Page 111 - Auction84-Book3

Scarce Variations of Remington’s Famous Cane Guns
Remington advertised these cane guns for taxidermists and for defense against dogs and highwaymen. Even unloaded, the canes could be serious weapons. A gutta percha cane was used to nearly beat Senator Charles Sumner to death in the U.S. Senate in the build-up to the Civil War.
LOT 3165
Highly Desirable E. Remington & Sons Thomas Patent Rimfire Cane Gun with Rare Takedown Barrel and Dog’s Head Handle - Serial no. 1558, 22 RF cal., 30 3/4 inch round bbl.,
brown finish, gutta percha grips. The Remington Cane Gun was designed by John F. Thomas, Remington’s master mechanic, with the percussion version patented in 1858. Production of the
cane guns was interrupted by the Civil War but resumed sometime around 1865, and shortly after the production shifting from percussion versions to a new and improved rimfire cane gun. These rimfire examples were made from about 1866 to 1888 in two calibers, .22RF and .32RF, with this example being the former. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 of each caliber were made. This example has the desirable dog’s head handle made of the same brown gutta percha as the shaft, which has a metal insert at approximately the halfway point that is threaded so the barrel/shaft has a takedown feature. The dog’s head handle is likely the most desirable of the handle configurations, even though it is not necessarily the most rare. This is a rarely seen takedown feature, and the workmanship leaves little doubt that it was done at the factory, and it is the only cane with such a feature that the writer has seen. There is a small German silver band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/muzzle. Just below the band is the faint serial number “1558”, which is repeated at the bottom of the shaft and on the iron ferrule, and at the bottom of the upper portion of the shaft traces of the patent markings can be seen. It measures 36 7/8 inches overall.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains most of the original brown with a barely noticeable hairline crack visible at the bottom of the shaft from the ferrule and some scattered light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Quite possibly a one-of-a-kind, special order, Remington cane gun!
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
LOT 3166
Rare E. Remington & Sons Thomas Patent Percussion Cane Gun with Desirable “Ball and Claw” Handle - Serial no. 5, 31 cal., 25 3/4 inch round bbl., brown finish, gutta percha
grips. Designed by Remington master mechanic, John F. Thomas, Remington’s master mechanic, these percussion cane guns were patented in 1858 and produced as an effort to break into the burgeoning market of gentleman’s defensive accessories. It is estimated that between 1858 and 1866 only 500 of the percussion cane guns were manufactured, with production being
significantly interrupted by the Civil War. This example remains in its original percussion configuration making it even more scarce. Along with that, this particular example has the desirable “ball and claw” handle, fashioned out of the same brown gutta percha as the shaft. It is the writer’s experience that far fewer of these “ball and claw” canes survived compared to the “dog’s head” or curved/”L” shaped
canes, and renowned Remington collector, Elliot Burka, lists them as the second most rare of the standard variations, behind only the “bulbous” handle, in an article for the American Society of Arms Collectors. Examples of these various standard handle styles, including the “ball and claw”, can be seen on p. 188 of “Canes From the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century” by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A similar example, serial number 17, incorrectly listed as .44 caliber, can be seen as item no. 322 in “The Karl F. Moldenhauer Collection of Remington Arms” as offered by the Richard A. Bourne Co. There is a small German silver band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/muzzle which is faintly marked “J.F. Thomas Patent Feb 9. 1856” patent markings and “5”. It measures 33 1/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing most of the original attractive brown finish, some scattered light handling marks, and the handle showing moderate wear but retaining its distinct, desirable shape.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3167
Scarce E. Remington & Sons Thomas Patent .22 Rimfire Cane Gun with Small Curved Handle - Serial no. 1518, 22 RF cal., 28 inch round bbl., brown finish, gutta percha grips.
The Remington Cane Gun was designed by John F. Thomas, Remington’s master mechanic. The percussion version was patented in 1858, with production being interrupted by the Civil War, and production of the new and improved rimfire variations beginning shortly after the cessation of hostilities. These rimfire examples were made from about 1866 to 1888 in two
calibers, .22RF and .32RF, with this example being the latter. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 of each caliber were made. This example has a rarely seen small curved handle made of the same brown gutta percha as the shaft. It is rare to find any of the variations of the Remington cane guns in such high condition due to the fragile nature of the gutta
percha. There is a small German silver band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/muzzle. Just below the band is the faint serial number “1518” and at the bottom of the upper portion of the shaft traces of the patent markings can be seen. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, showing mostly an attractive brown on the shaft and handle with some patches of mild fading/wear, grey patina and some light pitting/oxidation on the iron, and attractive antique patina on the brass with some scattered minor handling marks overall. It appears to function correctly.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
LOT 3168
Very Scarce E. Remington & Sons Thomas Patent Percussion Cane Gun with Desirable “Right Angle” Handle - Serial no. 9, 31 cal., 28 1/2 inch round bbl., brown finish, gutta percha grips. The cane guns were a product of 19th Century high society, and were a popular accessory for gentleman who wished to have a day to day item that could also be pressed
into service for defense should the need arise. The Remington Cane Gun was designed in 1858 by John F. Thomas, Remington’s master mechanic, and Remington was the only major
firearms manufacturer to produce such an item. It is estimated that between 1858 and 1866 only 500 of the percussion cane guns were manufactured, with many of them later being converted to .32 Rimfire. This
example remains in its original percussion configuration making it even more scarce. Along with that, this particular example has the scarce “right angle” handle, fashioned out of the same brown gutta percha as
the shaft. It is the writer’s experience that the canes with “right angle” handles on percussion canes is one of the rarest configurations, and renowned Remington collector, Elliot Burka, lists them as the fourth most
rare in an article for the American Society of Arms Collectors. Examples of all the standard gutta percha handle variations can be seen on p. 188 of “Canes from the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century” by Jeffrey B.
Snyder There is a small German silver band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/muzzle which is faintly marked “J.F. Thomas patent Feb 9 1858 Remington and Sons Illion N.Y.” as well as
what appears to be “459”. The firing mechanism is marked “9”. It measures 33 3/4 inches overall.
CONDITION: Fine, showing mostly the original brown with a couple small glue repairs visible in the top portion of the shaft and the angle of the handle, and otherwise scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000 109