Page 149 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1315
Very Scarce U.S.N.M. Marked Winchester-Lee Model 1895 Straight Pull Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 13879, 6 mm Lee cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This Winchester-Lee Model 1895 straight pull rifle is one of only approximately 186 in total manufactured with the rare U.S. Naval Militia marking. Page 45 of Eugene Myszkowski’s book “The Winchester-Lee Rifle” states, “The 186 USNM stamped rifles fall into three clusters... The second cluster of 16 rifles, in a block between the Winchester serial numbers of 13869 and 13884 [this rifle is 13879], were shipped on April 29, 1901 to order number 94631. These rifles were shipped with knife bayonet and scabbard.” These rifles saw extensive service with the Navy and Marine Corps landing parties during the Spanish-American War, Boxer Rebellion and Philippine Insurrection. “U.S.N.M./Naval anchor/81/C.A.B.” is on the top of the receiver, with the latter being the inspection initials of Lieutenant Charles A. Brand. A small five-pointed star Navy inspection mark is stamped ahead of the buttplate tang. Fitted with the scarce front sight cover designed for the Navy Model 1895 rifles. The carbine style buttplate has a sliding butt trapdoor. Although the innovative
U.S. Navy Model 1895 rifle had a relatively short service life it is a scarce and historically important rifle that saw action in numerous small engagements with the Navy and Marines in the colonial era that began with the Spanish American War. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a Winchester Repeating Arms Co. bayonet, scabbard, and “ROCK ISLAND/ARSENAL/D.C.L.” marked leather sling. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% plus original blue finish with scattered mild spotting, moderate pitting at the muzzle, and crisp markings. Stock is very good with scattered scratches and dents, defined edges, and a crisp star inspection mark. Mechanically functions, the blast shield section on the left rear of the bolt is broken off/absent. Included bayonet is excellent, scabbard is fine with some light wear and some scratches. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1316
Very Fine Winchester-Hotchkiss Model 1883 Bolt Action Musket with Bayonet - Serial no. 81499, 45-70 cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a Third Model Winchester-Hotchkiss musket that was manufactured in 1895. The barrel has a block mounted blade front sight that doubles as the lug for the included socket bayoent and a folding ladder rear sight. There are no visible government inspection or acceptance marks, but the buttplate tang is numbered “237.” This is likely a rack number and suggests the rifle was owned and used by a state or local National Guard/
militia unit or police department. The bolt also has a turned down handle which is a modification that 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, but it may have been purchased by another state. CONDITION: Very fine with 90% original blue finish remaining on the barrel and 80% plus slightly darkened original case colors
remaining on the action. The bolt handle has a mottled patina. The wood is also excellent showing some minor pressure dents and scratches. The action is excellent. The bayonet remains bright overall. Provenance: Formerly from the Peter and Patty Murray collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 1317
Early Production Springfield/Winchester-Hotchkiss First Model Army Bolt Action Saddle Ring Carbine with Factory Letter - Serial no. 240, 45-70 Government cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This First Model Hotchkiss carbine was built using a mix of Winchester and Springfield components and would have been used in early Army field trials. Only 501 are believed to have been manufactured. Many were converted into Second Models in 1881 or otherwise altered and re-issued for additional trials. The included Winchester factory letter confirms this example was received in the warehouse and shipped the same day on May 30th, 1879, although it lists it as a musket rather than a carbine (they were made in the same serial number sequence). Table #5 Springfield Research Service list on page 342 of “U.S. Military Bolt Action Rifles” by Bruce Canfield also confirms the same date of shipment of this example by serial number as having been shipped from Springfield Armory on May 30th, 1879, although it is listed as a rifle. It has “US” and “V/P/eagle head” proof and inspection marks, Henry Nettleton “HN.” inspector marks on the bolt, the distinctive first model magazine cut-off, a saddle ring on the left of the field replacement stock, and “R.D.R.” inspection initials behind the trigger guard. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Information on these Hotchkiss carbines can be found in Man at Arms- July/Aug 1986- “The Wartime Winchesters” and the book “U.S. Military Bolt Action Rifles” pages 42-44, both by Bruce Canfield. CONDITION: Very good as period arsenal refinished with mottled brown patina and scattered patches of mild pitting on the barrel with 50% blue finish on the rear sight, 60% blue finish on the trigger guard with some moderate pitting, gray patina on the receiver with some spotting, and some light pitting on the bolt. Stock is very good with scattered dents and scratches, a crack ahead of the cut-off, and a mild scratch on the right of the wrist. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1318
Scarce U.S. Navy Contract First Model Springfield/Winchester-Hotchkiss Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet - Serial no. 2777, 45-70 Government cal., 28 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. 1,474 First Model Hotchkiss rifles were manufactured for the U.S. Navy in 1879-80 by Springfield Armory using Winchester supplied actions and buttplates. The safety and magazine cutoff are located on the right of the stock, 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. Henry Nettleton’s “HN.” inspection initials are marked on the bolt and stock. The barrel is marked with Springfield Armory “V/P/eagle head” proofs and “W.W.K./US/Naval anchor” markings of Navy inspector William Wirt Kimball. The left wrist of the stock is marked with Samuel W. Porter’s boxed
script “SWP/1879” inspection cartouche, and a circled script “P” proof mark is located behind the trigger guard. A slotted cleaning rod is included. Includes a Collins & Company “C & Co” marked blued “US” socket bayonet that is also bearing “HN” inspection initials on the socket, blued metal scabbard with a Watervliet Arsenal “US” brass/leather frog, and a period leather sling. CONDITION: Very good, retaining 20% original blue finish mostly concentrated on the receiver with scattered mild spotting overall and some scattered light to moderate pitting evident of period Naval use. Stock is also good with numerous scattered mild dents and scratches, a crack at the right above the front barrel band spring, a crack ahead of the magazine cutoff switch, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet is fine with sharp edges and some light pitting, scabbard is very good with some scattered brown patina and pitting, and sling is very good with some very light age related cracking. Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750 147