Page 136 - Auction84-Book3

Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
LOT 3216
Scarce Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle - Serial no. 4350, 44 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. The Colt Burgess rifles and carbines were only available from 1883 to around 1885, and only 6,403 were
manufactured (2,556 had octagon barrels). They were designed by Andrew Burgess who held 894 patents by the end of his life. It
has long been rumored that Colt and Winchester came to an agreement that Colt would exit the lever action market and Winchester would
not release a revolver. There seems to be little other reason for Colt to have discontinued these fine repeating arms so quickly after they introduced them. The Burgess is arguably more advanced and refined than the Winchester Model 1873. This example has a blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, Rampant Colt stamped on the left side of the receiver, two-line address/patent dates marking on the top
barrel flat and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Good. The rifle has a smooth brown patina with traces of original blue finish in the sheltered areas of the frame.
Hammer has grind like marks on the spur. The forearm has a stabilized crack and chip along the inside edge (right side) and a
gap visible between rear and face of receiver, otherwise the wood is also good with a number of minor dings and scratches.
Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
significant as the first long guns manufactured at Colt’s Hartford factory. They are easily identified by the oilers mounted on the left side of the frames. This rifle has a dovetailed blade front sight,
“{COLT’S PT./1856}” and “{ADDRESS COL. COLT/HARTFORD, CT. U.S.A.}” on top of the barrel at the breech, British proofs on the upper left barrel flat, a replacement period added notch rear sight mounted
in the top strap groove, double spur trigger guard, cylinder numbered to another gun (“372”), deer and hunter roll engraved cylinder scene, and matching serial number on the frame, buttplate and trigger guard. CONDITION: Good. The metal surfaces have a smooth dark patina with pitting throughout. The cylinder has a smooth brown patina and much of the cylinder scene remains. The cleaning rod is absent. The wood is fine with minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. With only 1,000 made, the Model 1855 First Model Revolving Rifle is an increasing difficult Colt percussion long gun to find an any condition. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
134 Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
Collector’s Fact
1 of only 1,219 Colt Burgess lever action rifles produced with a round barrel.
LOT 3215
Fine Colt Burgess Lever Action Rifle with Scarce Round barrel - Serial
no. 6145, 44 WCF cal., 25 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This
model is famous as Colt’s only attempt to compete head to head with Winchester in the lever action
rifle market. The Burgess was arguably superior to the comparable Winchester Model 1866 and 1873 thanks to
its shorter, smoother, and more refined design. However, only a total of just 3,775 rifles were manufactured in 1883-1885, 2,556
with octagon barrels and 1,219 with round barrels. Colt may have dropped the Burgess as part of an agreement with Winchester, or they may have simply decided to focus their attention on their distinctive Lightning
rifles. Regardless, the Burgess is one of the nicest and rarest of the late 19th century lever actions. This rifle has a German silver blade front sight, an elevation adjustable rear sight, the two-line address/patent dates marking ahead
of the rear sight, the Rampant Colt trademark on the left side of the frame, trapdoor crescent buttplate (empty stock compartment), and uncheckered walnut forearm and straight grip stock.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and magazine retain 70% plus original blue with the balance an attractive plum appearance. The frame retains 50% plus bright original high polish blue finish with a smooth brown-gray patina on the balance. 30% original niter blue on the loading gate. The wood is also fine with an overcoat of period applied varnish, minor dings and scratches.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Collector’s Fact
1 of only 2,556 Colt Burgess lever action rifles produced with an octagon barrel.
LOT 3217
Scarce Colt Model 1855 First Mo
walnut stock. Only around 1,000 of the “First M roughly 1,000 units this is one of only 300 with a 30 inc
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
del Sporting Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 366, 36 cal., 27 inch round bbl., blue finish,
odel” revolving rifles and carbines were manufactured in 1856-1859 in several barrel lengths. Out of the
h barrel. The design is essentially an upsized version of the Model 1855 “Root” revolvers. These are historically