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LOT 62
Exceptional Panel Scene
Engraved Providence Tool Company
Peabody-Martini What Cheer Mid-
Range Single Shot Rifle - Serial no.
143, 40-70 cal., 29 inch part octagon bbl.,
blue/casehardened finish, finely figured
checkered walnut stock. 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.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with crisp engraving, 60% plus original blue finish, 75% plus original case colors, smooth gray-brown patina on the balance, and minimal minor marks and scratches from handling and storage. Aside from a divot in the forearm, the wood is very fine and has crisp checkering, slight edge wear, and a few light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful, highly embellished American rifle from the heyday of target shooting with iron sights.
Estimate: 9,000 - 16,000
LOT 63
Exceptional Exhibition Quality Engraved
Early Production Remington Hepburn No. 3
Sporting Rifle, Serial Number 128 - Serial no. 128,
40 2 1/2” cal., 28 3/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, highly figured checkered walnut
stock. 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.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 75% plus original blue finish on the barrel, some scratches and marks on the muzzle section, 70% plus muted original case colors, most of the bright original niter blue on the hammer and trigger, and generally light age and storage related wear. The wood is very fine and has beautiful figure, minor wear on the otherwise crisp checkering, and some light dings and scratches including a spot of wear on the forend cap. Mechanically excellent. This is an extraordinary Remington-Hepburn rifle! Estimate: 9,000 - 16,000
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