Page 98 - Auction84-Book2

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LOT 1226
Rare John S. Adams 1864 Patent Prototype Breech Loading Rimfire Metallic Cartridge
Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 52 RF cal., 20 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This likely one-off Civil War era prototype
breech loading rimfire metallic cartridge saddle ring carbine was invented by John S. Adams of Taunton, Massachusetts and is exactly as depicted and described in his U.S. patent number 44,377 dated September 27th, 1864 while also having features described in his previous U.S. patent number 39,455 dated August 11th, 1863.
In the text of the 1864 dated patent, John Adams states, “My invention consists in hinging to the rear end of a movable cartridge-chamber a breechblock, so that it may open to receive a metallic,
Sharps, or other cartridge from the rear end, and close itself firmly when the chamber is brought into position for firing the piece. My invention further consists in the mechanical device for withdrawing or ejecting the discharged copper cartridge-cases by the sliding trigger guard, and the mode of attaching the same to the movable chamber.”This gun also utilizes the same chamber and breech block mechanism described in John S. Adams previous patent number 39,455 in which the breech block is able to be easily removed for cleaning by pressing the large button heads of the spring loaded screws, located on either side of the frame at the breech blocks axis of rotation, allowing the breech block to be slid out of the bottom of the frame by hand. It is fitted with a Sharps addressed six-groove rifled barrel marked “38926” on the underside that appears to be taken off of a Sharps New Model 1859 carbine and has been shortened slightly at the breech end from its original 22” length, and wearing a Lawrence patent ladder rear sight graduated to 800 yards with the 900 yard notch at the top. The patchbox and buttplate also appear to be from a Sharps New Model 1859 carbine while the wood furniture shares slight visual similarities with a Sharps carbine. The trigger guard breech lever on bottom serves two purposes; it is used to rotate the breech block for opening, and then can be pulled back ,in which it rides in a sliding track in the bottom of the breech block, to use built-in dual extractors for removal of a spent shell casing out of the rear of the breech block. A hatch door on the back of the breech block opens simultaneously when the extractors are pulled back, which allows an opening for loading from the rear of the breech block as well. This interesting and well built carbine invented by John S. Adams is certainly a rare piece of U.S. firearms history. CONDITION: Fine with smooth brown patina overall and scattered areas of light pitting. Wood is also very good with scattered scratches and dents and a repaired section at the toe. Mechanically fine, but the firing pin is absent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500 LOT 1227 Civil War U.S. Contract Sharps New Model 1859 Breech Loading Percussion Carbine - Serial no. 34714, 52 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 3,000 of these early Model 1859 carbines reportedly were fitted with brass furniture including a patch box were manufactured. The State of Georgia purchased two thirds of them (1,600 directly from Sharps and another 400 on the commercial market) and issued them to both cavalry and infantry units, and this example has U.S. inspection cartouches on the stock behind the sling bar. According to Sellers, these brass-fitted New Model 1859 carbines only appear in the 30786-36000 range with some overlap with the Model 1859 carbines (non-grooved breechblocks) which fall in the 30000-31332 range. These Model 1859 and New Model 1859 carbines were the first of the straight breech models and were widely used during the Civil War. The barrel has a blade front sight, the three-line Hartford address ahead of the Lawrence patent rear sight, and “NEW MODEL 1859” at the breech. The lock and receiver have the standard Lawrence and Sharps patent markings. The underside of the patch box lid has “272/I.” The stock has a “GDM” collection stamp on the bottom. CONDITION: Good with mostly mottled brown patina on the steel, vise marks visibe at the breech, aged patina on the brass patchbox, and general mild scratches and marks. The buttstock is fair with a filled section at the toe, some small surface flakes/slivers absent, and mild overall wear. The forearm and front band are both later production replacements. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1228 Scarce Burnside Second Model Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 356, 54 cal., 21 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This example is one of 2,000 Second Model Burnside carbines manufactured circa 1860-62. The second model is an improvement on the first model before it in that it now uses George P. Foster’s patented breech-latch. The main distinguishing characteristic of the second model from the more common later examples is the absence of a forearm. It has a blade front sight, notch and folding leaf rear sight, a saddle ring and bar on the left side of the action, and a sling swivel on the bottom of the stock. Lock plate marked “BRISTOL FIREARM CO.” and lever catch marked “G. P. FOSTER.PAT./APRIL 10TH 1860” on the right. Serial number “356” marked on top of the frame and breech block. “489” marked on the underside of the period replacement barrel. Some of these carbines were used by the 1st Rhode Island Infantry at the Battle of Bull Run in July 1861, and the remainder were issued to many Federal cavalry regiments including the 1st U.S. Cavalry. Nearly all of the Second Model Burnside carbines saw hard Civil War service with a low survival rate.
CONDITION: Fair, exhibiting signs of genuine Civil War use with smooth artificial brown patina visible in various areas, scattered light pitting, some mild pitting on top of the breech area, and mostly clear markings. Stock is very good with scattered light scratches and dents and a chip behind the left of the frame. Mechanically fine. This is a solid Civil War used example of a scarce Second Model Burnside Carbine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 LOT 1229 Engraved, Etched, and Gold Plated Presentation Grade Civil War U.S. Officers’ Heavy Cavalry Saber by Samuel C. Bunting of Philadelphia with Scabbard - This is a highly desirable presentation grade cavalry officer’s saber made by Samuel C. Bunting of Philadelphia. The saber has a Model 1840 pattern, flat-back, 35 1/4 inch, blade with acid-etched panels highly decorated with detailed images including stands of flags, an eagle, a cannon, floral sprays, a large “U.S.” and “UNION AND VICTORY.”“S. C. BUNTING” in an arch over “PHILa” marked on either side of the ricasso. “IRON PROOF” etched on the spine. The gilt brass, three branch guard has acanthus leaf engraving, and the quillion area of the guard has a highly detailed cannon with full carriage and wheels. The pommel is engraved with leaves. The leather grip is twisted in brass wire wrap. The scabbard has a gilt brass drag, suspension bands and rings and throat. The drag and suspension bands are decorated with raised acanthus leaf designs. These Bunting officers sabers are described on pages 123-125 of the book, “Civil War Cavalry & Artillery Sabers” by John H. Thillmann. This is one of only a handful of Bunting marked examples of its kind known. CONDITION: Fine. Guard retains strong traces of the original gilting with attractive aged patina on the balance and still retains its original saw-toothed buff leather washer at the base of the blade. Leather grip is very good with light handling and age related wear, and the twisted wire wrap is tight and complete. Blade is very fine in bright original polish with some areas of light brown patina, and the etched panels retain nearly all of the correct frosted acid etched background finish. Scabbard is good with brown patina and scattered moderate pitting on the iron surface, and the brass fittings retain strong traces of the original gilting with attractive aged patina on the balance. This is an attractive and highly decorated example of a rare Bunting officers’ cavalry saber that would make an excellent addition to any U.S. martial sword collection! Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000