Page 158 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 286 Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1867 Cadet Trapdoor Rifle with Bayonet - NSN, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 29 3/4 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1867 Cadet rifle is essentially a scaled down version of the Model 1866 Allin conversion rifles, originally designed by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory. These rifles now have an unlined 33” (29 3/4” length to face of breech) barrel chambered for .50-70 caliber and has a distinctive breech block with arched cut-outs, a special “1867” dated lock plate that is noticeably thinner and only found on this model, trigger guard with no sling swivel and a shortened stock with 12 1/2” length of pull. “1866” dated breech block. Initials “HF” carved in left side of stock. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a US socket bayonet. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining 30% plus vivid original oil-quenched casehardened finish with some light flaking, scattered light pin-prick pitting, and crisp markings in the metal. Stock is good as sanded and re-oiled with scattered light scratches and dents, and carving mentioned above. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is very good with scattered patches of mild surface pitting. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 287 Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1883 Bolt Action Musket - Serial no. 82214, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a Third Model Winchester-Hotchkiss bolt action musket that was manufactured in 1893. The Ordnance Department purchased an undetermined but limited quantity of Third Model Winchester-Hotchkiss Muskets circa 1883-1899. The barrel has a pinned, replacement beaded blade front sight and folding ladder rear sight. There are no visible government inspection or acceptance marks, but the buttplate tang is numbered “69.” This may be a rack number and suggests the rifle was owned by a more local level agency such as a police department or National Guard/militia unit. This is further supported by the turned down bolt handle. This modification has been noted on rifles purchased by the State of California in 1915. Some of the rifles in that order were originally manufactured in the mid-1890s. This example lacks the bayonet rail seen on the California muskets indicating it may have been purchased by another state. Cleaning rod is absent. CONDITION: Very fine as period modified (see above). 70% of the fading original blue finish remains on the barrel. The receiver retains 50% original case colors especially on the right side. The left side has some light pitting. The buttplate has some rough oxidation. The balance of the rifle has a gray and brown patina. The stock and forearm are fine with some minor dings and scratches. The action functions very well, and the markings are clear. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 288 U.S. Contract Starr Arms Co. Model 1865 Metallic Cartridge Carbine - Serial no. A32371, 52 RF cal., 21 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 5,002 of these carbines were ordered by the U.S. Government based on a similar overall design to the Starr percussion carbines but with a rimfire breechblock and case ejector. This example has the standard sights and factory markings, two faint cartouches on the wrist. “GDM”, George D. Moller collection mark on the toe. CONDITION: Fine, retains 30% of the original case colors mostly in sheltered areas and 50% of the original blue on the barrel with the balance of both mostly a smooth grey patina and a small patch of pitting on the right at the muzzle. The wood is also very good with minor dings and scratches
scattered throughout and a faint cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
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LOT 289
Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1888 Trapdoor Rifle with Ramrod Bayonet - Serial no. 527866, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., lue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1891 with standard markings and an “SWP/1891” cartouche on the left of the wrist, and “6” stamped in comb. It is fitted with a hooded blade front sight and “R” marked Buffington rear sight. It is fitted with the standard Model 1888 ramrod bayonet. “GDM”, George D. Moller collection marking on the toe of the stock. Includes a leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retains 80% of the original blue finish and 60% plus of the original case colors with the balance having thinned to a smooth grey patina. he wood is fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 290
Interesting Cannon or “Camel Gun” Saddle - Offered here is
one of the more interesting and definitely the most unusual
accessory for a cannon or Gatling gun: a saddle mount.
The name “Camel Gun” was adopted by Gatling for use in advertisements meant to drum up publicity and to stress to
buyers the versatility of their product. As the name implies the
Camel Gun was a short barreled Gatling Gun capable of being mounted to the back of a camel. The advertisement showing
a Gatling mounted to camel certainly gained the attention
of the press and imaginations. It has been said that British
troops and their Egyptian allies were issued “Camel Guns” in
Egypt in the early 1870s. However, there is little evidence of
Gatling equipped camel corps used in battle. In the end it
was the more traditional tripods and cavalry carts that were
the mounts ordered by militaries. As one observer put it, “Still, one is left to ponder the circumstances of the camel-mounted weapon and the effect it might have had on foe, friend and camel alike.” CONDITION: Very good. Much of the aged cracked leather remains. The straps are incomplete. The wood frame is solid.
A very interesting Gatling gun accessory.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
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