Page 172 - Auction84-Book3

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BALLARD THE GREAT AMERICAN SINGLE SHOT RIFLE BY DUTCHER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK BALLARD THE GREAT AMERICAN SINGLE SHOT RIFLE BY DUTCHER
LOT 3310
Scarce and Exceptional Documented Dwight, Chapin, & Company/Ball
& Williams Ballard Carbine from the U.S. Cartridge Company Collection - Serial no. 477, 56-56 cal., 22 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut stock. This is one of approximately 1,000 carbines assembled for Merwin & Bray by Ball & Williams following the bankruptcy of Dwight, Chapin & Co. and sold to the State of Kentucky. It has a blade front sight, two-leaf rear sight, non-matching two-piece
breechblock (pretty common), round frame with the Ballard patent marking on the right and Merwin & Bray marking on the left, and “1457” marked on the right side of the forearm and top of the comb. The later are the inventory numbers from the famous U.S. Cartridge Company Collection, and this carbine is featured in the collection catalog as well as on page 32 of “Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle” by Dutcher who called out this carbine as “One of the finest condition and well documented Dwight, Chapin carbines, serial number 477.” CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 75% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 75% original blue finish on the frame turning to a smooth plum brown tone, some minor oxidation/pitting at the breech, and generally only minor age and storage related wear. The wood is very fine and has a smooth oiled finish and several mild scratches and dings. Mechanically excellent. If you want to fill this slot in your collection, here it is! Provenance: U.S. Cartridge Company, Ed Kennedy, Ralph Arnold, Stephen Gordon, and The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3311
Documented Merrimack Arms Co. Dual Ignition Ballard Patent Single Shot Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 19615, 46 cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle is featured on page 54 of “Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle” by Dutcher where it is noted as a “Short heavy barreled Merrimack Ballard chambered for the .46 Long Rimfire/percussion... This excellent Ballard is one of the last made using the old style breechblock, serial number 19615.” These were manufactured in limited numbers (estimated 2,200) c. 1867-1869 by Merrimack Arms & Manufacturing Co. in Newburyport, Mass. It has a blade front sight in a dovetailed steel base, two-leaf rear sight, “No 46.” and the serial number on top at the breech, under-barrel ejector, the Merrimack and Ballard markings on the left side of the frame, smooth stock and forearm, and pewter forend cap. CONDITION: Very good with a blend of fading original blue finish and smooth gray and brown patina on the barrel, 30% subtle original case colors on most of the frame along with smooth aged patina, brighter case colors in the protected areas, and generally light age and storage related wear overall. The forearm is fine and has much of the original finish, minor dings, a couple of scrapes on the left, a very slight crack on the rear on the right, and some edge wear. The buttstock is fine and displays more of golden color along with mild dings and scratches, some cracks on top at the junction with the frame, and mild wear. Provenance: Ed Kennedy, John Dutcher, Stephen Gordon, and The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3312 Scarce Iron Frame Remington Beals Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 897, 38 Long Rimfire cal., 27 1/2 inch part octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut stock. Less than 800 of these rifles are estimated to have been manufactured c. 1866-1870. Standard markings and features with the seldom encountered nickel plated iron frame. CONDITION: Very fine with 70% plus original blue finish, 97% plus original nickel, and minor overall wear. The refinished stock is fine and has crazed varnish and a crack and repaired separated crack visible in the wrist on the left. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3313 Scarce Documented Brass Frame Frank Wesson Two-Trigger Single Shot Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 1090, 44 RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/ nickel finish, walnut stock. Little is known about these brass frame Wesson rifles manufactured in the 1860s. Per the consignor, this rifle is the only known 2nd model with a left hand ejector and it is pictured on page 35 of “Frank Wesson: Gunmaker” by Woods, Littlefield, and Rowe. It has a brass blade front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, the address and patent markings stamped over J. Cutler Fuller “Shangae” markings on top of the breech section, the toggle link on the right, ejector on the left, matching serial numbers the barrel, frame, and trigger guard; “R33” tag stuck on the lower tang, and smooth stock with crescent brass buttplate. CONDITION: Good with brown patina on the iron, dark aged patina on the brass, and mild overall wear. The refinished stock is also good and has some gaps and repairs around the tangs and a few marks and scratches. Aside from the ejector, mechanically fine. Provenance: Richard Littlefield; The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 3314 Ball & Williams Ballard Patent Single Shot Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 637, 44 RF cal., 24 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Ball & Williams manufactured around 5,000 Ballard sporting rifles in various configurations in 1862-1865. This rifle has a globe front sight, two-leaf rear sight, the manufacturer marking along with the Ballard patent and the Merwin & Bray agent markings on the barrel by the rear sight, underbarrel ejector with hammer spur style tip with knurling rather than a rounded post, smooth forearm and buttstock with carbine style buttplate, and matching serial numbers visible on the barrel, frame, and breechblock. CONDITION: Very good with light gray and brown patina throughout, some minor oxidation, distinct markings, and generally mild overall wear. The slightly undersized wood is also very good and has an older coat of finish and light dings and scratches. Mechanically fine. Provenance: Henry Sturgis Morgan Jr.; The Milan J. Turk Collection. Estimate: 950 - 1,600
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK FRANK WESSON: GUNMAKER BY WOODS, LITTLEFIELD & ROWE
170