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LOT 1087
Very Scarce F. C. Taylor Fur Getter Trap Gun with Spike
and Instruction Manual - Serial no. 988, 22 LR cal., 6 inch round
bbl., bright/blue finish. “Fur Getter” trap gun with rod and instructions.
Manufactured by F. C. Taylor, these were originally invented by Charles D.
Lovelace of San Angelo, Texas who was granted patent number 1,098,742
on June 2nd, 1914. In Lovelace’s patent description it states, “My invention
relates to that character of fire arms designed to be set in the haunts of
wild animals to be fired by the animals for self destruction.” An example
is photographed and described on pages 120-121 of the book “Firearms
Curiosa” by Lewis Winant. To load, the pin is unscrewed, allowing removal of
the barrel for loading from the rear. To cock, the striker is pulled backwards,
and to fire, the hooked bait rod mounted below is pulled forward by an animal
attempting to grab bait placed on the end of the hook. Marked “TAYLOR FUR
GETTER./F.C. TAYLOR FUR CO. ST. LOUIS. MO.” on the left side of the frame, and “PAT’D JUNE 2 1914/OTHER PAT’S PENDING” on the right side of the frame. Includes a unique/very scarce period original instruction manual, and a 12” long steel spike for mounting in the ground.
CONDITION: Excellent. The brass exhibits an attractive golden aged patina, and the steel components have a few small areas of spotting. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1088
Brooks & Soper Janesville
Wisconsin Marked Burglar
Alarm Patented 1867 - NSN,
31 percussion cal., bright finish. Burglar alarm invented by Oscar M. Brooks and Robert W. Soper of Janesville, Wisconsin and granted patent number 66,457 on July 9, 1867. It operates by inserting the key shaped tripping lever into the key hole of a door. Once inserted, the hammer
is cocked manually by hand, and a cap charge must be placed on the contact point below the hammer as well as a charge
inside of the barrel, and a wood match next to the barrel
(holder for match absent). Upon a burglar attempting to pick
the lock of the door, the tripping lever is turned which releases the spring loaded hammer to hit the cap charge, igniting the charge in the barrel as well as the external match mounted next to the barrel. The purpose of the match is to allow temporary light to the occupants inside the room upon waking up to the alarm blast. The sides of the mechanism are script engraved “Brooks & Soper./Janesville./Wis.” and “Burglar Alarm”. Only a few of these are known to exist.
CONDITION: Very good with some light scattered pitting on the
hammer, barrel and tripping lever. Match holder absent (reference
above). Mechanically excellent. An interesting early alarm system inspired by technology found in firearms. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1089
J. Stevens Arms Co. Single Shot .30
Rimfire Pistol - Serial no. 334737, 30
RF cal., 6 inch part octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut grips. This
pistol appears to be a “Target Old Model Pistol” with a rare birdhead .41 derringer grip
frame. The left barrel flat is marked with the two-line Chicopee address and patent
marking. Features a fixed blade front and elevation adjustable rear sporting notch sights.
The hammer is checkered and the grips are smooth.
CONDITION: Fine with 75% of the fading period refinished blue finish on the barrel and 85%
of the original nickel on the frame. The barrel markings have been buffed slightly light but are
still very legible. The grips show general handling marks and some loss of the varnish as well as some light marring of the grip screws. The back strap has a small hole that has been filled. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 1090
Very Scarce Belgian “Chicken Thief” Pinfire Trap Pistol - NSN, 9 mm PF cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel finish. Belgian proofed all-metal pinfire single
shot trap pistol. An example is
photographed on pg. 114, figure 115
of the book, “Firearms Curiosa” by Lewis
Winant and described as a “Chicken
Thief” gun. On pg. 112 it states, “...may be
fastened by its clamp to any suitable support. It is not intended to have the freedom of movement
of most trap guns, as it is pointed at the door or window to which the cord is attached and through which
the thief is expected to try to make his entrance... An unusual feature of the pin-fire is that the stretched cord goes around a little wheel under the muzzle and up to the long bar, so the gun is discharged
by the bar’s being pulled down...”
CONDITION: Fine with some areas of light pitting, brown patina, and patches of original nickel
finish remaining on most of the barrel and in protected areas. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1091
Interesting Lebeda Engineering LLC. Waltham Pocket Watch Percussion “Pistol” - NSN, 177 cal., 1 inch round bbl., nickel/blue finish. Developed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, by Lebeda Engineering LLC. The frame of the pistol is a hollowed-out Elgin pocket watch, with a cocking piece in lieu of the winding knob, a manually set niter blue trigger bar at 10 o’clock, a barrel extending out at the 6 o’clock position, and the hands permanently at 5 minutes to midnight. Waltham Watch Co. was in operation in the United States from 1852-1957. The barrel has an integral nipple to accept a single charge for a cap gun, and is manually loaded with a .177 inch BB. The combination of percussion cap and muzzle loaded ball makes this neither a firearm, nor is it considered an “any other weapon”. Includes a small jewelry case with Lebeda plaque on the lid.
CONDITION: Fine as custom made, retains 95% plus of the nickel finish on the watch case and barrel with some scattered light handling marks and wear overall. Mechanically excellent. The case is also excellent with minimal wear.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 1092
Antique Inline
Percussion German Silver Knife
Pistol - NSN, 17 cal., 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish,
metal grips. Measuring 3 1/2 inches long when closed and decocked, the main body of the knife is made from German silver, with engraved floral patterns on the side scales and an open panel suitable for inscription on one side. Two single edged spear point blades are included, 1 3/4 and 1 1/8 inches long, with no visible markings. The firing mechanism is a spring loaded striker, controlled by a low-profile firing stud. Loading is accomplished with a quick- detach barrel, which is fitted with an in-line nipple and held in place by a spring loaded retainer; removing the barrel for loading or cleaning is quick and easy.
CONDITION: Very good, with a mixed gray patina and a small amount of shallow pitting on the steel components, and some minor dings and dents on the body. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,750
LOT 1093
J. Stevens Arms Co. Model 37 Stevens-Lord Single Shot Pistol
- Serial no. 51, 32 RF cal., 12 inch part octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured between 1889 and 1903. The barrel is marked on the left flat with the
two-line Chicopee address and patent information. Fitted with a blade front and a fixed
rear notch sights. The hammer and trigger are checkered with a nitre blue finish. Fitted
with checkered grips and a wide heavy butt. The serial number “51” is found on the barrel, inside of the trigger guard and the left side of the grip frame under the wood.
CONDITION: Very good with 80% of the original finish. Showing some light muzzle wear and surface scratches on the barrel, light scratches on the frame, general handling marks, and a few small dings. The trigger guard does show an area of exposed brass at the rear (removed spur). The grips are very good with light handling marks and well defined checkering.
Estimate: 900 - 1,500
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