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/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #83

Premier Firearms Auction #83

September 10, 2021 to September 12, 2021

This auction has ended.

/Auctions...
/Premier Firearms Auction #83

Premier Firearms Auction #83

September 10, 2021 to September 12, 2021

This auction has ended.

Auction Time Summary

Preview DayThursday, Sep 9th10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION IFriday, Sep 10th9 AMLots 1 through 688

SESSION IISaturday, Sep 11th9 AMLots 1000 through 1706

SESSION IIISunday, Sep 12th9 AMLots 3000 through 3670

To Be Sold At Auction

Preview Day Thursday Sept 9th
Open at 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

SESSION I - Friday, Sept 10th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1 and 688
SESSION II - Saturday, Sept 11th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 1000 and 1706
SESSION III - Sunday, Sept 12th
TIME: Commencing at 9 a.m. selling between Lots 3000 and 3670

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 18

Showing 1-50 of 882 results

Exceptional Documented Antique, Highly Attractive Casehardened Frame Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle in .45-90 WCF with Factory Letter

Lot 1

Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action .45-90 WCF Rifle

The accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber and plain trigger. The rifle was received in the warehouse on October 5, 1894 and shipped nearly a year later on September 10, 1895 with nine other arms. The frame, hammer, lever, forend cap, and buttplate have the desirable casehardened finish. The barrel is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight and is stamped with the two-line address ahead of the rear sight and "45-90 W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is marked "-MODEL 1886-". The lower tang is marked with the patent marking and the script serial number. The rifle has standard forearm and buttstock.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45-90 WCF

Price Realized:

Lot 2

Antique Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .22 Short

Manufactured in 1887 as a Third Model, the barrel has the two-line address/King's patent marking and caliber marking at the breech and on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked with the model designation and the serial number is on the lower tang. Fitted with German silver blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Winchester manufactured approximately 19,552 Model 1873s in .22 short or .22 long between 1884 and 1904.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 22 short

Price Realized:

Lot 5

New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol

This New Haven Arms Company Volcanic No. 2 Navy Pistol with factory case is inscribed "J.A. Ramsey". The pistol has a distinctive octagon barrel with integral 10 shot magazine, clam-shell follower and brass cone front sight. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the New Haven Arms Company marking: "PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN FEB. 14 1854". The barrel markings have vary in depth, and the date is nearly illegible. The brass receiver is silver plated and fitted with a loading lever with finger loop, fixed rear sight and hammer with coarse knurling on the spur. There are semi-circular cut-outs at the front and rear of the ejection port. The rear sight and bolt are niter blue, and the hammer trigger and lever are color casehardened. The two piece varnished walnut grips have flared butts. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the right side of the loading lever, (2) right side of the receiver beneath the grip and (3) the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. A small "L" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the loading lever and on the right side of the butt beneath the grip. The mahogany, American style case has an oval brass inscription plate on the center of the lid with brass reinforcements on the corners and sides. "J.A. Ramsey" is inscribed in script letters on the oval plate. The case has four compartments and is lined with crimson felt. Cased Volcanic firearms are very scarce. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 41 Volcanic

Price Realized:

Lot 6

New Haven Arms Co. Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket Pistol

This is one of an estimated 850 No. 1 pocket pistols with a 3 1/2 inch barrel manufactured by the New Haven Arms Co., New Haven, Connecticut, in 1857/58. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round finger hole in the lever and flat bottom grips. The pistol is fitted with a pinched blade front sight on the barrel and a notch rear sight at the rear of the frame. The top barrel flat is marked "NEW HAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB. 14. 1854." The deletion of "VOLCANIC REPEATING ARMS CO." from the barrel legend occurred after Oliver Winchester assumed control of the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. and re-organized it as the New Haven Arms Company on May 1, 1857. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun. Includes a modern French cut wooden display case. Volcanic firearms are historically significant and represent an important step in the development of American repeating firearms and self-contained cartridges. The lever action and integral spring-loaded magazine introduced with Volcanic pistols and carbines served as the basic design for the Henry rifle and the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 and 1876 rifles. Oliver Winchester's investment in the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company eventually led to the establishment of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Included with lot is a modern made custom wood presentation style case.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 31 Volcanic

Price Realized:

Lot 7

Volcanic Repeating Arms Company No. 2 Navy Pistol

This No. 2 Navy Pistol was manufactured by the Volcanic Repeating Arms Company c. 1856. The pistol has the distinctive octagon barrel with integral 10-shot magazine, brass receiver and loading lever with finger hole. The Type I barrel has a brass half-moon front sight blade and brass, clam-shell magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "THE VOLCANIC/REPEATING ARMS CO./PATENT NEWHAVEN CONN. FEB. 14. 1854" in three lines. The brass receiver has semi-circular cut-outs at the front and back of the ejection port, a dove-tail mounted rear sight and hammer with coarse-knurled spur. The pistol has two-piece walnut grips with flared butts. The serial number is stamped: (1) on the right side of the loading lever, (2) right side of the butt beneath the grips and (3) on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. An "X" inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the loading lever. The barrel has a high polish blue finish, the receiver is natural brass, the hammer and lever are color casehardened, and the rear sight, bolt, trigger and cartridge elevator are fire blue. The walnut grips have a varnished piano finish. The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company manufactured approximately 1500 No. 2 Navy Pistols with eight-inch barrels before the company was forced to declare bankruptcy and was reorganized by Oliver Winchester as the New Haven Arms Company in 1857. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 41 Volcanic

Price Realized:

Exceptional Documented Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Desirable .22 Short Caliber with Factory Letter

Lot 11

Winchester Model 1873 .22 Short Rifle

Per the included factory letter, the serial number for this rifle was applied on September 13, 1893 and the rifle was received in the warehouse on December 23, 1893 and shipped on January 30, 1894 with an octagon barrel in .22 Short and plain trigger. The barrel is fitted with a dovetailed blade front sight and an elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates legend ahead of the rear sight and "22 SHORT" at the breech. The "MODEL 1873" marked upper tang has a 62-B sight which was made for the Model 1873. The third model receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The cartridge elevator is marked "22 CAL./SHORT." The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The hammer, lever and buttplate are casehardened. The remaining surfaces are blued. The forearm and straight grip stock are nicely figured walnut. The buttstock is fitted with a solid crescent buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 22 short

Price Realized:

Exceptional Documented Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in Highly Desirable .22 Short Caliber with Freund Sight and Factory Letter

Lot 19

Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 .22 Short Rifle with Freund Sight

The accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .22 caliber, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock and casehardened receiver. This outstanding condition rifle was received in the warehouse on August 7, 1886 and shipped the same day. The rifle is fitted with a gold combination Beach front sight, a highly desirable Freund elevation adjustable rear sight and Vernier tang sight graduated from 0 to 75 on the left side. Like many in the American firearms industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Freund brothers Frank W. and George were German immigrants. They had various temporary shop locations as they followed the Union Pacific westward and established more permanent shops in Denver, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, where they regularly modified firearms, particularly Sharps rifles, to fit their customer's needs. They sold rifles to the likes of generals Philip Sheridan, George Cook, and Theodore Roosevelt. In addition to mechanical alterations and creating new configurations, the Freunds also designed new sights. The rear sight is marked "F.W. FREUND/PATENT." The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line Winchester legend ahead of the rear sight and "22 CAL" at the breech. The cartridge elevator is marked "22 CAL/SHORT." The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The third model receiver has an integral dust cover rail and dust cover with serrations at the rear. The hammer, lever, receiver, forend cap and buttplate are casehardened. The remaining surfaces are blued. The forearm and pistol grip stock are nicely figured "XXX" deluxe walnut and are checkered. The buttstock has an ebony grip insert and a solid crescent buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "485 XXX 22." The assembly number "485" is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 22 S

Price Realized:

Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Lot 23

Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Extra Long Barrel

Manufactured in 1883. The accompanying factory letter confirms the round barrel in .45-60 caliber but does not mention the extra length, and plain trigger. the rifle was received in the warehouse on August 25, 1885 and shipped on August 28. The rifle is chambered for the .45-60 W.C.F. cartridge and has a 28-inch round barrel. (No factory letter available to verify). The barrel has a special order front sight with set screw and nickel-silver blade. The original rear sight has been replaced with a Winchester adjustable folding leaf rear sight. The rifle has a blued barrel, magazine and receiver. The hammer, loading lever and crescent buttplate have a casehardened finish. The walnut stock and forearm are oil-finished. The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the two-line legend: "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S--IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29.1866. OCTOBER. 16. 1860" ahead of the rear sight. The top of the barrel is stamped: "CAL. 45-60" between the rear sight and the receiver. The bottom of the cartridge elevator is marked with the caliber "45-60". The top of the receiver is roll-stamped: "{MODEL 1876}" with foliate decorations at either end of the marking. The serial number is located on the lower receiver tang behind the loading lever latch. The Third Model receiver has an integral dust cover rib and dust cover with serrated edges.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45-60

Price Realized:

Incredibly Rare and Historically Significant Documented First Shipped and Silver Banded One of One Hundred Winchester Model 1876 "Centennial" Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Lot 24

One of One Hundred Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle

As Edmund E. Lewis wrote in "The Story of the Winchester 1 of 1000 and 1 of 100 Rifles," "Although far less famous than the 1 of 1000, the 1 of 100 is significantly more rare in either the Model 1873 or Model 1876." Lewis in his book identified eight 1 of 100 1876s manufactured, and R.L. Wilson in "The Winchester 1 of 1000" identified seven. Given this, they very rarely come available, making these 1 of 100 rifles incredibly difficult to find despite being a must have for any advanced collection of antique Winchester lever actions. On page 119 of the first book, this rifle is pictured and discussed. Lewis notes that five of the eight rifles are known, and illiterates four in his book, though one appears potentially spurious. Its also important to note that this rifle, 470, appears to be the only silver banded example of known 1876 1 of 100's. We could only find four examples published including the aforementioned unconfirmed example. It is the very first 1 of 100 Model 1876 shipped, and Lewis states that the factory ledgers list it with an octagon barrel, plain trigger, "BH & Oat" sights, and shipped on September 20, 1877, in order 9979. The same information is confirmed in the included factory letter which clarifies the "BH" is a buckhorn sight. Lewis indicates this rifle was reported during the "Winchester '73" motion picture search for Model 1873 1 of 1,000 rifles by T.H. Baker of Alma, Nebraska, and the rifle was originally owned by Robert Axtell Welts who was born on November 7, 1855, near Detroit, Michigan. He left home in 1876 after a family dispute over land and went to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He later returned to Michigan and worked in logging and operated a sawmill. The rifle was kept by his daughter after his death in 1941 and it passed down to his grandson Lowell Hawkinson, and his great grandson Ronald Hawkinson in 1987. It was later in the Warren Anderson collection. The fact that Welts went to the Centennial Exposition as a young man is an important piece of information. Winchester debuted the famous Model 1876 at the World's Fair in Philadelphia as the "Centennial Rifle." It was the company's first large frame rifle but was relatively quickly made obsolete by the introduction of the stronger Model 1886 just a decade later and discontinued in 1898 at the end of a run of just 63,871 guns. Though limited in production, these rifles are known to have been used and well-loved by those who owned them. The barrel has the distinctive "One of One Hundred" inscription in script surrounded by factory scroll engraving on the breech section along with a silver band at the breech, a silver blade front sight with dovetailed base, the two-line "WINCHESTER'S-REPEATING ARMS. NEW HAVEN. CT./KING'S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29. 1866. October 16. 1860" marking, and a dovetailed U-notch rear sight. The rifle lacks caliber markings which is correct given the early Model 1876s were all in .45-75 W.C.F., and all of the 1 of 100 Model 1876s were in this caliber. It has the First Model open top frame with "Model. 1876." on the upper tang and script "470" on the lower tang. It has a plain trigger as noted in the ledger and a standard grade walnut straight grip stock and forearm with iron forend cap and buttplate with brass sliding compartment lid (compartment empty).

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45-75

Price Realized:

Lot 27

Winchester Deluxe Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle

The accompanying factory letter for this deluxe Winchester Model 1886 rifle confirms the octagon barrel in .45-90 caliber, set trigger and checkered pistol grip stock. The rifle was received in the warehouse on December 28, 1889 and shipped six years later on December 28, 1895. Dovetail blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights on a barrel stamped with the two-line Winchester New Haven address ahead of the rear sight and "45-90 W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is stamped "-MODEL 1886-". The lower tang has the two-line patent dates marking and the serial number. The frame, hammer, lever, forend cap and buttplate have the desirable casehardened finish. The loading gate is niter blue. The barrel and full length magazine are blued. The forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured deluxe "XXX" walnut and feature multi-point "H" style checkering. The pistol grip has an ebony insert, and the buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked "252 XXX." The assembly number "252" is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45-90 WCF

Price Realized:

Lot 30

Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle in .22 Long

Manufactured in 1896 as a Third Model, the barrel has the two-line address/King's patent marking and caliber marking at the breech and on the bottom of the cartridge elevator. The upper tang is marked with the model designation and the serial number is on the lower tang. Fitted with German silver blade front and elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sights. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. Winchester manufactured approximately 19,552 Model 1873s in .22 short or .22 long between 1884 and 1904.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 22 L

Price Realized:

Lot 32

New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle

This late production rifle was manufactured c. 1865 and is inscribed as being presented on May 6, 1867, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Henry E. Darby (1834-1890) from his friends. As outlined in detail in the included research binder, Henry E. Darby was a private in Company G of the 181st Regiment of Ohio Infantry. Included copies of some of Darby’s government records, including pension records, list him as a veteran of the 124th Indiana and 181st Ohio Infantry and indicate a first enlistment on May 9, 1864, in the former and as discharged from his first enlistment on September 2, 1864. He re-enlisted on September 23, 1864, in the 181st and served until final discharge in Columbus, Ohio, on June 16, 1865. The 181st Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Dennison in Ohio in September-October of 1864 to serve for one year. They were ordered to Huntsville, Alabama, on the 24th of October and arrived on the 29th. They operated around Decatur, Alabama, in November and went by rail to Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In December, they participated in the defense of Murfreesboro against Confederate General Forest and also engaged with Confederate forces while foraging around Murfreesboro that month. They were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps on Christmas Eve and joined their command at Columbia, Tennessee, on December 29th. On January 2, 1865, they traveled to Goldsboro, North Carolina, where they joined up with Sherman’s forces. In April, they advanced on Raleigh, North Carolina, and they mustered out on July 14, 1865. Private Darby and his family appear to have returned to Indiana and then moved to Drakesburo, Kentucky. His daughters were born in Indiana in 1864 and 1866, and his son was born in in 1878, likely in Kentucky. There has been other conflicting information about Darby, but another included pension document from 1908 indicates Darby died on October 4, 1890, and was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, whom he married on December 16, 1859 in Dearborn County, Indiana. She followed him in death on July 12, 1920, and they are both buried in Hayden Cemetery in Drakesboro, Kentucky. The right side plate has "Henry E. Darby/From his Friends/Cincinnati Ohio, May 6, 1867," and the left side plate has a spread wing bald eagle and shield motif and banner inscribed "E PLURIBUS UNUM" based on the Great Seal of the United States. The sides of the frame are also engraved. The inscription and engraving are not factory and show signs of wear underneath suggesting they were added after the rifle had seen some use, but the quality is good. The barrel has a brass blade front sight, sling loop on the left, "HENRY'S PATENT OCT. 16. 1880/MANUFACTURED BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." stamped on top ahead of the adjustable notch and ladder rear sight, and the serial number stamped on top at the breech. The left side of the buttstock has a sling swivel. A "W" is double stamped on the lower tang behind the lever thumb screw. The buttplate has a trapdoor compartment (empty). Provenance: The Eisley Collection, Thurston Van Horn (twice), Ed Luke, Doug Jahnake, Rex Thrower and Property of a Gentleman

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Henry RF

Price Realized:

Lot 33

Winchester Model 1892 Lever Action Rifle

The accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon barrel in .38 caliber, plain trigger and screw eyes. The rifle was received in the warehouse on April 24, 1896 and shipped on December 10, 1897. Combination Beach front sight, Marble filler block in the rear sight seat, and Marble tang sight. The top barrel flat is stamped with the two-line legend ahead of the rear sight and "38 WCF" at the breech. Sling eyelets are mounted on the underside of the forend cap and buttock. With a leather sling. Mounted with a smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock. The buttstock is fitted with a crescent buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38 WCF

Price Realized:

Documented Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Lot 36

Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1894 Rifle

Manufactured in 1897. The included factory letter lists the rifle in .30 caliber with a round barrel, plain trigger, oil finished checkered pistol grip stock, half (4 cartridge) magazine, and a rubber shotgun buttplate when received at the warehouse on 5 January 1898 and shipped the next day. The barrel has the two line address and caliber marking at the breech, model/trademark/patent dates on the upper tang, and serial number on the bottom of the receiver. The left of the lower tang is marked "5044 OFRB" and "5044" is faintly repeated in the stock inlet. It is fitted with a Lyman white beaded blade front sight, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, and a Marble tang mounted peep sight. Mounted with a finely figured "H" pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a hard rubber shotgun buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 30 WCF

Price Realized:

Exceptional and Highly Desirable Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter

Lot 38

Winchester Model 1886 Saddle Ring Carbine

The accompanying factory letter confirms the carbine configuration in .40-82 caliber and states the carbine was received in the warehouse on June 13, 1892 and shipped on November 28, 1892. According to research conducted by John T. Madl and presented in the summer 2018 issue of "The Winchester Collector", Winchester only manufactured 1,416 Model 1886 carbines chambered in .40-82 WCF caliber. The barrel is fitted with a pinned blade front sight and a folding ladder rear sight marked "1886" and graduated to 1,000 yards. The top of the barrel has the two-line address legend ahead of the rear sight and "40-82/W.C.F." at the breech. The upper tang is marked "-MODEL 1886-." The lower tang has the patent dates marking and the serial number. The receiver has the desirable casehardened finish. Mounted with a standard carbine forearm and buttstock with carbine buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 40-82 WCF

Price Realized:

Lot 39

Engraved Hopkins & Allen XL No. 3 Spur Trigger Revolver

Manufactured around the mid-1870s to 1880s. Near full coverage factory floral scroll engraving mixed with geometric patterns and subtle bestial designs. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 32 RF

Price Realized:

Lot 40

Engraved Hood Firearms Centennial 1876 Spur Trigger Revolver

Manufactured c. 1876. Near full coverage factory broad floral scroll engraving on a punch dot background with sunbursts ahead of the cylinder on the frame. Matching serial numbers on the barrel, cylinder, butt, and grips. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38 RF

Price Realized:

Lot 41

Engraved Hopkins & Allen Ranger No. 2 Spur Trigger Revolver

Manufactured around the 1870s-1890s. Near full coverage floral leaf engraving with accompanying punchdot scrolls. The leaves have been cut through the finish creating a nice contrast. Matching serial number marked on the bottom of the barrel, front of the cylinder, inside the right grip, and left side of the grip frame. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 32 RF

Price Realized:

Documented Factory "Soft" Shipped Hartley & Graham Engraved Colt Black Powder Frontier Six Shooter Single Action Army Revolver with Relief Carved Pearl Grips and Factory Letter

Lot 42

Hartley & Graham Engraved Colt Single Action Army Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a "soft finish," indicating this SAA left the factory in the white for engraving outside the factory, 4 3/4 inch barrel in .44-40 caliber and hard rubber stocks when shipped to Hartley & Graham, New York City on April 12, 1884 as part of a 20 unit delivery. The engraving consists of profuse bold scrollwork on a punch dot background. The top of the barrel has the two-line Hartford address, the left side of the frame has the three-line patent dates marking, and the left side of the trigger guard is marked "44 CF." The pearl grips feature a relief carved steer head on the right panel and were likely supplied by Hartley & Graham. The revolver has a gold over silver plated finish. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard and back strap.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 WCF

Price Realized:

Documented Schuyler, Hartley & Graham Shipped Pair of Nickel Plated Closely Serialized Colt Model 1860 Army Percussion Revolvers with Slim Jim Holsters, Factory Letters, and Kopec Letters -A) Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver

Lot Contains 2 Items

Lot 48

Documented Pair of Nickel Plated Colt 1860 Army Revolvers

These nickel plated Colt Model 1860 revolvers are only three serial numbers apart. The included factory letters include both of these revolvers as part of the same shipment of 50 on March 17, 1877 to Schuyler, Hartley and Graham of New York. The included John Kopec letter indicates that this revolver, serial number 176469, was purchased by Kopec on September 13, 1992, and the individual he purchased it from indicated that he acquired it from Sheriff Lloyd Low during the 1950s, who confiscated this revolver from an Indian on the Klamath Indian Reservation, near Chiliquin, Oregon during the late 1940s. A newspaper obituary for Lloyd Low, Sheriff of Klamath County, Oregon, is included that indicates he passed away at age 75 on October 9th, 1963 and states, "Lloyd Low first ran for sheriff in 1921 after an honorable discharge Oct. 27, 1919, from the Army. He served in World War I as a first sergeant overseas with the 302nd Division, Remount Squad Cavalry including the Army Occupation in Germany at the end of the war. He served in the sheriff's office for 24 years, earning statewide recognition for courage, undaunted approach to difficult duty and earnest devotion to his responsibilities. Mr. Low retired in 1948." Although both of the factory letters mention these revolvers as being shipped with blue finish, Kopec states this revolver and the other one in this lot are factory nickel. Kopec states, "The cylinder of this revolver is nickel plated and has a mismatched serial number '169'. It is believed that this revolver was shipped originally from the factory with this mismatched cylinder. The revolver appears to be totally correct except for the replaced barrel wedge and the brass tacks which had been added to both sides of the grips." The book "The Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver" by Charles Pate states on page 351, "Collector/author John Kopec has two nickel-plated NMA revolvers marked with the 'I.P.', and again, those pistols have matching wood stocks rather than ones made with ivory. The screws on these revolvers appear to have originally been blued. The author could not find inventory data on these two revolvers, SN 176469-I.P. and SN 176472-I.P., but both were in a shipment of 50 'Army P&B' (powder and ball) revolvers to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham on March 12, 1877. It is interesting to note that both the cylinders are mismatched... both match the pistols well in appearance." It has a German silver blade front sight and "-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW YORK U.S. AMERICA.-" marked on top of the barrel. Matching numbers on the barrel, frame, and triggerguard. Properly hand-written matching number "6469" in black ink in the rear mortise of the grip. Includes leather slim jim holster.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44

Historic and Well-Documented Inscribed New Haven Arms Co. Henry Lever Action Rifle Owned and Carried By One of the Old West’s Premier Lawmen, California Sheriff, Wells Fargo Detective, and Captor of Black Bart, James B. Hume, Formerly on Display at the Wells Fargo Museum for 33 years, Accompanied with Full Documentation

Lot 49

James B. Hume 1864 Inscribed New Haven Arms Co. Henry Rifle

This Henry rifle is boldly inscribed with "James B. Hume" in script on the top of the action between the hammer and ejection port and "1864" on the top of the receiver at the breech. It also has a nickel-silver blade front sight, "HENRY'S PATENT OCT. 16 1860/MANUFACT'D BY THE NEWHAVEN ARMS CO. NEWHAVEN. CT." marked on the barrel ahead of the notch and ladder rear sight, sling bar affixed by two screws on the left side of the barrel/magazine tub, corresponding sling swivel mounted on the left side of the buttstock, and matching serial numbers marked on the barrel on top at the breech, the left side of the lower tang, the upper stock mortise, both buttplate screws, and inside of the buttplate. An original four-piece cleaning rod is in the stock. This rifle is shown along with Humes magnificent gold and enamel badges from lot 50 on El Dorado County's website and also shown in the article "Black Bart: The Bloodless Bandit" by Lee Silva. In the article it is captioned as "One of Hume's favorite rifles was his .44 Henry. It is engraved on the top of the receiver 'James B. Hume 1864.' A copy of the article is included. Also included is an old typed document identifying the rifle as owned by Sheriff James B. Hume of El Dorado County. It indicates the rifle was sent by Hume to George Nail of the Somerset district because they did not have repeaters in the county at the time of the Bullion Bend robbery. Nail drowned in December 1884, and the document indicates the rifle was then owned by a man identified as McAfee. The writer indicates he got the gun from that man's son, Ernest McAfee. It is not signed. An included Geo. Rieber & Son Hardware receipt from January 19, 1921, notes $20 "Received of George Rieber on Acct of Gun. J.B Hume Gun. Ernest McAfee Send check to George Rollers. Very truly yours George Rieber. I am glad that I was able to get the gun for you." A December 14, 1950, dated letter from a Mrs. Sybil S. Jones to Wells Fargo Bank Historical Collection states that her uncle, H.P. Blanchard had loaned the rifle to the historical collection in 1943 and that her son Robert Blanchard Jones was authorized to claim and receive the rifle. A 1994 dated letter from Assistant Vice President Robert J. Chandler of Wells Fargo Bank states: "The History Department had on loan Jim Hume's Henry rifle, Serial #4905 from 1949 to 1982. In 1850, James Bunyon Hume (1827-1904) came to California with his brother John in search of gold. He started his career as a peace officer when he became a deputy tax collector in El Dorado County in 1860. In 1864, he was appointed the City Marshal of Placerville, California, and also hired as under sheriff of El Dorado County. He fought and killed members of the Confederate Bushwhackers known as the Ingram’s Rangers after they committed the Bullion Bend Robbery on June 30, 1864 and had also killed El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Staples in a shootout at the Somerset House. In 1868, Hume was elected as El Dorado County sheriff. He was hired as a private detective by Wells, Fargo & Company in 1871, and worked for the company for the rest of his life with the exception of 11 months leave to serve as the deputy warden of the Nevada State Prison in Carson City after the warden was wounded when 29 inmates escaped. In 1873, Hume was promoted to Chief Special Officer and head detective of Wells, Fargo & Company and tasked with protecting their stages. Stage robberies were all too common despite the company's security measures. He employed state of the art techniques, including keeping an album of photos and detailed descriptions of robbers. The company offered $250 for the arrest and conviction of a robber in addition to 1/4 of the value of any valuables recovered. He became known as “the Sherlock Holmes of the Wild West” and continued to work for Wells Fargo until his death in 1904. By far Hume’s most famous case was his long pursuit of the famous stagecoach bandit Black Bart. During one of his robberies in 1880, Bart asked the stage driver to give James Hume his compliments. In 1882, he completed his 22nd holdup. During his 23rd, he was grazed by a shot fired by George Hackett, the man riding "shotgun." He kept on holding up stages nonetheless. On November 3, 1883 he held up the same stage, on the same route, at the same spot he had first robbed back in 1875. He watched Jimmy Rolleri exit the stage with a Henry rifle and then approached, demanded that stage driver Reason McConnell dismount and unhook the horses and take them over the hill. McConnell circled back and shot twice at Black Bart with Rolleri’s Henry, and Rolleri then took the rifle and hit Black Bart in the hand. Bart nonetheless escaped but left behind his derby hat, opera glasses, a belt, a razor, a bloodstained handkerchief filled with buckshot, three shirt cuffs, and two of the empty flour sacks he had been using to haul away the loot from his holdups. After a complete investigation, Hume noticed the handkerchief had a laundry mark. After over a week of visiting over 100 launderer’s in the area, the handkerchief led Hume and his special detective Harry Morse to Ferguson & Bigg's California Laundry. Launderer Thomas C. Ware identified the mark as for Charles E. Bolton. Ware took Detective Morse to meet Bolton who he had identified as a "semi-wealthy mining man." Ware was led to believe Morse was also a miner and wanted to talk business. Morse brought Bolton back to Hume's office at Wells Fargo for questioning. He had a tell-tale wounded hand but claimed he hurt it in an accident. Hume then brought Captain Appleton Stone of the San Francisco Police Department, and they searched Bolton's rooms. They found clothes that matched the robbery suspect, another handkerchief with the same laundry mark and scent, a letter in the same hand as Black Bart's taunting notes, and a Bible inscribed to Charles E. Boles. The recovered derby hat fit him perfectly. Bolton, now known to be Boles, jokingly offered to buy the hat. He later confessed to the earlier robberies but denied the more recent ones. He was sentenced to 6 years for his final robbery. He admitted to 29 robberies and being Black Bart once in prison at San Quentin. He had been wounded twice but had never fired a shot himself. He said he had never even loaded his shotgun because he didn't want to hurt anyone. He was released on January 21, 1888, and shortly thereafter, "Black Bart disappeared, but he remained a legend”; a Robin Hood of the West. Included in this lot are; A) Letter from Wells Fargo Bank's Historical Services Vice President. B) Letter written by George Rieber. C) A circular from Wells Fargo, given personally to local and county officers and reliable citizens, offering an $800 reward for the arrest of stage coach robber Black Bart, complete with a copy of original poem written by him. D) Original Wells Fargo Archives 8x10" photograph of the rifle's inscription. E) Letter dated 1950 from Sybil Jones. F) A transcript of the historical marker "In Memory of the Bravery of our Pioneer Officer's." G) An article about the capture of Black Bart, a reproduced 8x10" photo of Black Bart aka Charles Boles, and a reproduced 8x10" image of James Hume with others. H) An original Confidential Wells, Fargo & Co's Express Special Instructions In Regard to Stage Robberies, dated September 5th, 1883 from San Francisco signed "J. B. HUME/Special Officer W.F. & Co." I) All in an envelope from Wells Fargo Bank's Historical Department. Complete with three books: "Black Bart: Boulevardier Bandit" by George Hoeper, Black Bart: The Search is Over" by Robert E. Jernigan and Wiley Joiner, and "Wells, Fargo Detective- A Biography of James B. Hume" by Richard Dillon, featuring a photograph and description of the rifle on page 164, courtesy of the Wells Fargo Bank History Room. Provenance: James B. Hume, Father of Ernest McAfee, Ernest McAfee, George Rieber, H.P. Blanchard, Robert Blanchard Jones, On Loan to Wells Fargo Museum from 1949 – 1982, Greg Martin, Michael Worley, Michael Simens, Private Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Henry RF

Lot 52

Winchester Model 1873 Lever Action Rifle

The accompanying factory letter confirms the octagon in .38 caliber and plain trigger, received in the warehouse on May 20, 1891 and shipped on September 8. Dovetail blade and elevation adjustable sights on a barrel stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking and "38 WCF." The Third model receiver features an integral dust cover guide rail, dust cover with rear finger grip serrations, and "step" at the junction with the barrel as found on rifles chambered for .22, .32 and .38 caliber cartridges. "MODEL 1873" is marked on the upper tang. "38 CAL" is marked on the cartridge elevator. The straight grip stock is fitted with a trapdoor crescent buttplate (cleaning rod not included). Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38 WCF

Price Realized:

Very Fine R. Liddle & Co. San Francisco Marked Half Stock Percussion Rifle with False Muzzle

Lot 53

R. Liddle & Co. Half Stock Percussion Rifle with False Muzzle

Robert Liddle and Charles van Buren Kaeding purchased the Bogart Brothers Sportsmen's Emporium in 1859. The firm was initially known as R. Liddle & Co., and this rifle was almost certainly manufactured before 1866 when Kaeding became an active partner and the name changed to Liddle & Kaeding. Robert Liddle was a Baltimore trained gunsmith who immigrated from England, and the firm did manufacture some of their own weapons and equipment and employed a number of gunsmiths. They are also known to have sold Henry rifles, Slotter & Co. copies of Henry Deringer's famous pistols, and other arms manufactured in the East and were the largest firearms dealers in the Bay Area in the 1870s. The name changed back to R. Liddle & Co. when Kaeding left the company in 1889 and eventually closed in 1898. The barrel is equipped with a false muzzle, German silver blade front sight, and a long U-notch sporting rear sight (elevator absent) and is marked "R. LIDDLE & Co. SAN-FRANCISCO. CAST STEEL" between the rear sight and breech. The other components have no visible markings and are casehardened. It is also equipped with double set triggers, a spurred trigger guard with scrolling grip extension, a crescent rifle buttplate, and a nicely figured half stock with pewter forend cap, checkered wrist, and no cheekpiece.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45

Price Realized:

Scarce American Percussion Drilling Marked F. Smith

Lot 54

F. Smith Percussion Drilling

In "American Gunsmiths" by Frank Sellers "SMITH, F.," maker of a 3 barrel percussion rifle, is listed as unlocated. He also lists a Frederick Smith of Sulphur Springs, Ohio, and one or two men of the same name active in Union Springs and Fleming, New York. The barrel rib is marked "F Smith" accented by a floral motif, and the locks are both signed "Smith." The upper smoothbore barrels are 16 gauge, and the lower rifled barrel is .36 caliber. The shotgun barrels use the conventional side locks, and the rifled barrel uses an underhammer powered by the trigger guard which acts as its mainspring and triggered by a lighter pull on the right trigger. Cocking both the right hammer and the underhammer and only pulling the trigger gently will only fire the rifled barrel. Thus all three hammers could be cocked at once and then fired in sequence. The rods are fitted to the sides of the rifled barrel, and the forend has a pewter cap and silver wedge plates. The other furniture is all iron. The stock has a checkered wrist and attractive figure in the butt.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 16

Price Realized:

Very Desirable Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Lever Action Rifle with Factory Letter

Lot 56

Winchester Model 1876 .50 Express Rifle

The accompanying factory letter confirms the round barrel in "express" caliber, plain trigger and shotgun buttplate. The rifle was received in the warehouse on November 1, 1881 and shipped on December 5, 1881. The second model receiver has a dust cover guide rail attached with two screws. The dust cover is marked "WINCHESTER EXPRESS/.50 CAL 95 GRS." The cartridge elevator is marked "50-95." The top of the barrel is stamped with the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead of the rear sight and "50-CAL." at the breech. British proofs are stamped on the barrel and receiver at the breech. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight. The upper tang is marked "MODEL 1876." The lower tang has the serial number. The buttstock is fitted with a steel shotgun buttplate. The .50-95 Winchester Express was the largest caliber available for the Model 1876 and proved popular with big and dangerous game hunters. Many Model 1876 rifles chambered for this powerful cartridge were shipped to England and then found their way to Africa and India where they were often employed against big cats. This Model 1876 Eventually made it back to the United States, possibly through Canada, where it would have been used against North America big game like brown and black bear, moose and bison. Theodore Roosevelt loved his .45-75 '76, but he and other Americans scorned the .50 Express, and thus, the Model 1876 was only produced in limited numbers chambered for that cartridge compared to the smaller calibers. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 50 express

Price Realized:

Historic Documented Civil War W.A. Thornton/D.D. Tompkins Asst. Quartermaster General Shipped Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver with Factory Letter

Lot 59

Factory Engraved Colt Model 1851 Navy Percussion Revolver

The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .36 caliber, blue finish, "wood" stocks, and factory engraving when shipped to W.A. Thornton, U.S.A., c/o Col. D.D. Tompkins, Asst. Quartermaster General, New York, on April 26, 1861. This shipment was for 10 units. This revolver is engraved in the classic style often associated with Gustave Young, but he was in Germany at the time. Instead, this revolver was more than likely executed by Herman Bodenstein who served as Colt's main engraving contractor from Young's departure in 1858 until Bodenstein's death in August 1865. The factory engraving dot marking appears near the full serial numbers on the barrel, frame, trigger guard and back strap. The hammer has five dots indicating around 50 hours were required for the engraving. The Germanic scroll engraving is inhabited by one of the distinctive animal head designs above the loading lever screw on the left and has the wolf head motif on the hammer. The barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight and "-ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY-" on top. "COLT'S/PATENT" is engraved on the left side of the frame. The cylinder has the naval battle scene. Matching partial or full serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, loading lever, wedge, and arbor pin. The grip features a relief carving of a cuirassier on the left side. Colonel Daniel D. Tompkins (1798-1863) entered West Point in 1814 at the age of 15 and graduated in 1820, was the nephew of Daniel D. Tompkins (Governor of New York and Vice President of the United States), was cited for "gallant and meritorious conduct" during the Second Seminole War, served in the Quartermaster’s Department during the Mexican War, and served as Colonel of the Quartermaster’s Department in New York from 1861 until his death in 1863. Colonel William A. Thornton (1803-1866) ranked 12th in his West Point class of 1825, served in the Blackhawk and Florida wars, commanded Watertown and the Ordnance Department at Fort Columbus, and during the Civil War commanded the Watervliet Arsenal, New York from May 15, 1861 to December 25, 1863. At the time Watervliet employed about 2,000 people and specialized in leather goods, shells, and gun and artillery carriages but by the late 1880s the arsenal transitioned into the Army’s premier large caliber cannon manufacturer. Production eventually included the 16 inch guns for the Army Coast Artillery Corps. The manufacturing of state of the art weaponry continues at the historic Building 110 known as “The Big Guns Shop”. In operation since the War of 1812, Watervliet Arsenal is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States. Of note, there is another known cased set of Colt Model 1851 revolvers that were presented to William A. Thornton himself that had his name inscribed on both their back straps. Reportedly, 60 special revolvers, typically cased sets, were given by Samuel Colt to select military dignitaries as “Presents to Officers” in 1861, with this engraved example likely included as part of one of the said sets. Provenance: The John Fox Collection

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 36 percussion

Price Realized:

Exceptional Panel Scene Engraved Providence Tool Company Peabody-Martini What Cheer Mid-Range Single Shot Rifle

Lot 62

Providence Tool Co. Peabody-Martini What Cheer Mid-Range Rifle

This beautiful rifle features highly detailed panel scene vignettes on the sides of the frame. The right side has a bison on the open plains and another fleeing in the background, and the left side has a stag pursued by a dog in a lightly wooded and hilly scene. The details of the scenes such as the shapes of the foliage are consistent with other high end Providence Tool Co. engraved rifles that have passed through Rock Island Auction, and it is likely that these rifles were all engraved by the Ulrichs given the consistency and how the scenes compare to Ulrich engraved Winchesters. A C.F. Ulrich signed Peabody-Martini was sold by RIAC in 2019 clearly demonstrating that he engraved for the firm. The scenes are surrounded by panels of exceptional scroll engraving, and each side has a simple lined border. "Mid Range" is engraved in Gothic style script on top at the breech, and "PEABODY & MARTINI/PATENTS" is inscribed on the rear of the frame ahead of the peep sight base. The rifle is equipped with a combination globe and blade front sight, notch and ladder rear sight with peep, and a matching numbered tang mounted peep sight. There is a screw in the comb where the top of the peep sight rests when folded down. The barrel is marked "MANUFACTURED BY THE PROVIDENCE TOOL CO. PROVIDENCE. R.I. U.S.A." The cocking indicator is inscribed "H.J. WOLCOTT." The serial number, "143," is marked on the bottom of the barrel at the breech, on the rear of the forearm, on the tang sight base, and on the underside of the action above the lever. "H" is marked on the front of the frame in the circular cutout for the forearm. The stock and forearm are checkered, and the "shotgun" buttplate is smooth steel.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 40-70

Price Realized:

Exceptional Exhibition Quality Engraved Early Production Remington Hepburn No. 3 Sporting Rifle, Serial Number 128

Lot 63

Engraved Remington Hepburn No. 3 Sporting Rifle

These rifles were manufactured from c. 1883 until 1907, but the low serial number and "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y." address on the barrel indicates this rifle was manufactured c. 1883-1888 before the company was reorganized as Remington Arms Co. It features master engraved English style tight scroll and border engraving on the flats of the octagonal section of the barrel, the frame, and the lever, and the trigger guard bow is engraved with a panel scene of a pair of deer. The barrel is equipped with a gilt Beach style combination front sight with globe and blade and a notch and peep rear sight and has the caliber designation on the bottom ahead of the forearm. The right side of the frame has the "HEPBURNS PAT./OCT 7TH 1879" marking, and the matching serial number is on the barrel, forearm, and lower tang. It is mounted with a checkered forearm and round knob pistol grip stock with a hard rubber forend cap, nicely figured buttstock, and checkered hard rubber "shotgun" buttplate.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 40 2 1/2"

Price Realized:

Merwin, Hulbert & Company Large Frame Single Action Army Revolver with Attractive Relief Carved Mexican Eagle Grip

Lot 64

Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Large Frame Single Action Army Revolver

Manufactured from 1876 to the 1880s these revolver were known as the "Army Revolver" and had a total production of several thousand. This is an early model with square butt, open top frame, scoop cylinder flutes and wedge in front of the cylinder pin housing below the barrel. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line Merwin, Hulbert & Co. address followed by seven patent dates, and the left side is marked with the one-line Hopkins & Allen address. The left side of the frame is marked "CALIBRE/WINCHESTER 1873." The right grip panel features a relief carved Mexican eagle. The serial number is marked on the butt, and the matching assembly number "1041" is marked on the grip frame, rear cylinder face and barrel lug. Provenance: The Buckstix Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Price Realized:

Fine Factory Panel Scene Engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Medium Frame Double Action Revolver

Lot 65

Factory Engraved Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Medium Frame DA Revolver

Manufactured in the 1880s with total production estimated at a few thousand. Adding to the rarity of this revolver is the factory engraving which consists of scroll and floral patterns along with a woodland game scene on the side plate. The left side of the frame has the 44 WCF caliber marking: "CALIBRE/WINCHESTER" followed by "1873." The serial number is stamped on the butt. Matching assembly number "9576" is on the grip frame, rear cylinder face, loading gate and barrel. Provenance: The Buckstix Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 WCF

Price Realized:

Merwin, Hulbert & Company Large Frame Single Action Army Revolver with Extra Ribbed Barrel

Lot 66

Merwin, Hulbert & Co. Large Frame Single Action Army Revolver

Manufactured from 1876 to the 1880s these revolver were known as the "Army Revolver" and had a total production of several thousand. This is a later production model with top strap, bird's head butt and conventional fluted cylinder. The rib on the replacement renumbered to match barrel is marked with the one-line Merwin Hulbert address/patent dates, and the frame is marked "CALIBRE/WINCHESTER" followed by "1873" on the left side and the "MERWIN, HULBERT & CO. N.Y./POCKET ARMY" on the right side. The serial number is marked on the butt, and the matching assembly number "3505" is marked on the grip frame, rear cylinder face and barrel lug. The 3 1/4 inch barrel is marked with the two-line Hopkins & Allen address/patent dates legend and has matching assembly number "3505." Provenance: The Buckstix Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44-40 WCF

Price Realized:

Lot 67

Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army Revolver

Manufactured from 1875 to 1889. They are also known as the Improved Army or Frontier Army revolvers and were Remington's first main attempt to compete with Colt and Smith & Wesson in the large caliber single action centerfire revolver market. The top of the barrel has the one-line legend, and a lanyard ring is mounted on the butt. The grip frame is marked with a numeral "3" behind the lanyard ring. The loading gate is numbered to the gun.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 CF

Price Realized:

Lot 68

U.S. Marshal Ramon House Personal Effects

Offered here is a grouping of personal effects owned by U.S. Marshal Ramon K. "Kenny" House (1915-1998), including a Colt Third Model Derringer that is inscribed to him. House began his law enforcement career with the Louisville Police Department in 1941 and, after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, again from 1946 to 1956. From 1956 to 1971 he served as the Chief of Police for the Dodge City Police Department as well as City Marshal. House was among those who greeted Senator John F. Kennedy when he came to Dodge City while campaigning for U.S. President and offered the then presidential hopeful a cowboy hat on behalf of the city. In January 1961, House appeared on horseback in Kennedy’s inaugural parade. Ten years later House was appointed a deputy U.S. Marshal, and then in 1978 at age 62 was appointed the first U.S. Marshal from Dodge City. His office in Dodge City was a replica of Marshal Matt Dillon’s office with the added modern convenience of air conditioning and was meant to be “a tribute to the brave men, past and present, who serve as marshal.” Kenny House was enthralled by the American Old West and with his close friend and YO Ranch owner Charles Schreiner III participated in a longhorn cattle drive on the famed ranch each spring from 1966-1976 and later in 1980 and 1992. Photos of the two men on horseback during those cattle drives are featured in the book "Long Days and Short Nights, A Century of Texas Ranching on the YO 1880-1980" by Neal Barrett, Jr. His fascination in western history drew him to Dodge City and to law enforcement. In the words of a fellow U.S. Marshal, House was “a wild west character from the word go.” He was even featured in a television episode of "Gunsmoke." The Colt Third Model Derringer is inscribed “R.K. HOUSE/DODGE CITY” on the right side of the frame, otherwise the arm has the typical Colt barrel and frame caliber markings as well as both grip panels numbered to the gun (“77”) and British proofs on the barrel. This derringer was given to House by his very close friend YO Ranch owner and noted gun collector Charles Schreiner III. After House's death in 1998, the House family gave the derringer back to Schreiner. Other items in this lot belonging to House include his personalized U.S. Department of Justice Marshal’s Service ID, two Dodge City Marshal badges worn by him and DOJ patch. The Deputy Marshal badge features the number “24” on the front and is marked “W.S. DARLEY & CO./MELROSE PARK ILL.” on the back. The silver Marshal badge is inscribed “R.K. House” in script on the front and House’s Dodge City Marshal service dates “4-9-56/TO/3-1-71” on the back. Provenance: Charles Schreiner III Collection, Robert B. "Bob" Berryman Estate Collection

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 41 RF

Price Realized:

Lot 69

L.D. Nimschke Engraved Cased U.S. Arms Co. No 32 Pocket Revolver

Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer for sale this fantastic L.D. Nimschke engraved U.S. Arms Co. pocket revolver. This revolver was exhibited at the Exposition Universelle d'Paris, 1878. The revolver descended in the L.D. Nimschke family for nearly 130 years before it was first sold at auction in 2003. The pistol is featured on the cover of "Man at Arms" magazine, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2003 with two other hand guns that were once a part of the Nimschke family collection, and is pictured with the case and described on page 24 of the same publication. The pistol features a near full coverage of a beautiful and finely executed floral scroll motif with cut-out backgrounds. Floral work surrounds the "U.S. ARMS CO. NY" barrel marking on the top flat and "No 32" on the top strap. The left side plate features a spectacular chiseled portrait of the Goddess of Liberty. The left top of the frame has an engraved dog's head, while the reverse has an engraved griffin's head. Geometric zig-zag line motifs are engraved on the cylinder flutes and cartridge cut-out. The scrollwork extends to the sides of the hammer. The cylinder pin has engraved and checkered accents. Nickel finish with casehardened hammer and trigger and fitted with smooth pearl bird head grips. The pistol comes with a period velvet-lined case with holding block, key, and ramrod. As a master firearms engraver of the 19th century, Nimschke is said to have engraved over 5,000 firearms from 1850 to 1904. Today the work of this world renowned master engraver is on display at museums around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Documentation

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 32 RF

Price Realized:

Very Scarce Factory "Extra Fine Engraved" Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech Octagon Barrel Percussion Sporting Rifle

Lot 70

Engraved Sharps Model 1852 Slant Breech Sporting Rifle

The Sharps Model 1852 Sporting Rifle is one on of the rarest Sharps variations with only 606 manufactured in June 1853 to July 1855. Only approximately nine 90 bores were engraved. Of those, only six are listed "extra engraved." The engraving on this rifle is an even higher grade than the "extra engraved" and is more in line with the "extra fine engraved" or even beyond. "Extra fine engraved" is not even noted for this model by Sellers in "Sharps Firearms or in "Sharps Firearms: The Percussion Era" by Marcott, Paxton, and Marron. The near full coverage engraving on the hammer is one of the easiest to spot differences, but also note the more extensive panels of scroll engraving on the barrel at the front sight on the upper three flats, on the top flat midway between the front sight and rear sight, in front of the rear sight, and on the upper three flats in the breech section; the essentially full-coverage engraving on the frame, lever, lock, and patch box; the inclusion of an urn full of fruit and flowers on the right side of the frame, the dog head on inhabiting the scroll engraving on the lock plate, sun burst pattern on the top of the frame at the breech, the interesting exclamation point type design on the left side of the frame, and the engraved oval silver plaque on the left side of the stock. The engraving also extends onto the heel tang of the buttplate. The engraving primarily consists of the German-American scroll engraving associated with Master Engraver Gustave Young who is known to have engraved many of the finest early Sharps rifles. The forend has a pewter forend cap and a small silver plate on the left around the spring pin. It also features a brass blade front sight with dovetailed base, "squirrel ear" rear sight, tang peep sight, adjustable double set triggers, "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG CO/HARTFORD. CONN." on top of the barrel at the breech (early variation due to a die cutting error), "C. SHARPS/PATENT/1848" on the upper tang, "C. SHARPS/PATENT./1852" on the lock, and matching serial numbers found on the barrel, forend, breechblock, upper tang, and patch box.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38

Price Realized:

Lot 71

Documented Sharps Model 1874 No. 3 Long Range Single Shot Rifle

Sharps manufactured only 429 of these Model 1874 Long Range rifles from 1875 to 1879, and only 75 were No. 3 rifles. The letter lists this rifle as invoiced at the Bridgeport factory on June 23, 1876, to William Read & Sons of Boston, Massachusetts and also states, "This rifle was a single gun order from the Read firm, probably for a specific customer who was caught up in the long-range shooting craze that was at its height at this very time... .44 caliber, using the 95 grain 2 & 5/8 inch shell... ordered with a spirit level attached to the windage sight for which there was an extra $5 charge." It weighs just over 9 pounds. The barrel is fitted with a windage adjustable front globe sight (modern replacement), and the upper tang is equipped with a long range Vernier peep sight. Marked "SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN." and "CALIBRE 44" on top of the barrel and "SHARPS RIFLE CO./PAT. APR 6 1869" on the left side of the receiver. The matching serial number "156288" is marked on the bottom of the barrel, upper tang (hidden under tang sight), and on the left side of the tang sight base. The partial matching serial number "6288" is marked in the forearm channel. Mounted with a multi-point checkered walnut forearm and straight grip stock with a checkered iron buttplate.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 Sharps 2 5/8

Price Realized:

Lot 73

Cased Presentation Remington Vest Pocket Pistol

This exceptional Remington Vest Pocket Pistol (a.k.a. "Saw Handle Deringer") was manufactured c. 1874. The pistol has a mahogany presentation case with a circular plate in the lid inscribed "LONDON SCOTTISH GOLF CLUB/WON BY/1874/AUTUMN MEETING". The case is lined with red felt and has five compartments which contain: (1) brass cleaning rod, (2) screwdriver with ebony handle, (3) pewter oil bottle with a "C&J.W/HAWKSLEY" cartouche on the base and (4) wooden cartridge block that contains 12 .41 rimfire cartridges. A London Armory/James Kerr & Co. trade label is attached to the inside of the case lid. The pistol has a high polish blue finish on the barrel and receiver with fiery niter blue hammer, breechblock, trigger and screws. The pistol has "piano finished" highly figured two-piece rosewood grips. The part-round, part-octagon barrel has a brass pin front sight. The top flat is roll stamped "REMINGTON'S ILION.N.Y./PATd OCT. 1. 1861 NOV. 15. 1861." The serial number, "4673", is stamped on the underside of the barrel. The upper left barrel flat is engraved "JA s KERR & Co" in one line. The top right flat is engraved "54, KING WILLIAM St. E.C.". London "Crown/GP", and "Crown/V" inspection and proofmarks are stamped on the left barrel flat.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 41 RF

Price Realized:

Very Fine Remington Model 1875 Single Action Revolver in Desirable .44-40 W.C.F.

Lot 74

Remington Model 1875 Single Action Revolver in .44-40 W.C.F.

While limited in production to only approximately 25,000 revolvers in 1875-1889, many of these "Improved Army" or "Frontier Army" revolvers saw hard use in the hands of Native Americans, settlers, and lawmen in the West making high condition examples like this one very scarce. The Model 1875 was Remington's answer to the Colt Single Action Army and is a solid firearm with fewer main components than Colt's revolver, but it simply suffered in the famous "Peacemaker's" shadow. The left grip is marked "44" near the butt, and "1312" is stamped and another non-matching number are written in pencil on the inside of each grip. The bottom of the grips have "4" (left) and "K" (right) hand cut at the heel. The left side of the grip frame is marked "14227" and "142." "142" is on the back of the cylinder, and "22" is visible on the loading gate arm. The barrel has the standard one-line address.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 44 CF

Engraved Remington-Rider "Improved" New Model Belt Cartridge Double Action Revolver

Lot 75

Engraved Remington "Improved" New Model Belt Cartridge Revolver

This revolver was manufactured around the early 1870s. In that period Remington offered the various percussion models with cartridge cylinders, percussion cylinders, or both. This very fine New Model Belt revolver has factory engraving on the barrel, loading lever, cylinder, frame, and trigger guard and attractive antique ivory grips. The engraving patterns include a "Nimschke star" on top of the frame at the breech, bands at the muzzle, breech, and cylinder; stars along the edge of the loading lever arm, intertwining lines on the barrel as well as the back strap and trigger guard, floral patterns on the frame, scroll engraving mainly on the frame and cylinder but also on the lower section of the loading lever arm, checker board and dot patterns on the frame, and more. The barrel also has a rounded blade front sight and has the three-line patent and "NEW MODEL" marking. "53" is marked inside both grips and on the left side of the grip frame, trigger guard spur, and under the barrel, and the cylinder and breech plate are numbered "1435."

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38 RF

Price Realized:

Lot 76

Engraved Sharps Patent Style Pepperbox Pistol

This pistol is a Spanish copy of the popular four shot Sharps Model 2A and was produced circa 1860 -1873. The barrel has golden designs, "FA EUSCALUNDA" on the upper left, and "EN PLACENCIA" on the upper right. The frame has relief floral vine designs covering most of the metal surfaces aside from the bottom. The plate on the butt that holds the grips also has golden shell type designs. It has a small brass bead front sight that aligns with a groove in the standing breech. The barrel and grip frame are marked with the matching serial number.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 7 mm

Price Realized:

Exceptional Cased, Engraved and Silver Plated Tipping & Lawden Model 2 Sharps Patent Four Barrel Pistol

Lot 77

Cased, Engraved, Silver Plated Tipping & Lawden Model 2 Pistol

This is an exceptional example of an engraved Sharps "pepperbox" pistol manufactured by English gunmakers Tipping & Lawden in the early 1860s or 1870s. Tipping & Lawden were one of only two authorized European firms licensed by Sharps to manufacture pistols based on his innovative design. They were part of the 20 member Birmingham Small Arms Trading Company and manufactured approximately 4,000 of the Model 2 in four different calibers. This example has a blue barrel, silver frame, and gutta percha grips with relief floral designs. The frame features almost complete coverage of floral scroll engraving while the barrels are smooth and unmarked aside from some small proofmarks. The left side of the frame is marked "TIPPING & LAWDEN/SHARPS PATENT" in a circle surrounding the hammer screw. The serial number is marked at the muzzle of the barrel group on the bottom and the assembly number "13" is marked on the barrel, frame groove, barrel catch, and hammer. It comes in a scarce hardwood presentation case with blue baize lined interior, a compartment with two cartridges, a key, and a casehardened bore rod.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 7 mm

Price Realized:

Incredibly Scarce and Exceptional Documented "Extra Fine" Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Octagon Barrel Percussion Sporting Rifle

Lot 78

Extra Fine Engraved Sharps Model 1853 Slant Breech Rifle

The Sharps Model 1853 is one of the most iconic firearms of the often violent antebellum era and was famously used by John Brown and his abolitionist allies in Bleeding Kansas and his raid on Harpers Ferry. Early Sharps rifles like this factory "extra fine engraved" sporting rifle helped establish breech loading firearms in the U.S. and led to Sharps rifles and carbines being among the most significant firearms of the Civil War era and the settlement of the West after the war. The included copy of a factory letter from Dr. Richard J. Labowskie notes that this incredible rifle was invoiced at Sharps' Hartford factory on November 30, 1855, and described as a 90 bore Model 1853 Octagon Barrel Sporting Rifle that was "Extra Fine Engraved." On page 49 of "Sharps Firearms" by Frank Sellers, only 22 Extra Fine Engraved Model 1853 Sporting Rifles with 90 bore octagon barrels are noted compared to an estimated 603 rifles with 90 bore octagon barrels that were plain. The rifle has similarities with the famous Sharps Model 1855 displayed by Sharps at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1855 and shown on page 51 of Sellers' book and identified as engraved by Gustave Young. The engraving covers nearly all of the visible surfaces of the frame, lock plate, and patch box as well as most of the lever, trigger plate, and buttplate tang and around the lower buttplate screw, and the breech end of the upper barrel flats and borders at the muzzle and breech. The majority of the engraving consists of the classic Germanic scroll engraving style Young, Nimschke, and other master engravers trained in German popularized in the U.S. in the mid-19th century. The patterns include floral bloom accents, intertwining scrolls, small sections of crosshatch and dot patterns, and wavy line borders. The patch box features a round panel scene of a pronghorn with a finely detailed background, and the left side of the frame has another highly detailed scene of three rabbits in a pastoral scene. The rifle features a globe and post front sight, a notch and folding ladder rear sight, tang mounted peep sight, and adjustable double set triggers. The barrel has "SHARP'S RIFLE/MANUFG. CO./HARTFORD CONN." marked on top, the upper tang has "SHARPS/PATENT/1848" just ahead of the serial number, and the lock is marked "SHARP'S/PATENT/1853." The "SHARP'S" markings on the barrel and lock are noted variations seen on many of the Model 1853 rifles and was created by a mistake of the man who cut the stamps and was corrected later in the production of this model. The matching serial number is found on the back of the forearm, upper tang, and inside of the patch box. It may also be marked in concealed areas, but the rifle was not disassembled out of respect. The bottom of the barrel, lower left of the frame, front of the trigger plate, and the inside of the patch box also have "E," and the bottom right of the breechblock and the rounded top of the barrel ahead of the breechblock are both marked "F." The stock and forearm have the high polish varnish finish, a simple pewter forend cap, lightly curved buttplate, and classic Sharps patch box.

Documentation

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 38

Price Realized:

Lot 80

Sharps Model 1874 Sporting Rifle

197 Model 1874 Sporting Rifles were manufactured at Bridgeport with half octagon barrels. The barrel has a fixed globe front sight, lacks provision for a rear sight and has the "Old Reliable" marking followed by the Bridgeport address along with "CAL. 45" at the breech. The action is equipped with double set triggers, and there is a Vernier tang sight featuring a 4 5/8 inch long stem graduated from 0-6 on the left side. The barrel and forearm are numbered to the gun. The forearm and pistol grip stock are nicely figured walnut featuring multi-point checkering. The bottom of the grip has a blank silver oval inlay, and the buttstock is fitted with a checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 45

Price Realized:

Lot 83

Cased "Le Petit Protector" Ring Gun

This is an example of a 19th century custom made French pinfire ring gun. These ring pistols are oddities and appeal to collectors purely as conversation pieces. The band of the ring has a light floral type engraving and is marked "LE PETIT PROTECTOR". This ring gun features a hand rotated 6-shot 3 mm pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer (any pinfire cartridge is obsolete). The included black leather case has a gold border on top of the lid and a small circular German silver plaque marked "LE PETIT/PROTECTOR". Blue silk lined on the underside of the lid and blue felt lined on the interior. Includes four pinfire cartridges and a screwdriver.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 3 mm

Price Realized:

Rare Frankenau's Patent Concealed Double Action "Purse" Pinfire Revolver

Lot 84

Frankenau's Patent Concealed Pinfire "Purse" Revolver

These interesting self-defense handguns are discussed in "Firearms Curiosa" by Winant and pictured on page 159. The design for this unusual weapon was patented in the U.K. on September 5, 1877, and then the U.S. on November 6, 1877. This revolver appears to be a coin purse at first glance but contains a folding trigger pinfire revolver within with the serial number "602" on the recoil shield on the right, "2" on the back of the cylinder, "602" on the rear of the right blast shield, and a "crown/Z" proof on the left side of the frame at the rear. The trigger folds down and through the bottom of the purse so that the revolver can be fired without opening the purse itself. The top of the case has "FRANKENAU'S PATENT." There is also a small cover for the muzzle. It is also numbered "602" by hand inside the metal body of the purse. The revolver compartment also has an ejector rod and is perforated on the lid to aid in heat dissipation. The other compartment can hold money or other items.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 5 mm PF

Price Realized:

"Petit Crane" Marked Three Shot Ring Style Pistol with Case

Lot 85

"Petit Crane" Marked Three Shot Ring Pistol with Case

This is a unique example of a 20th century made French three shot 19th century style percussion ring gun. The band of the ring is marked "PETIT CRANE" flanked by a light floral engraving. German silver with the small parts blue finished iron. The muzzle is fashioned after a skull, with a Neal's marked retailer case and two tools. The case has a Petit Crane silver oval maker plate on top of the lid. The interior of the case is lined in green velvet and the inside of the lid is lined in silk.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 3 mm

Price Realized:

Unique Silver Egg-Shaped Repoussé Shell Housing a Concealed Percussion Pistol

Lot 86

Silver Egg-Shaped Shell Housing a Concealed Percussion Pistol

An unmarked, concealed percussion pistol seated inside a repoussé two-piece silver egg-shaped shell with floral patterns on the outside. The pistol consists of a small barrel that loads from the top with a trigger mechanism below and a sideways spring loaded hammer that hits the base of the barrel where a percussion cap can be placed.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 8 mm

Price Realized:

Lot 87

Delvigne Percussion "Mouse & Dog Pistol"

Manufactured by Delvigne of Paris in the mid-1830s, this percussion pistol is commonly referred to as a "mouse & dog pistol." The name comes from the fact that the hammer and frame are sculpted in the shape of a mouse (the hammer the head, the frame the body) with the trigger it's tail, and the gutta percha grip panels have a molded image of a dog. The pistol is cocked by pulling back on a spring loaded rod located under the barrel, and pulling back on the trigger releases the rod, allowing the hammer to strike the percussion nipple located at the rear of the breech. The barrel features engraved scrollwork on each flat at the muzzle and breech. The top flat is signed "Daon Delvigne", and the bottom flat has the serial number. The grips are marked on the left "SEULS DEPOSITAIRES" and on the right "LEPAGE Fres A PARIS". The molded grip panels feature a dog and floral motif. A steel ramrod is located in the butt of the pistol. The overall length is nearly 4 inches.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 8 mm

Price Realized:

Lot 88

French "Le Merveilleux" Squeeze-Fire Palm Pistol

Manufactured in the late 19th century. The barrel is attached to the trigger bar, and the weapon is fired by squeezing the bar, which pulls the barrel back, chambers a round, and then releases the firing pin, with the return extracting the cartridge. No maker's marks are present on the frame and barrel. Grips are beautiful raised carved antique ivory, with dotted background, raised floral and leaf designs, and a banner with "LE MERVEILLEUX" at the rear.

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 6 mm

Price Realized:

Lot 89

Le Petit Protector Style "La Femme Fatale" Ring Gun with Case

This is an example of a unique 19th century style custom made French pinfire ring gun which was subsequently made by unknown parties in the 20th century. These ring pistols are oddities and appeal to collectors purely as conversation pieces. The band of the ring has a light floral type engraving and is marked "LA FEMME FATALE". This ring gun features a small hand rotated 6-shot pinfire cartridge cylinder that must be removed for loading/unloading. The pins of the cartridges are struck by the base of the hammer. (Any pinfire cartridge is obsolete.) The included jewelry style case is unmarked but fitted for the ring/gun.

Has Box

Antique

Caliber / Gauge: 2 mm pinfire

Price Realized:

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