Page 77 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1167
Rare U.S. Revenue Cutter Service Marked Remington Contract Jenks “Mule Ear” Breech Loading Percussion Carbine, without Maynard Patent Tape Primer Device - NSN, 54 cal., 24 1/4 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Jenks is unique in that it is the only side hammer weapon officially used by the U.S. military. E. Remington & Sons purchased machinery and a U.S. Navy contract for 1,000 Jenks carbines from Ames Manufacturing Company and manufactured them circa 1847-48. The distinguishing feature of the Jenks-Remington typically includes the Maynard tape primer, although this Remington example was made without it. According to “Flayderman’s Guide, 9th Edition” page 624 states, “Three specimens of this model known with the usual lock (i.e. not made with Maynard primer as on 9B-063) marked only REMINGTON’S/ HERKIMER, N.Y. Presumably fabricated in c. 1846-47 in the interim during transfer of the Navy contract and the equipment from Ames to Remington. Very Rare.”The Jenks carbines were originally smoothbores with a round loading aperture. Around 1861 most Jenks carbines were rifled and had the loading aperture enlarged to an oval shape to accept a paper cartridge rather than loose balls and powder; with this example escaping said alteration and still retaining its original round loading aperture and smoothbore. Features a “REMINGTON’S/HERKIMER/N.Y.” marking on the lock plate. Marked “7/35” on the underside of the breech lever, “W JENKS” parallel to the bore on the barrel at the breech followed by
“U.S.R./P/1847/CAST-STEEL” perpendicular to the bore ahead of the round loading aperture. The rare U.S.R. mark indicates purchase by the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service; with other known U.S.R. marked examples typically seen with the round loading aperture and without sling ring as on this example. Faint boxed script “RP” (Richard Paine) cartouche on the left of the stock ahead of another partially visible boxed script cartouche. Some small “P” marks on a few of the components. Other features include the integral blade front sight on the foremost of the two brass barrel bands, the integral notch sight on the top of the lever, brass trigger guard, and brass buttplate. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Very good, retaining traces of thinning original brown finish on the barrel. Traces of original case colors with some areas of light thinning on top of the breech lever. Stock is also very good as re-oiled with some light scratches and dents and faded cartouches. Mechanically excellent. An extremely rare Jenks carbine! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1168
William A. Thornton Inspected U.S. Navy N.P. Ames-Wm. Jenks “Mule Ear” Breech Loading Percussion Carbine Dated 1843 - Serial no. 419, 54 cal., 24 1/4 inch round bbl., brown
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Ames manufactured 4,250 of these distinctive “mule ear” breech loading carbines between 1843-1846. The Jenks carbines were originally smoothbores with a round loading aperture
Around 1861 most Jenks carbines were rifled and had the loading aperture enlarged to an oval shape to accept a paper cartridge rather than loose balls and powder; with this example escaping said alteration and still retaining its original round loading aperture and smoothbore. “Wm JENKS” and “U.S.N./JCB/P/1843” marked on the top of the barrel at the breech ahead of the round loading aperture. Small “B” inspection marks are on several components. The lock plate has the Ames three-line marking in the center and “Wm JENKS” towards the rear. This example does not have a fixture for a sling ring as usually seen on the lower tang. Oval script “JCB” (likely John C. Beaumont, possibly Joseph C. Bragg) ahead of “WAT” (William A. Thornton) cartouches on the left of the stock opposite the lock; very uncommon to see these inspector marks on a Jenks carbine. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. CONDITION: Very good plus, retaining strong traces of original brown finish in protected areas with mostly a smooth gray patina on the barrel, crisp markings in the
metal, 30% plus original case colors strongest on the hammer and front of the lock with smooth gray patina on the balance. Stock is fine as re-oiled with nice cartouches, some scattered light scratches and scrapes, and a few hairline cracks above and below the lock. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1169
Scarce U.S. Navy N. P. Ames-Wm. Jenks “Mule Ear” Breech Loading Percussion Rifle with USN Marked Bayonet - Serial no. 2312, 54 cal., 35 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 1,000 of these rifles were manufactured in 1841-1844 for the U.S. Navy by N. P. Ames. It has a square lug on the bottom of the muzzle for attaching an included angular type bayonet, blade front sight on the front barrel band, rear sight groove on the breech lever, “WM. JENKS” and “USN/RP/P/1843” in front of the breech lever and oval loading port. “23/12” on the underside of the lever. The lock plate is marked “WM. JENKS” and “N.P. AMES/SPRINGFIELD/MASS.”Two script letter cartouches are on the left side of the stock.“GDM”(George
D. Moller) collection initials marked at the stock toe. The included bayonet is marked “USN.” CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel retains 20% original brown finish, otherwise a mottled brown-gray patina. The brass has an attractive mellow appearance. The lock has slight hints of original case colors, otherwise a mottled gray patina. The stock is fine with minor-moderate dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
Collector’s Fact
According to author Norm Flayderman, “Three specimens of this model known with the usual lock...marked only REMINGTON’S/HERKIMER, N.Y. Presumably fabricated in c. 1846-47 in the interim during transfer of the Navy contract and the equipment from Ames to Remington. Very Rare.”
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Collector’s Fact
Only 1,000 N.P. Ames manufactured Jenks “Mule Ear” were produced for the U.S. Navy.
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