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SULTAN HASSAN I OF MOROCCO
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LOT 25 Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Carbine Inscribed to Sultan Muley Hassan of Morocco - Serial no
8526, 44-40 WCF cal., 20 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1885, the second year of productio for these carbines. The carbine bears British proofmarks on the barrel and frame and features the 1883 patent dates
open top frame, and trigger guard bow slide release. The top of the barrel is non-factory marked “PRESENTED TO H.R.H. MULEY HASSAN BY THE COLT GUN CO. AMERICA”. Muley Hassan was the Sultan of Morocco from 1873 until his death in 1895, and it is suspected that he was murdered, possibly by one of his own four sons. Hassan ruled Morocco and was revered as god-like by his subjects. Colt likely presented this rifle to him in an attempt to earn military contracts and or special orders with what, at the time, was their brand new rifle. Firearms companies like colt have a long history of using beautifully crafted presentation guns to curry favor with the right people, a tradition that continued on well into the 20th century and likely even today. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% period retailer applied nickel finish, some areas of wear and flaking, a few spots of light oxidation, and scattered scratches. The wood is fine with numerous dings and scratches, wear along the edges, and crisp checkering on the forend. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 259
Desirable Two Digit Serial Number “62” Colt Large Frame “Express Model” Lightning Slide Action Rifle with Factory Letter - Serial no. 62, 40-60-260 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The included factory letter confirms the current barrel length and configuration, caliber, blue finish, and stock material when it was shipped to B. Kittredge Arms Company of Cincinnati, OH, on June 1st during the first year of production (possibly even the first day) for these Large Frame Rifles, 1887. Only 1,000 rifles were manufactured in the first year of production. The
rifle features a full length magazine, crescent buttplate, elevation adjustable sporting rear sight and blade front sight. The receiver has the Rampant Colt emblem on the left side. It is fitted with a smooth straight wrist stock and multi-point checkered forearm. The top of the barrel is marked with the two-line address and patent dates ahead of the rear sight and “40-60-260” below the rear sight on the left. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 50% original blue finish, some areas of pitting along the barrel and frame, and some scratching. The reoiled buttstock is very good with scattered light scratches, a crack at the left toe, and sharp checkering on the modified forend with two finger grooves added to the right side. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 260
Attractive Factory Engraved Colt Model 1878 Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun - Serial no. 19305, 12 gauge, 30 inch solid rib bbl., blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. Manufactured in 1885. Damascus steel barrels with single bead sight on the smooth, concave solid rib, 2 3/4 inch chambers with single extractor, and choke constrictions measured at .025/.030 inches (improved modified/ full). The casehardened factory panel scene action features a pair of game birds on the left lock, a setter on the hunt on
the right, and a single solitary mallard in flight on the trigger guard, all surrounded by floral scrollwork along with hand engraved “COLT” on either side. Engraved rebounding hammers, checkered barrel latch release, and double triggers. Nicely figured, multi-point checkered splinter forearm with engraved fittings, ebony insert, and Deeley style release lever and a round knob pistol grip stock with non-factory installed blank inscription oval, inlaid silver medallion, and hard rubber Rampant Colt buttplate. Stock measurements: 1 7/8
inch drop at comb; 3 1/8 inch drop at heel; 14 1/4 inch length of pull; weight 8 lbs 13 oz.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing 85% Damascus pattern with some areas of light cleaned oxidation, 50% original of case colors, and blue on the trigger guard with mild handling evidence. The wood is also very fine with scattered dings and scratches, chip at the toe, and crisp checkering.
Collector’s Fact
According to author R.L. Wilson, approximately only 20 Colt Lightning Medium Frame rifles were factory inscribed.
CONDITION: Fine with 50% original blue finish, patches of mild oxidation, brown patina on the faded areas, and general minor marks and scratches. Both sides of the frame have a non-factory added filler screw visible: above the loading gate on the right and one inch forward of the Rampant Colt on the left. The period custom personalized wood is fine and has crisp relief carving, minor chips at the upper corners of the wrist, and light scratches and marks. Mechanically excellent. Definitely a very interesting Colt Lightning.
Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 261
Unique Period Relief Carved Stock Colt Lightning Medium Frame Slide Action Rifle with Silver Monogram and Other Inlays - Serial no. 20327, 32-20 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, relief carved walnut stock. Manufactured in 1886. Features blade and adjustable sporting sights, the earlier address and patent marking (only 1883 dates), “32 CAL” at the breech, open top frame, Rampant Colt trademark on the left, leaf carving on the slide handle and pistol grip stock, a inlaid gold oval with an escutcheon at the center and border engraving fitted on the bottom of the grip, a gold cartridge head type inlay on the right side of the butt along with a silver plaque with an unknown monogram (“N” is the central letter), a silver plate at the upper tang, “LMW” inscribed on the initial oval on the bottom of the butt followed by a series of pressed-in golden and silver slivers and pins, and a nickel-plated buttplate.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000 195