Page 154 - Auction84-Book1
P. 154

  LOT 276
Very Scarce U.S. Navy Remington-Keene Magazine Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 29 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. E. Remington & Sons manufactured approximately 5,000 Keene magazine rifles (in all configurations) between 1880-1883, with this rifle included as one of only 250 delivered to the U.S. Navy; which were believed to have been issued to the Marine Corps for field trials in 1880. “US/(Navy anchor)” and “W.W.K.” inspection initials of Navy Lieutenant William Wirt Kimball marked on the breech end of the barrel. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes socket bayonet. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% arsenal refurbished blue finish strongest on the receiver and barrel bands with brown patina on the balance. Stock is very good with some scattered light scratches and chips, a cracked section behind the upper tang, and a chip at the toe. Mechanically excellent. Rubber face inside of the magazine follower deteriorated from aging. Included bayonet is very good with some scattered patches of moderate pitting. A very scarce example of an early Remington-Keene Navy magazine rifle that would make a fine addition to any U.S. military collection! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 277
Scarce Remington-Lee Model 1879 First U.S. Navy Contract Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 23, 45-70 Government cal.,
28 inch round bbl., blue/brown finish, walnut stock. One of 300 Model 1879 Lee rifles manufactured under the first U.S. Navy contract, with deliveries completed by January of 1882. In 1880, the U.S. Navy contracted with James Paris Lee of Bridgeport, Connecticut for 300 full stock .45-70 caliber rifles of the type patented in 1879 by Lee. The Lee Arms Company was formed and handed the actual manufacturing of the contract over to Sharps Rifle Company. Sharps went bankrupt and closed its doors in October of 1880, handing all of the unfinished receivers, parts and tools over to Remington in 1881, who completed the guns for the Navy contract. Blade/stud front sight and 1,300 yard buckhorn folding ladder rear sight with an “R” marked on the left of the base and “N” marked on the ladder. The top of the left receiver rail is marked “THE LEE ARMS Co. BRIDGEPORT CONN. U.S.A./PATENTED NOV. 4th 1879” followed by a Henry Nettleton “HN” inspection mark. “HN” is also marked on the left of the breech end of the barrel, right side of the trigger, ahead of the magazine well, and underside of the extractor. The magazine is an early flat sided type with a forward projecting nose. Fitted with a slotted cleaning rod. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet, scabbard, US brass/leather frog, and period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, retaining 40% original blue finish on the receiver, 70% arsenal refinished brown finish on the barrel with wear at the muzzle from socket bayonet mounting, scattered scratches on the metal surfaces, and some moderate pitting on the detachable magazine. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled with scattered scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with some light pitting, scabbard is also very good with some scattered scratches, and frog is also very good with some light wear. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 278
Scarce Remington-Lee Model 1885 U.S. Navy Contract Bolt Action Magazine Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 50692, 45-70 Government cal., 32 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. There were approximately 3,956 Model 1885 Remington-Lee bolt action rifles delivered on U.S. Navy contract between 1889- 1893. The top of the receiver is marked “U.S.N./naval anchor/No 1523/W.W.K.” The latter marking is the inspection initials of Lt. William Wirt Kimball. The left top flat of the receiver is marked with the standard two line markings “REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, ILION, N.Y. U.S.A./SOLE MANUFACTURERS AND AGENTS” followed by the serial number “50692”, and the left side at center is marked “PATENTED NOV. 4TH 1879”. An “H” in a star Navy inspection stamp is marked on the left of the breech end of the barrel and left side rear of the receiver. It has a standard length round barrel fitted with an “RL” marked Springfield buckhorn rear sight graduated from 100-500 yards on the side of the base and 600-1,200 yards on the ladder, and a military blade/bayonet stud front sight. It has a standard
full length straight grip walnut stock stamped with rack number “147” ahead of the buttplate. It is complete with an original magazine with two grooves on the side and a slotted cleaning rod. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, metal scabbard, US brass/leather frog, and period leather sling. For information on Model 1885 Remington-Lee bolt action rifles, reference pages 44-52 and 96 of the book “The Remington-Lee Rifle” by Eugene Myszkowski. CONDITION: Very good, retaining 30% original blue finish strongest on the bands, rear sight, edges of the receiver and bolt body, with brown patina on the balance and some scattered light dings. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and dents and some mild chips. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet and scabbard are very fine, frog is very good, and sling is fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 279 Scarce U.S. Navy Inspected Remington Model 1867 Rolling Block Carbine - Serial no. 1153, 50-45 cal., 23 1/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 5,095 manufactured from 1868-1869, with the final 95 carbines being sold commercially. Previously believed to have been assembled by Springfield Armory using Remington made actions, it is now suggested that these carbines were manufactured entirely by Remington. It shows the standard Remington address/patent markings on the upper tang, “P/F.C.W/anchor” on the right of the receiver, an anchor on top of the barrel. “FCW” cartouches on the right side of the forearm and faintly on the buttstock. Discreet “GDM”, George D. Moller collection mark on the toe. Includes leather sling and wood tampion. CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a smooth grey-brown patina, a few scattered minor dings, and crisp markings. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout and the forearm cartouche crisp. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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