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Rare U.S. Navy Contract Longarms from the Late 19th Century
LOT 3218
U.S. Navy Inspected Remington-
Keene Magazine Bolt Action Carbine - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 20 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a beautiful example of an extremely
scarce Remington-Keene bolt action carbine, with a “U.S.N” marking on the left of the receiver and on top of the heel of the stock. This design was
Remington’s first attempt at producing repeating rifles to compete with Winchester’s lever actions. It was designed by John W. Keene (d. 1880) of New Jersey in the 1870s. They were entered by Remington in the 1878 and 1881 magazine rifle trials. A total of 5,000 were manufactured in multiple variations in 1878-1883. This example has a shorter barrel than any of the standard variants. It has a blade front sight fitted in a dovetail on the front barrel band, notch and ladder rear sight (oversized, held on with one screw), “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION N.Y./PAT. FEBY 24 MCH 17. 1874. JAN. 18/SEPT 26 1876. MCH. 20 JULY 31. 1877.” on the top of the bolt, “45/70” and magazine cut-off switch on the left side of the receiver, and smooth stock with a casehardened carbine buttplate with a trap compartment (empty). “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 75% original blue finish with spiral scratches visible on the partially refinished magazine tube and some light freckling. Stock is also fine with some scattered light handling marks and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3219
Scarce U.S. Navy Contract Second Model
Springfield/Winchester-Hotchkiss Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 4999, 45-70 Government cal., 28 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. A total of 999 Second Model rifles
were manufactured for the U.S. Navy in 1880-81 by Springfield Armory using Winchester supplied actions and buttplates. The rifle has a blued barrel, receiver, and trigger guard. The bolt is bright, and the walnut stock is oil finished. The safety and magazine cutoff are located on the top of the
receiver, and the barrel is fitted with blade/stud front sight and 1,300 yard Buckhorn folding ladder rear sight correctly marked with “R” on the base and “N” on the ladder. The left side of the receiver is marked with the three-line address and patent marking. The top left flat surface of the receiver is marked with the serial number “4999” followed by the Henry Nettleton’s Ordnance inspector’s initials “HN.”, which is also marked in three places on the bolt, and on top of the barrel at the breech. The top of the barrel at the breech is also marked with Springfield Armory “V/P/eagle head” proof and U.S. Navy “W.W.K./US/anchor” inspection markings. The left rear of the stock is marked with Samuel W. Porter’s boxed script “SWP/1881” inspection cartouche, and the right ahead of the wrist is marked with a circled script “HN” cartouche. A slotted cleaning rod is included. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a U.S. socket bayonet and Rock Island Arsenal leather sling. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% plus attractive original blue finish with some light flaking on the band and end cap, mild flaking and wear on the trigger guard and buttplate, and some scattered light nicks on the barrel. Stock is also very fine with some scattered light dents and scratches, a crack at the right of the wrist, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is excellent, although does not fit on smoothly. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3220 Springfield U.S. Navy Model 1870 Rolling Block Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 22,013 of these Model 1870 U.S. Navy Contract Rolling Block rifles were manufactured c. 1870-1871 by Springfield Armory on royalty agreement with E. Remington & Sons. Marked with “eagle/USN/SPRINGFIELD/1870” on the right side of the frame, the two-line Remington patent information on the upper tang, an anchor on the top of the barrel at the breech, and “P/HBR” on the left side of the barrel at the breech. It features a blade front and folding ladder rear sight, military style forend and smooth straight grip buttstock with an “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) cartouche on the left and a “US” marked rifle buttplate. Includes an Ames sword bayonet marked with inspector initials “GGS” on the flat of the hilt, and a brass tipped leather scabbard. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 40% original blue finish on the barrel with balance turned to a mottled brown patina, 30% case colors on the frame with some scattered light pitting, with a crack visible on the right of the receiver. Wood is also very good as lightly sanded with some light scratches and dents. Mechanically fine, minus the crack in the receiver. Included bayonet and scabbard are both fine with some patches of light pitting on the blade. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
Collector’s Fact
One of only 999 U.S. Springfield/ Winchester-Hotchkiss Second Model Bolt Action Rifles produced to U.S. Navy contract.
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