Lot #260 - English - Percussion Powder Tester - Very good condition. - Gray metal w/ crisp light engraving & very light roughness.  Fine checkered wood grip, with escutcheon on back.  Working.  This device was used to test black powder.  It would be loaded with a charge & the door closed over the muzzle.  The load was touched off, it would blow the door open, and the attached wheel would give an indication of the force of the blast. - 1840's.  Tony Saucier collection. - [8tsm111] - antq - (est.400 to 800)

Lot #261 - Egg, London - Large folding trigger percussion revolver. - .65 cal.; 6” octagon smoothbore screw-off barrel. - Very Good - Excellent - Extremely crisp lightly mottled gray metal; distinct light scroll on frame sideplates & “EGG / LONDON” on tang.  Working.  Fine checkered wood grips. - Tony Saucier collection. - [8tsm045] - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #262 - W. Chance & Son - Cased Percussion pistol - .38 caliber; 6” octagon barrel. - Excellent condition. - Bright barrel, lockplate & furniture; 95% blued hammer, sash hook & trigger.  Fine distinct scroll engraving on tguard, lockplate, barrel breech, tang & hammer.  Captive ramrod.  Hinged cap box in butt of excellent finely checkered stock.  Oval escutcheons on back & left side of grips.  Markings include “W. Chance & Son” on lockplate & “London Electrum Tomer Proof” on barrel. - Nickle Steel, mold, caps, flask.  Original mahogany case, possibly w/ some interior restoration. Palmetto (S.C.) added later to top?.  Appraised by Christopher Mitchell of Antique Roadshow at $3,000.  Tony Saucier collection. - [8tsm234] - antq - (est.1750 to 3500)

Lot #263 - I.N. Johnson - Model 1842 U.S. Percussion pistol - .54 cal.; 8.5” round barrel. - Good condition. - Dark mottled metal w/ pitting round nipple area; good markings include 1853 dated lockplate & JCB on barrel.  Fairly smooth nice stock is cracked from rear to trigger guard to backstrap; nice cartouches.  Good mech.  Captive ramrod, swivel for which has a hitch & may be replaced. - [8flk012] - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #264 - Colt - 1849 Pocket Percussion revolver - .31 cal.; 5” barrel, six shot - Good condition. - New York address.  Gray metal w/ dings on cylinder, cyl. scene mostly gone, other markings good w/ matching numbers including wedge & rammer.  Light patina on brass gripstraps.  Working, intact nipples, fair bore.  Slightly shrunken probably refinished wood grips. - [8plh-17] - s/n 233396 - antq - (est.500 to 900)

Lot #265 - Colt - 1851 Navy percussion revolver - .36 cal.; 7.5” barrel. - Very good condition. - Mottled gray metal; a few small areas of light pitting; remainders of original blue in protected areas.  Cylinder scene still good, other markings strong w/ matching numbers; New York address.  Light patina brass gripstraps.  About excellent one piece wood grips w/ most finish remaining. - [8plh-01] - s/n 147786 - antq - (est.1000 to 2000)

Lot #266 - Colt - 1860 Army percussion revolver - .44 cal.; 8” barrel. - Good condition. - Mottled gray metal, pitting on backstrap & a few small areas of light roughness elsewhere; most of the cyl. scene is visible & other markings are very good.  Working; intact nipples.  Slightly shrunken one piece wood grips w/ minor losses at bottom corners. - [8plh-02] - s/n 118422 - antq - (est.600 to 1100)

Lot #267 - Colt - 1862 Police percussion revolver - .36 cal.; 5.5” round barrel; fluted cylinder. - Fair condition. - Light gray metal with scattered pitting; some polished areas; light patina brass frame; numbers appear to match on barrel, frame, t.guard & backstrap.  Replaced wedge & screw.  Very good one piece wood grips w/ some finish remaining, slight loss at left toe. Barrel will not remove. - [8plh-03] - s/n 22465 - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #268 - Whitney -  Navy percussion revolver - 2nd Model, 3rd Type - .36 cal.; 7.5” oct. barrel. - Very good condition - Light gray metal w/ some dark peppering; 1/4 cylinder scene, other markings legible; a few dings on cylinder.  Patina brass triggerguard.  Working.  Sound 2 pc wood grips show wear & usage marks.  - [8hd-g2] - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #269 - Cooper - Pocket Model double action percussion revolver, Philadelphia marked. - possible transitional variation. - .31 cal; 4” barrel, 5-shot. - Fine condition. - Very crisp metal; 80% bright blue on barrel, other component gray.  Excellent markings including matching numbers.  Good mech; fairly good bore.  Bruise on left side of otherwise excellent one piece wood grips. - This revolver does not fit neatly into any of the variations described in Flayderman's, if I am reading it correctly, altho it is obviously all original - The three line barrel marking reads “COOPER FIREARMS MFG.  Co FRANFORD PHILA. PA.” followed by patent dates of 1/7/1851, 4/25/1854, 9/4/1860 (next line) 9/1/1863, 9/22/1863.  Other relevant features include iron grip frame, no recoil shield, cyl. bolt on left side of frame.  Nice condition & unusual specimen of this interesting double action cap & ball revolver. - [8plh-04] - s/n 904 - antq - (est.1000 to 2000)

Lot #270 - 1863 dated - Tower three band percussion musket. - .64 cal.; 39” barrel. - Good condition. - Brown metal w/ dents or very heavy pits on rear of barrel; patina brass buttplate & triggerguard; at least one barrel band incorrect replacement.  Ladder tangent rear sight marked 5 to 7.  Strong sideplate markings include crown behind hammer & 1863 / TOWER forward.  Intact stock w/ extensive usage wear & some small old putty fills. - [8flk029] - antq - (est.400 to 800)

Lot #271 - Harpers Ferry - Model 1855 Maynard primed musket - .60 cal.; 40” round barrel. - Very good condition. - Even brown metal, generally smooth except for some pitting around nipple area.  Good markings include US / Harpers Ferry & 1855 on lock plate, 51 on tang.  Very good wood w/ light usage & age marks. - [8flk031] - antq - (est.1250 to 2500)

Lot #272 - Lash marked half stock percussion rifle - Goulcher lock - .38 cal.; 34.5” octagon barrel. - Good condition. - Dark patina metal w/ some pitting around nipple area; “HN LASH” marked small on barrel, “G. GOULCHER” w/ game bird engraving on back action lock.  Brass furniture; double set trigger.  My guess would be that this has been restocked some time ago but more recently than primary period of use; few marks on wood, but forearm cracking on right side & another crack at lock screw on left.  Replaced ramrod. - Sellers' “American Gunsmiths” lists two possible Lash's; a John Lash in Ft. Scott & Girard Ks, 1866-1888, and a John H. Lash in Marysville Ohio, 1854-1859.  I'd suspect the latter. - [8flk032] - antq - (est.350 to 700)

Lot #273 - Half stock percussion rifle, with patchbox. - .36 cal.; 36” octagon barrel. - Very good condition. - Light gray fairly crisp metal probably cleaned long ago; light engraving on back-action lockplate & hammer; light patina brass furniture includes oval patchbox; pewter nosecap.  Double set trigger not quite working.  Sound fine tiger stripe stock probably sanded long ago.  Barrel pin replaced with modern stove bolt.  Metal under-barrel rib. - Homer Thompson collection. - [8ktop-w] - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #274 - Underhammer percussion smoothbore. - .54 cal. (28 ga); 26.5” round barrel, larger diameter cylinder at breech. - Very good condition. - Very dark barrel w/ even roughness on exterior; polished silver or german silver furniture includes flash shield above nipple, rectangular inlays on wrist & right side of stock & deer inlay on cheekpiece.  Simple engraving.  Hammer spring serves as trigger guard; working with excellent replaced nipple.   - Homer Thompson collection. - [8ktop-x] - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #275 - Ornate full-stock Pennsylvania rifle converted to percussion. - .45 caliber rifled 38” octagon barrel. - Period repaired very good condition. - Mottled dark metal; barrel has short script illegible initials or signature with 3 simple starburst decorative engraving.  Light engraving on rear of lockplate distinct, but markings on forward part obscured by pitting.  Brass furniture includes ornate four piece patchbox with 8 piercings; buttplate assembly with 6 piercings on bottom tang;  triggerguard with screwed on finger extension attachment; & decorative plate with three piercings under cheekpiece.  What appear to be period of use repairs or reinforcements are also brass, enclosing wrist and surrounding rear tang.   -  Twenty german silver decorative stock inlays include large eagle with arrows on the cheekpiece, and repeated small eagles along the barrel channel.  Tiger stripe stock is sound except for an old 1.5” inlaid splice on the front right barrel channel, and whatever may be under the brass plates on the wrist area.   Adjustable double set trigger not quite working.   Homer Thompson collection. - [8ktop-y] - antq - (est.1250 to 2500)

Lot #276 - Unusual American short heavy barrel converted percussion rifle - C. Bird lock. - .54 cal. 18” very heavy rifled octagon barrel, 1-7/16” across flats. - Good condition. - Fairly smooth dark patina barrel; some pitting on lockplate with “C. BIRD” visible.  Bird was a Philadelphia lock maker ca. 1810's-20's.  Light engraving on hammer & lockplate.  Drum & nipple conversion from flintlock; double set trigger, working.  Sound simple wood stock w/ usage marks.  Buttplate & replaced triggerguard are simple military musket style & very heavily pitted.  Dovetailed front & rear sight, plus two expertly filled dovetail slots on top of barrel, almost as if for scope mounts. - Simple decorative appropriately worn & aging engraving on muzzle face suggests that this barrel was originally constructed in this short length.  This fascinating gun certainly raises more questions than it answers.  Knowledgeable consignor speculates it may have been intended as a wall or fort gun. - [8mxg-03] - antq - (est.750 to 1500)

Lot #277 - Two band percussion long arm - in the configuration of a scarce Richmond Armory musketoon. - .64 cal.; 33” - Probably a composite gun; about good condition. - Brown mottled metal, with pitting around nipple & on lockplate.  Lockplate appears to be Confederate Richmond Armory type, with typical “hump” in lieu of the Maynard primer device found on corresponding Springfield arms.  Markings about totally gone, with a trace of an N on lower lockplate.  Barrel metal surface is similar to lockplate, and gives the impression of being together a long time.  Barrel bands and rear sight are incorrect replacements.  Wood is two stocks spliced together just forward of the rear barrel band.   - Note that there are no stock inlaid springs to retain barrel bands, which would be expected on a Richmond armory long arm.  Overall, a strong impression of a rare Richmond musketoon.  My guess is that at a minimum the lock is authentic & original.  Consignor believes it to be mostly original except for the spliced forward portion of stock (plus bands & sight), and that may be the case.  - [8tcmo] - [rz3] - antq - (est.2000 to 6000)

Lot #278 - Colt - 1877 DA - Lightning revolver - .38 Colt; 3-3/8” barrel. - Fine condition. - 50-60% original blue; good visible dark case colors on frame; excellent markings.  Working; very good bore.  Replaced pearl grips.   - Owner reports that this came from Northern Oregon with one pearl grip & one hard rubber grip.  The pearl grip included. Made ca. 1902 - [8dltx-13] - s/n 143568 - C&R ffl - (est.400 to 700)

Lot #279 - Colt - 1877 DA - Lightning revolver, with Texas bootlegger story. - .38 Colt; 4.5” barrel - About excellent condition. - Barrel & sides of grip frame 90% original blue, cylinder about 70-80%, gripstraps about gone gray; case colors excellent on right side of frame, fine on left.  Excellent markings.  Working; a few pits in generally good bore.  Slim nicely-figured excellent plus replaced one piece wood grips.  Original worn hard rubber grips also included. - Texas lawman consignor Sgt. D.B. Lake reports “Bought this one from a middle aged black gentleman who told me it was his grandfather's main 'carrying gun' whenever he made his rounds delivering bootleg liquor in South Dallas during Prohibition.”  No documentation.  Ca. 1895. - [8dltx-15] - s/n 99345 - antq - (est.600 to 1200)

Lot #280 - Antique Colt - Single Action Army - Montana rancher's revolver. - .45 Colt; 7.5” barrel. - Very good condition. - Smooth soft gray metal, cleaned some time ago with slight remainders of blue.  All markings remain distinct.  Missing 1st 2 clicks on cocking, but otherwise working with tight lockup.  Some pitting in fairly good bore.  Excellent one piece wood grips may be replaced or at least refinished. - Factory letter shows shipped in a 5 gun shipment as blue .45 x 7.5” on 2/5/1894 to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis.  Per retired Texas lawman owner, Sgt. D.B. Lake this “was reportedly carried by a Montana rancher and remind in the family until an estate sale by his descendants a few years ago”. - [8dltx-22] - s/n 151641 - antq - (est.1500 to 2500)

Lot #281 - Colt - Single Action Army - Texas revolver. - .38 WCF (.38-40); 4.75” barrel. - Very good condition. - Dark to medium gray metal with very light roughness; good markings.  Good mech; fair bore.  Lightly worn hard rubber grips. - Factory letter shows shipped in a 20 gun shipment as blue .38/40 x 4.75” on 5/18/1894 to Simmons Hardware in St. Louis.  Per retired Texas lawman owner, D.B. Lake, “All I know about this old hog leg is that it is a long-time Texas gun.” - [8dltx-24] - s/n 156423 - antq - (est.1250 to 2250)

Lot #282 - Colt - 1878 Double Action - rare .476 caliber London revolver. - .476 cal.; 5.5” barrel. - Fine condition - Crisp metal with nice remainders of British dark bright blue, barrel 70%, left frame 50%, right frame & cylinder 20%, gripstraps gone gray; remainders of fire blue on trigger & hammer edges.  Fine markings include “476 CAL” on front triggerguard bow - Features on this revolver which suggest it among the early production for this model include .454” diameter bore; location of caliber marking; and dual address.  The serial number is atypical, with 167160 marked both on the butt & on the underside of the  - [8jmpk-1] - [rLG2] - s/n  - antq - (est.1600 to 3000)

Lot #283 - Nickel Ainsworth U.S. marked Colt Single Action Army Revolver - .45 Colt; 7.5” barrel. - Fine condition. The close blending of nickel finish and bright to gray metal makes it difficult to assign a realistic percentage rating for finish remaining, but let's say 40 to 60%.   - There are a few small areas of roughness and a few small locations of individual pits, notably on the lower sides of the frame & the left rear barrel.  Fine markings include “U.S.” on frame & correct A inspector marks in correct locations on backstrap, triggerguard, barrel, & cylinder (not on frame, as is correct).  Serial numbers match as appropriate on metal parts.  Correct italic barrel address.  The nickel is very old & I see no obvious signs of refinish; frame gauge indicates probably no refinish.  Wood grips are in fine condition with no appreciable wear marks except for slight losses at toes; no s/n inked on inside; no cartouches; sharp spacer; so grips are probably replaced. -   The serial number is just barely above the high range of known Colt Buyback nickel US revolvers discussed in Kopec's works, and that seems a likely explanation.  While most authorities have discounted the earlier accounts of nickel plated Indian scout guns, Cochran mentions the possibility of nickel finish on revolvers purchased by individual officers.  A very nice Ainsworth. - [8kspa] - s/n 14456 - antq - (est.6000 to 12000) 

     ADDITIONAL INFO - A prominent SAA authority & collector reports that this revolver was likely originally shipped as a civilian revolver.  If accurate, this could strengthen the theory that this may be a Colt Buyback, originally made for the military, but instead sold on the Civilian market.  He also notes that the markings on the left side of the frame appear as if they may have been freshened or restamped (compare the photo to the markings on the following lot).  He also notes that the barrel address markings and Ainsworth "A"s generally appear correct.  These observations are based on the photos only, and are offered for information purposes only.  Prospective bidders should of course examine the gun and draw their own conclusions.  10-11-07

Lot #284 - Early Ainsworth inspected - Colt Single Action Army - U.S. marked revolver. - .45 Colt; barrel cut to 4.8” - About good condition. - Salt & pepper gray patina metal with scattered pinpoint pits.  Very good markings include U.S. on frame; italic barrel address; Ainsworth A's on triggerguard, backstrap & barrel (w/ “P”); no A found on cylinder; “45 CAL” on triggerguard (atypical for U.S.); two-line two-date Sept. 19 & July 2 patent dates; matching s/n 8907 on frame, t.guard, bkstrap, cyl. & barrel; C in hammer slot; G on barrel near ejector screw - Ejector rod head is later crescent type.  Good mech; some pitting & good rifling in bore.  Worn one-piece wood grips, slightly undersized from shrinkage & probably sanding at some point; no wood markings.  Just out of the bushes, reported as in consignor's family for many decades. - [8rdsc-1] - antq - (est.2000 to 4000)   Description updated 10/24/07

     ADDITIONAL INFO - A prominent SAA authority & collector has pointed out that the .45 Cal. marking appearing on the triggerguard of this revolver is found on a few military SAA's that were apparently pulled from civilian production for sale to the military, and speculates that such may be the situation with this revolver.  He also notes that the markings pictured appear to be correct.  These observations are based on the photos only, and are offered for information purposes only.   Prospective bidders should of course examine the gun and draw their own conclusions.  10-11-07

Lot #285 - L.W. Pond - Single Action Belt Revolver - .32 rimfire; 6” octagon barrel. - About good condition. - Brown metal w/ light roughness overall.  Faint markings.  Needs some mech help.  Very good grips w/ most finish. - Iron Frame, Not S&W marked, Mfg. 1861, no screwdriver. Tony Saucier collection. - [8tsm121] - s/n 932 - antq - (est.200 to 400)

Lot #286 - Gen. G. A. Custer marked field desk - Very good condition. - Intriguing piece, with Custer related markings as further described in the document quoted below.  12” x 8.5” x 4.25” closed.  Exterior lid has beveled edges, & very simple carved decoration - Case opens & lays flat to provide a 11.5” x 8-1/8” faded fabric writing surface w/ ink stains, with a three compartment writing implement storage tray at the bottom, the central compartment of which has a removable lid. - The writing surface is removable to reveal further larger storage areas beneath.     Inside is an unsigned undated recent document titled “General G.A. Custer / Lap Desk”.  It states in part -  “This lap desk is affirmed to be authentic.  The following key points are noted.  1) The desk is of 1870's period construction, as well as the ornate carvings and paint.  2) GAC monogram is consistent with the desk.  3) Inside top lid stamping & stenciling is of 1870's period and earlier.  4) Ink lettering shows well aged fading into the wood fibers.  5) Writing surface has 1870's or later ink stains, as well as this period's Greek key style trimmed velvet on the interior of the desk.  6) Inner storage compartment - Half moon stamping is period - Ft. A. Lincoln/U.S. - Dakota Ter. - There are no fresh stamped splinters.  The lettering is age smoothed, possibly through use of paper storage. - 7) There is an absence of any sanding or polishing marks in either section of the lap desk.  8) Desk wood structure - This desk came from a very dry, cold climate, possibly the Northwest.  The wood fiber, although dry, is very smooth in texture without any visible evidence of wood rot or insect damage.  9) Desk lock is operable, but does not lock properly.  Summation - This lap desk, identified as once belonging to Gen. G. A. Custer, is for all intent and purposes an authentic artifact of Americana.  Estimated auction value - $30,000 +.” - That physical description of the markings is accurate, although I'm not knowledgeable enough to speak to the vintage conclusions drawn. - It is certainly possible that this is an historically significant piece.  Bidder inspection & evaluation is urged.       Items in the desk mostly added after period of use include: 1) “Custer Elm Council Grove Kansas” postcard.  2) What appears to be a recent reproduction of a photo of Custer.  3) Image of Custer Memorial, ink dated 1879 on the back, with handwritten note “credited as the first picture of the original Custer monument made available to the general public.  Few made & fewer survive.”  4) Council Grove “Indian Peace Treaty Pageant” belt buckle.  5) What may be the top to an old ink holder. - The current owner reports that this “was in a large collection of the very wealthy grandfather-in-law of the young man I got it from.  The documentation was provided by a well known KC appraiser.” [8flk018]  

Lot #287 - Kittredge marked Frank Wesson - Two-trigger Military Carbine - First type. - .44 rimfire; 24” octagon barrel. - Good condition. - Dark patina metal; light roughness on right side of frame; working; strong rifling in pitted bore.  Missing front sling swivel & screw on left side of frame.  Top rear barrel marked “B.KITTREDGE & CO / CINCINNATI, O.” Short iron staple style sling bar on left side of stock, no ring. - This configuration was purchased in the Civil War era by Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas & Missouri for state units, according to “Flayderman's”. - [8flk026] - s/n 4619 - antq - (est.600 to 1200)

Lot #288 - US Springfield - Trapdoor - US Military rifle - .45-70 - About good condition. - With early s/n & 1884 dated lockplate, this is doubtless a composite gun, but it's been in this configuration a long time.  Dark metal pitted overall.  Markings partially visible.  Working; two click hammer.  Some light pitting in generally good bore.  Very good wood w/ some light dings. - excellent bore - [8mxg-01] - early s/n 29081 - antq - (est.350 to 650)

Lot #289 - U.S. Springfield Armory - Trapdoor rifle - .45-70 - Metal is excellent; very good wood. - 85-90% dull blue on barrel, thinning on front portion; good faint remainders of case color on breechblock; crisp lockplate.  Excellent markings.  Sound wood has numerous handling & storage nicks & dings.  Obscured bore, possibly grease filled.  Aluminum collection no. 4 tacked to stock. - [8rgmo83] - s/n 270878 - antq - (est.500 to 1000)

Lot #290 - Winchester - Model 1866 - Saddle Ring Carbine - .44 cal.; 20” round barrel. - Condition is good to very good. - Polished brass frame; other metal even gray patina; very good markings.  Working; distinct rifling & heavy pitting in bore.  Wood has doubtless been sanded long ago, a bit undersized for the metal, light handling mark. - Out of the Homer Thompson collection; just spent many decades hanging on the same wall. - [8ktop-a] - s/n 161446 - antq - (est.2000 to 4000)

Lot #291 - Marlin - Model 1891 - take down antique lever action rifle - .32 rimfire; 24” octagon barrel. - Condition is excellent plus. - Very crisp w/ 98% bright blue; excellent markings & bore.  Very few marks to stock; about a 1.5” sliver missing from right front of barrel channel. - [8dsk-05] - s/n 71663 - antq - (est.750 to 1500)

Lot #292 - Marlin - Model 1892 - lever action rifle - .32 cal.; 24” round barrel. - Condition is fine to excellent. - Frame 90-95% bright blue; barrel & mag smooth even thin blue blended with plum patina; faded case color on lever.  Light roughness in fairly good bore.  Light usage marks to sound wood. - [8dsk-06] - s/n 416880 - C&R ffl - (est.700 to 1400)

Lot #293 - Marlin - Model 1894 - lever action rifle - .25-20; 24” octagon barrel. - Mixed condition. - Barrel & mag tube have 97% dark shiny blue, probably a refinish; receiver is smooth plum with light cleaning striations.  Good markings.  Working; fair bore.  Sound sanded stock; horizontal crack full length of right side of handguard. - [8dsk-03] - s/n 283411 - C&R ffl - (est.300 to 600)

Lot #294 - Remington Hepburn - No. 3 Single Shot Rifle - .38 CF; 28” oct. barrel measures approx. .95” across flats - Condition is very good plus. - Dark plum patina barrel; crisp gray speckled receiver; fine markings including matching numbers.  Good mech; fine bore.  Fine nicely figured wood w/ minor handling marks.  All original. - [8dsk-10] - s/n 3373 - antq - (est.1500 to 3000)

Lot #295 - Rare 34” barrel Winchester - Model 1885 - High Wall single shot rifle, rare 34” barrel. - .38-55 cal.; 34” oct. barrel. - Fine condition. - Crisp metal, barrel an even blend of plum patina & very thin blue, frame case colors darkened & speckled.  Fine markings.  Working; light roughness in generally good bore.  Excellent wood slightly shrunken, stock possibly refinished long ago. - Winchester factory records letter from Cody shows this guns shipped Sept. 4, 1891, work order 10443, in .38/55, 34” oct. barrel #3, plain trigger.  34” is even rarer than 36”. - [8dsk-09] - s/n 49360 - antq - (est.3000 to 6000)

Lot #296 - Winchester - Model 1892 - antique lever action rifle - .38 WCF (.38-40); 24” round barrel. - Condition is excellent plus. - Exceptionally crisp metal.  Barrel, mag tube & left side of frame retain 98-99% bright blue; right side of frame about 70% with finish worn on top rear corner.  Bright strong case colors on lever & buttplate.  Bore appears unfired & perfect. - Excellent wood shows only light handling marks. - [8dsk-14] - s/n 36804 - antq - (est.2500 to 5000)

Lot #297 - Colt - Large Frame Lightning - pump action rifle - .40-60-260 cal.; 28” octagon barrel. - Fine condition. - Barrel is very thin soft blue; frame turning plum w/ maybe 20% blue; mag. tube about gone all plum.  A few dings on both sides of the frame.  Fine markings.  Fine sound wood with handling & usage marks.  Working.  Excellent bore. - [8ttoh] - s/n 4746 - antq - (est.2500 to 5000)

Lot #298 - Bullard - Model 1886 Fifty Caliber lever action repeating rifle - .50-115 cal.; 24” round barrel; 2/3 magazine. - Condition is very good plus. - Smooth dark metal is an even blend of thin dulled blue and dark patina.  Good markings include “Model 1886” on right frame, “Cal / 50 / 115” over chamber; “BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY / SPRINGFIELD MASS USA PAT AUG 16 1881” on left frame.  Good mech; sliding dust cover intact; excellent bore.  Very good wood with usage marks; worn hard rubber Bullard buttplate with small repair to bottom. - James Bullard left S&W to form his own rifle company, and made quality lever action rifles in the late 1880's.  This is the highly desirable big bore .50 caliber variation. - [8dsk-11] - s/n 2641? - antq - (est.5000 to 9000)

Lot #299 - Sharps - Model 74 - single shot rifle “Big Fifty”; San Francisco shipped. - .50-2-1/2 (50-90); 30” heavy oct. barrel. - About very good condition. - Dark mottled metal; some pitting on rear of lockplate.  Marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO., BRIDGEPORT CONN” on barrel & “SHARPS RIFLE CO / PAT APR 6 1869” on left side of frame.  Distinct rifling w/ light pitting throughout bore.  Double set triggers.  Sound wood; forearm & front third of buttstock are very good, with a horizontal crack & slight loss at the top left forward barrel channel.  Rear two thirds of buttstock are dramatically worn & shrunken; with pitted buttplate; perhaps showing extensive carry & wear with the rear of the gun exposed to the elements from a saddle boot? - Letter by Dr. Moore from the factory records shows this gun shipped March 7, 1879 to N. Curry & Bro., San Francisco CA, as a Model 1874 Sporting octagon rifle, .50 cal., full 30” oct. barrel, 14 lb. weight, double set triggers.  Wonderful colorful example of the quintessential American buffalo rife, with honest wear which tries very hard to tell a story. - [8dsk-02] - s/n 155852 - antq - (est.8000-15000)

UPDATE - My best guess it that factory records would be unable to either confirm nor deny that this gun was shipped w/ a rare 1.5" barrel.  The gun looks good to my eye, but bidders are encouraged to inspect & make their own judgment. - Jim - 10/24/07.  

We received this gun with a different barrel, cylinder & grips mounted with the pearls & original barrel & cylinder included as spare parts!  The previously mounted 4” barrel & cylinder are mostly gray with traces of blue; barrel is unnumbered; cyl grips & latch numbered 157836.  They almost distract from the importance of this gun, but are included in the unlikely chance that they were provided as part of the factory rework. - [8jlwv06h] - s/n 238772 - C&R ffl - (est.1000 to 3000)