Page 161 - 83-BOOK1

THE NIMSCHKE STAR ENGRAVING PATTERN PICTURED IN THE BOOK L.D. NIMSCHKE FIREARMS ENGRAVER BY WILSON
LOT 1202
Incredibly Scarce L.D. Nimschke Signed Master Engraved Remington Model 1865 Navy Rolling Block Pistol - Serial no.
84, 50 RF cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This exceptional Remington Model 1865 Navy pistol was engraved by famed 19th century Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke of New York. The right side of the frame under the
engraving is signed with an “N,” and the same engraving patterns from the sides of the frame, the back strap, and a very similar “Nimschke star” are all shown on page 24 of “L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver” by R.L. Wilson. Nimschke’s pulls of the engraving are dated 1867. In the pull for the signature side, the “N” appears above rather than below the engraving. Thus, this pistol was likely part of a matched pair like the famous
“Gold Dust Twins” (Model 1867 pistols) sold by our company on June 5, 2020, whose pulls also appear on pages 24-25. The engraving on this pistol consists of a “Nimschke star” on the ring of the frame, panels of scroll engraving with smooth backgrounds in the forward scrolls and beaded
backgrounds in the center and rear scrolls along with a central “port hole” design, crosshatch pattern on the sides of the trigger sheath along
with a double line border that matches the rear edge of the frame and back strap, scroll and crosshatch flourish by the hammer, and a scroll and shell/fan design at the bottom of the back strap. The forearm and grip are checkered walnut and have a smooth oil finish. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front sight, “REMINGTON’S ILION. N.Y. PATD OCT. 1. 1861 NOV. 15 1864” marked along the top, and an anchor on top at the breech. The frame has “REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A./PAT. MAY 3D NOV. 15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1866” on the left side. “84” is marked on the left side of the upper tang and the lower tang mortise of the grip. CONDITION: Fine with exceptionally crisp engraving and signature, 60% of the bright original niter blue remaining on the hammer and breech block, 30% original blue remaining on the barrel, 40% original case colors and color patterns on the frame, and smooth gray and brown patina on the balance along with some minor marks and scratches and a few faint spots of light pitting. The wood is very good and has minor wear on the otherwise crisp checkering, an “X” pattern of deeper later recut checkering visible on the left side of the grip, smooth finish, and light marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1203
Rare Factory Engraved Remington
“Improved” New Model Police Cartridge Revolver with Blued Finish - Serial no. CC, 38 RF cal., 4 1/2 inch
octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, antique ivory grips. This rare blue finish factory engraved New Model Police revolver was manufactured as a cartridge revolver and remains in
exceptional condition. The barrel, top strap, trigger guard bow, and back strap have entwining line motifs.
The loading lever and frame at the breech have small flourishes of scrollwork. The frame on top at the breech has a floral design. The cylinder has a repeating design with ovals, scrolls, and line work. The ovals are similar to the “port holes” on the Nimschke signed Remington Model 1865 pistol in
the previous lot. The recoil shield on the left has a fan design with a border that matches the cylinder, and the right side has a gadroon design. The lower sides of the frame have checkerboard and dot patterns flanking the scrollwork around the hammer and trigger screws. There are three stars on the frame on each side next to the hammer and a rayed design behind the hammer. The hammer itself has a scroll design on the sides with beaded
backgrounds. The top barrel flat is marked “PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/E. REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, NEW YORK U.S.A./NEW MODEL.” It is marked “CC” under the barrel, on the
rear of the trigger guard, inside both grips, and on the left side at the toe in place of a serial number. The rear of the cylinder and the breech plate have conversion number “1617.”
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. The engraving remains crisp throughout. 85% of the bright original blue finish remains with some fading mainly on the grip frame from handling and a smooth brown patina on the balance. This amount of original blue is rarely ever scene on Remington revolvers. The trigger guard retains 80% of the original silver finish which has taken on an aged patina and has
small spot of loss with aged brass showing through. The hammer retains dark original case colors. The trigger and screws retain nearly all of their original bright niter blue finish. The grips are also exceptionally fine and have attractive natural
tones and grain, slight age cracks around the screws and butt, and slight age and handling related wear. Mechanically excellent. This is truly one of the finest blued finish factory engraved Remington New Model Police Revolvers extant!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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