provides further information and indicates W. Keith Neal was the expert who examined the pistols in 1942 and "pronounced the wood Virginia walnut, and the fittings authentic Ed Nicholson, London, an early fine gunsmith, and the escutcheon plate bearing the initial 'A.H.' to be authentic." Mr. Abels indicates to Cail that he also purchased the gold and enamel-hilted Mexican War Presentation sword of Schuyler Hamilton, Alexander's grandson, who served as Aide-de-Campe to General Winfield Scott during the Mexican War, and sold it to historic sword collector Philip Medicus. An included 1983 letter from noted antique arms historian Merrill K. Lindsay of the Whitney Armory and Eli Whitney Museum to arms dealer Greg Martin again describes the pistols and notes that they were gifted to the museum on February 26, 1981, by Mr. Donald Tuttle (a nationally known collector) along with a brief description that matches those previously mentioned. A final letter requested by the current consignor from Michael Simens completes the chain of ownership of both the pistols and epaulettes, with the reported sale of the pistols by Greg Martin to former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon under the Nixon and Ford Administrations, then to his son William E. Simon Jr. and finally to our consignor. Hamilton family genealogy information and bibliographic information concerning Hamilton are also included with the documents. The Epaulettes The Hamilton epaulettes were purchased by a collector at auction in North Carolina in 1999 and subsequently purchased at a later date by the current consignor. Their Provenance The epaulettes are mounted in a maple frame along with a second Hamilton sworn affidavit dated November 18, 1942, that states “The Field Service Epaulettes herewith were worn by Col. Alexander Hamilton while serving with General George Washington during the Revolution” and indicates they were passed down from Hamilton to his son John C. Hamilton, then to his son Major General Schuyler Hamilton, and finally to Schuyler Hamilton III who signed the notarized statement. They measure 5 ½ inches in length, not including the fringe and have large button holes for mounting to a uniform. Historic Origins The first owner of the pistols is Major General Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), Hamilton's father-in-law. Given their approximate date of manufacture, it is logical that Schuyler likely purchased the pair during his visit to England in 1761-1762. He undoubtedly carried them as an officer during the French & Indian War and American Revolution, adding more to their illustrious history. George Washington gave Schuyler command of the New York Department in 1775, and Schuyler planned the Invasion of Canada. He also planned the American defenses during the Saratoga Campaign after the Canadian invasion failed, and the British under General John Burgoyne took the offensive by invading New York from Canada. He was replaced with General Horatio Gates shortly before the Battle of Saratoga as a result of the British capture of Fort Ticonderoga and then worked with Gates in planning for the battle. His wife burned their nearby fields before the British arrived to deny them provisions, and their country home was occupied by the British and burned. At the Battle of Freeman’s Farm (First Battle of Saratoga) on September 19, the British took the field and claimed victory, but they suffered heavy losses to Daniel Morgan’s riflemen, including many of their officers. Their losses as well as the American defenses at Saratoga stalled Burgoyne, forcing him to wait for reinforcements until early October. At the Battle of Bemis Heights (Second Battle of Saratoga) on October 7, the British attack was routed, and the American counter attack on the British camp succeeded in capturing the British redoubts. Burgoyne retreated towards Schuylerville but was outnumbered and surrounded and ultimately surrendered to General Gates on October 17, originally with the agreement that the British would be transported back to England. After the surrender, Burgoyne stayed at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany as a "guest.” The American victory in the Saratoga Campaign marked a key turning point in the war. Without a major military victory over the British, potential allies in Europe, especially the French, had been reluctant to openly and fully support the American Revolution, but the victory opened the way for the Franco-American Alliance that was critical to the ultimate American victory in the war, including in Alexander Hamilton’s famous action at Yorktown. Early Life and Military Career Alexander Hamilton met Schuyler's daughter Elizabeth (1757-1854) in Morristown, New Jersey, in the winter of 1779-1780 while he was an aide-de-camp to George Washington. Through his own intellect and hard work, Hamilton had risen from obscurity. Given he was born the illegitimate child of a Scottish nobleman and a woman married to another man in the Caribbean, abandoned by his father, and left orphaned as a young boy, it is rather astounding that he was able to marry into the illustrious Schuyler family. However, between 1772 and 1779, he had risen considerably in status. He came to the northern colonies in 1772 as a smart but obscure young man and was studying at King’s College (now Columbia University) when New York City fell to the British. He joined the New York militia in a unit that became known as the Hearts of Oak along with several of his fellow students and led a successful raid on the British battery in what is now Battery Park. He then organized and served as captain of the New York Provincial Company of Artillery in 1776. At the Battle of Trenton, he and his company are credited with holding off Lord Cornwallis and his army at the Raritan River and thus preventing him from attacking Washington and the Continental Army. At the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, his artillery helped capture the British soldiers that had fled to the relative protection of Nassau Hall. These early actions did not propel him to immediate fame, but they did demonstrate to other American military leaders that he was a capable and intelligent officer. He declined initial invitations to become an aid to multiple generals because he wanted to earn glory on the battlefield. A Position of Trust However, when General George Washington asked Hamilton to be an aide-de-camp on his staff in February 1777, Hamilton accepted and was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He became one of Washington's most trusted aides over the course of four years on his staff, wrote many of Washington’s letters, composed reports, and worked on reforming the Continental Army. He also became a personal friend of the Marquis de Lafayette. Thanks to Hamilton’s fluency in French, he was particularly influential in coordinating the actions of the Franco-American alliance. Thus, by 1780, when Elizabeth Schuyler came to Germantown, Hamilton was no longer an obscure upstart. Instead, he was an accomplished military officer serving on the staff of the most influential American military leader of the era. Her father had recently resigned from the Continental Army and also came to Morristown in early 1780 as a representative in the Continental Congress. He gave his blessing to the couple in April 1780. They married on December 14, 1780, at the Schuyler Mansion in Albany, New York. A Presentation of Pistols and a Hero Made It is likely the pistols were presented to Hamilton around that time, possibly as a wedding gift. After returning from his wedding and brief honeymoon, Hamilton again wanted to take a more active role in the war and secure glory on the battlefield. These pistols were likely riding in his pommel holsters on his horse as he returned to the Continental Army. Hamilton left Washington's staff in March of 1781 and pressured Washington for a field command. The war was coming to a conclusion with the help of the French and Spanish, and his opportunities for a grand victory of his own were fading. Thanks to his perseverance and influence with Washington, he was given the command of a light infantry battalion in the Marquis de Lafayette's division in July. At the Siege of Yorktown (September 28 to October 19, 1781), Hamilton led three battalions in the assault on Redoubt 10 while the French under General Baron de Viomenil assaulted Redoubt 9 on the night of October 14th. These two redoubts were critical to getting American and French artillery within range of the main British positions. Initially, Hamilton was not assigned a command. However, after Hamilton protested, Washington personally intervened to ensure Hamilton was in command of the Americans during the assault rather than a French officer that had been given the honor by Lafayette. Hamilton’s men approached the redoubts in silence with unloaded muskets under the cover of darkness to surprise the British and compel their surrender at bayonet point. Hamilton and his men captured their objective within just ten minutes with only light casualties and lost just nine killed out of 400 men. One or both of these pistols may have been carried by Hamilton into the battle. Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis, under threat from land and sea and deprived of reinforcements thanks to the French and Spanish fleets, was forced to request a ceasefire three days later and surrendered on the 19th ending major hostilities in North America and laying open the path for peace and international recognition of American independence. Hamilton’s role in the Siege of Yorktown further propelled him to the national stage and enduring fame. His report on the assault was printed across the young nation, and Lafayette's reports also praised him for his bravery and leadership. Shortly thereafter, Hamilton resigned and returned to Albany to his wife and pursued a career in law. The Role of a Founder His role in the American Revolution was of course far from the last of Hamilton’s considerable contributions to our country’s history, and he is most often remembered for his influence on our political foundations. He has consistently been ranked among the top ten Founding Fathers. He went on to serve as a representative under the Articles of Confederation, was a key figure in the drive for the Constitutional Convention and signer of the Constitution as a representative for New York, was a staunch supporter of the ratification of the Constitution, shaped our financial and economic systems as the first Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington, and was a central figure in American politics up to his untimely death in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr in 1804. His military career was not over with the end of Revolution. During the Quasi-War with France, he was a major general and inspector general of the U.S. Army. Had the Quasi-War erupted into a full-fledged conflict, Hamilton would have been one of the most influential military leaders in the conflict. "The Federalist Papers," largely written by Hamilton, remain key founding documents and provide immense insight into the thoughts of Hamilton, Madison, and John Jay as well as others involved in the writing and adoption of the United States Constitution. Of particular interest to firearm owners and collectors, Hamilton clearly supported individual ownership of arms and recognized that an armed populace served to protect liberty. He and many of the Founders were far more concerned with the risks of a disarmed or poorly armed and trained populace than they were an armed populace. Hamilton was a proponent of maintaining an army and a navy unlike many of the founders, but he wrote in Federalist No, 28.: "an army of any magnitude . . . can never be formidable to the liberties of the people while there is a large body of citizens, little, if at all, inferior to them in discipline and the use of arms, who stand ready to defend their own rights and those of their fellow-citizens. This appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist." While Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington, the government essentially mandated the civilian ownership of military grade firearms by the bulk of the free male populace through the Militia Acts. The Militia Acts of 1792, for example, required each male citizen 18-45 to be enrolled in the militia and to own a musket and bayonet (the standard military arms of the day) or a suitable rifle as well as ammunition and accouterments. Alexander Hamilton was a significant figure in the American Revolution and one of the most influential minds in the formation of the American system of governance. Theodore Roosevelt wrote that “Hamilton, the most brilliant American statesman who ever lived, possessing the loftiest and keenest intellect of his time, was of course easily the foremost champion in the ranks of the New York Federalists.” About the Estimate Hamilton was an important and unwavering force in the political revolution that produced the United States of America, ensuring that the ideals he had fought for would endure. He and his contemporaries, at the greatest peril to themselves, fought for and created a new system of self-rule that although not perfect, left its citizens a tool in the form of a perpetual document, The Constitution, as a guide for their new nation. This form of self-governance, the greatest political accomplishment in history, has proven their collective brilliance for over 230 years. Even when it appears to lack luster, this exquisite document allows our country's citizens to continually refine that system, allowing each individual to reach their best human potential. Hamilton’s family recognized the significance of his personal belongings and treasured them, passing them down through multiple generations. These incredibly precious artifacts from our national founding may never again be publicly available and would be core additions to any private or public collection. They will unquestionably remain among the finest and most valuable firearms that survive from our Revolution or any other period of American or world history. To produce an estimate of their value to patriotic institutions, collectors, and other interested parties could easily be considered as great an exercise in futility as someone trying to convince the world in 1776 that a ragtag band of 13 colonies with no standing army and no navy could become independent from the greatest military power on the face of the earth. In 2017, a trove of manuscripts, personal letters and other documents from Hamilton’s desk sold for a total of $2.6 million in New York, with a couple individually selling for nearly a quarter million each at Sotheby’s in New York. We believe it to be a worthy exercise to consider a few records for other “genre specific” collecting. When one considers that in the last few years, a bottle of rare whiskey sold for $1.9 million, a baseball card for $5.2 million, a pocket watch for $31 million, a 1963 Ferrari for $70 million and a modern sculpture of a rabbit for $91 million dollars, it is obvious that high quality historic arms have not even begun to reach their full potential. Perhaps the best place to find inspiration is with the sale of the Revolutionary War Battle Standard of the 2nd Regiment of Connecticut Light Dragoons, commanded by Col. Elisha Sheldon and taken by British Cavalry Colonel Banister Tarleton at Pound Ridge, New York in 1779. Preserved by Tarleton’s family for over 225 years in England, this patriotic standard bearing 13 stripes representing our colonies during the Revolution sold at Sotheby’s, New York on flag day, June 14, 2006 for a staggering $12,300,000. It would therefore not surprise us if these fabulous pistols (objects that can be admired in hand) easily exceed our estimate as listed. It is our fervent hope that some astute patriotic collector or philanthropic benefactor with proven abilities to accurately assess their importance, preserve them in their own private collection or place them in a national institution that they choose to champion, such as The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. or The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. With great pride and pleasure, we offer these National Treasures: The War Pistols of Hamilton.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 58

Price Realized:

Phenomenal and FRESH, High Art 19th Century American Masterpiece: John Ulrich Double Signed and Dated, Relief Panel Scene Engraved and Gold Inlaid Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle Commissioned as a Factory Display Piece for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition and Later Presented by Winchester to the President of Honduras Marco A. Soto with Factory Letter

Lot 10

J. Ulrich Exhibition Relief Engraved Winchester Model 1873 Rifle

Rock Island Auction is proud and privileged to unveil this never before published masterpiece by celebrated Winchester factory engraver John Ulrich. Its rarity of configuration alone puts into the ultra elite category as a "best of". Sprinkle in the nuances of condition, depth of engraving, execution and style in tandem with its exhibition and presentation history and this rifle, serial number 18264, becomes a collection defining piece. An object that transcends rank and file, genre specific, fine and historic arms collecting all together. Its an object worthy of the most discerning public institutions or private collections of the decorative arts. This rifle was originally discovered in France in approximately 2014-2015 and was the second of two incredibly important Winchester rifles found in Europe in the last fifteen years. The second, also an engraved Winchester Model 1873, is serial number 16139. While the rifles were discovered in two different countries and several years apart, they will forever be linked to one of the most culturally significant events of 19th century America: the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition of 1876. A celebration grand enough to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, it was their discovery and corresponding factory letters which shed new light on the mystery surrounding Winchester’s display at the Centennial. Unlike the fabulous photograph of Colt’s spectacular “pin-wheel” display board from the Centennial, and, unlike the photographs of Smith & Wesson’s awe inspiring display at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, virtually no primary source information is known about Winchester’s display, other than it was extraordinarily ambitious. Winchester had grand plans for the Centennial display. They would introduce not only their newly refined and expanded ammunition manufacturing capability for which they were awarded a bronze medal by the exhibition judges. They would also unveil two new models of firearms: the Model of 1876 Rifle appropriately marketed as “The Centennial Model” as well as introducing their first revolver, a new departure and market for the firm (its imperative to note that we also have one of the Centennial revolvers in the sale). Beyond the lead up plans to the exhibition, and understanding the tradition of arms makers displaying only the finest decorative pieces at such an event, the only other primary source material we are left with are a series of photographs and a quote. The photographs are from the main exhibition hall with frustrating views from above looking east to west and west to east. They only show the silhouette and configuration of Winchester’s display, not its actual contents. The quote is from a souvenir booklet published in 1877 and like the photographs gives you just enough to live in utter frustration. That was until the discovery of the aforementioned rifle, serial number 16139. The quote reads: "The Winchester Repeating Arms Company of New Haven had a rich and extensive display of weapons, consisting of magazine rifles, field, sporting, and target models. The cases containing them were upright, forming three, sides of a square, with projecting counter cases, and in the center an upright, octagonal case…… Another case contained a rifle exquisitely inlaid in gold tracery on blued steel, the floor of the case being a mirror, reflecting the reverse side, and thus exhibiting the whole piece. The exhibit included nearly two hundred guns, representing about fifty different styles. The cost of the cases alone was $3,000, and this represents but a fraction of the value of the exhibit….. At the Exhibition the company received an award on their magazine sporting rifle, the report of the judges characterizing it as 'the best magazine rifle for sporting purposes yet produced'". "Souvenir of the Centennial Exhibition, 1877" published by George D. Curtis, page 89. The only rifle discussed individually in the excerpts is Winchester 1873 serial number 16139 “a rifle exquisitely inlaid in gold tracery on blued steel”. This rifle was discovered by RIAC founder and CEO Patrick Hogan circa 2008 in Spain. The rifle was said to have been presented to Spanish royalty, and it is indeed "exquisitely inlaid in gold tracery on blued steel”. Its factory letter is equally extraordinary: “rifle, octagon, set trigger, Engraved by Young, Monogram on stock” and then three very important dates: “October 19, 1882, Order number 203, Received in the warehouse April 19, 1876, Shipped from the warehouse on May, 6, 1878, order number 11740”. This rifle is photographed in the closing pages of "Magnificent Colt’s" on page 535 by R.L. Wilson. Factory engraved and gold inlaid by Gustave Young serial number 16139 is the exhibition mate to this rifle, number 18264, one of John Ulrich’s great masterpieces. They share two of three identical ledger dates: 1. Received in warehouse: April 19, 1876 (less than one month from the opening of the Centennial Exhibition). 2. Shipped from warehouse: May 6, 1878, order number 11740. One other gun also shares the May 6, 1878 ship date AND the order number 11740 from the ledgers. A casehardened, half octagon Winchester 1873 1 of 1000 serial number 18267 sold by our firm September 2012 lot 1007 $402,000 from the Gateway Collection. The first date, in combination with the quote from 1877 put these rifles together on display for the world to see from May 10th - November 10th, 1876 at the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition. We feel it is also extremely important to point out the level of embellishment on both rifles is as deluxe as possible. So much so that the factory recognized their importance and recorded the engravers' names for each masterpiece: “engraved by Young” and “engraved by U”. The discovery of these rifles are a seminal event in the field of highly finished Winchester collecting as their factory letters in conjunction with the quote offer up so much more. We know from the quote that the exhibit contained "200 guns and 50 different styles". It has long been a mystery to this writer why several of the published relief engraved Winchester 1866s have long been attributed to the Centennial in older books like Madis, the 1971 Arms Annual or the original "Winchester Engraving" by Wilson without a shred of additional information. Why are their series or blocks of incredibly embellished and ornate 1866s that appear in the 35,000 range, the 79,000 range, 95,000 range, 103,000 range and so on? The Cody records state that only twenty-three records exist on Winchester Model 1866s prior to serial number 125,000. Serial number 35527 is the earliest manufactured in 1870 and serial number 124899 is the latest, manufactured in 1874 . So we inquired on all twenty three records. The results are inconclusive thus far because we have yet to receive all the requests. However, of the eight records that we have received, six of the eight have shipping dates in 1878. Four of the six share the exact date May 6th, 1878 order number 11739. The same date as the two masterpiece 1873's and with consecutive order numbers, likely organized by model. All eight were manufactured in either 1870 or 1872 which means they were maintained by the factory for an extended period of time, no doubt for exhibition. They were certainly on display at the Centennial along with this great Ulrich Masterpiece. Furthermore, relief engraved and gilt Winchester 1866 serial number 107209 (which letters as shipped May 6, 1878) is photographed on page 146 of "Winchester Engraving" by Wilson with attribution to the Centennial Exhibition and states it was subsequently presented to Mexican General Fidencio Hernandez, with his name engraved on the the barrel. Relief engraved and gilt Winchester 1866 rifle serial number 103975 photographed in the 2nd edition of "Winchester Engraving" on page 121 has the inscription “Gorio Rozas. Philadelphia PA Sept. 1876” down the length of the barrel. It is also three numbers apart from another 1866 , serial number 103672 which letters engraved and shipped May 6th, 1878. What does it all mean? That Winchester maintained a stock of exceptional and highly decorated firearms, mostly 1866s that were easier to engrave with a brass frame and virtually obsolete with the improved models of 1873 and 1876. So while the exhibition 1866s are incredibly rare, their 1873 counterparts can be counted with two fingers and both considered masterpieces. It also shows Winchester, like Colt, used exceptionally decorated, high art firearms as presentation pieces to nobles, royals, military men and politicians alike to help secure lucrative military contracts for both firearms and ammunition. The May 6th, 1878, shipping date remains somewhat ambiguous. Paris would hold its third “Exposition Universelle” in the spring/summer of 1878, and its likely that is where these magnificent firearms would travel next. At least fifteen truly great Winchester’s have been discovered abroad over the last century, including the king of them all the “Emperor of Japan Winchester 1892” also by John Ulrich. It’s likely the lion's share of high art Winchesters produced from 1870-1880 and beyond were a part of, or influenced by, Winchester's display at the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 and were presented with a purpose all around the world. The accompanying letter confirms the octagon barrel and set trigger as well as “engraved by U”. The factory record also indicates that the rifle was received in the warehouse on April 19, 1876, and shipped on May 6, 1878, and that it was returned to the factory for “engraved and swirls” on order number 25116 dated May 5, 1881. It was at the time we believe the “Marco A. Soto” inlay was added as well as the small swirl patterns on the barrel flats and sight which are a later style, unlike the scroll work and gold Greek key inlay “bands” that we feel were there for the original display in 1876. John Ulrich has twice signed this masterpiece. The first signature or stamp is “J ULRICH” located ahead of the trigger, and the second is a fancy hand cut signature “JU” inside a banner located on the lower tang ahead of the lever catch. Along with the lower tang signature, Ulrich dated his work with the year “1876,” as if we need more evidence to its original commission. It is nearly unheard of for Ulrich or for any of the great 19th century master engravers to date their work. On the barrel sections of relief scrollwork along with gold inlaid Greek key bands appear towards the muzzle and breech and gold inlaid panels terminating with floral spray at both ends surround the two-line Winchester address/King’s improvement patent dates marking and the gold inlaid inscription “MARCO A. SOTO” at the breech. The gilt receiver features near full coverage of scrollwork along with multiple deep relief vignettes. Appearing on the left side are vignettes depicting a grizzly bear and a wild turkey while the side plate has an elk hunting scene. Appearing on the right side are vignettes of a fox and a moose while the side plate has a buffalo hunting scene with the hunter on horseback and a smaller panel depicting a squirrel in a tree. A leaping stag adorns the cartridge elevator. The bear and buffalo panels are similar scenes found on the presentation inscribed Model 1876 no. 14327 presented to Lieutenant General Philip H. Sheridan by his friend General Will E. Strong. This other gold plated J. Ulrich signed masterpiece appears in “The Book of Winchester Engraving” on pages 152-154, “Winchester Engraving” on page 155 and “Antique Arms Annual” on pages 126-127. Many collectors have regarded the Sheridan Model 1876 as “the finest Winchester ever made.” Marco Aurelio Soto (1846-1908) was President of Honduras from August 27, 1876 to October 19, 1883. Soto was a reforming Liberal statesman who never joined the Liberal Party or any party for that matter. He wielded great discipline among the various liberal factions within his country, resulting in ambitious reforms which continued to impact Houdurans well after he left office. Highlights of these achievements included the reorganization of public finances, transfer of civil codes such as marriage, divorce, and education from the jurisdiction of the Catholic Church to secular public institutions; and the establishment of a national library and archives and postal and telegraph service. Soto is credited for paving the way for the Liberal Revolution, a period of liberal reforms in Honduras that lasted until the turn of the century. By the 1870s, Honduras was purchasing Winchester Model 1866s and Model 1873 as part of the country’s effort to upgrade national weaponry. In September 2020, we had the pleasure of selling a pair of gold plated New York panel scene engraved Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 revolvers (nos. 8997 and 9968) inscribed to Soto, formerly of the famed Dr. Gerald Klaz collection. This Model 1873 certainly fits well with Soto’s opulent tastes and was almost certainly given in thanks or persuasion for the contract between Honduras and Winchester. Soto fled Honduras in 1883 for France which is where this rifle was found 130 years later. When the rifle was originally discovered, the buttplate and buttstock had suffered damage from moisture and poor storage. For preservation purposes the buttplate has been restored, and the buttstock repaired.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 WCF

Price Realized:

Lot 175

Confederate Columbus Arsenal Bronze 9-Pounder

The consignor indicated that this is the only surviving example out of just 5 of these 9-pounders manufactured at Columbus, Georgia, and that it includes an original limber. It is discussed on pages 68 and 69 of "Confederate Cannon Foundries" by Daniel and Gunter where it is noted that a total of 27 Columbus Napoleons had been located and "several years ago one of the authors came into possession of an 1863 bronze Columbus Arsenal 9-pounder, the only one known to survive." The F.C.H. marking on the muzzle is for Major Fredrick Clinton Humphries who commanded the Columbus Arsenal at Columbus, Georgia, (aka Confederate States Arsenal). Most of the surviving Columbus Arsenal pieces are still located at Gettysburg. The arsenal is known to have been active from March 1863 until it was destroyed by Union raiders in April 1865. The muzzle is marked "No. 5 F.C.H. ARSENAL COLUMBUS GEO. 1863. 437." A cone front sight is at the muzzle. The top of the barrel has "CS" near the trunnions. A carriage and a limber with a limber chest with a copper/bronze lid and "9 Pdr. Gun/C.S." in white paint on the outside along with a group of cannon balls inside are included. Also included are copies of archival documents. One from Acting Chief of Artillery Phillips of the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana on September 15, 1864, indicates Major John Rawle, Chief of Artillery for the District of North Alabama, was to receive two 9-pounder Napoleons with 260 round shells and 90 rounds of canister for the defense of the Coosa bridge. It also notes that this was all of the ammunition available for these guns, and that they would be useless once the ammunition was depleted. Two 9-pounder Napoleons are recorded in Colonel J.S. Scott's command earlier in 1864 in eastern Louisiana in Captain W.P. Barlow's battery. Scott indicated the carriages were too light to be of use on June 19, 1864. This may have freed them up for use by Major Rawle. The Coosa River runs from Rome, Georgia, to just northeast Montgomery, Alabama. Rawle's use of these 9-pounders is also discussed in "Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War."

Documentation

Price Realized:

Extraordinary Finest Known Presentation Cased Pair of National Treasure L. D. Nimschke Signed, "Mirror Image" Master Engraved Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolvers with American and Russian Theme Raised Relief Carved Grips Presented to "The Great Liberator": Czar Alexander II of Russia during the American Civil War -A) Remington New Model Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 1158

Presentation Pair of Engraved Remington New Model Army Revolvers

These incredible and historic pistols are photographed on the cover of "The Guns of Remington: Historic Firearms Spanning Two Centuries" compiled by Howard M. Madaus and described as believed to have been specially engraved by New York Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke "after the departure of the" Russian Imperial Atlantic Fleet in April 1864 "as a gift to the Czar of Russia to express American appreciation for the fleet's visit." The book notes that the pair was split up sometime after the Russian Revolution. One turned up in Montana in 1929, and the other revolver and case were offered for sale in Europe and purchased by F. "Slim" Kohler of the Remington Society of America and reunited in 1991. He owned the revolvers until they were sold in 2012. The Remington Society's website notes: "Slim was instrumental in coordinating the acquisition and installation of the first major Remington exhibition of more than 800 firearms at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center back in 1997. Many special pieces make up his collection, including a pair of Remington percussion revolvers made in 1864 for Czar Alexander II on the occasion of a visit of the Russian Imperial Fleet to the United States during the Civil War. The pair of revolvers is shown in a satellite display in the Embellished Arms Gallery of the Cody Firearms Museum." The engraving on these revolvers is captured in Nimschke's pull-book and photographed on page 19 of "L. D. Nimschke: Firearms Engraver" by R.L. Wilson. The pulls from the top straps, lower sides of the frames, top of the back straps, the loading levers, and cylinders are all shown. Nimschke's "N" signature is among the engraving above the triggers on the side of the frames. The mirror image fouled anchor design on the right (A) and left (B) sides of the respective frames combined with the Columbian shield on the top of the back straps, the patriotic American eagle motif carved in raised relief on the right grips, and the extraordinary raised relief carved Russian Imperial Coat of Arms on the left grips clearly points to friendship between the Union government and the Imperial Russian Navy and court. President Abraham Lincoln and Czar Alexander II are known to have formed a personal friendship, and the Russian leader wrote to Lincoln at least 21 times and followed the events of the American Civil War closely. Alexander II's refusal to recognize the Confederacy and intervene on its behalf is credited with helping keep Britain and France from openly recognizing and supporting the Confederacy themselves despite their hostility to the Union and their economic interests in the South. There were times where intervention and even open war with European powers appeared imminent, but with the Russians potentially allied with the Americans against the British and French, their governments took a much more cautious approach. President Lincoln also presented a pair of gold inlaid Colt Model 1860 Army revolvers, serial numbers 31906 and 31905 to Charles XV King of Sweden (stolen in from the Royal Armories in the late 1960s and never recovered) and a nearly identical pair to Frederick VII King of Denmark numbers 31904 and 31905. The exact dates of the presentations are unclear, but both were believed to be presented in 1863. The Russians sent vessels across both the Pacific and the Atlantic to visit the Union ports in 1863-1864 in what many at the time in the U.S. and abroad saw as a clear show of support for the Union. The first of the Russian Baltic Fleet arrived in New York Harbor on September 24, 1863, and the Russian Far East Fleet arrived on October 12, 1863, in San Francisco. The Baltic Fleet was under Rear-Admiral Lessoffsky (Lisovksy). While the visits did in part represent friendly relations between the two countries, the Russian fleets were also in American waters for strategic reasons: to keep them safe and able to launch attacks against their adversaries if war broke out in Europe over tensions relating to the uprising of the Poles against the Russian Empire which broker out in 1863 and was supported by the British and French. The British shipbuilder Laird in Liverpool was constructing ironclad rams that could penetrate the Union blockade of the Confederacy raising tensions with the United States as well. By sending their fleets to American waters, the Russians were preventing their fleets from being cornered by the superior British Royal Navy in the event of war, and their friendly reception also suggested to the British that a war with either the United States or the Russian Empire might turn into a costly world war. Regardless of the Russians' intentions, Northerners rejoiced and celebrated their arrival, and their presence boosted Union morale. In turn, Russian government officials were pleased to see their navy had received such a warm welcome in the U.S. Coincidentally, the September 25, 1863, issue of the New York Times includes a Remington revolver advertisement below the list of the newly arrived vessels, including the Russian warships. In New York, there were lavish dinners and celebrations arranged to host the Russians, Russian flags were flown around the city, the officers had their portraits taken by Matthew Brady, and First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln (who was sent by President Lincoln) and American officials dined with the Russian officers, and many Americans went aboard some of the Russian vessels, including the First Lady who boarded the flagship Alexander Nevsky and toasted to the health of Alexander II. By tradition, it has long been believed that it was at that celebration onboard the Russian flagship that Mary Todd Lincoln made the presentation of these pistols. The previously mentioned presentations of pairs of fabulous revolvers to important allies by President Lincoln himself certainly supports this idea particularly as the presentations were made at the same time, 1863. This idea is further cemented by the gorgeous eagle and shield rendition of the Seal of the Untied States, the Royal Seal of the Russian coat of arms and house Romanov (crown over seal) and the naval theme of the revolvers. The New York Times reported: "The presence of a Russian fleet in the harbor of New York is welcomed by all persons with the greatest pleasure." On December 23, 1863, Secretary Seward wrote to Bayard Taylor saying, “In regard to Russia, the case is a plain one. She has our friendship, in every case, in preference to any other European power, simply because she always wishes us well, and leaves us to conduct our affairs as we think best.” The Russian fleet was invited by the city government of Boston to visit that city and stayed from May 28 to June 15 of 1864. While there, they were again very warmly welcomed and treated to the city's finest, including a banquet at the Revere House on June 7, 1864. Lessoffsky and some of the other Russian officers also toured the Sharps rifle factory. In the West, things got off to a bit of a rockier start when the first Russian vessel ran aground and had to be rescued by the Americans, but they too were received with cheers and warm hospitality in San Francisco, including a grand ball at the Union Hall, and Admiral Popov (Popoff), the commander of the fleet, hosted American officials for dinner on his ship and even gave orders to defend San Francisco in the event of a Confederate attack on the city itself or if they were fired upon themselves by the Confederate cruisers in the area. When the fleets returned to Russia, they were welcomed by Alexander II and many of the men were promoted. While Lincoln is remembered favorably as the "Great Emancipator" for freeing millions of slaves via the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Alexander II is remembered as "Alexander the Liberator" and the "Great Liberator" for officially emancipating over 20 million Russian serfs two years earlier on February 19, 1861, through his "Emancipation Edict." Comparisons between the two liberators were made during the visit of the Russian fleet, including in toasts to the Russian leader. After Lincoln's assassination, Alexander II wrote to Mary Todd Lincoln saying: “He was the noblest and greatest Christian of our generation. He was a beacon to the whole world-nothing but courage, steadfastness and the desire to do good." Like Lincoln, the Russian "Liberator" was also assassinated in March 13, 1881, after having survived several other assassination attempts dating back to the mid-1860s. Like Lincoln's death, the Czar's assassination helped secure him as one of the most recognized Russian rulers. In the Russian Empire, the assassination also lead to severe government crackdowns, including anti-Jewish pogroms. The comparisons between the two men have not gone unnoticed, and exhibitions in Russia and the United States of objects related to both men have been put on display together in the 21st century. In other demonstrations of positive relations between the two countries, the U.S. Navy visited Russia after the Civil War as a sign of support for Alexander II after he survived an assassination attempt on April 16, 1866, a year and one day after Lincoln's assassination, and the Russian Empire sold Alaska to the United States in 1867. In addition to friendship with the United States, the Russian government also sought to prevent it from being taken by their British adversaries. The Romanov dynasty and Russian government retained positive relations with the United States until their fall in the Russian Revolution. The exact origin and history of these revolvers remains unclear, but the work was clearly commissioned through, if not directly by, E. Remington & Sons given the revolvers have special order department serial numbers, and the overall theme is clearly in commemoration of the Russian Navy's visit in 1863-1864 and the friendship between the Americans and Russians. The factory may have had the revolvers embellished for presentation in the hopes of winning the Russian government's favor and thus valuable military contracts. Samuel Colt had previously commissioned elaborate presentation revolvers for Alexander II's father, Nicholas I, and Colt's revolvers were subsequently adopted and copied by the Russian military. The leadership of Remington may have seen the tensions between Russia and other European powers as creating a potentially lucrative market for their firearms, especially knowing that once the American Civil War ended domestic arms sales would slow tremendously. Remington failed to succeed in capturing significant Russian contracts, and instead, the Smith & Wesson No. 3 Russian revolvers were adopted. Like the Colt revolver before them, the Smith & Wesson revolvers were copied in Russia leading to the near destruction of Smith & Wesson. Remington Arms Co. famously suffered a similar fate decades later when they supplied the Russian Empire with Mosin-Nagant rifles during World War I, and the lack of payment following the Russian Revolution nearly caused the company to collapse. Despite having once been separated for the better part of a century, the revolvers remain in the same exceptional condition and have "pinched" blade front sights, the standard New Model Army barrel markings, and the standard top strap groove rear sights. The barrels have arrows, scroll, and floral engraving on the top and side flats; intertwining lines on the upper and lower side flats, and borders at the muzzles and breeches. The loading levers have scroll and crosshatch patterns. The frames feature primarily scroll engraving along with floral motifs, the fouled anchors on the right side of the first revolver and the left side of the second revolver, chains along the top straps, the Columbian or Union shield on the back straps behind the hammers, and border designs. The bottom of the frames have an interesting slight deviation in designs that may have had specific meaning to Nimschke. Each has a twisted rope design with a star in the front loop and dots outside the rope. The first revolver has four dots while the second revolver has eight dots. It is possible these dots represent the amount of time spent engraving the revolvers given Nimschke's counterpart Gustave Young's use of dots representing work days on the hammers of Colt revolvers. The shape of the twisted ropes is also slightly different. On the first revolver, the three loops are of roughly equal size, but on the second revolver, the central loop is nearly closed, and the rear loop is smaller than the front loop. There are also some very slight differences in some of the scrolls and floral elements. A tiny "N" is marked among the engraving on the left side of each frame above the trigger. The scroll and floral engraving on the silver-plated trigger guards is seamless with the engraving on the frames and is horizontally inversed when comparing the two revolvers. The cylinders have borders at the front edges and feature floral scroll designs with slightly different blooms on the respective cylinders. They come in a hardwood presentation case with an exceptionally high condition powder flask as well as balls and bullets, two cartridge packs, a bright dual cavity bullet mold, an oiler, an Eley Bros. cap tin, some spare springs and nipples, and a cleaning rod.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44

Price Realized:

Extraordinarily Historic and Incredibly Well-Documented Special Order High-Sight Colt Single Action Army Revolver and Holster Rig, Personally Ordered, Owned and Carried by American Legend, Western Lawmen and Gunfighter, Bat Masterson, with Colt Factory Letter and Additional Documentation

Lot 103

Bat Masterson's Colt Single Action Army and Holster Rig

"Nothing is more symbolic of the stature of the legendary Bat Masterson than his firearms, tools of the trade for a lawman, a professional hunter, a gamble, and even a frontier businessman - whose main trade was in that most treasured of American institutions, the saloon." wrote R.L. Wilson in an included detailed letter on this historic revolver and Bat Masterson's life and legacy. Throughout the world, the Colt Single Action Revolver is recognized as the greatest symbol of law enforcement and gunplay in the American West, associated with virtually every legendary character and major event of the time. Bat Masterson, one of the most heralded of gunfighters, was more than a legend. He was an absolutely fearless man of resolute character and a seriously respected shootist. He was a contemporary associate and personal friend of Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Charlie Bassett, Dave Rudabaugh, Buffalo Bill Cody, Billy Dixon, Luke Short, and Jim Courtright. Unlike many of the “legends”, many of Masterson’s exploits and involvement in multiple shootouts of the Wild West in the 1870s and 1880s are fully documented, some in sworn court testimony. How many men he killed ranges anywhere from 3 to over 20, not including Native Americans he may have shot in battle. The number of wounded is even more impressive, as Masterson was not considered a “killer” of men, but rather an “enforcer” of law. He was intolerant of bad behavior. If you opposed him you were taking a risk, and Masterson did not suffer fools gladly. Born in Quebec, Canada on November 24, 1853, William Barclay “Bat” Masterton's birth name was Bartholomew. He grew up on farms in New York, Illinois and eventually near Wichita, Kansas where his family moved while still a youth. In his late teens, he left home with his brothers to become a buffalo hunter, plainsman and scout. While engaged in buffalo hunting at the age of twenty and beginning at dawn on the 27th of June in 1874, he was one of twenty-eight buffalo hunters and one woman that held off a deadly five-day siege of an estimated 700 Comanche, Kiowa and Cheyenne warriors under the leadership of Comanche war leader Quanah Parker at the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, a well known trading post in the Texas Panhandle, just north of the Canadian River. The complex included a store, a sod saloon and restaurant owned by James Hanrahan, a blacksmith shop and corral, and a sod store used to purchase buffalo hides, all of which served the population of 200-300 buffalo hunters in the area. During the horrific fighting, somewhere between 30 and 70 of the native warriors were killed. How many of them died from bullets fired by Masterson is impossible to say. In Billy Dixon's words: “There was never a more splendidly barbaric sight. In after years, I was glad that I had seen it. Hundreds of warriors, the flower of the fighting men of the southwestern Plains tribes, mounted upon their finest horses, armed with guns and lances, and carrying heavy shields of thick buffalo hide, were coming like the wind. Over all was splashed the rich colors of red, vermillion and ochre, on the bodies of the men, on the bodies of the running horses. Scalps dangled from bridles, gorgeous war-bonnets fluttered their plumes, bright feathers dangled from the tails and manes of the horses, and the bronzed, half naked bodies of the riders glittered with ornaments of silver and brass. Behind this headlong charging host stretched the Plains, on whose horizon the rising sun was lifting its morning fires. The warriors seemed to emerge from this glowing background.” At first, it was difficult for the hunters to defend themselves with their long-range Sharps rifles as the Indians were amassed in close quarters about the buildings. They relied on their Henry and Winchester Rifles in 44 rimfire and revolvers (primarily Colt Conversions) in these closer quarters, barely surviving the initial onslaught. During the second day, the besieged buried or dragged away the dead horses and bodies to "prevent the evil smell from reaching the buildings”. During a break in the fighting on day 3, Dixon was credited with hitting one man from nearly a mile away with his long-range Sharps. Seeing their fellow warrior killed from such a distance apparently so discouraged the Indians that they decamped on day 5 and gave up the fight. A week later, 25 men headed back to Dodge City, including James Hanrahan, Masterson and Dixon. In response to this and other incidents on the Southern Plains, Colonel Nelson A. Miles was ordered to lead an expedition against the Indians of the Texas Panhandle in what would become known as the Red River War. Masterson joined the expedition as a civilian scout working out of Fort Elliot in what was then called Sweetwater, Texas. The next spring he returned to buffalo, becoming a frequent visitor to the many saloons in the area. By early 1876, he was working as a faro dealer in Henry Fleming’s Saloon. He claimed his first life in self-defense in 1876 in a classic western conflict involving a woman in a saloon where he was working as a dealer. In that instance, Masterson was confronted by Army Sergeant Melvin A. King who was romantically interested in Mollie Brennan and who Masterson had been with that evening. King shot Masterson in the pelvis and then Brennan in the stomach. Masterson returned fire, hitting King in the heart. Both King and Brennan were killed. The injury caused Bat to walk with a limp, and he adopted the use of a cane for a short period. After recovery, Masterson returned to Dodge City where he became a lawman along with his friend Wyatt Earp under Ford County Sheriff, Charlie Bassett. These were the years that Dodge City was known as a “wicked little town”. Bat was elected Sheriff on November 6, 1877, with the Dodge City Times stating before his election: “He is well qualified to fill the office, and, if elected, will never shrink from danger.” and after; “Bat Masterson, is said to be cool, decisive, and a bad man with a pistol.” Bat officially took the office of sheriff in January 1878 and wasted no time in putting his talents to work. On January 27, 1878, Dave Rudabaugh and four other men attempted to rob a train at Kinsley, Kansas. Their robbery attempt was ineffectual and the bandits fled. On February 1st, Sheriff Bat Masterson led a posse, which included his brother, Ed Masterson, in pursuit of the would-be robbers. They captured two of them — Dave Rudabaugh and Edgar West, apprehending the others soon after. Bat killed another man in 1878 in Dodge City, Kansas, where he was then sheriff of Ford County and where his brothers Ed and Jim were also working as lawmen. After ordering Jack Wagner, a rider for trail boss Alf Walker, to check his gun with a bartender at The Lady Gay Saloon in accordance with local ordinances, a scuffle ensued and Ed was shot in the stomach, his coat catching fire from the muzzle blast. Across the street and from 60 feet away, Masterson emptied his gun, hitting Wagner in the abdomen and Walker in the chest and arm. Bat then tended to his brother, who died in his arms about a half hour after the fight. Wagner died shortly thereafter. Walker survived long enough to get back to Texas where he died from pneumonia that resulted from his wound. Originally, Wagner's death was attributed to Ed, but the locals knew who had actually fired the shots. In 1887, the newspapers recorded that when asked by the court in Topeka, Kansas, if he had killed 38 men, Masterson responded that "he had not, unless Indians were counted. He had killed a good many Indians, but had never killed any man except in self-defense. 'I don't let any body shoot at me,' he said, 'If folks let me alone I never hurt them.' In a later libel case detailed in "When New York City Tamed the Feared Gunslinger Bat Masterson" by Gilbert King in the Smithsonian Magazine, "Masterson denied killing any Mexicans; any Indians he may have shot, he shot in battle. Finally, future US Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardoza rose to cross-examine the witness. 'How many men have you shot and killed in your life?' he asked. Masterson dismissed the reports that he had killed 28 men, and to Cardozo, under oath, he guessed that the total was three. He admitted to killing Sergeant King after King had shot him first in Sweetwater. He admitted to shooting a man in Dodge City in 1881, but he wasn't certain whether the man died. He also confessed that he, and not his brother Ed, had shot and killed Wagner. He was also involved in several other shootouts as a lawman and private citizen in which people were wounded but not killed. In 1881, he likely shot and wounded Albert Updegraff after confronting him in relation to threats against his other brother, but he was not charged due to lack of evidence. By the time he received this revolver in the late 1880s he continued to be involved in controversies and dangerous activities such as gambling and romancing with women in western saloons. In 1888, he was the owner of the Palace Variety Theater in Denver, and was associated with con man and gang leader Soapy Smith. He was also involved in prizefighting. He moved to the East in the mid-1890s and was living in New York in 1895 working as George Gould's bodyguard, and later returned to the West. By April 6, 1897, he was a deputy sheriff in Arapaho County Colorado. That day, he got into a melee with Tim Connors that resulted in another man getting shot in the left wrist by a shot from Masterson, likely using this very revolver. In 1902, Masterson was again living in New York City and was arrested on June 6, 1902, along with two other men accused of conning George H. Snow out of $17,000 in a bunko game. The charges were dropped, but Masterson was arrested again just a few days later on June 15 for carrying a concealed weapon, perhaps this Colt. He found work as a reporter at the New York Morning Telegraph and had a column titled "Masterson's Views on Timely Topics" generally focused on sports including prize fights. He also worked as a timekeeper for fights. Masterson writings about his life in the West and about his many famous friends and fellow gunfighters helped secure him firmly as one of the best known western legends both then and now. Masterson became friends with President Theodore Roosevelt and was a regular visitor of Roosevelt at the White House. In response, Roosevelt appointed Masterson as a deputy U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York. Roosevelt was known for preferring to hire men of merit rather than based on personal and political considerations, and Masterson's western reputation no doubt found favor with Roosevelt who was fond of the hard men of the American West. In his appointed position, Masterson received the significant salary of $2,000 per year until he was fired by Roosevelt's handpicked successor and soon to be adversary President William Howard Taft in 1909. Masterson again returned to writing about boxing matches for the Telegraph. He was also more directly involved with boxing, acting as a second for Jess Willard on April 5, 1915, when he knocked out Jack Johnson to claim the heavyweight title. He was still at work writing when he suffered a heart attack at the age of 67 on October 25, 1921. His friend fellow author and sports reporter Damon Runyon wrote: "He was a 100 percent, 22-karat real man." This incredible revolver is documented by Colt factory letter as a .45 caliber revolver with 5 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, rubber grips, and "sights higher than usual." The "blue finish" notation is a widely accepted clerical error by the factory. The letter indicated the revolver was shipped to W.B. Masterson on July 5, 1888. This revolver has appeared in several publications. It is pictured on the cover of "The Rampant Colt" in Summer 2007 and covered in detail in the article "Bat Masterson and His Last Colt Single Action Revolver" by Dick Burdick, the owner of the revolver at that time. It is also featured as "Bat's Gat" in the March 2016 issue of "America's 1st Freedom" and in the October 2007 issue of "Wild West" in the article "Bat Masterson's Colt Has Celebrity Appeal: The Legendary Lawman Ordered It" by Lee A. Silva. In Silva's article, he notes the holster and belt rig accompanying the revolver with "W.B.M." prominently tooled on the belt were produced by F.A. Meanea in Cheyenne, not far from Denver. Silva notes that the fact that the holster and belt rig remained with the revolver even as the details of the ownership of the revolver and belt were unknown at the time, is “solid evidence that the gun and holster rig combined, did find a home on Bats hip." The revolver has a one-line "COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. Co. HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A." barrel address, no caliber marking on the left side of the barrel, the classic "black powder" frame with the three-line 1871-1875 patent markings, "45 CAL" on the left side of the trigger guard bow, classic Rampant Colt and Federal Eagle pattern hard rubber (gutta percha) grips, assembly number "164" on the loading gate, an "L" on the back of the frame on the right, the matching partial serial number "70" on the barrel under the front of the ejector housing and on the rear of the cylinder, and the full matching serial numbers on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The screws were finished in niter blue, and the remaining metal surfaces all have nickel plating. The brown leather rig has "~W.B.M.~" on the right side of the belt, an engraved nickel-silver buckle, "F.A. MEANEA/CHEYENNE" on the left side, an open toe double loop holster with light tooling and unclear marking, and twenty cartridge loops (reduced from about twenty-five). The documentation, which includes copies of several of the publications noted above, is contained within a "W.B. Masterson/Colt SAA/sn. 126770" embossed case. Masterson has been the subject of numerous films, television shows, biographies and magazine articles which have increased his fame and his notoriety, lifting him to equal status with the likes of Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid and "Wild Bill" Hickok. When the factual documentation of his life and deeds are read and fully absorbed, his modern-day reputation is that of the Old West's toughest and deadliest lawman. Provenance: Bat Masterson, J.C. Smith, John Leweller, Jerry Keener, Richard Ellis, Rick Bronstein, Richard Burdick, property of a gentleman

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Price Realized:

Lot 534

Krieghoff FG42 Type I Paratrooper Machine Gun

Developed in the 1940s, the FG42 stands as one of the most distinctive weapons on any side of World War II. Developed on special order by Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goering himself due to political friction with the Army, the Fallschirmjaegergewehr (Paratrooper Rifle) was intended to be a "universal weapon", colored by the needs of airborne warfare. Prior doctrine called for the deployment of airborne troops with conventional infantry weaponry, but weight/bulk limits meant that individual troopers jumped with at most a SMG, with the bulk of the unit's arms coming down separately in drop pods. This had dire consequences for the paratroopers deployed at Crete, who found themselves scrambling to recover their rifles and machine guns while under fire from the island's defenders, causing heavy casualties and robbing them of operational momentum. The FG42, then, was intended to be a weapon to replace all prior categories; enough range to replace the rifle, enough suppressive power to replace the machine gun, and agile enough to replace the SMG. It could also double as a sniper/designated marksman weapon, with the addition of a scope, and carried an on-board spike bayonet for close-in work. In essence, the FG42 would be the spiritual father of the full powered battle rifles that dominated the early phases of the Cold War, and were the de-facto standard Western infantry rifle until the rise of the intermediate caliber assault rifle. In practice, the FG42 suffered the same core issue as other battle rifles; a gun that needed to be a SMG and a squad automatic weapon at the same time meant compromises on both fronts. Without belt feed or interchangeable barrels the rate of fire was limited compared to a dedicated SAW, and running full power rifle ammo through a lightweight gun made control difficult. While never used for a large scale parachute drop (Hitler pulled the plug on those after Crete), the FG42 was still issued to the Fallschirmjaegers, with many observed on the Western Front and in the Falaise Pocket. A number are known to have been captured and studied by American forces, and are believed to have been (along with the MG42) an influence on the design of the M60 machine gun. This is the early "Type 1" production model, built around a forged steel receiver with stamped steel attachments; this style would be phased out for a stamped receiver due to resource issues. A set of flip-up blade front and elevation adjustable peep rear sights are installed, with the top of the receiver marked "FG42/fzs/973", the matching number "973" repeated on buttstock, receiver, front sight, bolt carrier, flash hider, and muzzle brake, and a set of Luftwaffe "droop wing eagle" inspection/acceptance proofs. An elaborate flash hider is threaded to the muzzle, with a cruciform spike bayonet (11 5/8" OAL, 8" spike) below, and a folding sheet metal bipod ahead of the ribbed hardwood foregrip. The trigger assembly is fitted with the early, sharply angled, grip with a variable setting sear that can fire semi-automatic from a closed bolt and full auto from an open bolt, permitting maximum accuracy in the former role and maximum cooling for the barrel in the latter. The buttstock is stamped sheet metal, with a brown leather sling. The included reproduction scope assembly is of the ZF4 pattern, fitted with a special adapter collar marked "ZFG42/Fl2000/ddx./10V054", with a rubber rear eye cup and a set of leather and cork lens protectors. Also included with the rifle is an approved 1946 dated Treasury Department Form 6 import application from a Captain John Starkweather, applying to bring this item (serial number given as "fzs-93", but clearly identified as a FG42) into the United States as a war trophy. Captain Starkweather has not been positively identified.

Documentation

Class III

Caliber / Gauge: 8 mm

Price Realized:

Extraordinary, Historic, Documented Cased Richard Teed £100 Sword, Scabbard, and Sword Belt Presented by the Lloyd's Patriotic Fund in 1805 to Captain Robert Redmill of the HMS Polyphemus for His Meritorious Service at the Battle of Trafalgar

Lot 1289

£100 Lloyd's Patriotic Fund Sword of Captain Redmill

This incredible sword set was crafted by Richard Teed of Lancaster Court, Strand, London. It is the £100 grade, the highest of the three grades reserved for captains. These swords were presented and paid for by the Lloyd's Patriotic Fund which was founded on July 28, 1803, at Lloyd's Coffee House in London and still exists as a charity today. These swords are represented in multiple prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Royal Museums Greenwich, and Royal Armouries. Very few are held in private collections, especially outside of the United Kingdom. Only around 175 swords across the three grades were awarded by the fund before the practice ended in 1809. This sword was illustrated and discussed on page 127 of "The Connoisseur: An Illustrated Magazine for Collectors Vol. 1" from 1901 which notes: "A Special General Meeting of the Committee of the Patriotic Fund was held at Lloyds' Coffee-house on the 3rd of December, 1805, when amongst the proceedings which took place it was 'Resolved — That swords of the value of one hundred pounds each, with appropriate inscriptions, be presented to the surviving Captains and Commanders of His Majesty's ships who shared in the danger and glory of the memorable action with the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21st of October, 1805.' There were twenty-five recipients of these swords." It is listed as sold by Messrs. Glendining & Co. on August 28, 1901. It is also shown on page 262 and discussed on 264 of "Arms and Armor Annual Vol. 1" from 1973 where it is identified as sold by Sotheby's in London in March 1966. A binder with information about the swords and Captain Redmill is included, including a photocopy of "Trafalgar Swords of Honour" by Spalding in which this sword is illustrated and discussed. This sword was presented to Captain Robert Redmill (1758-1819), commander of the Intrepid class third rate ship of the line HMS Polyphemus. The Polyphemus was launched 1782 and named for the cyclops blinded by Odysseus in Homer's "Odyssey." Captain Redmill was awarded the sword for service at the historic Battle of Trafalgar, one of the largest and most significant naval battles in world history, during War of the Third Coalition against France and Spain. Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson's fleet was outnumbered and out-gunned with 32 ships against 23 French and 15 Spanish ships, but his daring tactics resulted in a tremendous victory for the Royal Navy. Nelson's plan was simple but ran against prevailing naval tactics of the era. Instead of engaging in the enemy in a parallel line, he divided his force into the Windward Squadron and the Leeward Squadron and drove straight into the enemy's line under heavy fire and broke through. The Polyphemus with 64 guns was the smallest ship in Vice Admiral Collingwood's Leeward Squadron that struck cut off the rear of the line while Nelson's Windward Squadron cut off the head. By this time, the Polyphemus was comparably old and weathered but exchanged broadsides with the French ships Neptune and Achilles and captured the Spanish Argonauta. The combined French and Spanish fleet is believed to have lost 16,000 men killed, wounded, or captured and 11 ships captured or destroyed to the British loss of 1,587 men killed or wounded. The British victory in the battle prevented the possibility of an invasion against the British Isles and secured British naval supremacy. Captain Redmill and his crew are most famously credited with saving the Lord Nelson's flagship, the HMS Victory, from becoming a complete loss in the storm that followed the battle and had the honor of towing the ship back to Gibraltar and thus transported the famed English naval hero's body. Nelson reportedly went into battle expecting to die in the course of his greatest victory and was hit by a French musket ball fired from the Redoubtable. Captain Redmill served in the Atlantic Campaign of 1806 before retiring due to illness and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1815. The U.S. built destroyer escort HMS Redmill was named for him during World War II. The 30 1/2 inch curved, single edged blade is entirely decorated with neoclassical, martial, naval, and British patriotic gilt designs on a niter blue background. The obverse side of the blade has "FROM THE PATRIOTIC FUND AT LLOYDS TO ROBERT REDMILL ESQR CAPT OF H-M-S POLY-/-PHEMUS FOR HIS MERITORIOUS SERVICES IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL VICTORY OBTAINED OVER/THE COMBINED FLEETS OF FRANCE & SPAIN OFF CAPE TRAFALGAR ON THE 21ST OF OCTOBER 1805." The gold hilt (ormolu) has acanthus leaf languets, a fasces cross guard with naval trophies at the center, club of Hercules wrapped in a serpent, Nemean Lion pommel and back strap, checkered and carved antique ivory grip, and navy blue and gold sword knot. The gold scabbard has naval and classical trophies, serpents for suspension rings, "POLYPHEMUS" over Britannia holding a laurel crown directing the two British squadrons into battle as they head into the Franco-Spanish line over "NELSON 21 OCTR 1805 TRAFALGAR" in the upper section, a contrasting panel below, a medallion with Hercules battling the Lernaean Hydra by the lower serpent, another contrasting panel Hercules strangling the Nemean Lion on the drag, and beading (likely representing cannon balls) around the edges of the drag. The mouth is marked "R. TEED, SWORD CUTLER/LANCASTER COURT STRAND". The floral embroidered sword belt has a gold buckle with Britannia slaying a triple headed hydra over "PATRIOTIC FUND/1803," gilt lion mask hangers, and anchors as part of the designs on the other gold hardware. The mahogany case lid is inscribed "From/the Patriotic Fund/Lloyds London/to/Robt Redmill Esqr/Capt of HMS/Polyphemus/1805." The label inside of the lid explains the details of the sword: "PATRIOTIC FUND, LLOYD'S 1803./The ornamental design for the Hilts of the Swords,/Presented from the Fund, in reward of/BRITISH VALOUR,/imports that/National Union (figured by the Roman Faces)/PRODUCES/HERCULEAN EFFORTS,/(of which the Club of Hercules is emblematic;)/ WHICH, AIDED BY WISDOM,/(denoted by the serpent)/LEAD TO/VICTORY (implied by the Skin of the Nemean Lion, the proudest of that Hero’s Trophies)/The Wreath of Laurel denotes that/REWARDS/Await the Brave who shall Successfully Wield their Swords in the Cause/of their Country, in Defense of British Security, Independence & Honor.” Below these details is "R. TEED DRESS SWORD MAKER, TO THE PATRIOTIC FUND, LANCASTER COURT STRAND." Provenance: Captain Robert Redmill 1805-1824, 1824-1901 unknown, Messrs. Glendining & Co. August 28, 1901, Sotheby's March 1966, Butterfield & Butterfield October 15, 1996, John Rinaldi, and William Koch

Documentation

Price Realized:

Lot 3008

Winchester Centennial 1876 Single Action Revolver

Offered here is one of the most advanced rarities in Winchester collecting, a Winchester-Wetmore-Wells single action revolver. In 1872, former Smith & Wesson employees William W. Wetmore and Charles S. Wells were hired by Winchester to develop a revolver. As the year 1872 came to a close, Wetmore and Wells had developed rudimentary single action revolver designs. Later their designs featured chambering for a new series of experimental cartridges developed by Wells and experimental ejector systems that included a swing out cylinder design by Stephen W. Wood. Winchester board of directors planned on making a big splash in the revolver market and planned on doing so at the Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. To say that the directors were ambitious would be an understatement. The company was still enjoying the success and profits that came with the improved design of the Henry rifle, the Model 1866, and its iron frame successor the Model 1873 and were looking forward to the introduction the Model 1876 at the time of Centennial celebration. But the revolver market eluded the company. Colt emerged as the big winner in the revolver market, winning a series of highly competitive U.S. Army contracts and also a large share of the civilian market with its Single Action Army. Smith & Wesson also won a few U.S. contracts and had a large civilian following. In the early 1870s it was announced that the U.S. government as well as the Russian government were in the market for a new side arm. Smith & Wesson as well as Colt competed for these contracts but what many people do not realize is so did Winchester. Undaunted by its losses for government contracts, Winchester forged ahead with its plans to break into the revolver market. The company invested a great sum of resources and money to the Centennial Exhibition, and their Wetmore-Wells revolver samples were introduced to the public. (For more see, for example, Herbert Houze's "Winchester Repeating Arms Company" with a photo of a similar revolver on page 100. Note that other publications have referred to Centennial '76s as Winchester-Borchardt revolvers. An examination of the historical record has shown Borchardt's participation in the design of these revolvers was minimal.) Renowned firearms expert and author R.L Wilson has noted 9 known Winchester revolvers with most of them still held by the Winchester Museum in Cody, Wyoming. This example is without visible markings and features a cartridge ejector system developed by Wells. The ejector system is mounted on the right side of the frame. Ejecting a casing requires the operator to push down the ejector bar, thus setting in motion a sliding ejector that rode under the rims of a chambered cartridge in line with the loading port. It has a solid frame, six shot cylinder, blade front sight and frame sighting groove. All nickel finish with checkered walnut grips. A lanyard ring is mounted on the butt. According to a signed letter of analysis by Winchester expert and author Herbert Houze, "Approximately seven pistols were made in this series prior to the termination of the project in late July 1876….and [this revolver] is identical in nearly all respects to an unfinished model [at the Winchester Arms Museum]." Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection and Gabe Lawson Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 40-50

Price Realized:

Iconic and Incredibly Rare, Well Documented Finest Known Cuno Helfricht Deluxe Factory Engraved, Nickel and Gold Plated, Black Powder Colt Etched Panel Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Incised Eagle Pearl Grips and Factory Letter as Pictured in "A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver"

Lot 104

Factory Engraved Colt Frontier Six Shooter SAA Revolver

Offered here is an exceptional factory documented masterpiece of the most iconic 19th century American firearm by Colt's longest tenured Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. It's combination of rarity, condition, configuration and pedigree put it into the rarified category of not good nor great but utterly exceptional. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 4 ¾ inch barrel in .44-40 caliber, two-tone finish (“nickel with gold cylinder”), pearl grips and engraving and states the revolver was shipped to J.F. Schmelzer & Sons of Kansas City on January 29, 1889. The revolver is pictured in Graham, Kopec and Moore’s “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” on page XXII. The authors attribute the engraving to famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht or his shop and the pearl stocks with incised and enameled American eagle as factory original. Helfricht spent his nearly 50 year career exclusively with the Colt firm (1871-1921). During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. Using the most liberal statistics only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved, and the overwhelming majority of those 2,500 were done in the twilight years of production. Thus, an emphasis must be placed on the rarity of factory documented black powder single actions. Yet even fewer of those remain in high condition, like this incredible piece. In the chapter devoted to engraved SAAs in the seminal work “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver” the authors lay out statistics that without a doubt make this SAA a true rarity in Colt collecting, a standout piece to even the most advanced public or private collections. Out of the engraved 1st Generations surveyed approximately 15% were chambered in .44 WCF (the vast majority, 65%, where in .45 caliber) and 4% had a combination of gold and nickel plating. As already mentioned, the grips are pearl and feature an incised American eagle on the left panel. Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted only "a few" SAAs left the factory with embellished grips, the embellishment was generally a carved steer head, and those of pearl are especially rare. The rarity of this SAA cannot be overstated. The left side of the barrel has the acid etched “COLT FRONTIER SIX SHOOTER” panel. As noted in “A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver,” the barrel etching “is in nearly as fine a condition as the day it left the factory.” This highly desirable etched barrel panel was officially replaced by the Colt factory in the 120,000 serial number range with the much easier to produce and larger roll-stamping. Rarely is the etched panel encountered in such pristine condition. We currently know of four other factory engraved SAAs with the Frontier Six Shooter etched panel (nos. 47135, 52438, 56304 and 53117). No. 47135 was engraved by Eugene Young. Known as the Rosebud SAA, no. 52438 was owned by a U.S. Indian Service superintendent at the Rosebud Indian Agency. Nos. 53117 and 56304 are in private hands. No. 56304 has the additional significance of being presentation inscribed to one of Billy the Kid’s captors, Frank Stewart. The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the standard three date, three-line patent marking. The left side of the trigger guard is stamped “44 CAL.” Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The trigger guard serial number is inside an engraved banner. Provenance: The Ray Vanyek Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Price Realized:

Well-Documented D Company No. 13 Colt Model 1847 Walker Percussion Revolver Documented as Owned by Texas Pioneer and Confederate Cavalry Veteran John Z. Leyendecker with a Massive Amount of Extensive Research

Lot 154

Texas Confederate Cavalryman's Colt Walker Revolver

The Colt Walker is the pinnacle of collecting for advanced Colt collection. These incredibly historic revolvers are among the most difficult to obtain of all antique American firearms. Only 1,000 military contract Walker revolvers were manufactured by Samuel Colt at Eli Whitney's factory in Connecticut. They are the model responsible for relaunching Samuel Colt’s firearms making business and propelling his name and his firearms to international fame. They were first issued to the U.S. Mounted Rifles in 1847 and first used in the Mexican-American War. Many remained in Texas after the war, and some, like this one, are documented as having been used by Confederate cavalrymen during the Civil War. Those in working condition continued to be used through the Civil War by Confederates. Due to this extensive use in the mid-19th century and beyond, as well as flaws in the metallurgy, only around 10% of Colt Walkers survive, and many that do are incomplete relics. This revolver was displayed as part of the famous Parade of Walkers in 2003 by Mr. Virgil Mylin and is pictured in the Gun Report article "The Texas Gun Collectors' Parade of Walkers" by Dick Salzer about the display. The Colt comes with a copy of its display certificate signed by the TGCA Walker Display Committee (Paul Sorrell, Bobby Smith, Michael Simens and Bobby Vance) and information about the display are included within the two binders of research and documents that accompany the revolver. The revolver is also listed in some of the published lists of surviving Walkers. The documents include correspondence with multiple descendants of Confederate Assistant Quartermaster John Z. Leyendecker (1827-1902) who owned this revolver. After his purchase, Mr. Mylin contacted the Leyendecker surviving relatives who confirmed they personally knew of the revolver and that it had been passed down through their family. The family documents also provide insight into Leyendecker’s biography discussed below. Per family tradition, this revolver was carried by John Z. Leyendecker in both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War. It was later passed onto Joseph Leyendecker (1871-1963), one of his sons, and the younger Leyendecker may have also personally used the revolver in the southwest while he was transporting freight between Laredo and San Antonio. He passed the revolver on to Liston Leyendecker (1931-2001), his grandson and one of John Z. Leyendecker’s many grandchildren. Liston Leyendecker was professional historian living in Colorado when he sold the revolver to noted antique American firearms expert and collector Frank Sellers in 1981. Since then, it has been owned by a select group of collectors. The revolver is one of an estimated 220 revolvers manufactured with "D COMPANY" markings (the 1,000 military contract Walker Model Revolvers were serial-numbered sequentially with Company A-E with between 120 and 220 revolvers marked for each company). It has the base of the German silver front sight blade present and a small notch in the hammer for a rear sight. “D COMPANY No 13” is on the left side of the barrel lug and frame. “D” and “13” visible on the cylinder. The front of the brass trigger guard has “D COMY No 13.” The butt of the iron back strap has “D COMPANY No 13” reading from the heel towards the toe. The cylinder pin is marked “13” on the bottom, and “13” is repeated on the left side of the front strap and the toe of the grip. A copy of a December 9, 1982, letter from Sellers is included in which he explains that the rammer assembly (rammer, screw, plunger, and plunger screw) is a period replacement "probably done by a blacksmith to replace these parts which were notoriously weak on the original." The rammer catch is a modern replacement made by Sellers since no catch was present when he acquired it. The wedge screw is also a replacement, but the wedge "is probably the original." "Internal parts, as far as could be determined without removing the hammer, trigger, and bolt screws, which are frozen, are all original and carry the proper assembly marks." The included letter from R.L. Wilson details his examination of the revolver, which essentially confirms what Sellers and the family information provide, but Wilson also adds that the "US/1847" markings on the barrel lug were likely defaced to prevent reclamation by the government. He wrote that he "considers D Company No. 13 as a superior example to the majority" of surviving Walkers and notes specifically that it is better than C Company No. 33 from the Colt factory museum collection as well as examples in several other prominent museums. He concludes, "D Company No. 13 is an extremely important Walker, due particularly to the accompanying history of Mexican War and frontier Texas use, as well as during the frontier Texas and Civil War services of John Z. Leyendecker." John Zirvas (Johann Zefrus) Leyendecker was born September 10, 1827, at Mellmerod in the Dutchy of Nassau in what is now Germany and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 18 years old along with his parents and siblings on the Riga and arrived in Texas in 1845. His family settled at Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country. He is reported to have fought in the Mexican-American War but documentation providing details of that service have not been uncovered. He opened a sutler’s shop and Indian trading post at Fort Chadbourne with fellow German immigrant Christian Kraus in March of 1853. In 1855, he opened a store in Laredo. He became a U.S. citizen on April 1, 1856. On June 1, 1857, he married Maria Andrea Benavides (1835-1863), the sister of influential local leader Santos Benavides (1823-1891). Together they had four children and adopted another. His store in Laredo was robbed in 1858. He also had another store in Fredericksburg. He is reported as the first postmaster of Laredo in 1858-1859. During the Civil War, the recent immigrants from Germany living in the Texas Hill Country were generally Unionists and held anti-slavery views, but his brother-in-law was the commanding officer of the 33rd Texas Cavalry, commonly known as the Benavides Regiment or Benavides Cavalry, and Leyendecker elected to serve under him as a lieutenant and later captain. Colonel Benavides was the highest ranking Confederate Tejano. Records list Leyendecker as the acting assistant quartermaster and acting assistant commissary of subsistence for the regiment based at Fort McIntosh. He appears to have enlisted in 1863. Among the Benavides Cavalry’s exploits were fending off three attacks by an estimated 200 Union troops at the Battle of Laredo on March 18, 1864, despite only numbering around 42 men themselves. The Union troops attacked to try to destroy bales of cotton destined for Mexico. The Confederate victory ensured the passage of cotton into to Mexico and thus helped to provide resources to the Confederate cause. As a merchant and quartermaster, Leyendecker was involved in the sale and shipment of Confederate cotton and the purchasing of goods from Mexico and likely had his own personal finances at stake. Benavides also led his men in the last official land battle of the Civil War at the Battle of Palmito Ranch on May 12 and 13 of 1865. Leyendecker’s first wife died during the war from tuberculosis, and he remarried to her sister Juliana (1837-1926) on August 1, 1865. This was apparently in accordance with his wife’s wishes. Together they raised his surviving children from the first marriage and had ten more, including Joseph Patrick Leyendecker (1871-1963) who was later given this revolver by his father and likely used it himself in the Southwest. According to one of his second wife’s included obituaries, John Leyendecker was one of two men in Laredo along with Father Souchon when Union forces arrived. After first fearing he would be executed, his wife noted that he was instead kept on as quartermaster for the Union troops in Laredo. He was the postmaster in Laredo for nine years during Reconstruction and was active in politics, including as the representative for Colorado County in the Texas Legislature in 1873-1874. He was also a prominent local businessman with various official capacities, including as treasurer and secretary and a director of the Rio Grande & Eagle Pass Railway. His fine home built after the war still stands in Laredo today and remained in the family until 1995. His obituaries from August 1902 note that he was a Texas pioneer and was well-known throughout the state. The ranching community of Leyendecker, Texas, (now essentially a ghost town) northwest of Laredo and John Z. Leyendecker Elementary School in Laredo were named in his honor. Provenance: John Z. Leyendecker, Joseph P. Leyendecker, Liston Leyendecker, Frank Sellers, Don Fraser, Eric Vaule, Paul Sorrel, Frank Singer, Virgil Mylin, Michael E. Simens, Current Consignor

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44

Price Realized:

Lot 1141

Cased Colt No. 5 Texas Paterson Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to present Colt No. 5 Texas Paterson Revolver serial number 157, an exceptional piece of Colt history as documented in R.L. Wilson’s “The Paterson Colt Book” and accompanying R.L. Wilson letter. This is one of the rarest Colt sets. Even the most advanced Colt collections are missing this type of Paterson revolver set. Research by Linda Lasseter and Steve Evans approximates that there are only 29 known No. 5s with 9 inch barrels. Even rarer are cased nine inch barreled No. 5 sets. Known cased set examples include no. 3 from The Paterson Museum collection, nos. 141 and 515 sold by us in auction 70 (May 2017) and auction 61 (May 2014) respectively and cased pair nos. 582 and 600 in a private collection. Finally, there is this example, no. 157, waiting to be included in your collection. Approximately 1,000 No. 5 Texas Paterson revolvers manufactured by Samuel Colt's Patent Arms Manufacturing Company from 1838-40. The No. 5 Holster Model were the largest of all the Paterson handguns and achieved fame as a result of their use by Captain Jack Hays and other Rangers on the Texas frontier. In fact, a major purchaser of the No. 5 was the Republic of Texas. Samuel Walker was familiar with the No. 5 during his days as a Texas Ranger and used the revolver to great effect. His experience with the Paterson persuaded him to advocate for a larger, quicker loading revolver powerful enough to kill either a man or horse with a single shot. His discussions with Samuel Colt led to the Colt Walker Model revolver in 1847. What followed next was a rapid evolution in revolver design spearhead by Colt who introduced the Dragoon series of revolvers that were based on the Walker design. Samuel Walker is often credited for establishing early Colt revolvers as an effective handgun. The Walker and Dragoon revolvers definitely provided Colt with financial relief and fame. This particular No. 5 features a barrel with a German silver front sight blade and "- Patent Arms M'g. Co. Paterson, N.J. - Colt's Pt. -" reading from the breech to the muzzle with “star & snake” terminals at either end of the roll-stamped legend. The five-shot cylinder with square shoulder is roll engraved with the stagecoach holdup scene and is marked "COLT." Based on research by Linda Lasseter and Steve Evans, there are only 33 known No. 5s with square back cylinders but only 12 known with 9 inch barrels and square back cylinders. The hammer spur is smooth. The serial number “157” is on the rear face of the barrel lug, rear face of the cylinder, wedge, cylinder collar, bottom of grip, and inside of the back strap. The walnut case lined in blue velvet and featuring wires and studs to secure the accessories is original. The accessories are original and correct. The extra cylinder is numbered (“157”) to the gun and features the correct roll engraved stagecoach holdup scene. The other accessories are the following: combination loading tool with screwdriver, nipple wrench, and nipple pricker, brass cleaning rod with wooden handle, combination powder and ball flask bearing the number “18” (rarely do flask numbers match these revolvers in the same set), blued bullet mold with wooden handles, brass capper featuring the early Rampant Colt logo, and case key. This No. 5 along with its case and accessories is pictured and identified in R.L. Wilson’s “The Paterson Colt Book” on page 136. In his accompanying letter (copy), Wilson authenticates this No. 5 along with the accessories and concludes, “Serial No. 157 Texas or Holster Model Paterson Colt Revolver is one of the finest and most desirable of Patersons which it has been the author’s privilege to examine. It is well deserving of a place of honor in the most discriminating of museum or private collections.” We could not have said it better. Provenance: Warren Anderson, Ira Weinstein, Dennis LeVett, Bobby Smith and property of a gentleman

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 36

Price Realized:

Extremely Rare Award Winning Civil War Confederate 1862 Dated Tredegar Iron Works 12-Pounder Field Howitzer with Carriage

Lot 1172

Civil War Confederate Tredegar 12-Pounder Field Howitzer

The consignor indicated this howitzer won "Best Gun" at the Baltimore show in 2016. It was cast at the Tredegar Iron Works in the Confederate capitol of Richmond, Virginia, by J.R. Anderson & Co. The foundry first opened in 1837 and remained active into the mid-20th century. West Point graduate Joseph Anderson became the supervisor of the foundry and later purchased the company in 1854. The foundry was the largest iron producer in the whole South by the outbreak of the war and manufactured nearly 1,100 cannons for the Confederate war effort in a variety of patterns in addition to other iron goods. They were the only foundry in the Confederate States capable of building heavy ordnance such as the massive Brooke rifles, and, due to the protected location in Richmond, they remained active until April of 1865. This 12-pounder iron field howitzer tube was cast in 1862 and is one of around 30 manufactured in 1861-1862 and one of just around 14 extant. This pattern was halted after some of the howitzers burst during use. As with most Civil War artillery, relatively few are in private hands. It has "1507" stamped on the muzzle below the cone front sight, "1862" on the left trunnion, “JRA & Co/TF” (J.R. Anderson & Co. and Tredegar Foundry) on the right trunnion, and “850” weight ahead of the vent at breech. It is mounted on a professionally built carriage.

Price Realized:

Lot 1504

U.S. Singer Manufacturing Co. Model 1911A1 Pistol

This is an outstanding and scarce variation of a World War II era U.S. Model 1911A1 pistol that was manufactured by the Singer Manufacturing Company, who previously had become a global leader in the manufacture of sewing machines. Singer Model 1911A1 pistols certainly need very little introduction, and their desirability in the 1911 and 1911A1 collectors market is unmatched. There were only 500 of these extremely rare pistols produced as part of Educational Order No. W-ORD-396 awarded April 17, 1940. The pistols were to be produced alongside a set of gauges, jigs, fixtures, machines, patterns and other equipment necessary for mass production. The total cost of the educational order amounted to $278,875.67, or about $538 per pistol, a princely sum for 1940, and the equivalent of approximately $9,945 per pistol today. However, much of this cost would be recuperated by the government as the extremely valuable production equipment made by Singer would immediately become government property upon completion of their contracts. Most of this equipment would later be utilized by Remington-Rand. In June of 1941, Singer was awarded a larger order for 15,000 pistols, a contract which would never be fulfilled. They completed the initial order for 500 in December of 1941, which were then shipped to Springfield Armory for distribution. Shortly after that, it became clear to Singer and the government that their specific talents of manufacture could be far better utilized elsewhere. For the remainder of the war, the company would be manufacturing more intricate materials such as the M5 Artillery Fire Control Directors. It is reported that almost all of the 500 pistols that were produced were issued to the Army Air Corps in various theatres early in World War II. Some are even reported to have been issued to Army Airmen stationed at Hickam Field in Hawaii on 5 December, just two days before it was "suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." Given the terribly high casualty rates amongst the Army Air Corps early in the war, especially amongst bomber crews fighting the Luftwaffe in Europe, it is clear that far fewer than 500 of these pistols survived in any condition, let alone the exceptional condition this one is in. The left of the slide on this example has the standard "S. MFG. CO./ELIZABETH, N.J.,U.S.A." address, the right is unmarked, and there is a "P" proof on top just in front of the rear sight. The right side of the frame has the "JKC" inspection mark of Colonel John K. Clement, which is found on all government accepted Singer manufactured pistols as well as the production equipment, as well as another "P" proof. The barrel is the correct original "P" inspected variant. The right side has the standard U.S. property markings, "S" prefixed serial number, and "M 1911 A1 U.S. ARMY" marking. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, stamped trigger, long grip safety, checkered wide hammer, checkered slide stop, magazine release, and thumb safety; arched checkered mainspring housing with lanyard loop, checkered Keyes Fiber grips, and an "R" marked, non-factory replacement, full blued magazine. These Singer 1911A1 pistols have truly become the "holy grail" of 1911 and 1911A1 collecting for a variety of reasons. Their quality of manufacture is without question, even surpassing that of some of the best Colt manufactured automatics, and certainly being the finest of the World War II production 1911A1 pistols. There is the fact that these pistols were issued and carried by young men of "the greatest generation", many of whom were flying high over Europe and the Pacific, and many of whom never returned home. And finally, that they are a palpable piece of the awakening of American industrial might, and an enduring symbol of this country's ability to adapt and overcome. If the Singer sewing machine company could drop everything and make a weapon as fine as this, then there was nothing we couldn't overcome. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 ACP

Price Realized:

Incredible Unique Pair of Engraved R.B. Rodda 4 Bore Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Dangerous Game Hammer Rifles with Individual Cases -A) Rodda 4 Bore Hammer Rifle

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 1329

Pair of Engraved R.B. Rodda 4 Bore Hammer Rifles

Representing the ultimate stopping power for the well-heeled Victorian hunter, enormous rifles such as this found favor in India. Manufactured in circa 1880-85 and retailed by the famous firm of R.B. Rodda & Co. from their Calcutta premises, such grand and expensive rifles would no doubt have found their way into the armoury of a discerning noble or Maharaja. Of considerable weight to aide with the recoil, this rifle has browned Damascus twist barrels respectively signed in gold “R.B. RODDA & CO. GUN MAKERS. TO H.E. THE VICEROY” and “& H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. LONDON & CALCUTTA” towards each breech end, each breech end with a thin engraved band of stylized running foliage. A broad raised rib extends to a doll’s head at the breech end, is matted with engraved panels of fine chevron patterned checkering, and fitted with a bead front sight and blued rear sight of three folding leaves each with platinum inlaid center line and respectively calibrated from “100” to “200” yards. Casehardened border and scroll engraved action with carved percussion fences and Jones patent rotary underlever. The casehardened back action non-rebounding locks each have a blued safety catch, are engraved en suite with the action and signed “R.B. RODDA & CO.” in gold. The remaining furniture comprising casehardened forearm with cross bolt fastener, blued trigger guard, turned dark horn grip cap, sling eyes and blued iron butt plate engraved with a large panel of checkering and the loading instruction “SHOT WITH SPHERICAL BALL / CHARGE OF POWDER 9 DRS/CURTIS & HARVEY’S NO. 6”. The flats of the barrels and water table are struck with London black powder proof marks. Straight grain 14 1/4 inch pistol grip stock with checkered grip and forearm, and large blank silver oval initial escutcheon. Weight 20 lbs 13 oz. Each rifle comes with a recent eel skin covered brass cornered oak fitted case lined in dark purple velvet, the lid with reproduction printed R.B. Rodda trade label, and a set of accessories, among them brass ball mold, brass bullet mold, brass cartridge extractor, casehardened mainspring clamp, takedown cleaning rod, brass snap caps, five assorted containers, wad cutter, powder measure, three screwdrivers, wrench and brush. Together with a framed printed advert for R.B. Rodda from “The Oriental Sporting Magazine” dated June, 1868.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 4 bore

Well-Documented, Incredibly Rare, and Desirable 1 of 1,000 Winchester Model 1873 Deluxe Lever Action Rifle with the Factory Presentation Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action Carbine and Documentation, Including a Factory Letter -A) 1 of 1,000 Winchester Lever Action Rifle

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 1008

Winchester Model 1873 1 of 1000 Rifle & Model 94 Carbine

The immensely rare Winchester 1 of 1000 rifles are among the most coveted of all American firearms. Only 133 of these incredible rifles were manufactured, and the variety among this already rare group essentially makes each rifle a unique "Holy Grail" for collectors. This rifle is one of the finest First Model Winchester Model 1873 1 of 1,000 Rifles extant. Its rarity is enhanced by the XXX deluxe pistol grip stock. Pistol grip stocks are very rare on early Winchester Model 1873s. The included factory letter lists it as a rifle with an octagon barrel, set trigger, XXX checkered stock, Beach and peep sights, casehardened finish, sling and swivels, and 1 of 1,000. It was received in the warehouse and shipped on July 30, 1875. It is pictured and discussed on pages 31 and 32 of "The Story of the Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 Rifles" by Edmund E. Lewis. A signed "Special Leather-Bound Edition" copy of the book noting "Winchester Model 1873 Rifle/Serial Number 6594" on the limited edition label inside is included. This is one of only 50 signed copies. The text reads: "This rifle, a First Model with an Arabic 1 of 1000 inscription, was purchased by Fred Mills in 1935 from the Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Store in Boston. It was one of the first twenty rifles reported to Universal Pictures and Winchester during the 'Winchester '73' motion picture search. Mills reported: 'I bought this rifle June 6th, 1935, as recorded in my case book as follows, Win. 73 (1 of 1000) Fancy rifle $10... in almost new condition. Previous owner unknown.'" Lewis notes that the tang peep sight is a period addition, but the factory records list the rifle with a peep sight. He also notes that the lever is numbered to the gun under the sideplate confirming the rifle was ordered with a pistol grip. He also states the rifle is marked "6594" on the tang and "594" on the inside of the sideplates, the buttstock is marked for XXX deluxe walnut, and the lower tang and stock mortise are both numbered "394." Included documentation traces the provenance and confirms that the included Model 94 carbine was the one presented to Mills by Winchester as part of the "Winchester '73" search. The rifle is also listed in the section in the "One of A Thousands" chapter of "Winchester's New Model of 1873: A Tribute, Volume II" by James D. Gordon. The ledger details are listed as: octagon barrel, casehardened finish, checkered XXX stock, set trigger, and "P&B" sights (peep and Beach) and indicates the rifle was received and sold on July 30, 1875, in order 3745. It falls between the rifles inscribed for Thomas and Granville Stuart (sn. 5611 and 7282 respectively from order 3114) and is the twelfth 1 of 1,000 rifle listed in the factory ledgers out of only 133 Model 1873 1 of 1,000 rifles manufactured by Winchester. Only 63 were uncovered for Gordon's survey. The rifle was also pictured on the back cover of Jackson Arms' catalog 22 from 1965 and is listed as item 688 inside (copy included). Additionally, the rifle is discussed on page 65 of "Winchester: The Golden Age of American Gunmaking and the Winchester 1 of 1000" by R.L. Wilson. The rifle has a gold washed Beach folding combination globe and blade front sight, "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. OCTOBER 16. 1860." on top of the barrel ahead of the early short semi-buckhorn rear sight which has knurled edges, the distinctive "1 of 1000" marking hand inscribed on top of the barrel at the breech, the casehardened early 2nd type thumb print dust cover riding in the integral grooves in the top of the receiver, a tang mounted peep sight, adjustable single set trigger, casehardened receiver, style H checkered XXX deluxe forearm and pistol grip buttstock with contrasting grip insert and smooth steel shotgun buttplate, and sling swivels mounted on the forend cap and bottom of the buttstock.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF, 30-30

Price Realized:

Sensational and Near Mint, Cuno Helfricht Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Outstanding Relief Carved Incised Steer Head Pearl Grip and Factory Letter

Lot 1201

Helfricht Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Offered here is the embodiment of "a steel canvas" a spectacular piece of early 20th century American fine art by famed Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht. Helfricht was Colt's longest tenured in house master engraver who had literal hands on experience with the transition from percussion to cartridge revolvers and eventually automatic pistols. It is safe to say that no other engraver knew the lines of the 19th centuries most iconic firearm: the Colt 1873 Single Action Army better than Helfricht, and it is with great pride and pleasure we present this virtually flawless example executed by his own hand. During his tenure with Colt, Helfricht saw the transition from percussion to cartridge firearms and a rapidly growing market for engraved firearms. At the height of the firearm engraving fad, Helfricht oversaw a shop of six engravers. By the turn of the century, experts believe that Helfricht did most of the work himself with the help from one to two assistants. Helfricht's successor's included famed Colt engravers Wilbur Glahn and William Gough. The accompanying factory letter confirms the engraving, 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel plating, pearl stocks with carved steer head motif and engraving. The revolver was shipped to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, on December 12, 1908. The embellishment consists mostly of Helfricht’s signature floral scrollwork on a punch dot background along with zig-zag line motifs. As mentioned in the factory letter, the grips are pearl and feature the highly desirable factory relief carved steer head on the right panel. As Colt historian and author R.L. Wilson noted, only "a few" SAAs had factory hand carved steer head motif grips. The relief carving is especially rare on pearl grips. The left grip panel has an “ABW” monogram highlighted in black enamel. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” marked on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three date, three-line patent marking followed by a circled Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has Colt factory triangle proof and “6.” Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The trigger guard serial number is inside an engraved banner. Using the most liberal statistics only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved.

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 LC

Price Realized:

Historic and Magnificent Cased and Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Presented to the Commander of the Light Brigade -A) Colt Model 1851 Navy

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 3136

Model 1851 Navy Revolvers Presented by Colt to Lord Cardigan

This cased pair of factory engraved Colt Model 1851 London Navy Revolvers (serial no. 19089 and no. 19092) was presented by Samuel Colt to career British officer James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan (1797-1868). During the Crimean War, Lord Cardigan was a major general and commanded the British Light Brigade in the Sebastopol Campaign. On October 25, 1854, during the Battle of Balaclava, Lord Cardigan famously led approximately 670 troopers from the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade. They were armed with lances and sabers and were supposed to have been directed against redoubts already being overrun to prevent the Russians from withdrawing guns but were instead relayed an incorrect order by Captain Louis E. Nolan that sent the brigade into a suicidal charge under fire from Russian artillery and small arms against a fortified and well-defended Russian battery. At the end of the 20 minute encounter, the Light Brigade had suffered 110 killed, another 130 wounded (some mortally), and around 30 captured. Captain Nolan was one of the first to die in the charge. They also lost 335 horses. During the charge, Cardigan was at the front, engaged with the Russians in hand-to-hand combat, and then returned back up the valley alone and emerged remarkably unscathed. In his recollections of the battle, he stated they “advanced down a gradual descent of more than three-quarters of a mile, with the batteries vomiting forth upon us shells and shot, round and grape, with one battery on our right flank and another on the left, and all the intermediate ground covered with the Russian riflemen; so that when we came to within a distance of fifty yards from the mouths of the artillery which had been hurling destruction upon us, we were, in fact, surrounded and encircled by a blaze of fire, in addition to the fire of the riflemen upon our flanks.” Once the survivors reached the Russian battery, they were able to kill or drive back many of the artillerymen and silence the guns temporarily. They forced their way through “the mass of Russian cavalry of – as we have since learned – 5,240 strong; and having broken through that mass” and then were force to fight their way back through in retreat and were again under murderous fire from the enemy artillery and riflemen. The Light Brigade were heralded as heroes, and their actions used to symbolize the immense courage of the British cavalry and more broadly the Royal Army. Cardigan left for England in December and was invited to tell Queen Victoria his account of the battle. He became an instant celebrity telling tales of the events (some fantastical), and the famous “cardigan” sweater was named for him. In 1859, he became the colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards and was retired as a lieutenant-general in 1860 as the colonel the 11th Hussars, his first command from 1836. His final act as a military officer was reviewing the 11th before they embarked for India in 1866. These revolvers are some of the best known and documented of all the Samuel Colt presentation pieces and are some of the most historic of all Colt presentation revolvers. This casing has been illustrated and described in numerous publications including: "Samuel Colt Presents", "The Book of Colt Engraving" and "Steel Canvas" by R.L Wilson and the "Antique Arms Annual” from 1971. The 2nd Model London Navy Revolvers were manufactured in 1855 and are engraved in script on the back straps: "Presented to/The Earl of Cardigan/by the Inventor" in three lines. The revolvers have blued barrels and cylinders, casehardened frames, loading levers and hammers and steel silver-plated trigger guards and back straps. The one-piece, deluxe walnut grips have a high polish 'piano' finish. The revolvers are embellished with delicate British vine style scroll engraving on the barrels, loading lever flats, frames, trigger guards and back straps. The tops of the hammers are decorated with a fish motif. The cylinders are roll-engraved with the standard Texas Navy battle scene. The top of each barrel is roll-stamped: "-ADDRESS COL. COLT. LONDON -" in a panel with engraved borders. "COLTS PATENT" is engraved in Old English letters in a ribbons on the left side of each frame. The full serial number is located on the loading lever, barrel, frame, trigger guard, back strap and cylinder of each revolver. All of the visible serial numbers on both revolvers match. A punch-mark below the serial number on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap indicates that the revolvers were designated for special finish and engraving. London proof and view marks are stamped on the left side of each barrel lug and over alternate chambers on each cylinder. The revolvers have a brass bound English style oak case with green felt lining and ten compartments. The case lid is inlaid with the circular, folding brass handles surrounding a round brass plate engraved with an earl’s coronet for Lord Cardigan. Three of the interior compartments have brass handles. The case contains: a steel cleaning rod with blued ball handle, two lacquered Eley cap tins with green paper labels, two blued nipple wrench/screwdriver combination tools, two double cavity bullet molds marked: "COLTS/PATENT" on the sprue cutters (one silver plated), spare parts including a mainspring and percussion nipples, and a "COLTS NAVY FLASK" from "JAMES DIXON/& SONS/SHEFFELD” with a brown lacquer body, gold-plated brass top and adjustable spout and niter blue spring.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 36 percussion

Price Realized:

Extremely Rare, Documented New Haven Arms Company Iron Frame Henry Lever Action Rifle

Lot 13

New Haven Arms Company Iron Frame Henry Rifle

Iron frame Henry Lever Action Rifle manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company, June 1862. Experts estimate that the New Haven Arms Co., manufactured about 300 Henry rifles with iron frames during the first three months of production (April-June 1862). Serial numbers of the eighty-nine identified iron frame Henry rifles range from 1-393. Collectors have identified seventy-seven brass frame Henry rifles in this same serial number range. Sixteen brass and iron frame Henry rifles in this serial number range have been identified with duplicate serial numbers. The rifle has a blued iron frame, crescent buttplate and octagon barrel with integral 15-round magazine. The hammer, lever and crescent buttplate have a casehardened finish. The straight grain, American walnut stock has a polished "piano" finish. The rifle has the distinctive early production features which include: (1) alternate rear sight dovetail on the receiver, (2) loading lever which lacks the lever latch spur, (3) lower tang with no provision for a lever latch, (4) small diameter brass cartridge follower head, (5) straight, un-beveled, receiver follower slot, (6) half-moon shaped, nickel-silver, front sight blade, (7) rounded buttplate heel, and (8) serial numbers stamped on the shanks of the buttplate screws and the tang screws. The rear sight dovetail on the barrel is fitted with the original, first style, rear sight with 1000 yard center notch and elevator bar with rounded ends. The butt trap contains a four-piece, jointed, hickory cleaning rod. The cleaning rod is the standard configuration furnished with rifles below serial number 4000 with the exception of a non-standard brass tip. The rifle is not fitted with a sling loop or ring hook, which were special order items on early Henry rifles. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "HENRY'S PATENT. OCT. 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS.CO. NEWHAVEN.CT" ahead of the rear sight. This smaller, first style legend utilizes both Roman (serifed) and Gothic (block) letters with the second "NEWHAVEN" in the second line in block letters. The serial number, "287" is stamped: (1) on the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the receiver, (2) on the left side of the lower tang underneath the stock, (3) in the upper tang inlet of the stock, (4) inside the heel of the buttplate, and (5) on the shanks of all five buttplate and tang screws. All of the visible serial numbers match. This rifle is identified by serial number in Wiley Sword's "The Historic Henry Rifle" (page 85) as one of the very few known iron frame Henry rifles to have a duplicate serial number as a brass frame. The iron fame Henry rifle is the rarest and most desirable variation of the rare and desirable Henry lever action rifle.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Henry RF

Price Realized:

Exceptionally Fine African Big Game Theme Engraved and Gold Inlaid J. & L. Wilkins & Co. .700 Nitro Express Sidelock Hammerless Double Rifle with Case

Lot 317

Game Scene Engraved J. & L. Wilkins & Co. .700 N.E. Double Rifle

Blued steel chopper lump barrels with a white beaded blade front sight on a raised section of rib, quarter rib at the rear holding the three leaf rear sight with gold center lines and marked for 50, 100, and 200 yards respectively, and a sling stud mounted on the under rib. The quarter rib is also marked "J. & L. WILKINS & Co. LONDON" in fine gold inlay and there are bands of engraving at the breeches and on the doll's head extension. The barrel flats have standard Birmingham proofs including the massive pressure rating of "3198 BAR" for the 700 N.E. cartridge and "YC in crossed swords" indicating a 1996 date of manufacture. Casehardened receiver features bushed firing pins, massive bolsters, automatic ejectors, carved fences, matching casehardened sidelocks, and fine floral scroll engraving. Each side of the receiver bears the maker's mark "J. & L. WILKINS & Co." in a banner and the underside is marked "NITRO/700./EXPRESS", all of which is inlaid in gold, along with the "SAFE" marking and serial number on the upper and lower tangs respectively. The left lockplate is relief engraved and gold inlaid with a highly detailed rhinoceros in a gold oval surrounded by scroll and yet another gold inlaid line border. The right lockplate is done in the same fashion but in place of the rhinoceros is a cape buffalo. Beautiful, highly figured, multi-point checkered walnut forearm with fittings engraved to match the receiver and an Anson button release. The pistol grip stock is of the same outstanding quality and displays tear drop carved flats, raised cheek piece, engraved grip cap with trapdoor, blank brass inscription oval, rear sling stud, and a substantial leather wrapped recoil pad. J. & L. Wilkins & Co. was purportedly the brainchild of two business men that had rifles built in England and marketed them under this name due to the fact that it sounded quite English, at least more so than their American and Indonesian names. It is also believed that only four .700 N.E. rifles were built by the firm, based on the serial number this is likely the fourth and last produced, 700 for the .700 N.E. cartridge and 4 for the fourth gun produced making the serial number 7004. Included with this beautiful high art rifle is a leather bound, brass fitted case with J. & L. Wilkins & Co. trade label on the inner lid holding a two piece cleaning rod, nickel oiler, and two snap caps. The length of pull is 15 1/4 inches and this behemoth weighs in at 16 lbs 9 oz.

Has Box

Modern

Caliber / Gauge: 700 Nitro Express

Price Realized:

Rare Documented Single Digit Serial Number 9 Colt Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol with Factory Letter

Lot 449

1911 Production Serial Number 9 Colt Model 1911 Pistol

Manufactured in 1911, the first year of production, this is a very fine example of an exceptionally early production, single digit serial number, U.S. Colt Model 1911 Pistol. This pistol was assembled in the first block of 40 Model 1911 pistols at the Colt plant on the first day of production, which was 28 December 1911. Before the end of the year, Colt had only completed 51 pistols, making a first year production Model 1911 incredibly scarce. The first 50 of these pistols were shipped to Springfield Armory on 4 January 1912. These pistols were the pinnacle of military technology at the time, with military men and civilians alike, eager to get their hands on the powerful handgun. In many ways, this pistol, being so early in production, can be seen as a trailblazer, a pioneer of a reputation of reliability, and a founding father of a legacy that is still alive and well to this day. This pistol, being within the first 83 Model 1911's produced, is marked in accordance with the Ordnance Department drawings which were dated 26 April 1911, which are shown on p. 72 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Clawson. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent dates, ending in 1911, and the two-line Colt address with letters that are 5/64 inch tall, arranged in two-blocks with the circled Rampant Colt behind the serrations. At serial number 84 the letters in the address were reduced to 1/16 inch to match those of the patent dates. The left side of the frame has the early 3/32 inch tall "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking which is found only on the first 104 pistols, before also being reduced in size to 1/16 inch, which was approved by the Ordnance Office on 26 December 1911. The circled "WGP" monogram of inspector Major Walter G. Penfield is just behind the trigger guard on the right, parallel to the axis of the grip. The trigger guard correctly lacks assembler's marks. The right side of the slide bears the "MODEL OF 1911. U.S.ARMY" marking. The serial number is in front of the slide stop hole on the right of the frame as was standard on the first 7,500 pistols. The prefix of the serial number was the only departure from the Ordnance drawings, being "No." instead of "NO.", which was subsequently changed to "No" with the "o" underlined at approximately serial number 4501. This pistol features the early high polish Colt finish which is found on only the first 2,400 Model 1911 pistols, before the Ordnance department pushed Colt to switch to a less reflective, more durable, "dull finish". This example also features the bright nitre blue small parts which were phased out at the time of the switch to "dull blue". The magazine catch is of the early "dimpled" pattern, which was replaced with a slotted type at serial number 3190. The slide stop and thumb safety show the early hand checkering which was only present on approximately the first 150 pistols. The slide is fitted with blade and round-top notch rear sights. The barrel is a much later production replacement with "5" stamped underneath, ahead of the lug. It has a wide checkered hammer, short grip safety, long smooth trigger, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, diamond pattern checkered grips, and a correct early pattern two-tone magazine with exposed base with lanyard loop. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration (grips not listed) as well as the previously mentioned shipment date to Springfield Armory on 4 January 1912. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 ACP

Price Realized:

Incredible Cased Pair of Relief Chiseled and Carved Exhibition Gastinne-Renette Percussion Pistols with Gilt Mounts Dated 1857 -A) Gastinne-Renette Percussion Pistol

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 1299

Cased Pair of Exhibition Gastinne-Renette Percussion Pistols

Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette (1812-1885) ran arguably Paris' most prestigious fine arms shops of the mid 19th century and won medals at multiple international exhibitions in the 1840s to 1870s. In particular, Gastinne-Renette was known for high end percussion pistols, and several pairs from his shop are in renowned collections around the world, including two pairs currently in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and additional pairs previously displayed there that we have sold recently. Most notably this pair is mate to a pair of pistol sold in December of 2020 from the Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection of nearly identical mounts done in silver and displayed at the Exposition Universelle of 1855 by Louis-Julien Gastinne-Renette (1812-1885) where his firm won a first class medal. They also maintained a shooting gallery where the elite could polish up their marksmanship skills and compete into the 20th century. At their core, these pistols follow the same basic form as many French dueling and target pistols from the era; they have rifled barrels with fine bead front and U-notch rear sights, carved half-stocks, percussion locks, light trigger pulls, and spurred trigger guards. However, their ornamentation is far from standard. The starkest difference is the gilt trigger guards and pommel caps which feature deep relief case floral, scroll, and shell patterns, lion masks. The barrels have "Gastinne Renette Arqr de l'Empereur a Paris" in raised silver letters, fine panels of relief engraved leafy grapevines with finely matted backgrounds, gadrooned urn shaped bolsters with scroll extensions carefully inletted into the stocks, "crown/GR" on the bottom of the breech plugs, and ".1857.900" on the bottom of the barrels. The engraving on the upper tangs flows essentially seamlessly from the barrels. The locks have relief engraved grape and acanthus scrolls with floral accents, and finely matted backgrounds and are inletted "island style" with wood between the locks and the fenced bolsters. Coordinating engraving is featured on the trigger plates, wedge escutcheons, and side plates, and these components along with the lock and barrel are finished in a smooth French gray. The sights, nipples, some lock screws, and triggers are finished in bright niter blue. Several of the engraving panels and several components have various ogee shaped finials. The nicely figured French walnut stocks have nearly full-coverage relief carved interlacing scroll patterns with stippled backgrounds and only the side panels left smooth. The case has elaborate gilt trim that coordinates well with the pistols, rosewood veneer panels, chamfered corners, gilt scroll, imperial arms, and "GASTINNE-RENETTE/ARQR ORDINAIRE/de S.M. l'Empereur" inside the lid, and closely fitted interior carrying loading and cleaning rods, engraved gilt brass measure, engraved powder flask with adjustable spout from Schaufelberger of Paris, nipple wrench, screwdriver, ball mold, mallet, turned containers, and the ornate gilt key. Also inside is silvered prize medal by Falize award to a Mr. S. Bailey for winning the 1922 Spencer Eddy Challenge with a score of 392 points. The medal features a standard Gastinne-Renette pistol, target, and vine design on the front and a scene from the company on the back. Spencer F. Eddy was an American diplomat in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and considered one of the most fashionable men of the era.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45

Price Realized:

Lot 1481

Colt Model 1909 "Straight Handle" Semi-Automatic Pistol

Manufactured in 1909, this is an outstanding example of a Colt Model 1909 "Straight Handle" semi-automatic pistol which was an extremely important step along the evolutionary path to the legendary Colt Model 1911 Pistol. Only 23 of these pistols were manufactured by Colt for testing with various ordnance boards in an attempt to secure a contract with the U.S. military. These pistols were never adopted by the United States but lead directly to the eventual adoption of the Model 1911 which would go on to serve the U.S. military with distinction, with some variations of it still in service to this day. The Model 1909 was a totally new design by John Browning, in an attempt to improve upon the shortcomings of the previously tested Model 1907. These pistols are one of the first Browning designs that truly start to show the distinctive look and features that would later be adopted by the Model 1911. These features included the single link locking system, simplified disassembly, magazine release on the left of the frame, redesigned grip safety, redesigned ejector and ejector port, new method for retaining the firing pin, loaded indicator eliminated, and the slide lock/release being made an integral part of the link pin. The Model 1909 was first tested at Springfield Armory on 23 August 1909 with favorable results, leading to Colt manufacturing a further 23 pistols shortly after which were serial numbered 0 through 22. In February of 1910, pistol number 13 was put through further tests at Springfield Armory with John Browning present, where the only issue was a small piece of the half cock notch of the hammer breaking off and becoming lodged in the sear. This temporary issue was explained by Browning as being due to the use of less than ideal steel for the hammers on these early production pistols, and was quickly remedied by him to resume testing. Having fired a total of 2,874 rounds in this test with very minimal issues it was recommended that the remaining pistols be distributed between the Infantry, Cavalry, and Field Artillery Boards, School of Musketry, and both Springfield Armory and Rock Island Arsenal for further testing. This specific pistol, along with numbers 5, 7, and 19, were assigned to Colonel John T. Thompson of the Ordnance Department to be studied at Springfield Armory. It is believed that these four pistols were not submitted to the same rigorous tests as the others, which the condition of this example indicates. This pistol, serial number 21, is pictured on p. 106-107 of "The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model of 1911" by Goddard and on p. 84 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows. This pistol, along with its 22 counterparts, are discussed on those pages and the following pages as well as on p. 45-52 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Clawson. According to the book by Meadows, the locations of only eight of these pistols are known, two of which being in the collections of museums, making these Model 1909's incredibly scarce. The left side of the slide on this pistol has the two-line two-block patent dates ending with 1905 and Colt address, while the right side of the slide has the caliber designation. The right side of the frame is marked with the serial number "21" while the trigger guard has the "VP" proof on the left. The slide is fitted with a period modified blade front sight that was slightly ground down, a rounded top notch rear sight, and the ejection port directly on top. The checkered slide stop, smooth trigger, and pins/screws are all finished in bright nitre blue. The checkered hammer and smooth flat mainspring housing are casehardened. The pistol is fitted with diamond pattern checkered walnut grips and an unmarked full blue magazine. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 ACP

Price Realized:

Lot 3195

Engraved Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to offer this historic factory engraved Colt Single Action purchased in a special order of 10 by the Dalton Gang for use at the famed Coffeyville, Kansas double bank robbery. Accompanied by a letter from world famous author and Colt firearms expert R.L. Wilson in which he writes "documentation on outlaw or lawmen Colts from the 19th Century are rarely as specific or comprehensive as proven in the present documenting letter. Historians, collectors and students of firearms and the American West can look upon the historic set of 10 Colt Single Action Army revolvers sent from the factory to the attention of one 'A.E. Williams' as participants in one of the most famous bank robberies in American history-carried out by the bold and daring Dalton Gang." Further he states "it is entirely possible that with additional research the identity can be established of which member of the Dalton Gang carried this revolver, serial number 147311 as one of his pair of deluxe Colt Single Actions that fateful day. Whether it was Emmett or Grat Dalton, or Dick Broadwell or Bill Power- one can be certain that it was one of these four. Manufactured in 1892. This factory engraved Colt Single Action Army revolver is directly attributed to the famous Dalton Gang and was one of 10 the gang purchased shortly before their last criminal endeavor, the famous "Coffeyville Raid" in which the gang planned to rob two banks at the same time in the Dalton's hometown of Coffeyville, Kansas. The ten were shipped on August 18, 1892, sold to a A.E. Williams and shipped to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis, Missouri. It is known that serial number 147,305 was at the Gene Autry Museum and authenticated as one of the ten shipped, and believed to have belonged to Emmett Dalton, serial number 147,307, had been on loan since 1960 in a Museum in Coffeyville, Kansas also in the shipment. All 10 were factory engraved, 5 1/2 inch barrel, 45 caliber, blue finished and pearl gripped. Much information comes from an article in the June 1995 "The Gun Report" written by Bill Gerber who had obtained serial number 147,306 which he learned was also in the August 18, 1892 shipment of 10 revolvers. Gerber did a great amount of research into these revolvers. Several revolvers in the order were consecutively serial numbered. Knowing that Colt did not engrave a bunch of consecutively serial numbered guns and ship them to various dealers lends credence to the shipment as being a special order. Also with a short time for the gang to get the guns it is logical to think it was planned. One can conclude that since the guns were sold to an individual and not a wholesaler that it was no accident that the guns ended up in the hands of the Dalton gang. Very few outlaws in the day were known to carry fancy gripped engraved revolvers let alone a pair (10 guns, 5 gang members). It was risky business in those days to stock 10 factory engraved, pearl gripped revolvers for sale to the general public, which would probably mean that A.E. Williams had a specific buyer in mind. Williams may have even been an alias or possibly an agent for the Daltons. The shipment date didn't leave the gang much lead time on the Coffeyville Raid, however it is interesting to note that Bob's rifle was shipped from the Winchester factory on August 27, 9 days later than the Colt shipment and only 39 days ahead of the raid and the rifle has been pictured with the bodies of the 4 gang members killed that day. There are also documents showing the sale of the Dalton's property and among the items listed are Colt revolvers. Interesting enough Grat, Emmett and Bob Dalton served on the right side of the law prior to becoming criminals, serving as Deputy Marshalls. Emmett worked as a member of some of his brothers posses, but for the most part he earned a living as a cowboy on the Bar X Bar Ranch near the Pawnee Agency. Working there he met two of the gang's future members and met future gang members working at nearby ranches. The gang made a living from robbing trains before planning the famous "Coffeyville Raid" which proved to be the gang's Waterloo. Around 9:30 am five members of the Dalton Gang (Grat, Emmett, and Bob Dalton, Bill Power and Dick Broadwell) rode into Coffeyville, Kansas with the plan of making outlaw history by robbing two banks at the same time. The plan was doomed from the beginning, the hitching post where they intended to tie the horses had been torn down because of road work and they were forced to tie the horses in a nearby alley, which proved to be a fatal mistake. Since Coffeyville was the Dalton's home town two of the Dalton's wore fake beards and wigs to disguise their identity, however they were immediately recognized by townspeople as they crossed the town plaza and split up to enter the First National Bank and The C.M. Condon Bank. People also watched from the front windows of the banks and saw the gang pulling their guns. Someone on the street hollered "The bank is being robbed" and citizens quickly armed themselves and began taking up firing positions. The ensuing gun battle lasted less than 15 minutes and when the smoke settled 4 citizens lay dead, three gang members were dead in the alley, Grat and Bob Dalton and Bill Power, Dick Broadway was found dead along the road about a half mile out of town and Emmett was captured. The alley where they tied the horses became known as "Alley of Death" and the event made the small town of Coffeyville, Kansas forever famous. Emmett Dalton was sent to prison, was paroled in 1907 and died in 1937. The revolver is decorated with floral scroll and punch dot engraving on the barrel and frame. A scallop and dot design border the one line address on top of the barrel and the "45 Colt" on the left side is in a banner. The sides of the top strap are decorated with a wavy zigzag line and dot design, a shell design is on the recoil shield and loading gate, simple line and dot designs on the back strap, rear edge of the cylinder and trigger guard, and geometric designs adorn the cylinder flats between the flutes. The left side of the frame is marked with the two line, three patent dates followed by the circled Rampant Colt and the matching serial number is marked on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard and back strap. The revolver is fitted with smooth two-piece pearl grips. The accompanying factory letter verifies the caliber, barrel length, blue finish, factory engraving with grips as "Not Listed" and that it was sold to A.E. Williams as 1 of 10 and shipped to Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, Missouri on August 10, 1892. After reading the facts, this is undoubtedly one of the Colt Single Action Army revolvers purchased by the Daltons and was in one of the gang's holsters the day of the famous "Coffeyville Raid". Provenance: The Gateway Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45 Long Colt

Price Realized:

Documented Kentucky Rifle Association Award Winning "Running Deer" Flintlock American Long Rifle with Raised Relief Carving

Lot 1101

Kentucky Rifle Association Award Winning Running Deer Rifle

The "Running Deer Rifle" is documented in the included Vol. 3, No. 1 issue of "American Tradition: The Journal of the Contemporary Longrifle Association" from January 2012 on page 9 where it is noted as probably dating to 1760-1770s and also noted as somewhat disputed in terms of origin with some saying it likely came from Pennsylvania while other say it had southern origins. The deer design is noted as closely resembling "folk art decoration on the door of an important Shenandoah Valley hanging cupboard by Johannes Spilter." It won the Kentucky Rifle Association's best of show award in June 2006. The blue ribbon, silver "bottle tag," plaque, and documentation from the Kentucky Rifle Association are all included. The consignor has attributed the rifle to Augusta County, Virginia, circa 1760-1770. It remains in virtually "untouched attic-found" condition. The most distinctive feature is the brass plate and wire inlaid running deer on the left side of the butt that gives this rifle its moniker. The stock also has nice molding along the ramrod channel terminating in small incised scrolls, nicely shaped teardrop flats, raised relief floral carving at the barrel tang, a brass wrist escutcheon, incised scroll carving at the front of the comb, raised relief floral carving on the left ahead of and behind the cheekpiece which has a fluted edge and vent pick staples below, and additional floral pattern brass inlays on the top of the comb. The brass furniture also has some nice designs, including a heart and crescent moon piercing on the patch box finial and a spire shaped toe plate. The swamped barrel has traditional blade and notch sights and some punched designs at the breech end. The brass forend cap is fitted via a screw into the bottom of the barrel.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 52

Price Realized:

Historic, Documented Ames Gilt and Silver Mounted Model 1840 Foot Infantry Officer's Sword and Scabbard with Presentation Inscription to George B. McClellan, Later General-in-Chief of the Union Armies, Citing His Leadership in the Mexican-American War

Lot 1117

George McClellan's Presentation Model 1840 Officer's Sword

This historic sword was presented to George B. McClellan before his rise to General-in-Chief of the United States Army. He is one of only four men to serve as General-in-Chief, alongside Winfield Scott, Henry Halleck, and Ulysses S. Grant. All of these men were appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. Like many of the leading officers of the Civil War, he first saw battle in the Mexican-American War, and this sword was presented in recognition of his contributions during that war. The gilt metal scabbard has the inscription "Presented to "Lieut Geo B. Mc Clellan of the Corps of/Sappers & Miners U.S.A. by a Number of Gentlemen/as a testimonial of their high admiration for his gallantry during the war with MEXICO. 1st at the Siege of/VERA CRUZ, 2d Battle of CERO GORDO, 3d Battle of CONTRERAS/4th Battle of CHURUBUSCO, 5th CHAPULTEPEC, 6th Capture of/the City of MEXICO." between the ornate wreath and acanthus leaf pattern suspension bands. The scabbard also has scroll engraving, a complex design that includes arms, a liberty pole, and a large arrow on the lower section of the body; oak leaves and acorns near the tip, and a floral pattern drag. The reverse of the scabbard is signed "Bailey & Co/Phila/BY/Ames Mfg Co/Chicopee/Mass." The gilded brass hilt has a special silver plated copper plate with a bald eagle and panoply of arms on the obverse languet, folding reverse languet, scroll and floral patterns, a amethyst stone in the pommel cap, and a silver grip with a liberty pole and arms engraved on the obverse and a bald eagle, fasces, and leaf pattern on the reverse. The 32 1/4 inch straight blade has long single fullers, elaborate etching on the lower 18 3/4 inches of the blade consisting of floral, martial, and patriotic motifs; "Ames Mfg Co/Chicopee/Mass." etched above the obverse ricasso, and floral etched spine. Retailer Bailey & Co. later became the famous as the jewelers Bailey, Biddle & Banks and were tasked with updating the Great Seal of the United States. The presentation of this sword is documented in the New Orleans Crescent on May 10, 1849, in a brief article which states: "SWORD PRESENTED.- A handsome sword has been presented to Lieut. G. B. McClellan, of the Sappers and Miners, for his gallant conduct in Mexico, by a number of his friends in Philadelphia." The order for the sword is also listed on page 127 of "The Ames Sword Company, 1829-1935" by Hamilton where it is shown as ordered on December 20, 1848, by "B. & Co. Phila" (Bailey & Co.) for $110 for "Captain McClellan." Bailey & Co. dates back to 1832 when the firm was founded by Joseph Trowbridge Bailey and Andrew B. Kitchen at 136 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. They were jewelers and importers and dealers in silver and other fancy goods. McClellan famously received several very fine presentation swords during his military career, but few of McClellan's presentation swords remain in private hands. Some have long been retained by the most prestigious American museums. Nine swords were given to the National Museum of American History by George B. McClellan Jr. in 1917. One of those is another Bailey & Co. marked sword presented to McClellan in 1861 by the City of Philadelphia (accession #: 65865) and another was presented to McClellan on February 5, 1863, by the citizens of Boston (accession #: 61384). These remain in the museum collection. The current sword is referenced in the articles from 1917 about McClellan's swords being donated to the Smithsonian: "The other swords in the collection commemorate his Mexican war service, one dress sword having been presented to him by 'a number of gentlemen as a testimonial of their high admiration for his gallantry during the war with Mexico. First at the siege of Vera Cruz; second, the battle of Cero Gordo; third, battle of Contreras; fourth, battle of Churubusco; fifth, Chapultepec; sixth, capture of the City of Mexico.'" The sword appears to have had something fitted over top of the original inscription at one time, possibly for McClellan later presenting to sword to a member of his staff, but it was returned to McClellan's family before at least 1917 based on the articles discussing the swords put on display at the National Museum of American History. The precise duration of its time on display at the museum and when it was removed and reentered private hands is not known. Major General George Brinton McClellan (1826-1885) was born in Philadelphia and was one of the most significant leaders during the Civil War as one of just four men to serve as General-in-Chief of the Union Armies. His military career began nearly two decades earlier when he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1842. McClellan showed great promise and graduated second in his class in 1846. Many of his classmates also went on to become generals, many on the Confederate side during the Civil War, including Major General George Pickett who finished last in his class. McClellan joined the Corps of Engineers as a brevet second lieutenant in during the Mexican-American War and served under General Winfield Scott. He was described as being fearless and gallant under fire and received brevet promotions to first lieutenant and captain. He returned to West Point as an instructor and was also assigned to explore potential routes for the transcontinental railroad and went abroad as an observer during the Crimean War before resigning in 1857 in order to work for the Illinois Central Railroad, the same railroad Abraham Lincoln represented during his law career. He responded to the call to arms when the Confederates opened fire on Fort Sumter and the Civil War began and placed as a major general directly under General-in-Chief Winfield Scott, his commander in the previous war. He took command of the Army of the Potomac after the Union's humiliating defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run and reshaped the army into a serious fighting force. When General Scott retired in November 1861, McClellan became General-in-Chief of the Union Armies, and the Union's future was far from certain with Confederate forces lurking on the doorsteps of the nation's capital and poised to take it. He clashed with Lincoln who demanded McClellan crush the Confederate forces as quickly as possible. McClellan later wrote, “It has always been my opinion that the true course in conducting military operations, is to make no movement until the preparations are as complete as circumstances permit, and never to fight a battle without some definite object worth the probable loss.” With such a view, it is easy to see why the men he sent into battle loved him, but it is also easy to see why Lincoln and others who wanted a quick and resounding victory were frustrated by his cautious action. Like General George Washington in the American Revolution, McClellan recognized that he could not win the war if he lost his army. McClellan's attacks on Lee's forces near Sharpsburg, Maryland, could hardly be said to have lacked aggression. Less than 65 miles from the nation's capital, on the single bloodiest day in American history at the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, McClellan ordered massive assaults on the Confederates who were in superior defensive positions along Antietam Creek. These assaults led to the loss of 25% of his army but also led to the loss 31% of Lee's forces and succeeded in driving Lee back into Virginia. Instead of regrouping and pursuing Lee, McClellan held back despite Lincoln personally pressuring him to give chase. McClellan was arguably justly cautious given his men had just been through hell and were not prepared to begin an arduous pursuit that would culminate in another massive battle. Lee himself later said McClellan was the ablest general of the entire war. Had the Confederates managed to secure more victories in the late summer and early fall of 1864, McClellan very well could have become president. Even with the Union victories in the Atlanta campaign, McClellan still secured 45% of the popular vote against Lincoln.

Documentation

Price Realized:

Iconic, Well-Documented L.D. Nimschke Exhibition "Bank Note" Engraved Bust of Columbia Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle Masterpiece

Lot 3012

Nimschke Engraved Bust of Columbia Winchester Model 1866 Rifle

This Model 1866 rifle, arguably the most recognizable and well published of L.D. Nimschkes Winchesters, has been documented in R.L. Wilsons Winchester Engraving on page 56 and the Texas Antique Arms Annual on page 56. Wilson proclaimed that this rifle along with Model 1866 carbine no. 66601 are two of the finest examples of L.D. Nimschke engraving. This Winchester displays masterful scrollwork and highly detailed figural vignettes. For this Model 1866, the exhibition quality engraving on the gold plated receiver consists of mostly profuse floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. Amongst the scrolls on the right side plate is a blank inscription panel. The left side plate features the most spectacular bust of Columbia, the female personification of the United States, which Nimschke copied from the Civil War era 15 cent fractional currency note. A similar pattern of engraving showing the exact engraved bust appears as a "smoke" or "ink" pull found in Wilson's "L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver" on page 58. This pull is dated December 1869 in Nimschkes own hand. The serial number on this rifle dates to 1869. Another smoke pull of Columbia appears on page 60. The bust of Columbia alone stands as a testament to Nimschkes undisputed title of Americas foremost 19th century master engraver and why so many past and present engravers have chosen to emulate his style. Additional scrollwork appears on the forend cap, cartridge elevator and buttplate tang. Like the receiver, the forend cap and buttplate are plated in gold. The barrel is fitted with dovetail blade and notch sights and is stamped with the two-line Winchester address/Kings improvement patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight. Sling swivels are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttstock. The forearm and stock are nicely figured walnut. The trapdoor buttplate contains a four piece cleaning rod. Provenance: Solis Goodman,1950; Elmer Taylor Collection 1965; Doug Beneck Collection; Leroy Merz Collection; Private Collector

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 RF

Price Realized:

Outstanding Documented, Kentucky Rifle Association 2000 Best of Show Award Winning, and Exceptional Revolutionary War Era Peter Resor Signed, Engraved, and Relief Carved Lancaster Flintlock American Long Rifle with Hunting Pouch, Powder Horns, and Accessories

Lot 126

Peter Resor Flintlock American Long Rifle, Hunting Pouch & Horns

In an included letter from Norm Flayderman in 1999, he starts with "Congratulations on acquiring my finest Kentucky! You got it with a piece of my heart." Flayderman indicates he acquired the rifle in 1973 from his friend John J. Malloy who had recently purchased the rifle from a dealer who himself had only recently purchased it out of the estate of a Scottish castle. This certainly makes you wonder how this Revolutionary War era rifle ended up in Scotland to begin with. Could it have been captured or purchased by a Scot that served in the Revolution? Flayderman notes that the rifle is discussed in the March 1998 issue of Muzzle Blasts in an article by George Shumway and that the rifle is pictured pg. 39 of "Steel Canvas" by R.L. Wilson (copies of the images from this book are included). It is also in the very similar book "The History and Art of the American Gun" by Wilson on pg. 39. In the article "Longrifles of Note: A 1770s Peter Resor Rifle" from Muzzle Blasts (copies included), Shumway calls the rifle: "a dream come true for anyone who studies and appreciates rifles of the Revolutionary War and pre-Revolutionary years" and notes that the rifle is attributed it to the 1770s, retains the original flintlock, is in very high condition, and is "beautifully decorated with relief carving and has attractive brass patchbox. Best of all, however, from the student's point of view, the barrel is clearly signed in script with the maker's name, 'Peter Resor.'" The rifle is also pictured in "Gunsmiths of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" by Whisker (copies of the pages included). The Kentucky Rifle Association 2000 Best of Show award plaque and a display plaque marked "Maker: Peter Resor/Year Awarded 'Best of Show'/2000" are included as are additional documents providing relevant information about Peter Resor. The rifle is sometimes called by collectors the "ghost rifle" based on the patchbox engraving. The early details of Peter Resor's life are not entirely clear. Some sources say he was born on February 13, 1750, while others list 1740 or no date at all. Regardless of those details, he was the son of Mathias Roeser who immigrated in 1736 and was a gunmaker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Peter Resor was active as a gunmaker in Lancaster c. 1775-1790 (possibly earlier) and later lived and worked in Washington County, Maryland. He died in 1823. The rifle has seven-groove rifling, a series of dots around the muzzle, low blade and notch sights, "Peter Resor" signed in script on top between the rear sight and breech, scroll and floral engraving on the lock, adjustable double set triggers, and brass furniture including the forend cap, four brass ramrod pipes, trigger guard, side plate, buttplate, patch box, and toe plate. The patch box has a domed lid, and is engraved with wavy lines, simplified scrolls, and design some see as resembling a ghost. The patch box release is on the heel of the buttplate. The full-length maple stock has fine molding along the forend terminating in squiggly lines at the rear barrel key, tear drop flats, an raised relief carved fleur-de-lis type pattern at the barrel tang, recessed scroll designs at the rear of the wrist and front of the butt, molding along the bottom of the butt, staples for a vent pick under the cheek rest, and a mix of incised and relief carved scroll patterns on the left side of the butt. Included with the rifle is a leather hunting pouch and horn set by contemporary artist Gary Birch of Ohio. The pouch measures about 7 inches wide and tall with two compartments, powder horn and priming horn, a horn measure, an attached sheath with a knife with leather wrapped handle, a vent pick fitted to the strap, and a wooden loading block inside with three patched lead balls measuring approximately .40 caliber.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 42

Price Realized:

Lot 144

Ames Model 1841 Heavy 12-Pounder Field Gun with Carriage

Ames produced just 48 of these 12-pounders in 1841-1855 for the U.S. government along with others for state contracts. Given the limited number produced, those undoubtedly destroyed during the Civil War and after, and the fact that many pieces of 19th century artillery remain government property, very few of these are in private hands, and they are difficult to acquire. The muzzle is marked "45" and "BH" above and below the smooth bore respectively, and the trunnions are marked "AMES CO./FOUNDERS/CHICOPEE/MASS." and "1854." The top of the tube has "US" ahead of handles. It is marked as weighing 1767 pounds below the knob. The front sight is absent. The bore measures approximately 4.62 inches in diameter and 74 inches in length. The carriage is a correct #3 carriage.

Price Realized:

Unique Magnificent Engraved & Factory Gold Inlaid Holland & Holland 10 Bore Double Barrel Rotary Underlever Big Game Hammer Rifle with Cases, Made for The Nizam of Hyderabad

Lot 286

Engraved and Gold Inlaid Holland & Holland Double Rifle

The makers have kindly confirmed that this incredible double rifle was completed in 1876 on the orders of The Nizam, Mir Mahbub Ali Khan (or Asaf Jah VI to use his titular name), through his agents Rogers Rock, Merchants & East India Agents. The Nizam’s armory was of legendary opulence, even by the grand standards of Indian nobility, and included many extraordinary firearms by the best British gunmakers of the later Victorian period. The present rifle is a rare example of factory gold inlaid decoration, a very rare feature at this period of British gun making. With blued barrels each rifled with nine grooves, engraved with a wide band of stylized running foliage at the muzzle and inlaid with gold tendrils at the breech end. Smooth solid raised rib with bead front sight with flip-up moon sight, single standing notch rear sight marked for “50” yards and with platinum inlaid center line, signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND. 98. NEW BOND STREET. LONDON.” in gold, and with doll’s head extension engraved with a shell and inlaid with further gold tendrils en suite with breech ends. The underside of the barrel flat struck with London black powder proof marks for 12 bore (the barrels being rifled measure for proof purposes at 12 bore between the lands and 10 bore between the grooves). Casehardened action with carved percussion fences and long topstrap, underlever with checkered finial and rebounding backaction locks. Furniture comprising blued trigger guard, and casehardened pistolgrip cap and forearm mounts and lever. The action, underlever, locks and furniture each with fine scroll engraving and gold inlaid border lines and tendrils. The locks each signed “HOLLAND & HOLLAND” in gold and the trigger guard with gold inlaid serial number. Well figured 13 3/4 inch pistolgrip stock with orange rubber recoil pad, raised cheekpiece, checkered grip and forearm, the latter with lever release with checkered tip. The left side of the butt with a silver inlaid rack number “6”, the underside of the butt with large oval gold initial escutcheon engraved with the Nizam’s coat of arms and motto. The underside of the butt also with a mount for a sling attachment, the corresponding front sling mount fitted beneath the barrels. Weight 13 lbs. 2 oz. The rifle is supplied with two fitted cases. The first is the original oak and leather case lined in dark green velvet with black leather Holland & Holland trade label in the lid, the exterior of the lid is initialed, marked “10 BORE” and with remains of two old labels with handwritten Urdu script, with a period Hawksley pewter oiler. The second case is of more recent manufacture and is of oak wrapped with red Ostrich skin and fitted with brass corners. The interior is lined in black velvet and the inside of the lid has a black leather Holland & Holland trade label with gilt lettering. With a full compliment of accessories, including two brass bullet molds, a brass case crimping tool, a mainspring clamp, cleaning rod, snap caps, and various turnscrews. Documentation accompanying this rifle includes correspondence between Holland & Holland in London and the purchaser from 1983 and a copy of the original factory ledger entry. Provenance: The Nizam of Hyderabad and The Malcolm King Collection

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 10 Bore

Price Realized:

Eminently Rare and Historically Significant Pre-Production Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

Lot 1019

Pre-Production Factory Engraved New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle

Rock Island Auction Company is pleased to present this beautiful and historically unique, pre-production factory engraved New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle. The origins of the Henry Rifle trace back to the partnership between pioneering gunsmiths Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson in the manufacture of lever action repeating magazine pistols under the name Smith & Wesson, and these pistols represented the first variation of the lever action/integral magazine. S&W was re-incorporated as the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company. Smith and Wesson left to form their second business venture involving the manufacture of revolvers, but their lever action design endured. In 1857, financial problems doomed the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and the entire assets were sold to company stockholder Oliver F. Winchester. Winchester reorganized the company as the New Haven Arms Company where the Volcanic pistols and rifles continued to be manufactured. Eventually, the Volcanic action was redesigned to use large caliber rimfire metallic cartridges created by B. Tyler Henry. The success of the redesign became the famed Henry lever action rifle. Oliver Winchester continued to serve as chief executive officer of New Haven Arms when the name changed in 1866 to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Under Winchester's direction the Henry Rifle was ultimately refined to become the legendary Winchester Model 1866. Offered here is what we believe to be the only surviving pre-production example to that famed revolutionary arm, the Henry Rifle. Although this rifle has an absence of serial numbers where one would normally find them, it is marked with a “2” on the face of its frame, likely indicating the second rifle made to handle the newly created cartridge. Its brass frame is comparable to the early production Henry frame, with contours less sloping at the rear when compared to later production specimens. The frame on this pre-production example is slightly larger/fatter than the standard early production frame and a comparison to the front contours also show noticeable differences. The receiver measures 1.25 inches thick at the side plates, 1.16 inches thick at the breech, 2.18 inches from the underside of the receiver to the top of the chamber, 3.18 inch long upper tang, and 3.18 inch long lower tang. The corresponding measurements on a standard production First Model Henry are the following: 1.22 inches thick at the side plates, 1.13 inches thick at the breech, 2.15 inches from the underside of the receiver to the top of the chamber, 2.62 inch long upper tang, and 4.61 inch long lower tang, with both being lengthened slightly on all proceeding examples to increase strength. We believe with certainty that this gun was personally studied and inspected by both Henry and Winchester, who were so confident in its design that they immediately had it engraved, either before or after test firing. The in-house engraver gave this Henry the type of embellishment he knew best and what he knew best were Volcanic arms. This is especially true when one considers that the Henry frame was so similar to that of a Volcanic. The embellishment on the frame and butt-plate tang are in the typical style New Haven Arms used on its Volcanic arms. The resemblance to the basic Volcanic scroll and border pattern is clearly evident on virtually all factory engraved Volcanic arms. This engraving consists of floral scrollwork, floral blossoms and simple border patterns. Additional scrolls and leaf patterns decorate the upper flats of the frame. As part of the marketing strategy to win over customers, New Haven Arms engraved and plated a large percentage of the early produced Henrys. Advances in decoration would soon develop during production until a standard Henry pattern emerged (see, for example, nos. 1888, 4515, 6057 and 7169 in R.L. Wilson’s “Winchester’s Engraving” on pages 23, 24, 29 and 32). The top of the frame is twice slotted for a rear sight. A folding ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards is mounted in the rear slot. A brass filler block is in the other sight slot. The top barrel flat is stamped “HENRY’S PATENT. OCT. 16, 1860/MANUFACT’D BY THE NEW HAVEN ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CT.” As stated above, there are no serial numbers stamped in the usual locations (barrel, left side of the lower tang, stock inlet and butt-plate) as found on standard production Henrys. The absence of a serial number but the unusual “2” on the front of the frame is indicative of a tool room marking, likely signifying that this was the second pre-production model. The straight grip stock is nicely figured varnished walnut. The brass trapdoor butt-plate follows the early production pattern with a round heel. The Henry rifle saw extensive service in the Civil War. Besides the 900 rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in 1863-1864 to arm the 1st D.C. Cavalry Regiment, many additional Henry rifles were privately purchased by soldiers who wanted to take advantage of the sustained firepower of a 15-shot magazine rifle. The firepower of the Henry Rifle was valued on the frontier in the years that followed the Civil War. The Henry was the first in a long lineage of successful Winchester lever action rifles. As author Wiley Sword put it, “It was perhaps the most important firearm of its era. Tested and proved in the fiery crucible of the Civil War, the Henry Rifle became the forerunner of the famous line of Winchester Repeating Rifles that ‘Won the West’”. It is quite possible that this rifle (considering its wonderful condition) was preserved by the factory or even privately by Henry or Winchester themselves, however there is no definitive provenance as to its chain of ownership. The care that was taken over the years to preserve this gorgeous rifle is evident as it is one of the most attractive Henry Rifles we have ever encountered.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Henry RF

Price Realized:

Lot 1118

Two Barrel Gardner Gun

The Gardner guns were early crank type rapid fire arms which were invented in 1874 by William Gardner, a Civil War Union Army captain. Versions were designed with one or two barrels. This example has two barrels which are encased in an outer cylindrical jacket that could be filled with water to prevent overheating. These guns were fed with gravity driven magazines and operated by hand turning a crank which moved bolts back and forth to fire the action as well as extract the spent case. This reciprocating motion system is used in many of today's machine guns. In the two gun model cycling the action alternated firing from both barrels in an effort to reduce overheating. After producing a handmade prototype, Gardner sold the manufacturing rights to Pratt & Whitney of Hartford, Connecticut, who made improvements to Gardner's original design such as adding a safety mode that allowed an operator to run ammunition through without firing the weapon. From the mid-1870s to early 1880s Pratt & Whitney manufactured an estimated 21 guns for U.S. War Department trials. Per the consignor only 11 out of the 21 guns are known to have survived, and this example, no. 14, is one of those rare survivors. Although the U.S. Navy purchased a limited number, the U.S. Army was not interested and never adapted the Gardner gun, preferring the Gatling gun to fulfill current needs. Eventually the Gardner gun gained the attention of the British government who ordered it for all branches of their military and purchased the manufacturing rights. Thousands were produced. The weapon saw action with British forces in a few African wars in Sudan and the Upper Nile. The Nepalese Bira gun chambered in .577/450 Martini-Henry caliber was based on the Gardner gun with two barrels and a drum magazine. With the exception of “14” stamped on the receiver, receiver cover, and a few internal components, this Gardner gun is unmarked. An elevation adjustable rear sight is mounted on the left side of the receiver. A blade front sight is mounted on the left side of the barrel jacket. The left side of the receiver also features a safety device. Includes a total of two magazines and original tripod. Several of the tripod components are numbered to the gun. Provenance: Firearms for Freedom Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45-70

Price Realized:

Extremely Rare, Historic, Documented, Exhibition Grade Factory Double Panel Scene Cuno Helfricht Master Engraved Colt Deluxe Medium Frame Lightning Slide Action Carbine Inscribed to Mexican President Porfirio Diaz

Lot 1204

Porfirio Diaz's Engraved Colt Medium Frame Lightning Carbine

This extraordinary panel scene engraved Colt Lighting carbine was manufactured in 1885 and was made for presentation to Mexican President Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915, president 1876-1911) and so inscribed. The factory deluxe engraving was executed in the Colt engraving shop by Master Engraver Cuno A. Helfricht. He was Colt's chief engraver from the late percussion era in the 1870s up to 1921 and personally designed, engraved, and/or oversaw the embellishment of some of the most historic Colt firearms in existence, including those owned by presidents Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt, General George S. Patton, and members of the Colt family. The carbine along with its engraving and inscription are illustrated on page 493 of “The Colt Engraving Book Volume One” by R.L. Wilson, where the author notes that less than forty Medium Frame Lightnings were factory engraved. It is one of two Lightning’s engraved for President Diaz. The other is shown on page 500 of the same text and was engraved by Herman L. Ulrich and features related panel scenes. The frame of this carbine features a finely detailed panel scene of a stag based on the painting “The Monarch of the Glen” by Landseer on the right side of the frame, the Rampant Colt in a circular panel on top between the hammer and ejection port, a detailed scene of Buffalo Bill roping an American buffalo on the left side, “Porfo Diaz” inscribed in script on the lower tang, and beautifully executed classic Germanic scroll and floral engraving with beaded backgrounds, small checkered panels, shell accents, and wavy line and dot borders. The engraving also extends to the heel of the buttplate. The stock is highly figured walnut with checkered panels on the wrist and a high polish varnish. The checkered hard rubber forearm has the circled Rampant Colt motif on both sides. The round barrel has a steel block front sight blade and blued, folding leaf rear sight. A staple-mounted saddle ring is located on the left side of the receiver. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the first style legend: "COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO.HARTFORD.CT.U.S.A./+ ELLIOT'S PATENTS MAY 29. 1883. SEPT. 18. 1883 +" in two lines ahead of the rear sight. "44 Cal." is roll-stamped in bold letters on the left side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver. The serial number is hand engraved on the lower tang surrounded by double line and star engraving.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40

Price Realized:

Extremely Rare Colt Thompson Submachine Gun, Documented "21 LB/.45 Remington-Thompson" 1923 Experimental Prototype Configuration, Class III/NFA C&R Transferable Machine Gun, with Related Publications and a Peters-Thompson Auto-Shot Magazine

Lot 1549

Thompson 1923 Prototype Submachine Gun

One of the most famous submachine guns in the world, the Thompson SMG rates as one of the truly signature American weapons. A number of Thompson variants managed to become signature weapons in American history; the 1921 and 1928 Models with Prohibition, the Great Depression, and the Gangland Era, and the 1928A1, M1 and M1A1 with the American effort in World War II. Some other Thompson variants made less of an impact, experimental and niche production items that never achieved the market penetration of their more famous cousins. This particular Model 1921 Thompson is documented in Herigstad's "Colt Thompson Submachine Gun" (page 317) as a "21 LB" (Long Barrel, versus the more common A and AC variants) shipped to the Hercules Powder Company of New Jersey in a three-piece order in June of 1923, chambered for the 45 Remington-Thompson cartridge. Herigstad calls this SMG out as a "developmental prototype" for the 1923 Thompson, as well as a test bed for the 45 Remington-Thompson, both rarities in the Thompson field. The 45 Remington-Thompson was a short-lived descendant of the 45 ACP cartridge intended for use with the Thompson SMG, designed in a similar manner to the 357 Magnum (a more powerful cartridge, with an elongated casing to prevent chambering in unsuitable weapons) intended to get the maximum output from the Thompson's longer barrel. The 1923 Thompsons were an attempt to make the base 1921 Model more appealing to military buyers, with features like conventional front handguards (revisited during World War Two), bayonet lugs, and in this case an elongated, heavy barrel with provision to mount a bipod at the muzzle (not included), turning the Thompson from a beefy SMG to a very lightweight squad automatic weapon. While intriguing, these novel variants did not pan out due to a near-global emphasis on full power rifle cartridges and long-range killing power in infantry rifles and machine guns. Herigstad's listing also notes this Thompson as having been featured on page 79 of the book "Thompson: The American Legend" by Tracie Hill (we do not have a copy at hand to verify this), and having passed through the inventory of Ohio Ordnance Incorporated and the collections of Charles Schaaf and David Lansky. Also supplied by the consignor was photocopied correspondence with Otto Witt, an author on the subject of cartridges, who was able to supply copies of references to the Remington-Thompson cartridges. The barrel on this 1921 is similar in broad profile to the traditional Thompson barrel, though notably longer and thicker in both the barrel and cooling ribs, with a traditional style pinned on front sight behind a half inch threaded muzzle. The rear sight and receiver are traditional for the 1921, with a Lyman folding peep rear sight, the model and five-line Colt address on the left side, the Auto-Ordnance patents, address, and "JHB" on the right, and the "bullet" logo on top. The trigger group is numbered to match beneath the stock, and fitted with a set of fully functional selector ("AUTOMATIC" and "SEMI-/AUTOMATIC" marked) and safety switches. The internals follow the 1921 pattern, with a broad spring and spring guide, bright bolt, blued cocking knob, brass "Blish lock" device, and the felt-padded oiler. Fitted with a set of traditional 1921/1928 pattern walnut furniture. Included with the Thompson are the publications "Thompson Submachine Gun Models, Second Edition" by Richardson (note: incomplete, pages after 28 absent), in which this Thompson is pictured on page 27, and "The Thompson Submachinegun(sic) Second Edition" by Bannan and Hill. A single magazine is included with the SMG, configured for the Peters 45 Auto-Shot Riot cartridge, a short-lived 45 ACP variant designed to turn the Thompson SMG into a straight pull repeating shotgun for less-lethal fire against prisoners, mobs and other groups; as the Auto-Shot magazine is slightly longer than the standard 45 ACP magazine, this may have been used for the elongated 45 Remington-Thompson, but this is not documented or guaranteed.

Documentation

Class III

Caliber / Gauge: 45

Lot 1593

Mauser Model 1912/1914 45 ACP Semi-Automatic Pistol

This is an extremely rare prototype of the Mauser Model 1912/14 semi-automatic pistol, chambered for 45 ACP instead of the more common 9 mm. Part of the same chain of development as the Model 1910 pistol, both the 1910 and the 1912/1914 stem from early attempts at military caliber semi-automatic pistols; having run into issues with larger rounds, Mauser scaled the design down to a straight blowback in pocket caliber, creating the popular and successful 1910. After the 1910's success, Mauser returned to the drawing board and gave larger calibers another go. The heart of the system is a blowback delay mechanism consisting of a set of spring loaded bearing surfaces that engage the slide; before the slide can disengage from the barrel, it needs to overcome the resistance these surfaces provide, greatly slowing the opening of the breech. When engaged, it's effectively impossible to cycle the slide by hand, and a lever ahead of the trigger guard moves the bearing surfaces clear and permits slide manipulation. While the 9 mm version is seen with a refined version of this mechanism that conceals most of the works inside the frame, on this prototype the mechanism is external, a solid metal piece contoured to match the frame, which visibly engages a set of external slide notches. Behind the slide notches is a set of externally visible metal projections, which are part of an internal buffer mechanism designed to soften the blow of the slide hitting the end of its range of motion. The design's connection to the 1910 is clearly visible, and save for the recoil delay mechanism the 1912/1914 clearly shows its familial connection to the smaller Mauser, maintaining the same ergonomics, slide shape, barrel retention mechanism and frame configuration. A smooth one-piece grip wraps around the back of the frame, with a butt-mounted magazine catch and a blued magazine numbered "12" on the spine, with oval viewing holes on the left side. The "12" on the magazine is the only visible marking on the pistol. Overall, 1912-1914 pistols are very scarce in any caliber; production of the 9mm was very limited, with known numbers suggesting less than 200 manufactured and 45 ACP examples believed to number in the single digits. A high quality custom made leather covered case is included. Provenance: The Clive Cussler Collection

Documentation

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 ACP

Price Realized:

Incredible and Iconic Special Order Fort Worth Texas Shipped Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Eagle Grip and Factory Letter

Lot 105

Texas Shipped Glahn Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver

There is no single revolver that stirs the imagination of 19th century fine arms collectors more than the legendary Colt Single Action Army, particularly factory engraved, Texas shipped examples by the hand of Wilbur Glahn. From the time he arrived in Hartford in 1919 until the spring of 1950, Wilbur Glahn did the bulk of the engraving for Colt. His death in 1951 signaled the end of one of America’s family dynasties of firearms engravers. He left behind a legacy of high quality craftsmanship and design, which is certainly showcased on this SAA. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 7 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, nickel plating, checkered grip straps and 4 ½ lb. trigger pull (both rare special order factory features). The type of stocks are “not listed.” The revolver was shipped to famed Fort Worth, Texas, dealer Wolf & Klar on May 25, 1927. Glahn’s stylistic floral scrollwork on a matte background appears on the frame, top strap, recoil shield, loading gate, cylinder flats, trigger guard, top of back strap, butt, rear barrel section and ejector rod housing. Amongst the engraving on the sides of the frame are floral blossoms. Simple wavy line motifs decorate the top of the ejector rod housing and rear of the cylinder. The embellishment covers 50% of the surfaces. As confirmed in the factory letter, the special order grip straps are checkered. The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three date, two-line patent marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory inspection markings (“3” and triangle factory proof). The grips feature silver Rampant Colt medallions, and the right panel is decorated with a wonderful relief carved eagle/shield motif. As noted by Colt historian R.L. Wilson, factory relief carved grips are rare with those encountered generally featuring a steer head motif. The eagle motif on this grip set is especially rare. Matching serial numbers are on the frame and right side of the trigger guard and back strap under the grip panel. Matching assembly number “1110” is on the loading gate and rear of the frame. Using the most liberal statistics only 2,500 First Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 LC

Price Realized:

Outstanding U.S. Colt M2 Heavy Machine Gun in Water-Cooled Configuration, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with M3 Pattern Anti-Aircraft Mount and Accessories

Lot 487

U.S. Colt M2 Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

A descendant of the Browning-designed M1917 machine gun, the M2 may be the most famous heavy machine gun to ever enter American service, seeing use in all theaters, all branches, and all conflicts from the 1930s onward to the modern day, along with a laundry list of overseas users. The list of uses is extremely broad; infantry machine gun, vehicle armament, anti-aircraft gun, pursuit/fighter plane armament, defensive armament for bombers, and so on, anywhere where a 30-06/7.62mm weapon simply isn't enough gun. This particular M2 is configured for the anti-aircraft role, with a large water-filled cooling jacket permitting sustained fire at fast moving targets. While eventually phased out in favor of heavier radar-guided autocannons and guided missiles, a well-positioned cluster of M2 A-A guns could easily ruin a low-flying pilot's day, while also being brutally effective when turned against ground targets. No fixed sights are included with this M2; a flat plate is attached to the top of the receiver, and the front sight protector on the water jacket is empty, being used only as a reference/attachment point for the included anti-aircraft sight. The Colt nomenclature and "GHD" inspector mark are present on the right sideplate, with a left-side cartridge feed, right handed charging handle, and a "butterfly" trigger with manual safety; the "spade" grips have been removed. The M3 pattern mount, made by the Heintz Manufacturing Company, stands about 56" tall when level, with an 81" wide triangular footprint, and is fitted with a spring-buffered mounting bracket for the gun, a set of brown bakelite handgrips, an onboard ammo drum, and a pair of armored protective plates. Also included is a clamp-on anti-aircraft sight finished to match the mount, water chest with hoses, small canvas/plastic tool cases, steel multitool, period instruction manuals, and a pair of "oven mitt" style protective gloves for handling hot components. Notes from the consignor indicate that this M2 was registered during the 1968 amnesty, a very fortunate circumstance for the collecting fraternity!

Documentation

Class III

Caliber / Gauge: 50 BMG

Price Realized:

Exceptional and Rare North American Arms Co. U.S. Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol Serial Number 42

Lot 3441

North American Arms Co. Model 1911 Semi-Automatic Pistol

This is an example of the exceptionally rare and iconic North American Arms Co. U.S. Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, that was produced in late 1918 in Quebec, Canada. In early July 1918, the U.S. Government issued a contract for 500,000 Model 1911 pistols to the North American Arms Co., previously the Dominion (Ross) Rifle Plant. The company leased the plant for manufacturing, and, as part of the contract, the U.S. Government was to supply all of the raw materials necessary for production. However, due to material shortages during the war and the time it took the plant to get tooled up for production, the government was only able to supply enough material to produce approximately "100 sets" of initial start-up or prototype parts. Due to the armistice of November 1918, the contract was canceled in December of 1918 with no examples of completed pistols ever being accepted by the U.S. Government. As part of the contract termination settlement, the U.S. Ordnance Board did eventually accept/reclaim a large portion of the manufactured and completed parts and assemblies, most of which were later disposed of. Some however, were later assembled into completed pistols. These 100 pistols were uniquely stamped with only a controlling serial number in two locations, the left lower area of the frame under the grip panel, and the left upper rear corner of the slide, with this exampled numbered "42". Bady theorizes that the unique placement of the serial numbers on the known "standard" examples of the North American Model 1911s suggests that none were ever submitted for government approval, which would indicate that the pistols were assembled after the suspension of the contract. Information on these "standard" examples from North American can be found on p. 219-221 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows/Ellis and on p. 201-204 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Clawson. The left side of the slide is marked "MANUFACTURED BY/NORTH AMERICAN ARMS CO. LIMITED/QUEBEC, CANADA." and "42" behind the serrations. "42" is marked on the left of the frame under the grip and mostly visible on the left of the trigger. It is fitted with a serrated slide stop, checkered thumb safety, checkered magazine catch, short grip safety, smooth hammer, a smooth straight mainspring housing, checkered diamond pattern grips, and an unmarked, full blue, pinned based magazine with lanyard loop. Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 ACP

Price Realized:

Lot 177

Revere Copper Co. Napoleon 12-Pounder Model 1857 Light Field Gun

Though weighing over 1,200 pounds, the 12-pounder Napoleon field guns or "gun-howitzers" were considered light artillery and were the most widely used artillery pieces of the Civil War, and the Revere Copper Co. manufactured more of them than another other foundry, 461 of the roughly 1,157 manufactured in the North during the war (see page 91 of "Field Artillery Weapons of the Civil War" by Hazlett). Additional Revere Napoleons appear to have been made for individual states. 36% of the Union artillery pieces at Gettysburg were Napoleons, and 130 Napoleons were used by the Union forces at Antietam. The company was the descendant of Paul Revere's foundry in Boston. The Napoleon 12-pounders could fire solid shot or explosive shells nearly a mile (max range of 1,600+ yards) as well as shot for closer range engagements. They are also historically significant as the last cast bronze cannons used by the U.S. military. The muzzle is marked "No. 234 REVERE COPPER CO 1240 lbs. T.J.R. 1863" and has a post front sight. The tube has "U.S." in ornate letters on top near the trunnions. The ornate nature of this marking is one of the distinctive aspects of the Revere guns. The bore at the muzzle measures approximately 4.62 inches. A cannon ball marked "LODGED/IN/NAPOLEAN/#243 [sic]" in white paint is included. Include notes state that the barrel was spiked and this ball was lodge halfway down and also reference the Stafford carriage and indicate this Napoleon was fired in competition in June of 2020 at the American Artillery Association and North-South Skirmish Nationals in Winchester, Virginia.

Documentation

Price Realized:

Lot 1116

Cyrus Alger & Co. Model 1835 Bronze 12-Pounder Howitzer

The U.S. government accepted just 26 of these Model 1835 12-Pounder Howitzers in 1837-1838. Of those, Cyrus Alger & Co. produced 19, and this one is number 1! They are much rarer than the similar but heavier Model 1841 that followed. Both models saw use in the Mexican-American War. They are designed to be light and mobile artillery suitable for Samuel Ringgold's flying artillery tactics. Ringgold died from a mortal wound from a cannon ball at the Battle of Palo Alto and was the first U.S. officer killed in the war. Technically he died before the U.S. had even formally declared war. The battle was largely won thanks to superior American artillery. It has a post front sight, "1837" on the left trunnion, "CA & Co" on the right trunnion, blind holes in the center of the trunnions, "US" on top between the trunnions, a three digit number starting with "2" on the base ring, 1/706/GT" (number 1, 706 lbs. weight, and inspector George Talcott) above the knob, and a professionally built carriage.

Price Realized:

Lot 1368

Parker Brothers AAHE Grade 20 Gauge Double Barrel Shotgun

Manufactured late in the Remington gun period on a "0" frame. According to the table on page 353 of "The Parker Story" by Gunther, Mullins, Parker, Price, and Cote only 2 AA grades were built with 26 inch barrels in 20 gauge. Blued steel dovetail lump barrels with single steel bead front sight on the unmarked wide matted, concave solid rib, standard markings on the flats, chambers marked 2 3/4 inches with ejectors, and chokes marked "IMP CYL"/"MOD". Both barrels have a 2 1/2 inch wedge of floral scroll engraving at the breech and a single band at each muzzle. Casehardened boxlock action featuring sculpted fences, flowing floral scroll engraving surrounding "PARKER" on both sides, and four separate game scenes. The left shows a trio of quail in the tall grass, the trigger plate has a pair of woodcock in a field, the forward section of the underside shows another woodcock in flight over a pine forest, and the right has a grouse in a field with her three chicks. Single selective trigger with the last four digits of the serial number stamped on the side and tang mounted non-automatic safety switch. Beautifully figured, fancy multi-point checkered walnut splinter forearm with Deeley latch release and engraved fittings and pistol grip stock with checkered fleur-de-lis carved flats, "W/C/W" in the grip cap initial oval, and engraved skeleton buttplate over the checkered bare butt. This shotgun is pictured on page 352 of the aforementioned book "The Parker Story" and is touted as the highest serial number example of an AA grade gun that could be found. The initial WCW are purportedly the initials of Walter Winchell, the noted New York gossip columnist. Winchell was a staunch supporter of President Franklin Roosevelt and one of the first American writers to advocate for intervention in Europe against Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. Includes a leather bound takedown case with "W.C.W. on the lid and Parker trade label. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameters 9 inches from the breech measure .625/.625 inches; choke constriction .006/.012 inches; minimum wall thickness .030/.029 inches; 1 3/8 inch drop at comb; 2 3/8 inch drop at heel; 14 1/2 inch length of pull; weight 6 lbs 8 oz.

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 20

Price Realized:

Lot 3109

Early Flintlock Smoothbore American Long Rifle

This gun is pictured and discussed in "Rifles of Colonial America Vol. I" by Shumway as gun no. 21. He notes that he believes this smoothbore and the others near it in RCA Vol. I are from the Reading, Pennsylvania, area c. 1750. The consignor notes that it and the others may be by Wolfgang Hachen (1721-1795), also known as Haga, the great-uncle of the famous Hawken brothers of St. Louis. He immigrated in 1750 and worked in the area and is believed to have been responsible for many of the region's unsigned rifles. In an included letter from Jim Knowles, he indicates the gun was purchased from a young boy back in the 1950s-1960s. The boy had purchased in an antique shop in the Cumberland Mountains. He also states that it was on display at the Smithsonian (images from the Smithsonian and a document from the Senator John Heine Pittsburgh Regional History Center are included), the NRA's Revolutionary War Bicentennial exhibit (image of the rifle in the "An American Rifleman" display included), and at the Kentucky Rifle Association. It was also pictured in "The Kentucky Rifle: A True American Heritage in Pictures" and displayed as part of the well-known "Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763" exhibit (publication from the exhibit included, rifle not pictured). A copy of this rifle by David Dodds is pictured in the included copy of "The Broadside" newsletter of the Contemporary Longrifle Association on page 5. Other respected contemporary makers have also produced copies of this attractive and important early gun. As pointed out by Shumway, like other mid-18th century rifles, the forend cap is secured to the bottom of the barrel with a screw. The barrel is smoothbore but may have originally been rifled and subsequently rebored smooth when the rifling became worn or have been built originally as a "smooth rifle." It has rifle style sights. The Germanic lock has a non-bridled pan. The furniture is brass. The stock has molding along the forend, a pronounced swell at the ramrod entry pipe similar to Brown Bess muskets, tear drop flats, another tear drop at the barrel tang, incised lines along the bottom of the butt, scroll carving ahead of and behind the cheek rest, and faint letters "NO" visible under the cheek rest.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 60

Extremely Rare Documented Experimental "Baby Colt" Model 1910 .38 ACP/9.8 mm Prototype Semi-Automatic Pistol Published in "The Government Models" Book by Goddard

Lot 3423

Serial Number 3 "Baby Colt" Model 1910 Prototype 9.8 mm Pistol

Manufactured in 1909-1910, this prototype 9.8mm Colt is one of the rarest of all Colt manufactured automatics, being one of only five known, and one of only four which are serialized. The development of these scarce pistols came about, at least partially, due to the escalating competition in the manufacture of John Browning's pistol designs between Colt and Fabrique Nationale (F.N.) This began 13 years prior when Browning agreed to license his designs to Colt from production in the United States and its territories, as well as the British Isles on 24 July 1896. Approximately a year later, on 7 July 1897, Browning made a separate agreement with F.N., allowing them to produce and market his designs on mainland Europe including Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Austro-Hungary, and any other nation not already granted to Colt, with the caveat that they obtain patent rights in Browning's name in any country in which they wished to sell. In 1899 the two firearms manufacturing giants came to an agreement themselves to respect these boundaries, and agreement which lasted for approximately 10 years. In 1910 however, Colt began paying more attention to the expansion of F.N., and started feeling the heat when F.N. manufactured Browning designs started turning up in the western hemisphere with more regularity, primarily in South and Central America, which Colt hadn't previously prioritised. In early 1910 discussions of a possible Rumanian contract took place amongst the Colt board but they also decided to pursue a further non-competition agreement with F.N., which was secured on 11 March 1910. This new agreement secured barely a year of peace for the two companies. William Skinner, Colt's outgoing president in December of 1910 told the board of directors that, over the past year, the company had drastically increased their sales in Cuba as well as Central and South America, and just a month later, the incoming president, C.L.F. Robinson declared to the board that F.N. had breached the 1910 agreement and that he was seeking legal guidance in the matter. It appears that Robinson was advised by the legal team to try to secure another agreement with F.N. rather than taking legal action, but by the fall of 1910 no agreement had been reached. At this point, in the fall or winter of 1910, with no new agreement on the table, it appears Robinson and Skinner, who was now the head of the board of directors, decided to employ some aggressive diplomacy with F.N., by deploying their prototype .38/9.8 mm pistol which appears to have been in the works since late 1909. The cartridge for this pistol had come about after the warm reception of the Model 1910 prototype in .45 ACP and Colt's management setting their sights on markets outside of the United States. They had worked jointly with Union Metallic Cartridge Co. and Winchester Repeating Arms Co. to develop a European style pistol cartridge, and by August 1910 had settled on the 9.8 mm rimless cartridge, a fairly large quantity of which was manufactured by Winchester. The Colt model room was then tasked with creating a pistol based on the finalized Model 1910 designed but chambered in the new .38/9.8 mm cartridge. The result was a downsized version of the Model 1910 which was presented to the board of directors on 6 October 1910, who made no requests regarding the design. Shortly after that meeting the project took a significant hit as the Model 1910 was plagued with barrel and frame failures in the November 1910 government ordnance tests. Fixing these issues with the .45 ACP Model 1910 became an immediate priority for Colt and the 9.8 mm project was put on the back burner until the fall/winter of 1910 when, as we've discussed, Robinson and Skinner sought to apply a bit of leverage to F.N. in regards to their expansion. To encourage F.N. to see things there way, Colt's plan was to send Robinson and pistol expert Eugene Reising with the Model of 1911 Special Army to the British Enfield pistol trials in September of 1911. They would then continue on from there to the Rumanian pistol trials the next month in Bucharest with the Model of 1910 in 9.8 mm Colt. Three weeks after their departure, Chairman Skinner was reading a message of Colt's success at the trials to the board, which also included the details of a new agreement proposed by Colt. Robinson returned with Rumanian patent records should they be needed to mount a legal defence of Colt's sales interests there, but no such defence was necessary. Colt's aggressive diplomacy with their little .38 had successfully brought F.N. to the table and on 1 July 1912, a new five-year agreement was signed. The little .38 was put on the back burner for some time while Colt focused on fulfilling their contract with the United States Government for Model of 1911 Pistols, but was again presented to the board along with John Browning's design for the Colt Woodsman Pistol in 1913. The board initially approved both of the designs for manufacture, however upon further review, decided to only continue on with the Woodsman design. From here the examples of the Model 1910 as well as some unassembled parts were left to collect dust along with countless other Colt prototypes, when in 1922 serial number 2 Model 1910 was booked out to an H.S. Campbell, who was a South American salesman for Colt. Serial numbers 1 and 4 eventually ended up in a private collections, and the unnumbered example is kept in the Springfield Armory Museum. This leaves the example we offer here, serial number 3. This specific pistol is photographed and described on p. 120-121 of "The Government Models: The Development of the Colt Model 1911" by Goddard. These pages as well as p. 473 of "U.S. Military Automatic Pistols 1894-1920" by Meadows describe these prototype pistols, both stating that this specific example was retained by the factory who reconditioned it in .38 ACP and re-rollmarked it with contemporary markings in 1929 and placed in their reference collection before eventually ending up in the collection of William Goddard himself. Information about these prototype pistols and their unique cartridge can also be found on p. 192-194 of "Colt Automatic Pistols" by Bady, who states that at the time of his writing only the unnumbered example retained by the Springfield Armory Museum was known. The slide on this pistol is marked with the two-line address and patent dates ending with 1913 which were applied in 1929, and the right side is marked with "AUTOMATIC/CALIBRE .38" with "COLT" and a Rampant Colt to either side. The only other visible marking is the serial number "3" on the left side of the frame. It appears likely that when the pistol was reconditioned in 1929 some contemporary parts were also installed such as a long grip safety, short stamped trigger, and an arched checkered mainspring housing. It is also fitted with blade and notch sights, checkered slide stop, thumb safety, and magazine release, a set of fully checkered walnut grips, and is furnished with a two-tone magazine which is marked "MIL./COLT/38 CAL." Provenance: The Dr. Robert Azar Collection

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 38 ACP

Price Realized:

Well-Documented, NRA Silver Medal Award Winning Cased Pair of Consecutively Serialized, Exhibition Quality Gustave Young Factory Engraved and Gold Plated Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolvers Presented by the Prince of Wales to Famed Marksman Captain Leon Martin Formerly of the Famed Harolds Club Collection -A) Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 Target Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 209

Presentation Pair of Smith & Wesson New Model 3 Target Revolvers

This presentation set of consecutively serialized S&W New Model No. 3 Target Revolvers feature splendid, highly sought after factory engraving by famed Master Engraver Gustave Young. Young worked with Smith & Wesson as early as 1865 after serving as Colt's Master Engraver and was the in-house engraver for Smith & Wesson starting in 1869 until his death in 1895. His sons, Oscar, Eugene, and Robert, also worked for Smith & Wesson and used similar styles. On these revolvers Young's elaborate, exhibition quality scrollwork on a punch dot background covers 80% the surfaces. The two-line barrel rib legends end with the reissue patent date. Matching respective serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, barrel, and barrel latch. Each revolver has a gold plated barrel, cylinder and frame and smooth pearl grips. The leather bound presentation case is lined in velour. The interior of the lid has a presentation placard. This placard is in French and translates, "Revolvers offered by the Prince of Wales, King of England, to Captain Leon Martin, First Marksman of the World." This set will factory letter as a special order item shipped on June 18, 1891 to C.L. Daily. Daily was a sharpshooter and associate of famed American showman Buffalo Bill. In 1883, Buffalo Bill founded "Buffalo Bill's Wild West", a circus-like extravaganza that toured widely for three decades in the United States and later throughout Europe. His legendary show was a highly popular form of late 19th century entertainment that featured Native Americans and cowboys performing elaborate productions, which helped to solidify the legend of the American Western Frontier that still resonates today. In 1887, the show traveled to Europe. In all, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West toured Europe eight times. The first four tours occurred between 1887 and 1892 and the last four from 1902 to 1906, bringing to Europe an exotic form of American entertainment which was even viewed by Queen Victoria and members of the royal family, including the Prince of Wales. Capt. Martin was a British Army officer who performed at a shooting exhibition for which these revolvers were presented. Purportedly, this event was held in conjunction with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West while touring in Europe. Martin, who was a contemporary of machine gun inventor Hiram Maxim, performed with him at shooting events in the 1890s and early 1900s in the United Kingdom and United States and even took part in publicly testing a "bullet-proof coat" in 1894 (copy of newspaper article included). The revolvers are identified and pictured in R.L. Wilson and Greg Martin's "Buffalo Bill's Wild West: An American Legend" on page 95 (the barrel length and caliber are incorrectly listed) and in Hank Bowman's "Famous Guns from the Harolds Club Collection" on page 122. Both books are included. The Harolds Club was a Reno, Nevada, casino that opened in 1935 and closed in 1995. By the early 1960s, the Harolds Club possessed a collection of some 3,000 guns in all with about 2,000 displayed in the Roaring Camp Room, the Silver Dollar Bar, and elsewhere throughout the casino. Co-owner Harold Smith Sr. called it "one of the world's greatest gun collections," but in 1993 the collection was sold to Butterfield & Butterfield, and the guns were auctioned off in 1994. In May 2010, this set was awarded the National Rifle Association's Annual Meetings "10 Best" Silver Medal Arms Award, "one of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA's Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations," in Charlotte, North Carolina. The silver medal, No. 488, is included.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 S&W Russian

Price Realized:

Exceptional, Documented, Special Order, Conrad Ulrich Double Signed, Master Engraved, and Gold Plated Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle Known as "The Minister's '66"

Lot 1016

Conrad Ulrich Engraved Winchester Model 1866 Lever Action Rifle

Manufactured in 1872, this extraordinary rifle, nicknamed "The Minister's '66", was beautifully engraved by Colt and Marlin Master Engraver Conrad F. Ulrich (1844-1925), who also did a plethora of engraving for Winchester, though he was never officially an employee. This exquisite piece of art has been signed by the artist with his "C.F. ULRICH" stamp twice on the lower tang. The themes engraved on this rifle somewhat stray away from the traditional themes engraved by Ulrich, namely his animal scenes and acanthus scroll, making it likely this was a truly unique custom order. The reasoning for Ulrich having stamped the work twice is unclear, but it may simply be because he was proud of the atypical finished product. It is currently unknown who this rifle was engraved for; however, the subject matter of the engraving, as well as some other small details, may give us some clues. The left side of the receiver features a large panel with a flying dove with an olive branch clasped in its beak, a universal symbol of peace. Also on the left side is what appears to be an amaryllis bouquet, the symbolism of which is derived from ancient Greek literature. The Greek story of Amaryllis trying to win the affection of the shepherd Alteo being a story of love and determination, which led to the later symbolism of the amaryllis plant and its use as a symbol of a shepherdess and as a symbol of love, ethereal beauty, and determination. The right side features a large rose branch and butterflies in flight. There are butterfly pupa hanging from the branch in their early stages of life. This scene is believed to represent the cycle of life as well as the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, with the rose thorns representing the crown of thorns. The smaller scene on the right is a day-lily plant, likely representing purity and light. All of these scenes are surrounded by a thin band of ivy which borders the edges of the receiver. The top of the receiver appears to feature two church steeples with prayer windows, what may be two pairs of interlocked wedding bands, and two chalice like symbols. These symmetrical bands of engraving are on either side of the centerline of the top of the receiver. These symbols alone are enough to hint at this rifle being ordered personally by or for a religious figure, but there is more evidence to support that on the forearm. The right side of the forearm has been hand carved with a series of crosses and notches just along the upper edge. These markings are interesting in that they differ in size and design. From receiver to muzzle the series features two large crosses, small cross, large dash, small dash and cross, large dash, small cross, large dash cross dash, and two more large crosses. Judging by the intentionally different sizing it seems almost certain these markings had differing meanings, of which we can only speculate. There are another series of dashes on the left side of the forearm concentrated towards the muzzle end, these being all of the same size, and 25 in number. The included documentation indicates that the rifle was ordered for a prominent minister in Connecticut in 1872. It is certainly a rifle that seems to ask more questions than it answers, but it is almost certain that the story behind its markings, both factory and non-factory, is an interesting one. It is easy to imagine a minister purchasing such a rifle to protect his flock before journeying west. Apart from the masterfully executed engraving, the rifle has the standard two-line Winchester address/King's patent marking on the top barrel flat and the small block numeral serial number within a cartridge shaped engraved border on the lower tang between the trigger and lever latch. The "0" in the serial number is stamped over a "2", which was likely a factory error. The left side of the lower tang is marked "XXX," and the serial number is repeated in the stock inlet and inside the buttplate. The receiver, forend cap, and buttplate are all gold plated, and the barrel and magazine are blued. The third type indented loading gate is finished in nitre blue, and the hammer has the fourth type fine checkering with border at the bottom. It is fitted with a globe front sight which is slightly oversized for its dovetail, a filler block in the rear sight dovetail, and a tang mounted long range peep sight. It is mounted with a finely figured smooth forearm and straight grip stock, with special order sling swivels on the forend cap and buttstock, and a trapdoor crescent buttplate. Includes a three-piece steel cleaning rod, a brass collection tag marked "A273". Also included with the rifle is a copy of "Volume 25 Issue 4 (Fall 2002) The Winchester Collector" and "Volume 25, number 3, 2003 Man at Arms", both of which feature articles about the rifle by Les Quick, a series of close-up photos of the rifle, and a purchase agreement.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 RF

Price Realized:

Stunning, Near Mint Wilbur Glahn Factory Engraved Colt First Generation Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Eagle Grip and Factory Letter

Lot 1202

Glahn Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver

This outstanding factory documented work of 1920s firearms artistry by famed Colt Master Engraver Wilbur Glahn transcends "genre" specific fine arms collecting. It is a one gun tour de force of exceptional, a time capsule impossible to improve upon. From the time he arrived in Hartford in 1919 until the spring of 1950, Wilbur Glahn did the bulk of the engraving for Colt. His death in 1951 signaled the end of America’s family dynasties of firearms engravers. He left behind a legacy of high quality craftsmanship and design, which is certainly showcased on this SAA. In fact, the embellishment on this revolver is of the highest grade. Clearly Glahn was demonstrating his best quality of workmanship on this very special order SAA. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 5 ½ inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, grip material and factory engraving. The revolver was shipped to Bob Smith Sporting Goods Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, on January 8, 1925. Glahn’s best quality floral scrollwork with blossoms and shading appears on the frame, recoil shield, loading gate, top strap, grip straps, cylinder flats, barrel and ejector rod housing. Simple wavy line motif decorates the top of the ejector rod housing. The embellishment covers 70% of the surfaces. The barrel is stamped with the one-line Hartford address on top and “45 COLT” on the left side. The left side of the frame has the three date, two-line patent marking followed by a Rampant Colt. The left side of the trigger guard has the Colt factory inspection markings (“3” and triangle factory proof). The grips feature silver Rampant Colt medallions, and the right panel is decorated with a wonderful relief carved eagle/shield motif. The last three digits of the serial number (“534”) are marked in pencil on the back of the right panel. As noted by Colt historian R.L. Wilson, factory relief carved grips are rare with those encountered generally featuring a steer head motif. The eagle motif on this grip set is especially rare. Matching serial numbers are on the frame and right side of the trigger guard and back strap under the grip panel. Matching assembly number “297” is on the loading gate and rear of the frame. Using the most liberal statistics, only 2,500 1st Generation Colt SAAs of the 357,800 manufactured were factory engraved.

Documentation

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 45 LC

Price Realized:

Incredible Royal Presentation Grade Silver and Gold, Engraved, and Raise Relief Carved Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by F. Bigoni of Brescia -A) F. Bigoni Flintlock Pistol

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 239

Ornate Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by F. Bigoni of Brescia

These incredibly ornate pistols from c. 1740 were very clearly made for a special purpose and likely owned by and/or presented by a noble within the Holy Roman Empire/Hapsburg Empire, possibly the Emperor or Empress themselves. The pistols are signed for Franco Bigoni of Brescia and have the same maker's marks featured on page 101 of "Der Neue Stockel" by Heer and are constructed so that the only visible screws are the frizzen screws and barrel tang screws, and there are no pins visible for securing the furniture or barrel. The extensive ornamentation combined with this unusual construction certainly indicates they were made for a special purpose. They are decorated with a series of classical Greco-Roman designs, executed in raised relief in the silver plates on the various gilded brass components, such as mythological figures including Diana and Mars and Lacoon, Cupid, and Venus on the pommels; a bacchic figure on one trigger guard, and Hercules on the other. The details of the different scenes vary between the pistols, but the side plates and locks on both feature putti, arms, and colors. Busts of different figures appear on the cock screws, side plates, and wrist escutcheons. The figures on the escutcheons, under renditions of what appears to be the crown of the King of the Romans, may represent Holy Roman Emperor Francis I and Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa. There is resemblance to the pair on their marriage medal from 1736. They became Holy Roman Emperor and Empress in 1745. The two-stage, smoothbore barrels also have silver blade front sights, bands of silver at the transition points and breeches, gold and silver inlaid borders on the octagonal breech sections which are signed "IN BRESCIA" in ornate script, additional gold and silver accents, and gilt "crown/.F./BIG/ONI" and horse maker's cartouches on top at the breech ends. The locks are signed "F. BIGONI." behind the cocks. In addition to the Roman scenes, the gilt furniture features a variety of primarily floral designs. The highly figured burl walnut stocks have raised relief carved scroll designs on the horn forend caps, fine molding around the edges, raised relief scroll carving around the ramrod entry points and sides of the barrel tang, and raised floral carving at the front and rear of the flats and rear of the barrel tang. The ramrods have tips decorated en-suite with the rest of the pistols. The inside of the locks has been identified as marked for lockmaker Filippo Moretti. They appear on page 50 of the 1971 "Antique Arms Annual" from the Texas Gun Collectors Association.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 60

Price Realized:

Attractive Deep Relief Chiseled Engraved Wheellock Puffer Pistol with Inlaid and Incised Stock Attributed to Klaus Hirt from the Historic Saxon Electoral Armoury

Lot 278

Engraved Wheellock Puffer Pistol with Inlaid Stock

These incredible pistols are part of a group of pistols in this style that are known in international private and institutional collections from c. 1580-1620 and often associated with the Saxon Electoral Armoury in Dresden. A few of these pistols are known with the same or similar "HB" markings on the locks or barrels, and one of these pistols housed in the Historical Museum in Bern has a stock signed by master stocker Klaus Hirt of Wasungen, Thuringia. The stock work on the other pistols, including this one, have been attributed to Hirt based on the signed example. "HB" has been believed to be a gunsmith from Suhl but remains unknown. Some of the same design elements are featured on multiple of the pistols, but many also show a variety of different elements while remaining in the same impressive artistic style and the "puffer" form. The most readily accessible comparable pistol is viewable through the Art Institute of Chicago (Reference Number 1982.2860). The lock instead of the barrel on that example is marked with the "HB/bear" marking, and there are some differences in some of the design elements, but the core themes and style remain. Other pistols of this basic form are also represented in many of the other fine antique arms and art collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and of course additional museums in Europe, especially Germany. This pistol's barrel has the "HB/bear" maker's mark near the tang, and a "C" or crescent moon marking is on the wheel stirrup inside the lock. The lock and barrel feature deep relief engraving. The lock has floral designs on the plate and a double headed eagle design on the wheel cover in reference to the Reichsadler of the Holy Roman Empire. A similar style is on both the example in the Art Institute of Chicago noted above and plate 25 in "Armes Anciennes Collection of Charles Draeger." However, the lock on this pistol has a more uncommon lock plate with an extension on the front of the lock and a long asymmetrical spring that is more often seen on pistols from the mid-16th century. The barrel features a man at arms in the muzzle section, Greco-Roman goddess design with a staff and crescent moon in her hands on the mid-section, birds, another classical female figure on the breech with a goblet, and floral patterns. The stock has essentially full coverage inlays with a variety of highly detailed engraved designs with black highlights. Among the designs are a variety of human and bestial masks, squirrels, individual birds and mating pairs of birds, complex scroll and bead patterns, and fine borders. The ramrod tip is decorated en-suite. Provenance: Saxon Electoral Armoury in Dresden, Historisches Museum of Dresden, Lenoir Josey, Peter Tillou, and The Robert M. Lee Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 58

Price Realized:

Documented, Historic NRA Silver Medal Award Winning Jacob Dickert Flintlock American Long Rifle with Raised Relief Carved Stock Attributed as Used at the Battle of King's Mountain

Lot 1099

Kings Mountain Attributed Dickert Flintlock American Long Rifle

This rifle is documented as rifle no. 50 in Shumway's "Rifles of Colonial America Vol. 1" and "Kentucky Rifles & Pistols 1750-1850" on page 74. Both identify it is a Lancaster School rifle by Jacob Dickert. The first text states "It appears to have been made in the same period as the preceding Dickert rifles, between 1761 when Dickert began his career as a journeyman and about 1780, though like the others it more likely is a product of the 1770 decade." The second states c. 1770. The rifle is clearly the same rifle in the books based both on its overall design and the specific wear spots. The first text lists it as .50 caliber while the second lists it as .45 caliber. The bore is counterbored at the muzzle, and the caliber of the main bore measures between .45 and .50 (the calibers listed in the books). The included display plaque states that "This rifle is believed to be the earliest known example of Dickert's work. Verbal provenance has placed it at the Battle of King's Mountain" and dates the rifle to c. 1760-1765. Jacob Dickert (1740-1822) was a German immigrant and was one of the most prominent Pennsylvania riflesmiths and was active in Lancaster County, recognized as the most significant centers of rifle production in colonial America, from the 1760s until his death in 1822. He was first listed as a gunsmith in 1765. Over this period, he organized multiple gunmakers into a more coordinated industry and also produced rifles on contract with the U.S. government. The rifle received a certificate of recognition and a medal for being one of the ten best arms exhibited at the NRA's 124th Annual Meeting on May 21, 1995 (plaque and medal included). The barrel has traditional blade and notch sights and is signed "J Dickert" on top in the breech section. The slightly banana profile lock has beveled edges, a grooved tail, and a non-bridled pan. The furniture is all brass and includes a fairly plain two-piece patchbox with somewhat "fluer-de-lis" style finial. The stock has moulding along the ramrod channel, elongated teardrop flats, "fluer-de-lis" style raised relief carving at the upper tang, an incised scroll at the front of the comb on the right, additional raised and incised scroll carving on the left ahead of and behind the cheekpiece which has a flat rectangular edge. The rifle was not fitted with a toe plate as is the case with many of the earlier "Kentucky rifles." The Battle of King's Mountain was fought on October 7, 1780, in northwestern South Carolina between the Patriot militia known as the "Overmountain Men" and Loyalist militia under English officer Patrick Ferguson, famous for the Ferguson breechloading rifle design. It remains one of the most famous battles of the American Revolution thanks to the high number of American riflemen involved in the battle and the fact that it is an "all-American" battle. A Patriot militia of around 900 men surrounded and surprised Ferguson's 1,105 Loyalists camped on the high ground after a long march. The Patriots worked their way up the hill from multiple sides as individual units while firing from cover as they worked their way up. When Ferguson's militia launched bayonet-charges, the Patriots retreated back to the woods and then began working their way back up the hill as the Loyalists regrouped back on the top. Since the Patriots used cover, were not organized in formal lines, and were downhill, the Loyalists struggled to effectively fire upon their assailants. Within an hour, the Loyalists had suffered significant casualties and the Patriots were reaching the high ground to Ferguson's rear. Some of the Loyalists tried to surrender, but Ferguson struck down their white flags with his sword and attempted to rally them to break through the Patriot lines. Before he could do so, he was shot and wounded and then drug by his horse into the Patriot lines. He shot a Patriot officer who gave him the opportunity to surrender and was then himself shot multiple times. Around sixty-five minutes after the first shots had been fired, the Loyalists began their surrender, but to their horror, many instead received "Tarleton's Quarter" and were killed. This was in part in response to Banastre Tartleton's forces' massacre of surrendering Patriot troops at the Battle of Waxhaws back in May near Lancaster, South Carolina. While some of the Patriots simply did not know the Loyalists were trying to surrender, even an emissary sent by Loyalist Captain de Peyster under a white flag was shot down. When the Patriot officers got things under control, the Loyalists had suffered 290 men killed and 163 wounded, and another 668 were taken prisoner. Many of the wounded were left on the field to die because the Patriots could not risk taking them with them due to the proximity of the British regulars under Cornwallis. The Patriots left the field victorious and suffered comparably light casualties of 28 killed and 60 wounded despite facing a numerically superior force holding the high ground. The battle was significant in that it gave a considerable boost to Patriot morale and led to Cornwallis abandoning his plans to attack North Carolina. Thomas Jefferson later called it, "The turn of the tide of success," and Henry Clinton, the commander-in-chief of the British forces said it was "the first link in a chain of evils that followed each other in regular succession until they at last ended in the total loss of America."

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45

Price Realized:

Rare Documented, Factory Engraved, and Inscribed Parker Brothers A1-Special Double Barrel Shotgun with Case

Lot 1365

Documented Parker Brothers A1-Special Double Barrel Shotgun

Manufactured in 1908 on a size "2" frame. According to the chart on page 377 of "The Parker Story" by Gunther, Mullins, Parker, Price, and Cote, this is one of only 13 A1-Specials built with 32 inch barrels in 12 gauge. Blued, Whitworth Steel dovetail lump barrels with dual white bead sights on the matted, concave solid rib marked "PARKER BROS. MAKERS, MERIDEN. CONN. WHITWORTH STEEL." The barrels have 3 inch chambers, standard markings on the flats, 1 1/2 inch wedges of floral scroll engraving at either breech, and 1 1/2 inch wedges at the muzzles. The casehardened boxlock action features beautifully carved fences, jewelled watertable, and relief engraved floral scroll engraving on a matted background surrounding "PARKER BROS." on either side. The trigger guard has two teardrops and a diamond cut out from it as well as matching floral engraving. Double triggers and an automatic tang mounted safety switch with gold inlaid "S". Beautiful, highly figured fancy checkered walnut forearm with Deeley latch release and engraved fittings, and a pistol grip stock with checkered fluer-de-lis carved flats, inscription plate in the grip cap reading "Ben/Hisle/Lexington, Ky", and leather and rubber recoil pad. There are many period articles that mention Ben Hisle in shooting clubs and competitions in the Lexington, Kentucky area. He was quite the accomplished wingshooter and winner of many shoots. The gun is also pictured on pages 361 and 362 of the aforementioned book "The Parker Story" and on the cover of Peter H. Johnson's "Parker: America's Finest Shotgun" (a copy of which is included). Both books list the gun as coming from noted Parker Gun dealer Hershel Chadick of Chadick Ltd., whom was inducted into the Parker Gun Foundation Hall of Fame in 2016 shortly after his passing. The configuration is confirmed as an A1-Special with 32 inch barrels and ejectors in 12 gauge on page 420 of "Parker Gun Identification and Serialization" by Price and Fjestad. Includes a later leather bound takedown case with Parker trade label and canvas cover containing two rosewood handled turnscrews, cleaning rod, oiler, and rosewood handled brass brush. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameters 9 inches from the breech measure .736/.737 inches; choke constriction .030/.041 inches; minimum wall thickness .031/.028 inches; 1 1/2 inch drop at comb; 2 1/16 inch drop at heel; 14 3/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 12 oz.

Documentation

Has Box

Curio and Relic

Caliber / Gauge: 12

Price Realized:

U.S. Wayne Pump M3-A.C. 50 BMG Water Cooled Machine Gun, Class III/NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun with Field Mounts and Ammo Drum

Lot 492

U.S. Wayne Pump M3-A.C. 50 BMG Machine Gun

Developed during World War II, the M3 machine gun was a variant of the M2 intended for aircraft use, maintaining the general bulk and the same hard-hitting 50 BMG chambering, but boosting the rate of fire to 1,200 rounds per minute. The M3 was airplane armament into the jet age, and is still seen on some active prop aircraft, helicopters, and ground emplacements like the "Up-Gun" variant of the Avenger Air Defense System deployed to Afghanistan. According to an included narrative, Wayne Pump of Fort Wayne, Indiana made this machine gun as a "proof of concept" for the Saginaw Steering Division of General Motors, for whom Wayne was a parts supplier, to show they were equipped to manufacture a complete machine gun. Saginaw didn't bite, as they were getting out of the machine gun business at that point. The letter mentions that the gun later ended up in the collection of Dennis Tippman of Tippman Arms Company (noted manufacturer of miniature Gatling guns and Browning-pattern machine guns), who confirmed the Wayne/Saginaw story to the writer; a copy of a 1980s vintage Form 4 confirms Tippman as the transferor of this machine gun. This particular M3 has been outfitted with a heavy water cooling jacket, which would be typical for use in the air defense role from a fixed ground position or land vehicle mount. A fixed blade front sight is set in a protective cover on the water jacket, with a flip up ladder rear sight on the receiver behind the feed cover. The right sideplate bears the Wayne Pump markings, with a left side feed arrangement, smooth plastic grips on the charging handle and spade grips, dual thumb triggers, and a rotating manual safety. Included with the M3 is an extra barrel, a folding field mount (note: pintle and T&E mechanism not included), and a standing pintle mount, and a metal ammo can suitable for mounting to the standing pintle.

Documentation

Class III

Caliber / Gauge: 50 BMG

Price Realized:

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