Auction No. 104 - Session 1
Saturday, November 22, 2014 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Auction No. 104 - Session 1
Saturday, November 22, 2014 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description
This sale by Amoskeag Auction Company features over 700 lots of rare and historic firearms. View the entire catalog here.
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Winchester Pre '64 Model 70 Super Grade Rifle
Lot # 101 (Sale Order: 101 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 3,000
serial #12103, 30-06, 24" barrel with a bright minty bore. This pre-war Super Grade features the early small rounded cheekpiece with black forend tip and grip cap and checkered steel buttplate. The bolt is properly electric-pencil numbered to the rifle and features the early style knurled safety. The rifle is sighted with a Redfield gold bead front, blank in rear slot and a Lyman 48 long slide receiver sight with stock neatly notched accordingly. The rifle remains in fabulous condition with metal surfaces retaining 99% original blue finish with correct early polished blue on action. The checkered pistolgrip stock rates excellent plus with virtually all of its original finish and with crisp checkering. Factory Super Grade sling swivels are in place. A great 1938 production Super Grade '06. (16652-13) {C&R}
Winchester Pre '64 Model 70 Super Grade Rifle
Lot # 102 (Sale Order: 102 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #69420, 270, 24" barrel with a bright minty bore. This rifle is in near new condition. The bolt is properly electric-pencil numbered to the rifle and features a cloverleaf tang and the correct type II transitional safety with rounded shape and parallel grooves. The rifle features the early style small rounded cheekpiece with black forend tip and gripcap with checkered steel buttplate. The condition is spectacular with the metal surfaces retaining 99% original blue finish overall. The checkered pistolgrip stock has a wonderful rich color and rates excellent plus with virtually all of its original finish remaining and with crisp sharp checkering. There are virtually no handling marks in the stock, this rifle looks like it should be in its original box. Super Grade swivels are in place and the rifle is sighted with a Redfield gold bead front and 22G rear sight. A very near mint 1947 production Super Grade rifle. (16652-9) {C&R}
Colt Single Action Army Frontier Six Shooter Revolver Owned And Carried By Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan
Lot # 103 (Sale Order: 103 of 711)
Low Estimate: 50,000High Estimate: 75,000
serial #161095, 44-40, 4 3/4" barrel with an about very good bore which shows strong evident rifling but showing very minor pitting its full-length. This is a rather storied Frontier Six Shooter. The metal surfaces are an overall mix of deep plum brown and pewter gunmetal gray showing scattered light and pinprick pitting with traces of blue in the more protected areas. The left side of the barrel features the roll-marked "Colt Frontier Six Shooter" marking with the left side of the frame having the two line address with circled Rampant Colt. The checkered hard rubber Rampant Colt grips rate very good and are worn very nearly smooth, they are un-numbered but fit rather well being slightly proud along their bottom edges. The revolver exhibits quite a bit of holster wear, with moderate wear on the right and left side at the muzzle with the ejector rod housing and thumb piece worn to silver, the leading edges of the cylinder moderately rounded over as well. The revolver retains the "blackpowder frame" with the cylinder pin retained by a single screw, although at this point the frame is modern steel, the transition having occurred in the 95-96,000 serial number range. The arm functions well mechanically however lockup is slightly loose. The trigger and bolt screws as well as the trigger itself are more contemporary replacements, fairly common and not necessarily noteworthy on an arm of this age. There are scattered minor dings and dents here and there and the front sight shows a minor impact along its right edge, this may have been purposeful and may have been a field expedient "regulation" of the front sight. Thus our story begins: Harvey Logan, "Kid Curry" originally rode with the Black Jack Ketchum gang, formed his own gang sometime in 1897 and eventually wound up with Butch Cassidy and The Wild Bunch. He was described as "the wildest of the Wild Bunch" and before his career would end he had purportedly killed nine peace officers and two other men in an about 10 year career. While he was described by William Pinkerton (Pinkerton Detective agency) as having "not one single redeeming feature, he is the only criminal I know of who does not have one single good point", he was evidently always kind to the ladies; in fact would often spend his "take" from the Wild Bunch robberies laying up in brothels with friendly ladies and good liquor, until his share was exhausted. Logan rode with Butch and Sundance until they left for Buenos Aires in early 1901. In July of that year Curry, "Tall Texan" Ben Kilpatrick and "Deaf Charlie" Hanks decided they would rob the Great Northern Railroad Coast Flyer No. 3. This they did on July 3, very professionally and well, Logan commandeering the engine with engineer and fireman intact. The train was stopped a few miles outside of Malta Montana, engineer Thomas Jones was made to disconnect the baggage and express cars from the passenger cars and pull the train forward some miles. When safely away from the other train cars, Logan commanded the mail clerk and express messenger, each a Jimmy Martin and a C.H. Smith, to open the express car doors and jump out telling them he would not hurt them, Logan saying all he wanted was "Jim Hill's money" (Hill being the president of the railroad). The men did so and, although it took three attempts, the outlaws blew the safe open and gathered their loot, amounting to 800 sheets of banknotes, each with four notes each of $10 and $20 denominations. They also took about $500 in notes from the American National Bank of Helena, a package of watches and a bag filled with silver coins, all told about $40,000. As the trio was leaving express messenger C.H. Smith hollered to Logan that he wanted his Colt pistol. When Logan asked him "what for young fellow" he told him as a souvenir of the day, Logan obliged by emptying the revolver into the air and tossing it to Smith saying "thanks for your help". Logan would later be captured in Knoxville Tennessee in 1902 and during his trial for the train robbery, eyewitness testimony, from the train's fireman M.F. O'Neal and C.H. Smith himself both related the incident identically, of the outlaw emptying his gun and tossing it to the young express messenger. Fast-forward to this firearm. The backstrap is very neatly engraved in small script, during the period of use, showing appropriate oxidation and wear from the years: "This pistol was given to me "C H Smith G.N. Ex. Mess" by Harvey Logan during train robbery July 1, 1901". The pistol and inscription were examined in detail by none other than Mr. Daniel Cullity of East Sandwich Massachusetts (Mr. Cullity's credentials and reputation need no introduction here). He has concluded the inscription is genuine and offers detailed explanation as to how he arrived at such conclusion, among the reasons, the backstrap and engraving show no indications of spurious aging by either chemical or mechanical means. The composition of the wording on the back i
Superb Colt Model 1855 Revolving Full Stock Sporting Rifle
Lot # 104 (Sale Order: 104 of 711)
Low Estimate: 8,000High Estimate: 12,000
serial #1939 all matching, .44 caliber, 31 5/16" round barrel with octagon breech and a very good bore that shows strong rifling but some scattered pits. This is a very crispy rifle that retains lots of original finish. The barrel retains about 90% original blue finish which is thinning evenly and shows just a few scattered specks of light surface oxidation. The frame and cylinder retain about 50% bright original blue with the balance bearing a smooth even smooth brown patina. The hammer shows some original color case-hardened finish with the areas of loss turning to a smooth brown. The straight grip walnut buttstock and forend rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with nice raised grain. The forend is very neatly period stamped near the tip with the initials "S.W.". This rifle comes with its rare original gutta percha telescoping cleaning rod with slotted tip still threaded on. The condition of the cleaning rod is excellent with a tiny crack in the top of the actual rod portion that the tip threads in to. The rifle is sighted with a brass blade sporting front and single standing and two folding leaf rear sight. A truly wonderful Colt Revolving Sporting Rifle. Investment grade. (16889-123) {ANTIQUE}
Colt Model 1855 Revolving Military Rifle
Lot # 105 (Sale Order: 105 of 711)
Low Estimate: 6,000High Estimate: 8,000
serial #2491 all matching, .56 caliber, 31 1/4" barrel with an excellent bright bore. This is a very fine and honest example of the commercial model of the military rifle. The topstrap is marked "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." and left side of frame is marked "COLT'S PATENT / NOV. 24th 1857" and the cylinder shows proper patent markings in flute. The barrel retains about 20% original blue blended with a pleasing and mostly smooth brown patina with some scattered light surface oxidation present. The frame retains about 20% original blue as well with the remainder showing a smooth brown patina and with some specks of light surface oxidation present. The cylinder and triggerguard are mostly a smooth gray/brown patina with some specks of scattered light surface oxidation present. Metal surfaces show some scattered dried oil, probably from being added to the stock years ago. The walnut buttstock and full length forend rate very good plus with perhaps a little old light finish added and with small light cracks and handling marks in the full length forend. The stock fit is wonderful and this wood does not appear to have ever been sanded. The rifle is equipped with factory original sling swivels, original front sight stud which has an added Rocky Mountain blade installed backwards and the rear barrel sight is a tall replacement made to work properly with the added front blade. The dovetail is undisturbed as is the front stud so these alterations can be undone without any evidence being left behind. A very nice and very honest rifle with a surprisingly nice bore. (16889-167) {ANTIQUE}
Winchester Pre '64 Model 70 Super Grade Rifle
Lot # 106 (Sale Order: 106 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #74200, 257 Roberts, 24" barrel with a bright minty bore. This is a fabulous rifle. The rifle features a cloverleaf tang, the bolt is properly electric-pencil numbered to the rifle and features the proper type II transitional safety with rounded shape and parallel grooves. The rifle is sighted with a Redfield gold bead front and Winchester 22G rear sight. The stock features a black forend tip and pistolgrip cap, the early rounded cheekpiece and a checkered steel buttplate. The rifle remains in wonderful condition with the metal surfaces retaining 99% original blue finish overall. The checkered pistolgrip stock rates excellent with 98% original finish and with a few light handling marks, the most notable being three small impressions at the rear of the cheekpiece. An extra fine 1947 production Super Grade in a desirable chambering. (16652-7) {C&R}
Colt Model 1855 Revolving British Carbine
Lot # 107 (Sale Order: 107 of 711)
Low Estimate: 7,000High Estimate: 9,000
serial #11748, .56 caliber, 21" round barrel with octagonal breech and a bright minty bore. This is a very crisp Colt Revolving Carbine which bears British proofs. The topstrap of the carbine is marked "COL. COLT HARTFORD CT. U.S.A." and the carbine has all matching numbers on barrel, frame, cylinder, triggerguard, buttplate and in end grain of stock in pencil. The barrel retains about 15% original blue with the balance bearing a mostly smooth gray brown patina with a little scattered light surface oxidation and a few patches of light pitting. The frame retains about 65% original blue finish with the areas of loss bearing a smooth brown patina. The cylinder retains about about 15% original blue mostly within the flutes with the balance bearing a pleasing smooth brown patina. The nipples and nipple recesses remain very clean and crisp, which coupled with the bore condition, indicate that this carbine was fired very little. The brass triggerguard and buttplate bear a pleasing patina. The plain walnut buttstock rates near excellent with lots of original finish remaining and a tight crack in the grain on right side of tang that could be made invisible quite easily by a competent wood man. The carbine is sighted with a German silver blade front and two leaf folding rear sights. This is a very fine example of these scarce Colt longarms. (16889-173) {ANTIQUE}
Colt Lightning Medium Frame Rifle
Lot # 108 (Sale Order: 108 of 711)
Low Estimate: 3,000High Estimate: 5,000
serial #56663, 32-20, 26" round barrel with full magazine and an excellent bore. This rifle remains in very fine condition with lots of original blue remaining and it is fitted with a Swiss buttplate. The barrel and magazine retain about 90% evenly thinning original blue finish just beginning to blend with a smooth brown patina. The action is the same or perhaps slightly better with a crisp Rampant Colt on the left side. The un-checkered buttstock shows some figure and the original checkered forend has a decent size chip from the rear lower right panel. Aside from the chip the stocks rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with just a few scattered light handling marks. The rifle is sighted with a Beach style combination front, standard open rear and a Lyman folding tang mounted peepsight. The Swiss buttplate fits very nicely and is clearly period to the rifle. Whether it was installed by the factory or fit afterwards is not known, a standard Lightning crescent buttplate fits almost as perfectly as this buttplate. This is a very handsome, interesting and high condition Colt Lightning rifle. (16520-1842) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Colt Shooting Master Revolver
Lot # 109 (Sale Order: 109 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 3,000
serial #334025, 38 Special, 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This revolver features Patridge sights along with checkered gripstraps and trigger. The revolver is essentially as-new retaining 99% plus original blue finish overall. The turn ring on the cylinder is barely visible and doesn't come close to penetrating the finish. The checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions are virtually mint. The revolver comes in its original box pencil-numbered to the gun and includes the original test target also numbered to the gun along with a cleaning brush, screwdriver, "Shooting Suggestions" pamphlet and "Special Instructions" pamphlet. The condition of the box is about good with green pebbled exterior showing wear on the edges and with the gold printing on lid being very light. A superb Shooting Master revolver. (16651-51) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Shooting Master Revolver
Lot # 110 (Sale Order: 110 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 2,500
serial #348190, 357 Mag., 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This revolver is in wonderful condition with metal surfaces retaining 97% original blue with the loss being only the slightest bit of muzzle wear and one 3/8" x 1/8" area on the right side of the frame where the finish is missing and exposed metal is gray with the very finest pinprick pitting showing. The checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions are scratch-numbered to the gun and rate excellent. The included factory letter confirms the configuration of the gun and shows it as a single gun shipment to Murta, Appleton & Company in Philadelphia on September 28, 1939. Factory letter also indicates the gun was furnished with a square butt and a 3 1/2 lb. pull. A very fine Shooting Master revolver, one of only 500 produced in this chambering. (16651-90) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Shooting Master One-Of-A-Kind Revolver
Lot # 111 (Sale Order: 111 of 711)
Low Estimate: 10,000High Estimate: 15,000
serial #341057, 455 Eley, 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This is the only known Shooting Master chambered in 455 Eley and the gun is discussed and illustrated on pages 164 - 166 of Mullin's Colt's New Service Revolver. The revolver is in magnificent condition retaining 99% original blue finish overall. The revolver features checkered grip straps and trigger along with adjustable Patridge sights. The checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt Medallions are virtually mint. The butt of the revolver is neatly stamped "COL. F.W.R." on either side of the lanyard loop. The revolver comes in its original box numbered to the gun on inside of lid which includes the original test target and screwdriver. The box shows some moisture damage to the exterior with box covering peeling at some of the edges, but it seems sound. The accompanying factory letter confirms the configuration of the revolver and shows the gun being shipped to Nova Scotia on June 23, 1936 in a single gun shipment. In his book Mullin states that these initials were those of Franklin W. Robinson who was an automobile dealer in Kentville, Nova Scotia in the 1930's. The ultimate find for the Colt double action collector. Investment quality. (16651-60) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Shooting Master Revolver
Lot # 112 (Sale Order: 112 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #342079, 45 ACP, 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This is a very crisp Shooting Master which retains 97% plus original blue finish overall with light silvering on the highest edges. The revolver features checkered gripstraps and trigger and has full checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions. The topstrap is finished in a matte blue as is the backstrap. Sides of hammer retain nice bright polish and the grips rate excellent plus. The accompanying factory letter confirms the caliber but notes a 7 1/2" barrel (possibly a mistake ). Mr. Wills notes describe the gun as 100% factory original and he makes no reference to the discrepancy in the records. The barrel is a factory barrel with correct sight and roll marks. The revolver was shipped in a single gun shipment to Murta, Appleton Company in Philadelphia on May 23, 1939. The letter also indicates the revolver was furnished with a square butt and 3 lb. pull. A fine Shooting Master, one of only 250 manufactured in this chambering. (16651-88) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Shooting Master Revolver
Lot # 113 (Sale Order: 113 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #341635, 44 Special, 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This rare revolver is one of only 94 ever produced in this chambering and it remains in near new condition. The revolver features a round butt, adjustable Patridge sights, checkered gripstraps and checkered trigger. Metal surfaces of revolver retain 99% original blue finish; the cylinder line does not penetrate the finish. The hammer spine and trigger retain brilliant original fire blue on rear surfaces with the top surface in a matte blue to match the topstrap and backstrap. The revolver wears its original checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions which are stamp-numbered to the revolver. The grips remain in virtually mint condition. The revolver comes with a factory letter confirming the configuration and showing shipment to Robert W. Knight in Seneca Falls, NY on April 28, 1938. Revolver comes in a two piece box which has no markings or labels. A stunning example of these rare Shooting Master revolvers. (16651-59) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Shooting Master Revolver
Lot # 114 (Sale Order: 114 of 711)
Low Estimate: 3,000High Estimate: 4,000
serial #339236, 45 Colt, 6" barrel with a bright minty bore. This is a rare revolver, one of only 156 Shooting Master's chambered in this caliber. The revolver features adjustable Patridge sights and checkered gripstraps and trigger. The metal surfaces of revolver retain 95% plus original blue finish overall with wear being primarily due to silvering along the high edges and some light muzzle wear. The hammer spine and trigger retain strong original fire blue finish with sides of hammer showing bright polish. The checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions are not numbered but rate near excellent with strong checkering. The grip fit is very slightly off and we feel that these grips began life on another Shooting Master or New Service revolver. The included factory letter confirms the configuration of the revolver and shows it a as single gun shipment to A.N. Kay in Harren, AZ on December 24, 1934. A rare and desirable Shooting Master revolver. (16651-89) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
The Enigmatic Custom 1903 "New Springfield" Magazine Sporting Rifle By Wundhammer
Lot # 115 (Sale Order: 115 of 711)
Low Estimate: 7,000High Estimate: 9,000
serial #166436, 30-06, 24" barrel dated 2-10 with a bright excellent bore. This is an extremely interesting and important Springfield rifle, thought for years to have been Stewart Edward White's rifle which he had taken to Africa and elsewhere. This is indeed one of the original five rifles built by Ludwig Wundhammer under the order of Captain Edward C. Crossman around 1910. The parts for these rifles were ordered from the Ordnance Department by Crossman and eventually delivered to Wundhammer, the stock blanks were of imported walnut and were supplied by the Ross Company. The quality and condition of this rifle are superb. The barrel retains about 90% evenly thinning original blue with the action retaining nearly all of its oil quenched case hardened finish; the bolt shroud and safety are similar. The bottom metal shows some toning in the carry area still with some bright bluing at the rear of the floorplate and the bow of the guard, also showing some light oxidation. The stock rates excellent with widely scattered very light handling dings here and there from honest use afield, most prominent an extremely nicely repaired section which may have been a small chip or ding about 1 1/2" from the toe on the right side of the stock, retaining virtually all of its original varnish. It is classic style with rounded shadowline cheekpiece and Oberndorf side-panels (a feature Wundhammer dropped shortly after construction of these arms). The arm has a 13 3/4" length of pull, as three of the "five" didÉ.but no trap in the butt (a feature White mentions his rifle has numerous times in his writings). The men for-whom the rifles were made were: Stewart Edward White; Capt. Crossman; and Misters Colby, Welch and Rogers (friends of White). Of the five rifles originally made, three retained their rear sight bases (including this one), two did not. The rifle is sighted with a Sheard style brass bead in the original front sight ramp and the original early Lyman 34 receiver mounted peep sight, as-modified by Crossman, to have finer graduations of elevation than the factory sight. Originally much-published in: The Book of the Springfield by E.C. Crossman; Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century vols. 1 and 2 by Mr. Petrov; mentioned in Crossman's series of articles "The Metamorphosis of the New Springfield" which ran in "The Outers Book" during the 20's; the American Rifleman by Crossman in August 15, 1925; written about, photographed and identified by serial number in the photo caption in the 1961 Gun Digest in an article by Col. Townsend Whelen; and mentioned by serial number in an article in the 1975 Gun Digest by Al Miller (all as White's rifle). Mr. Petrov however, during his diligent research, found two very damning pieces of information that refute this as White;s gun (it IS still one of the first five). In 1922 in the "Outer's" series, Crossman recounts how Whites gun was so shot-out after the African trip, that he returned it to Crossman who provided him with a brand new barreled action and had Wundhammer refit the gun. THEN an account by Crossman himself entitled "Executing a Rifle", Feb 12, 1912 "Arms and the Man", Crossman tells of specifically BLOWING UP White's rifle by filling the bore full of dirt and firing it multiple times, finally blowing the action itself to pieces with a maximum overload, that gun being identified as White's and by serial number: 164,985. So, all factors originally identifying this rifle are still true and accurate, it is just not White's. Crossman's was the last and had improvements this rifle does not. Colby's rifle had no 1903 rear sight seat. This gun then is either Mr. Weld's or Mr. Rogers'. Rogers died 18 months after receiving the rifle, this arm is in such fine condition it would stand to reason that this may well be that man's arm. It retains some very early features and none of the later modifications so it would also stand to reason it was likely the second of the five produced. Further diligent research may uncover which of the two men actually owned the rifle but to this writer it is no matter. It remains one of the original five Wundhammers produced at the direction of E.C. Crossman and the only one "known" to-date. It is a testament to the maker, the men and the era; just a wonderful and storied piece of firearms history. (36650-13) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Lovely Kornbrath Engraved 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle By Seymour Griffin
Lot # 116 (Sale Order: 116 of 711)
Low Estimate: 6,000High Estimate: 8,000
serial #196426, 30-06, 24" barrel with a very good bore which shows frosting within the grooves for about the last half of its length, the first half being bright excellent. The metal surfaces of the barreled action retain about 95% original rust blue with the bottom metal toned more to a pleasing pewter and dull gray-blue patina. The bolt shows only light operational wear with the handle toning to pewter, its underside neatly flattened by Mr. Griffin and finely checkered with the outer radius showing a neatly bordered checkered panel as well. The receiver ring and custom barrel collar are very neatly engraved by Kornbrath, the ring showing a very nice standing moose game scene with a woodland backdrop, Kornbrath's loose flowing scroll continues onto the rear bridge and a left-side scope ring base. The triggerguard front extension and the bow of guard show loose flowing scroll with flower petal engraving around the front action screw hole. The floorplate shows an exceptionally nice bellowing elk against a woodland mountain backdrop, this flanked by loose flowing foliate scroll; the very front of the floorplate engraved in an arc "SR Griffin, New York". The rifle is stocked classic style in a fairly straight-grain piece of walnut, the blank of-which was slab-sawn showing some nice overlapping figure in the area of the butt. The stock rates about excellent showing some minor dings and handling marks from the years and perhaps some lightly added finish. It features a horn pistolgrip cap, schnabel forend tip and has flawlessly executed checkering patterns at grip and forend. The forend pattern is wrap-around with mullered borders, the grip panels are similar and meet atop the wrist, there is a small chip at the rear of the tang which was re-affixed and is very unobtrusive. The rifle features 3/4" European-style sling swivels, the front being banded, and a replacement solid rifle pad has been very professionally fitted for a 13 5/8" length of pull. The rifle is sighted with a nice banded sporting ramp front showing a nicely matted face, its hood is present, while the rear receiver ring sports a Lyman receiver sight. Additionally the left side of the action was professionally fitted with a Noske quick-detach, windgauge-adjustable base and ring set. Both the base and the rings are engraved identically to the action, doubtless by Mr. Kornbrath at the same time the work was performed on the balance of the arm. The rings mount a Hensoldt Wetzlar Ziel Dialyt 2 3/4 power telescopic sight with heavy German post reticle and very good mostly bright optics. Really a very lovely rifle with some excellent amenities and super engraving, both floorplate and receiver ring are pictured in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century, volume 2. (36650-32) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Custom A O Niedner Model 1924 Proprietary Action Bolt Action Rifle
Lot # 117 (Sale Order: 117 of 711)
Low Estimate: 5,000High Estimate: 7,000
serial #3, 6 mm Niedner, 24" barrel with a very good plus bore which is mostly bright with strong rifling but also showing a few widely scattered very light pits. The metal surfaces retain about 92% original blue, the bulk of the loss is on the bottom metal but with some light fading and contact point wear as well. The bolt body remains bright and shows the nice mottled crosshatched burnishing that Niedner liked to use. The bolt handle has toned to a tarnished pewter gray with the shroud and safety exhibiting some very good original blue. The trigger-sear-bolt release mechanism is all polished bright and very neatly jeweled. The gun is stocked classic style by Shelhamer without cheekpiece in a nice piece of Circassian walnut. The stock rates very good with much original varnish and overall minor dings and handling marks from use afield. The stock features an ebony forend tip and gripcap and has a nice grooved trapdoor buttplate for a 14" length of pull. The rifle's amenities include sling swivels, a checkered trigger, hinged floorplate and a five-piece cleaning rod beneath the buttrap. The rifle is sighted with a sporting front ramp with simple bead, and the bolt shroud will accept specially-made folding and static aperature sights; there is a telescopic sight mounted on the Niedner taper-fit scope base affixed to the front ring. The scope rings mount an H Leue - Dr. W Gerard telescopic sight with post and crosshair reticle and slightly cloudy but very usable optics. The scope itself rates about very good showing a fading blue finish. The bolt was designed for quick takedown without the use of tools and the rear striker cover, when removed, can be replaced with screw-in, rather Lyman-style, aperture sights that Niedner made specifically to fit the rifle. These were not actually with the rifle when Mr. Petrov acquired it, they were miraculously located about four years later amongst a lot of Niedner items a good friend of his had purchased privately. The rifle is very pleasing in appearance and heft and certainly would suffice very well as a compact hunting arm. The gun is pictured and discussed at length in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century volume 2 by Mr. Petrov. According to his research there are likely only 4 or perhaps at most 5 of these rifles made, making it an extreme rarity amongst Niedner, and indeed bolt action, rifles. Both top of barrel and left side of action are marked "AO Niedner/Dowagiac Mich". A lovely rifle executed by one of the masters in his field, it is a shame that the Great Depression was the death knell of this arm as they certainly would've been very popular amongst shooters and hunters. (36650-65) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Very Rare Niedner-Mann Model 1912 Bolt Action Single Shot Rifle
Lot # 118 (Sale Order: 118 of 711)
Low Estimate: 5,000High Estimate: 7,000
25 Krag, 24" barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 97-98% excellent quality hot immersion blue with the left side of the action stamped "AO Niedner/Dowagiac Mich", a portion of this hidden beneath the wood. The bolt body remains bright with the light random burnishing seen on other early examples. The rifle was stocked at some later time by Thomas Shelhamer, Monte Carlo style in a nice grade of English walnut. The stock features a flared shadow line cheekpiece with Shelhamer's signature chinstrap at the rear of pistolgrip and a generous schnabel tip. The stock itself rates excellent with much original finish and only a few very minor handling marks from the years. It is checkered very finely with bordered patterns, they are executed flawlessly, the forend being wrap-around. The rifle features a manual trigger blocking safety mounted at the rear of the guard as well as a striker-retracting safety mounted on the bolt shroud. The barrel features Niedner target blocks with adjustable rings which support a Malcolm telescopic sight with crosshair reticle and mostly bright, very good plus optics. The model 1912 was deemed the "hamburger rifle", christened such on a hunting trip with Drs. Mann and Baker in upstate New York when Niedner juiced a woodchuck with his at 220 yards and had to carry it back in both hands, purportedly Dr. Baker remarking "that is a hamburger making rifle", evidently the moniker stuck. While made at Malden, it is indeed Michigan stamped, likely because it remained an action only for many years, perhaps being stamped when Niedner barreled it in Michigan. Mr. Petrov reports the original stock was made by Gerald Kelver, and was not necessarily pleasing to the new owner, who had Shelhamer restock it. Really a very lovely rifle, extremely rare as there were only two built by Niedner. The action screws show some slight slot damage which certainly could easily be rectified. Really a cool rifle, it certainly would be a joy to fabricate some ammunition and make a little hamburger of your own. (36650-64) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Very Rare Custom Takedown 1903 Springfield Rifle By August Pachmayr
Lot # 119 (Sale Order: 119 of 711)
Low Estimate: 5,000High Estimate: 7,000
serial #1181820, 30-06, 24" barrel with an about very good bore which still shows sharp rifling but with frosting within the grooves its entire length. The metal surfaces of the barreled action retain about 95-97% original blue with the loss being light fading and some muzzle wear to pewter, also on some of the high edges. The bottom metal has faded more and is primarily a dull pewter and dark gray-brown mix with a few handling marks. The bolt body shows only light operational marks with the extractor neatly electric DC-pencil damascened, the safety has received a similar metal treatment. The gun is stocked classic style in English walnut, slab-sawn showing some flowing grain. The stock itself rates very good with overall minor handling marks and dings from the years of use afield. The grip shows nicely checkered panels with mullered front borders with the forearm showing a wrap-around pattern. Accents include black forend tip and gripcap and the gun is maker-fitted with graceful sling swivels. The length of pull to the white line Pachmayr Gun Works recoil pad is 13 7/8, ". The rifle is sighted with a nice sporting banded front with grooved ramp face, supporting a silver bead while the rear receiver bridge is fitted with a Lyman receiver sight base which currently holds only a slide blank. The left side of the receiver shows a Noske style quick-detach telescopic sight base, the rings mount a Noske 2 1/4X telescopic sight with post reticle and very good optics. The bolt handle on the rifle is nothing short of sexy and is nicely downward and rearward curved with dual checkered rondelles top and bottom, nicely bordered. There is a small spring steel clip affixed on the underside of the action tang which bears upward, through the sear hole, on the underside of the
Custom Mauser Magazine Sporting Rifle By Griffin & Howe With Niedner Barrel
Lot # 120 (Sale Order: 120 of 711)
Low Estimate: 6,000High Estimate: 8,000
serial #12450, 400 Niedner, 26 1/4" Niedner-proofed barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a superb rifle, brought to the fore by two of the most well-respected makers in the business. The metal surfaces retain about 98% lightly buffed blue which may be slightly later than the period of the gun, although looking at the condition of the stock and the balance of the arm it is very likely this is original 1940 blue. The races are neatly jeweled as-is the follower, body of the bolt and the extractor, all remaining bright. The bolt handle, shroud and their attendant parts retain excellent original blue, the handle has been very nicely sculpted and has dual circular checkered panels top and bottom on knob. Clearly stocked by Griffin & Howe, Monte Carlo style with a flared left-side cheekpiece with a very nice shadow line. The stock rates very good plus to excellent with only minor handling marks from light use. There are checkered panels at the grip with mullered borders and in a wrap-around pattern at the forend. The stock features an ebony tip, blued steel pistolgrip, detachable swivel studs, an oval monogram plate along the toeline (it is un-engraved) and a nice hard rubber rifle pad, which has hardened with time, showing a length of pull of 14" to the leather face. Clearly barreled by the Niedner Rifle Corporation, the breech shows the "NP" (in oval) Niedner proof, it is marked ".400 Niedner" below this. The rifle is sighted with a banded sporting ramp front with nicely stippled face, supporting a simple bead sight with a sharply knurled hood in place, the rear receiver bridge holds a Lyman 40s-era receiver sight. The magazine box features a hinged floorplate with release inside the bow of the guard, the face of the trigger has been very neatly checkered and a trigger adjusting stirrup has been fitted internally during the period of use. The underside of the barrel is numbered "1740", without any initials, suggesting that this is one of the very last arms barreled by that very respected organization. The rifle has very graceful lines and exudes quality of workmanship throughout. Really a super big-bore rifle, Roy Dunlap, author of Gunsmithing comments on the Niedner: "The 400 Niedner was the most potent big-game rifle ever built in this country, having considerably more power than the 375 (H&H)-on both ends". (36650-48) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Custom 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle By Harvey Rogers Of Hart Arms Company
Lot # 121 (Sale Order: 121 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
30-06, 22" barrel with a bright about excellent bore which shows only the beginning of some very very light frosting near the muzzle. The metal surfaces retain about 97% original blue, the loss is some light fading and high edge wear with a scattered handling mark or two here and there. The top of the barrel is engraved in nice quality script "Hart Arms Company Cleveland Ohio" and the front receiver ring has been very neatly matted. The bolt body shows light operational wear and is serial numbered 1348655 in electric DC-pencil on the body (1348654 is listed in DCM sales records as a National Match). The handle has been modified for scope clearance and low-swept and polished bright. The finish on the bottom metal is slightly different than that of the barreled action and it retains quite a bit more blue, perhaps being neatly restored; the triggerguard was slightly narrowed by the maker and is very attractive. The gun is stocked classic style in a very nice grade of English walnut, the stock rating excellent with only minor dings and handling marks very sparsely scattered here and there. The left side features Harvey Rogers' signature flared shadow line cheekpiece while the tip is polished horn, the pistolgrip hard rubber and the butt is fitted with a checkered steel trapdoor buttplate for a 13 3/4" length of pull. The grip area shows a lovely wrap-over checkering pattern with mullered borders with the forearm showing a full wrap-around pattern also with mullered borders, both are flawlessly executed. Additionally the rifle is equipped with sling studs, one along the toeline the other soldered to the underside of the barrel and there is a silver monogram plate along the toeline which is un-engraved. The gun is sighted with a long graceful sporting ramp front sight with matted face, it mounts an ivory bead sight, the cocking piece has been fitted with Hart Arms Company's Lyman receiver sight base which fits rather horseshoe-like over the bolt shroud, necessitating shortening of the cocking knob, much like we find on National Match rifles; mounted to this of course is a Lyman folding aperture sight. The left side of the receiver has been fitted with a Hart Arms Company quick detach scope ring base, the rings supporting a Lyman Alaskan 2 1/2X telescopic sight with fine dot and crosshair reticle and very good to near excellent optics; the scope itself rating near very good with some fading blue and a number of small dings. In addition to the bolt handle modification a low scope Buehler safety was fitted and the underside of the striker has Hart Arms spring-loaded detent which puts upward pressure on the bolt shroud when the bolt is in battery position, assuring that the shroud-mounted rear sight returns to the same position each time (quite a good idea). The right side of action and the stock just beneath it were neatly altered for the low-swept bolt handle. There is some extremely minor damage to the rear action screw slot, it would not be worth mention were it not for the fine state of this rifle. Mr. Rogers is discussed and this gun pictured in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century . Harvey Rogers' stock work is sublime, in this writer's opinion it far exceeds anything Griffin & Howe has ever done; this example is no exception. (36650-35) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
The Merkel Three Barrel Set Over Under Rifle-Shotgun Combination Gun Of Reichsmarschall Hermann Goer
Lot # 122 (Sale Order: 122 of 711)
Low Estimate: 20,000High Estimate: 40,000
serial #21158, 8x75R, 26" rifle barrels; 8x75R by 12 ga., 25 3/4 barrels, choked full; 12 ga. 28 1/4" barrels choked a tight full and tight modified; all are Bohler Stahl barrels and show bright excellent bores with the double 12 barrels showing a few light remnants of some very light pinprick pitting in a couple spots. All of the barrels retain about 98% original blue, the loss due to some light fading primarily at the muzzles, one or two may have a very minor handling mark here or there, the only mentionable mark being on the upper tube of the double rifle barrels. The scalloped frame is an overall pewter gunmetal gray and is profusely engraved with game scene, scroll and acorn and oakleaf embellishment in full coverage. The oakleaf and acorn decoration is on the barrel bolsters with elk on the left frame flat and chamois and waterfowl on the right frame flat with the Merkel name appearing on the belly of the frame. The triggerguard shows some remnants of original blue and has a very nice depiction of an auerhahn. The quality of the engraving is superb and the depth wonderful. The arm is equipped with double triggers, the right being a set, cocking indicators left and right, greener-style crossbolt and non-automatic tang-mounted safety. The buttstock is nicely figured Circassian walnut and rates about very good with overall minor dings and handling marks from use afield. It shows a round knob pistolgrip and heart-shaped sidepanels with a nice pinched comb. The length of pull to the grooved horn buttplate is 14 3/8". There is a European style sling swivel on the toeline, each set of barrels has a corresponding swivel soldered to the bottom barrel. The three piece forends all rate about excellent or very good plus with the exception of the right upper panel on the double rifle barrels which shows some scars and handling marks. The forend, which fits all three sets of barrels, rates about very good showing a good deal of carry and handling wear with a 1" thin crack at the forend tip and a minor scar at the rear near the iron. It has Hermann Goering's crest inletted in a circular medallion between the forend iron and the release. The combination set of barrels (Bockbuchsflinte) are maker-fitted with a dual claw quick detachable scope bases which mount a Carl Zeiss Zielvier 4X telescopic sight with interesting Germanic heavy three post reticle, the horizontal posts connected by a very thin crosshair with dot at its center. Really a very fast and unique reticle; the optics are bright about excellent with the scope itself rating very good showing quite a bit of wear along the ocular lens, much less at the objective lens. It features a simple bead front sight and manually actuated flip-up rear rifle sight as well. The double shotgun barrels are sighted with a simple ivory bead front sight. The double rifle barrels feature a rifle style ramp with simple bead and a single standing leaf fixed rear sight. Additionally it has been fitted with three double claw bases and will accept two scopes included with the gun. The first is a Carl Zeiss Zielsechs 6X telescopic sight with the same crosshair reticle as the first, also with bright about excellent optics, the scope itself very good. The second scope which is adapted to the mounts on the rifle is a Carl Zeiss Zielmar 1.5X telescopic sight with more traditional three post German reticle and bright excellent optics, this scope rating almost excellent showing far less wear than the other two. This entire set is cased in an oak leather-covered case with heavy brass corner reinforcements, carry handle, dual straps and lockable hasps. The case itself rates good to perhaps very good and has a Gebruder Merkel leather label affixed to the interior. Included in the case is a 10 round DWM box of 8x75R ammunition, showing only mild tarnish, the box deteriorating. The original sling, , likely the one seen in the accompanying photographs where Goering has a rifle-shotgun over his shoulder and there is a set of scope covers for one of the scopes. The gun seems to operate properly all barrels mounting smartly to the receiver, all the scopes mounting well on their bases. Included with the arm is an October 12, 1965-dated letter from Col. Dick A King to a friend in California to-whom he is sending the gun. He details how he and a Col. Grover Wilson got the guns at Berchtesgaden, in the presence of Emma Goering. He also mentions he has Italian Air Marshal Balbo's official photograph album in which there is a picture of him shooting the gun when he came to visit Goering. Also included is a "capture paper" that Lt. Col. King wrote out for himself, and signed to himself, giving himself permission to keep "one shotgun with two additional barrels complete with leather case and three telescopic sights". There is a three page typed appraisal from RL Wilson included; a letter from Hollywood actor Hunter Von Leer to Bob Cherry of Cherry's guns. The arm was in Hunte
Ornate 1903 Sporting Magazine Rifle By Harvey Rodgers Of Hart Arms
Lot # 123 (Sale Order: 123 of 711)
Low Estimate: 6,000High Estimate: 8,000
30-06, 22" barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces on this fine rifle retain about 98% original maker blue on the barreled action, the loss is due to some light high edge wear and some light fading, most prominent on the bolt knob. The bottom metal shows a bit more fading to brown with light scratches on the bow of the guard and the front extension, the floorplate showing a nicely etched depiction of a bighorn sheep amidst a mountainous backdrop. Harvey Rodgers of Hart arms, in addition to being a fine arms craftsman, was also a student of art. It would seem as though he outdid himself on this arm as the front receiver ring and the barrel are neatly embellished their full-length. The front ring of the receiver shows a growling brown bear head, rather nicely depicted. The entire length of the barrel shows an Alaskan wilderness scene. Radially from left side of barrel to right we have Alaskan tundra, forests, rivers and lakes, culminating in a high mountainous ridge in the background. The scene begins at the junction of barrel and action with a long pack train of men and horses making their way to a distant camp (located near the front sight base). Ahead of the men amidst the Alaskan wilderness we see caribou, bull and cow elk, bull and cow moose, a brown bear with her cubs even a bighorn sheep. All of this is very nicely, very precisely etched. The front sight ramp as well shows a depiction of a polar bear and a caribou on its left side with a brown bear and antelope on its right side, the ramp matting a herd of caribou. The underside of the barrel is very neatly engraved "The Hart Arms Company Cleveland Ohio". The rifle is stocked Monte Carlo style with Rodgers flared left-side cheekpiece with shadow line, the rearward flare curving gracefully along the line of the Monte Carlo toward the heel of the butt. The stock itself rates about excellent with much original varnish and some light age crackling from the years. Likely an exhibition piece for the Hart Arms showroom, the pistolgrip and forend are neatly relief-carved with a loose flowing scroll and floral decoration with the right side of the butt outlined with a carved bead accented with fleur-de-lis carving at its front and rear. The pistolgrip cap and forend tip are walrus ivory, very lightly incise-scrimmed on the grip with the tip showing light rococo and foliate scroll. The buttplate is a checkered trapdoor with nice engraved accents, further leading to the sales sample/display gun theory, the area beneath the plate is not drilled nor opened for a compartment. (There are pencil markings present which would indicate it was meant to be, but never accomplished as it was un-necessary.) The rifle is sighted with an ivory bead sporting ramp front and a Hart Arms horseshoe-style bolt shroud-mounted aperture rear sight with Lyman folding staff is mounted on the "NS"-marked bolt. It would appear that at one time the rifle was fitted with a Hart trigger, it now features a standard Springfield trigger which has been nicely tuned. The rifle is discussed in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century, volume 2 and pictured there with a period picture of Harvey Rodgers at his workbench, showing what is doubtless the gun in the work rack behind him, the forend tip and gripcap plainly visible. Really an absolutely lovely piece of work from this most-gifted of craftsman, unique unto itself. (36650-83) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Custom 1903 Springfield Sporting Magazine Rifle By Griffin & Howe
Lot # 124 (Sale Order: 124 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #1264570, 30-06, 24" part octagon part round Krupp Flusstahl barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 98-99% wonderfully restored rust blue finish. The rifle is stocked classic style with subtle comb flutes and a very nice left-side dual beaded Whelen style cheek rest. The stock itself rates very good overall with the expected minor dings and handling marks from use afield. Accents include a nice horn forend tip, an engraved blued steel pistolgrip cap, flattened and checkered underside of the bolt handle and a nice checkered steel trapdoor buttplate providing a 13 7/8" length of pull. The rifle features sling swivels and has been fitted with a very nice Ralph Pike "self-setting" adjustable trigger. The trigger features a wide curved neatly matted face and is actually adjustable down to ounces (it should not be if the rifle is used as a hunting arm). The design of the sear is such that an extension is fitted to the rear of the cocking piece on the striker. The rifle is sighted with a small brass bead fitted to the integral ramp which blends in nicely with the full-length integral matted barrel rib; there is a Lyman receiver sight on the rear bridge. The rifle barrel is marked along its top flat "No. 119 Griffin & Howe Inc. New York". Ralph Pike of Kalispell Montana was an innovative gunsmith and did a lot of barrel and cartridge work as well, a copy of his 1939 patent is included along with the rifle. Really a super-looking G&H rifle with a really neat period trigger which doubtless helps the marksman realize the full potential of this fabulous rifle. (36550-76) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Extremely Rare Polhemus Model 23 "Polly'S Little Pal" Hunting Knife Pistol
Lot # 125 (Sale Order: 125 of 711)
Low Estimate: 6,000High Estimate: 8,000
22 Short, 1" barrel. This rare little gun, one of only 30 ever manufactured features a folding pocket knife mounted to the bottom of this unusual bolt action single shot pocket pistol. The knife is affixed to the gun by a pin through one bolster connecting it beneath the grips and a "U" shaped mounting bracket near the muzzle. Interestingly, the trigger mounts on the same pin under the grips and the trigger fits into the knife like one of the blades. The gun is marked on the left rear side "L.F. POLHEMUS MFG. CO. / U.S.A. / MIAMI, ARIZ. / PAT. APL'D. FOR" and on right rear side "LITTLE PAL / MODEL 23 / 22 SHORTS ONLY". Each of the blades is also marked "L.F. POLHEMUS / MFG. Co. / MIAMI, ARIZONA". The pistol retains 98% original nickel plated finish with just some light scratches in the finish. The bolt is of brass and retains about half of its original nickel with the exposed brass bearing a pleasing patina. The jigged bone handles on the pocket knife rate excellent with no visible chips and the blades seem full and rate near excellent. The checkered hard rubber grips have an "S" embossed at the top and appear to be the same grips used on the Sedgley produced Baby Hammerless revolvers manufactured during the time this gun was built. Whether these were the grips Polhemus used on this short run of guns or are replacements isn't known, they fit just a smidge over but based on the overall quality of the gun, this fit could be original. The grips rate excellent with sharp checkering but there is a chip from the bottom of the right grip. The gun comes in its original box with picture end label, the condition of both is excellent; a simple steel rod extractor is included in the box. Due to the smoothbore barrel, Amoskeag sent this little pistol to BATFE Technology Branch requesting it be removed from the provisions of the NFA and made a Curio & Relic, which they did, their letter exempting this pistol from the NFA provisions is include with the gun. This little gun represents the ultimate rarity in American firearms curiosa. (16229-288) {C&R} [Elliott Riggs Collection]
