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LOT 236
Rare Civil War Lee Fire Arms Co. Single Shot Carbine - Serial no. 1558, 44 RF cal., 21 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. These carbines were designed by James Paris Lee and manufactured by the Lee Fire Arms Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though Lee is most famous for his bolt action and magazine design, the first production arms manufactured based on Lee’s designs were these single shot carbines. The barrels were subcontracted to Remington, but an error in communication and/or the U.S. Ordnance Department’s desire to not pay for the arms after the conclusion of the war led to the government rejecting the whole batch of carbines due to the carbines being bored out to .42 caliber like the trials arms instead of the .44 caliber mentioned in communications from Chief of Ordnance Brigadier General A.B. Dyer. Only 255 carbines and an unknown number of sporting rifles were completed by November 1866, and 202 others were nearly complete. Other components were also outsourced, but they were assembled in Milwaukee. A very detailed history of these firearms is laid out in the article “James Lee, Wisconsin Arms Inventor, 1860-1874” by Herb Uphoff available through the American Society of Arms Collectors. It has a “pinched” blade front sight, two leaf
500 yard rear sight, “LEE’S FIRE ARMS CO. MILWAUKEE, WIS/PATD JULY 22D 1862.” on the left side of the barrel, a saddle ring bar and ring on the left side of the action, matching serial numbers on the barrel and action, and smooth buttstock. With the hammer at half cock, the side swing barrel opens for loading from the right. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion. CONDITION: Good with smooth brown patina overall, scattered minor marks and scratches, and some faint pitting. Stock is lightly sanded and re-oiled with scattered light circular scratches, and a light chip at the toe. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
Collector’s Fact
Only 255 Lee Fire Arms Co. carbines and an unknown number of sporting rifles were completed.
LOT 237
Exceptionally Fine Civil War Era U.S. Massachusetts Arms Co. Second Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 24801, 50 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The two models of Maynard carbines were easily among the best firearms available during the Civil War and were used and well regarded by both sides. 20,202 Second Models were manufactured c. 1863-65,
with this example dated 1865 on the lower tang. Some were delivered late in the war and were issued and used by the 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry and the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union Cavalry. Standard
markings and features with “SWP” and “JM” cartouches on the left side of the wrist. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 95% plus original blue finish with some light spotting on the hammer and buttplate, and 85% vivid
original case colors on the frame. Stock is very fine as re-oiled with some areas of lighter finish, some light dents, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. An absolutely stunning Civil War Era Second Model Maynard carbine that appears to have seen little if any use at all! Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 238
Scarce Civil War U.S. Contract Gibbs Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - NSN, 52 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. The Gibbs carbine is one of the scarcest and best designed carbines used by Union forces. Only 1,052 Gibbs carbines were manufactured by William F. Brooks of New York
City at the Phoenix Armory and delivered to the U.S. government in 1863 due to the factory being burned down during the New York Draft Riots in that same year. Around 500 of these were issued to the 10th Missouri Cavalry and smaller quantities were issued to the 13th and 14th New York Cavalry. CONDITION: Very good plus as turned to a mottled brown patina overall with some moderate flash pitting visible at the breech. Stock is fine with some light dents and scratches, some cracks around the upper tang, and a crack at the upper right of the
Collector’s Fact
One of only 1,052 Gibbs carbines delivered to the U.S. Government in 1863.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 239
Fine U.S. Contract Spencer Model 1865 Repeating Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 26423, 52 cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. 23,000 of these Model 1865 carbines are estimated to have been manufactured in 1865 and 1866. This carbine does not have a Stabler cut-off and has the other standard manufacturer markings and features, including two cartouches on the left side of the stock and an inspector’s stamp ahead of the buttplate tang. Many of these late Spencer carbines were used into the late 19th century Indian Wars. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes wood tampion.
buttplate. Mechanically excellent.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish with some scattered mild spotting, and 60% plus original case colors with some very light pitting. The wood is very fine with some light dings and scratches, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
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