Page 243 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 390 Scarce German Engraved V. Dreyse Bolt Action Needlefire Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 5617, .49 inch cal., 26 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in the mid-19th century, the cartridge loading Dreyse bolt action rifle was a revolutionary step in small arms development. Dreyse’s design was adopted by the Prussian army in 1841 and sporting variants followed soon thereafter. With heavy swamped octagonal blued
barrel rifled with four grooves and inlaid with two silver bands at the muzzle and signed “V. DREYSE SÖMMERDA” in silver towards the breech. The rear sight is adjustable for elevation and the front sight is of blade form. Bright scroll engraved receiver marked “CAL: d. zdsp: 0.49” on the right side. The barrel,
receiver and bolt have matching serial numbers, and the bolt is engraved with the outline of the firing pin to assist a gunsmith with replacing this fragile component. Scrolled flat fronted trigger guard houses a double set trigger mechanism and is engraved with further scrollwork and with pierced scrolled green horn finger rest. Well figured 14 1/4 inch full stock with raised cheekpiece and checkered grip. Plain iron rear sling stud and forward sling mount, German silver barrel bolt escutcheons, and green horn forearm cap. Ramrod absent. CONDITION: Fine. The blued finish to the barrel has faded to a plum color. The remaining metal parts are slightly discolored, all engraving remains clear. The stock has numerous age related storage and handling blemishes, bruises and marks, and some chips to the leading edge of the raised cheekpiece. Checkering remains sharp. The cleaning rod housed beneath the forearm is missing, and the green horn forearm cap is chipped. Mechanically needs work as the needle fire mechanism is broken. A fine and very scarce example of an important evolutionary step forward in the development of modern small arms. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 391
Unique Unidentified Prototype “Rising Breech” Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - NSN, 69 cal., 20 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This carbine appears to be a mid-19th century prototype for a breech loading carbine. The only markings visible are some small markings on the back of the hammer and “MUSEE/DE/L’ARTLe” stamped on the right side of the stock indicating it was in the French Musee de l’Artillerie. The trigger guard serves as the operating lever. When it is pushed forward, the breech raises above the barrel for reloading. The forend cap has a blade front sight on the rear band, and a notch rear sight is fitted at the breech tang. A long sling ring bar is attached via screws on the rear barrel band and front of the side plate. The stock has a cheek rest cutout. The stock has splices from the modifications. CONDITION: Fine overall with gray and brown patina on the metal along with some minor pitting, distinct museum marking on the stock, the noted splices in the stock mainly in the forend and by the lower breech hardware, some filled insect damage concentrated on the left side of the butt, and general mild age and storage related wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 392
Manchester Ordnance & Rifle Co. Whitworth Percussion Match Target Rifle - Serial no. C931, 451 cal., 33 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Whitworth rifle was designed by Sir Joseph Whitworth as a replacement for the Enfield Pattern 1853 but became famous in the hands of Confederate sharpshooters and British competition shooters. This rifle features an adjustable globe front sight, adjustable notch and ladder rear sight with “MANCHESTER ORDNANCE & RIFLE CO” on the right side of the base, “WHITWORTH PATENT” on top of the barrel, London proofmarks and the serial number on the bottom of the barrel, the matching serial number repeated on the breech hook and forend along with the lower tang, long range Vernier peep sight mounted on the upper tang, the crown trademark and “MANCHESTER ORDNANCE & RIFLE Co” marked on the lock which has a sliding safety ahead of the hammer, a horn forend cap, checkered panels on the forend and wrist of the pistol grip stock, and a smooth steel buttplate. CONDITION: Very good with 80% of the dull refinished blue finish remaining on the barrel, traces of original case colors, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, some light oxidation, and generally minor overall wear. The reoiled stock is also very good and has mostly crisp checkering, occasional marks and scratches, and minor handling and storage wear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
ramrod pipes, trigger guard, wrist escutcheon, and buttplate are silver with hallmarks located on the trigger guard finial and butt, and the ornate guard features a covey of birds. The half-length stock has a smooth forend, checkered wrist with relief carved scroll borders, and attractive grain and figure. CONDITION: Fine with 40% original brown finish and light twist patterns along the barrels and dark patina on the balance, some minor oxidation/pitting, silver-gray patina on the locks and other steel, attractive dark aged patina on the silver furniture and barrel inlays, and generally minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering and carving with minor spots of handling wear, some spots of wear in the glossy finish, and some general minor dings and light scratches. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 393
Engraved, Silver Mounted and Inlaid, and Relief Carved French Percussion Double Barrel Shotgun - Serial no. 270, 20 gauge, 29 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., brown/bright finish, walnut stock. This mid 19th century French shotgun has Damascus barrels with a bead front sight, “Canon” (upper left) and “Tordu” (upper right) in ornate script in silver inlay, “Merley Fraisse” in scrip on the rib, “20” and a proof on the left barrel at the breech, “270” on the bottom of the rib, and “FILS LONDON” and “TORDU” on the underside at the breech. The locks
feature scenes of a dog hunting birds along with scroll engraving. The left lock has “Louis” at the tail while the right has “a Marseille.” The
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