Page 90 - Auction84-Book2

LOT 1194
Desirable and Exceptional Confederate Attributed Serial Number Range Massachusetts Arms Co. First Model Maynard Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 2920, 35 cal., 20 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This
carbine was produced circa 1858-59 and has the correct first model markings of “MAYNARD ARMS CO/WASHINGTON” on the right side of
ion and the three-line Massachusetts Arms Co. address on the left. The patch box has the four-line patent marking. Moller’s “GDM” collection mark is by
the act
the toe. Multiple Confederate states are known to have had contracts for Maynard rifles and carbines in both .35 and .50 caliber including Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia. Estimates
based on the dates of the orders and deliveries along with the approximate production rate of Maynard firearms places the approximately 3,000 Confederate purchased Maynard carbines and rifles. “. . within the serial range from approximately 1800 through 4100 (give or take 200)” according to “The Maynard Rifle and Carbine in the Confederate Service” by Howard M. Madaus. This example falls within that range based on the “2920” serial number on the underside of the primer door. The .35 caliber barrel is above the noted serial number range and is marked “4219” on the bottom at the breech. Over 1,000 .35 caliber carbines went to Florida, 300 went to Mississippi, and approximately 800 are also presumed to have been among those sold to militia units of South Carolina and Louisiana as well. CONDITION: Very good plus with 25% plus original blue and mostly crisp silvered out casehardened finish, light oxidation, and generally mild age and storage related wear. The stock is fine and has some long scratches along the lower right and minor dings and scratches elsewhere. Mechanically fine. A very attractive and well above average condition early Maynard carbine! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 1195 Early Production Massachusetts Arms Co. First Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 942, 50 cal.,
26 inch part round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Many of these early Maynard rifles and carbines manufactured c. 1858-1859 were
sold to buyers in the South, including orders by the governments of Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi. The rifles were significantly rarer than the carbines and were insufficient to meet southern demands. However, Mississippi’s Dec. 20, 1860, order included 175 rifles, and these were shipped on January 21, 1861. Known issues of the rifles early on include to the following Mississippi units: Company D of the 9th Infantry (24 rifles), Company D of the 14th Infantry (3 rifles), and Company G of the 15th Infantry (4 rifles). Other early Maynards were purchased by individuals and units in the South before the war. Serial number 897, for example, has southern militia markings noting it as private property. Throughout the Civil War, the Maynard remained a popular firearms with southern troops, particularly the famous Confederate cavalry. It has a rounded nickel silver blade front sight, dovetailed notch rear sight, a peep sight with integral base on the upper tang, “MAYNARD ARMS CO./WASHINGTON” on the right side of the frame, “MANUFACTURED BY/MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS.” on the left side, the serial number on the bottom of the barrel at the breech and inside on the primer door, a small “M” behind the barrel hook and on the lever, a sling ring on the lower tang, the four-line patent marking on the patch box, a recess from the mounting of a now absent plaque on the left side of the buttstock. CONDITION: Good with mottled gray patina, mild oxidation/pitting, generally distinct markings with the exception of the patch box, a faint crack in the lever near the front, and a bent upper tang causing the stock to sit slightly askew. The slightly undersized stock has mild overall wear and the noted absent plaque. The rifle has a non-functional tape primer, but otherwise is mechanically fine. This is a classic early First Model Maynard and may have seen considerable use during the Civil War. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1196
Civil War Era Frank Wesson First Type Two-Trigger Military Carbine with Sling -
Serial no. 2023, 44 RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Benjamin Kittredge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, is known to have supplied these carbines to the following states for use during the Civil War: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, and Missouri. Though this example does not carry Kittredge’s normal markings, many of these carbines were also purchased privately by soldiers during the war. It has a blade front sight on a thick dovetailed base, two leaf rear sight, “ F. WESSON’S PATENT/OCT. 25 1859” on top of the barrel behind the rear sight, and the serial number on the trigger guard tang, left of the barrel, slotted link, barrel pivot screw, and top of the frame under the barrel. Partial serial numbers on various other parts including the buttplate and buttplate screws, trigger, and stock. There is inlet area on the left of the stock which used to contain a plaque/escutcheon that is now absent. Includes a leather sling and wood tampion. CONDITION: Very good, retains traces of the original blue finish with the balance a mottled grey-brown patina with a few scattered patches of very light pitting or rough oxidation. The wood is also very good with the above mentioned inlet and otherwise some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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