Lot 1123: Exceptional and Important Prototype Lee Vertical Action Carbine

Prototype .45 caliber Lee Vertical Action Carbine with 20-inch round barrel; the action appears to be the same configuration as the rare Springfield M1875 Lee Vertical Action Rifle. The barrel is marked: "E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILLION N.Y." in one line ahead of the front sight. The carbine has no other markings and is not serial numbered. The barrel is fitted with a folding leaf rear sight graduated to 500 yards. A sling ring is attached to the left rear corner of the receiver. What appears to be a sling bar inlet on the left stock wrist has been filled with a blued steel plate. The carbine has a one-piece trigger guard and a one-piece, oil-finished, black walnut stock. Only 143 Lee Vertical Action Rifles were manufactured by Springfield Armory in 1875; this carbine may be a one-of-a-kind prototype. Formerly in the Howard Troy collection.

Excellent. The barrel receiver, buttplate and trigger guard retains 95% of the high polish blue finish. The barrel markings are sharp. The oil finished stock is in very fine condition. There is a barely discernable hairline crack in the left stock wrist that extends from the receiver tang about half-way to the trigger guard. There is an old, shallow gouge in the right side of the stock that extends approximately 2-inches forward from the butt-plate. The balance of the stock is in excellent condition with only light handling and storage wear. A rare and possibly unique prototype carbine.