Page 168 - Auction84-Book3

Unique Opportunity to own all the Variations of these Scarce and Desirable
LOT 3300
Extremely Rare Whitney-Howard Thunderbolt Lever Action Single Shot Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 44 cal., 28 3/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This
lever action single shot breechloader is also known as the Howard Thunderbolt. It is estimated that less than 2,000 of these arms in all variations (rifle, carbine and shotgun) were manufactured
between 1855 and 1870. The design was invented and patented by brothers Charles and Sebre Howard and production was by Whitney. The arm was trial tested and rejected for military purchase
by the State of New York and the U.S. Army. Offered here is a Whitney-Howard rifle-musket, the rarest of all Thunderbolt variations. In “Flayderman’s” it is noted that only two rifle-muskets are known, and
according to the consignor this is one of those two known examples. This is certainly a very rare post-Civil War breechloader made even rarer by the included bayonet believed to be the only known example.
The rifle-musket was designed for a unique fitting semi-tubular socket bayonet. The concaved shape allowed the bayonet to slip backwards over the barrel when not affixed, thus allowing the bayonet to safety be
carried with the rifle. The left side rear of the barrel is marked “C. HOWARD. PATENTED. SEPT. 26 &OCT. 10. 1865 - OCT. 28. 1862” and the right side is marked “MANUF’D FOR HOWARD-BROTHERS- BY-WHITNEY - ARMS - CO - WHITNEYVILLE. CONN”. The straight grip stock has a checkered wrist.
CONDITION: Very good. The metal surfaces have an as found smooth dark brown patina with slight hints of original blue finish on the barrel. A tang screw is absent. The stock is fine with some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically fine. This Howard Thunderbolt rifle-musket with bayonet is a true rarity in post-Civil War arms collecting that is worthy of the finest collections.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3301
Deluxe Whitney-Howard “Thunderbolt” Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 1044, 44 RF cal., 24 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
Less than 2,000 are estimated to have been manufactured c. 1866-1870. Features a blade front sight, notch and folding ladder rear sight, and a scarce checkered deluxe straight grip stock with an iron crescent buttplate and toe plate.
CONDITION: Fine with 50% original blue finish, smooth brown patina on the balance, light oxidation, and generally mild overall wear. The refinished stock is very good and has mild wear in the otherwise crisp checkering, most of the glossy finish remaining, and light scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
LOT 3302
Rare Howard Brothers Lever Action Single Shot Pistol - NSN, 50 RF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
This is possibly the only known example of a Howard Brothers lever action single shot pistol. Charles and Sebre Howard opened Howard Brothers Firearms in New York in 1863 and remained an active gun business until 1874; best known for the Whitney-Howard rifles, carbines, and shotguns of which only less than
2,000 were manufactured by Whitney Arms Company. Of interesting note, Charles Howard was elected mayor
of Detroit 1848, prior to moving to New York in 1858. This likely one-of-a-kind pistol loads from the bottom with a metallic rimfire cartridge and functions similar to the Whitney-Howard rifles. In “Flayderman’s” it is noted, “One of these ‘Thunderbolts’ is known and recorded as a handgun (an extreme rarity).” It has no visible proofs or makers marks.
CONDITION: Fair with scattered light to moderate pitting overall. Grips are good with scattered scratches, dents and chips around the edges. Mechanically fires using the forward trigger, the rear trigger does not seem to function.
Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
Collector’s Fact
This is quite possibly the only known example of a Howard Brothers lever action single shot pistol.
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