Auction No. 105 - Session 1
Saturday, March 28, 2015 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Auction No. 105 - Session 1
Saturday, March 28, 2015 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description
This sale by Amoskeag Auction Company features over 1600 lots of rare and historic firearms. View the entire catalog here.
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Smith Civil War Carbine By Mass Arms Company
Lot # 101 (Sale Order: 101 of 824)
serial #21434, .50 cal. percussion 21 1/2" barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barrel on this nice Smith carbine retains about 90% original fading deep gray-blue with the balance toning to a lighter mottled pewter and dark gray. The frame and barrel pivot collar retain perhaps 90-92% original color case-hardening with a balance toning to a muted mottled case-hardened patina. The triggerguard shows lovely bright original pale blue with most of the screws showing their fire tempered colors. The top spring shows brilliant pale blue temper. Both buttstock and forend rate excellent with few handling marks and an excellent left-side "GP" inspectors marking on the butt. The left side of the barrel and the stock ahead of the buttplate both show capital letter "B" inspector markings as well. The lock is crisp and mechanically functional. The number "25452" has been lightly scratched into the triggerguard tang. A very minty Smith Civil War carbine overall. (47017-17) {ANTIQUE}
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
U.S. Model 1903-A4 Sniper Rifle By Remington
Lot # 102 (Sale Order: 102 of 824)
serial #4995661, 30-06, 24" two-groove barrel marked "RA / (Ordnance Bomb) / 12-43" with a near excellent bore that has some light freckling toward the muzzle. The metal surfaces retain about 90% of an arsenal parkerized finish that is lightly flaking to brown and lightly graying along the edges. The walnut stocks rate very good and have a few light dings. The scant-C pistolgrip buttstock has a crisp firing proof and a few light arsenal inspector markings including "RIA" "RA" and "FJA". Mounted to the top of the receiver is a correct Weaver Model 330 telescopic sight that features a crosshair reticle and has very good optics. The blued scope body has a few specks of light oxidation but rates excellent otherwise. A green canvas sling and a plastic oiler and cleaning kit are included. A near excellent example of these World War II vintage sniper rifles. (46934-24) {C&R} [Nicholas Falcone Collection]
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Elmer Keith’S Famous Custom Mauser .285 Okh Magazine Rifle
Lot # 103 (Sale Order: 103 of 824)
serial #81535, .285 OKH, 26” barrel with a bright about excellent bore. The barreled action of this storied rifle retains about 90% of its original blue, the loss due to even fading and high edge wear consistent with the field and range use that this rifle saw. The bottom metal has at this point toned to an even pewter and faded dark gray original blue; the guard screws appear to be replacements, doubtless the originals showed considerable slot wear. The American black walnut stock was built specially to Keith’s specifications by none other than C. W. Frost and rates very good to excellent with some minor handling marks and a number of light drying cracks in the highly figured wood from the years. The stock is Monte Carlo style with flared tapering left-side cheekpiece and a “No-Shoc” solid rifle pad giving a 13 1/4” length of pull to the front trigger. The forend tip is polished hard rubber in a nice schnabel fashion with a matching gripcap. There are checkered panels at the forearm with the grip in a wrap-around pattern, each with loose foliate accents with background stippling, the right side of the grip with a prominent raised “Wundhammer” knob with carved capital “K” at center, a feature common to other rifles favored by Mr. Keith. Amenities include double set triggers, a lever-release floorplate and quick-detach sling swivel studs. The rifle is sighted with a banded sporting ramp front sight with simple sourdough blade, custom rear quarter rib with three folding express-style sights, and the bolt shroud is fitted with a custom “Gus” Pachmayr aperture sight, fully adjustable for windage and elevation, the aperture actually able to fold out of the way for use with the express sights. A custom August Pachmayr pivot telescopic sight base and ring set is incorporated, the front base actually soldered beneath the quarter rib, the rear base drilled and tapped to the left side of the action. The rings mount a Lyman Alaskan 2 3/4x scope with post and crosshair reticle and very good optics. Arguably the most famous of Keith's rifles, repeatedly written up and illustrated in his books and used in the legendary duplex load / flash tube priming experiments; Keith had no chronograph and estimated 3200 f.p.s. with the very long but beautifully proportioned 180-gr. Western Tool and Copper spitzer bullets, these in a necked down .30-06 case (!) (..that’s .300 Weatherby Magnum territory!). The rifle is discussed and illustrated in myriad articles and books and included with the gun is an original box of .285 OKH along with a neat example of a sectioned round, showing the long interior flash tube; Keith later sold the rifle to his friend and oft-time hunting partner H. Nelson Busick. Really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this legendary rifle, accountable for so much game and the subject of great experimentation with Keith’s “forward ignition” flash-tube rounds. (37022-3){C&R} [Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Johnson Model 1941 Semi-Auto Rifle
Lot # 104 (Sale Order: 104 of 824)
serial #B7628, 30-06, 22 1/2" Johnson Automatics barrel with an excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 90% original gray-green phosphate finish, the loss due primarily to light fading around the rotary magazine and some high edge wear and some light scratches throughout. The walnut buttstock and forend rate about very good with minor dings and light handling marks from the years. The buttstock has a dark oil finish with some rough edges and light chipping along the leading corners, small slivers missing from the left side and a few small cracks throughout. The gun seems to function well mechanically, and as-is correct with these rifles, the barrel and bolt are not numbered to the receiver. An overall near excellent example of these well-made semi-auto rifles that would benefit from a replacement buttstock. (46983-66) {C&R}
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Johnson Automatics Bayonet
Lot # 105 (Sale Order: 105 of 824)
This lot consists of a Johnson all metal bayonet with leather scabbard for the Model 1941 rifle. The bayonet measures about 12" long and has a 7 3/4" triangular blade. The metal surfaces retain most of the original parkerized finish that is flaking to a rich mottled brown. The base is numbered "145" the ring and rivet are un-numbered. The included brown leather scabbard has some minor scuffs and is unmarked, the stitching is becoming separated at the tip. An excellent example overall of these rare Johnson rifle accessories. (46983-66A)
Estimate: 400 - 600
Estimate: 400 - 600
A.O. Niedner'S Custom Ballard Schuetzen Rifle
Lot # 106 (Sale Order: 106 of 824)
serial #14305, 32-40, 30" round barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barrel is a custom Niedner made barrel which is marked "NIEDNER RIFLE CORP, DOWAGIAC, MICH.". The rifle is built on a Ballard No. 6 factory engraved action with adjustable double set triggers and a ball and spur lever. The action features factory scroll engraving with a walking bear in a round panel on left side and a running buck in round panel on right side. In addition to being barreled by Niedner, the rifle was also stocked by him in highly figured American black walnut with a high cheekpiece and perchbelly buttstock and a large Stevens style schnabel tipped forend with folding palm rest neatly inletted at the rear of the forend. The forend is setup for a second static palm rest with a neatly lined hole in bottom of forend exposing a threaded lug which is affixed to the bottom of the barrel beneath forend. The rifle is set up for scope use only with target blocks on barrel and no provision for any other types of sights. The rifle remains in very nice condition with the barrel retaining 98% original blue and the action retaining 95% Niedner applied blue finish. The checkered walnut buttstock and forend rate excellent retaining 95% original oil finish. The Schuetzen buttplate retains 97% nickel plated finish while the lever, breechblock and hammer retain strong original color case-hardened finish. This rifle comes with a photograph of A.O. Niedner holding the rifle in his shop in 1941, a photograph that is published in Dutcher's Ballard: The Great American Single Shot Rifle. In his book Dutcher captions the photo "In 1941, gunmaker A.O. Niedner shows the Ballard Schuetzen rifle he customized and shot successfully for so many years" then goes onto reference the serial number. An important custom Ballard Schuetzen rifle built and shot by one of the great American gunsmiths of the early 20th century. (16650-6) {ANTIQUE} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Estimate: 8000 - 12000
Estimate: 8000 - 12000
The Colonel Townsend Whelen 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle By Wundhammer
Lot # 107 (Sale Order: 107 of 824)
serial #369038, 30-06, 24” 6-09 dated barrel with a very good bore showing good evident rifling but with minor frosting its full-length, more prominent nearer the throat. The arm is in quite good condition considering the use it saw at the hands of Col. Whelen, and later his guide and good friend Stanley Clark. Wundhammer was a German immigrant who learned his trade in Germany at the hands of no less a famous German master as Kuchenreuter himself, and then Steyr before coming to America and eventually settling in Los Angeles. He began work here as the right hand man of Henry Slotterbeck and would carry on Slotterbeck’s business after his untimely death. The barrel retains about 85% original blue, the loss due to honest even fading and wear, showing some sparsely scattered light pinprick pits. The receiver retains some remnants of mottled gray oil-quenched case-hardening, the balance toning to a mottled silvery case-hardened patina. The bottom metal, likely replaced by Whelen when he gifted the rifle to Clark, has toned down to a dull pewter and brown patina showing some light oxidation consistent with the carry point of a used firearm. The bolt is a darker gray and brown with the knob toning primarily to silver, flattened and checkered on its underside by Wundhammer. The gun is stocked classic style with a left-side dual beaded cheekpiece, commonly referred to these days as a “Whelen style” after the good colonel’s preference, and Oberndorf sidepanels, a feature Wundhammer used for a very short period of time. The stock itself rates good to perhaps near very good, with overall dings and handling marks from the years of use afield, the checkering worn now nearly smooth and with a 3” crack on the left side from the magazine cutoff forwards toward the front guard screw and another emanating from it slightly rearward, these are not structural and could be arrested if one wished; there is an additional tiny chip at the rear of the tang which is still in place. The grooved trapdoor butt is in place as is the beautifully engraved steel gripcap and the face of the trigger is neatly grooved. Townsend Whelen had an ornately engraved floorplate and triggerguard on the arm with the insignia of the Campfire Club of America, a very exclusive upstate New York hunting and shooting club, doubtless it was removed when he took the arm hunting in Canada with the intention to gift the rifle to his friend and guide Stanley Clark. There is a scant schnabel tip, sling swivels and the length of pull is 14 1/2”. The rifle is sighted with a Sheard brass bead in the original Springfield front sight ramp and there is a prototype Lyman 48 sight on the rear receiver ring marked “patent pending” and numbered by the manufacturer as No. 4, doubtless sent to Whelen for T&E. Perhaps the nicest feature of the rifle is the fact that it is engraved at the breech with what Mr. Petrov identifies as the Whelen family crest. At some point over the years there have been 4 drilled and tapped holes atop the barrel for steel target blocks, they are now neatly plugged with no blocks present. This rifle is discussed at length in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century, volume 2. Really a wonderful and honest Wundhammer owned by one of the most famous, influential and legendary “grand old men of gunning” to ever step foot afield or pen a line. We have all heard the old saw “if only this gun could talk” and treat the phrase with a ho-hum and a roll of our eyes; if ever there were a rifle that phrase was applicable to, and you really wished it were true, this is the arm. (36650-12) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Custom Mauser Magazine Sporting Rifle By Griffin & Howe With Niedner Barrel
Lot # 108 (Sale Order: 108 of 824)
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]
Estimate: 4000 - 6000
Estimate: 4000 - 6000
Custom 1903 Sporter Magazine Rifle With Niedner Barrel
Lot # 109 (Sale Order: 109 of 824)
serial #1275953, 400 Niedner, 24” custom Niedner barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces of the barreled action retain about 98% maker applied rust blue, the loss due to some light handling marks and light high edge and contact point wear. The bolt body is bright and shows a very fine random mottled burnishing while the bolt handle has been very nicely checkered in circular patterns on the top and bottom of the knob. The bottom metal shows a bit more wear, retaining perhaps 92%, with some minor scratches around the guard screw holes. The rifle’s original DCM/armory-issue stock was used in the construction of the arm. Slightly deep comb flutes have been added, a hard rubber pistolgrip cap has been fitted and the stock has been coarsely checkered in a borderless pattern in area of grip and forearm. Additionally sling swivels have been added, the front-most hole from the original military swivel base neatly plugged at the time of the sporterizing. There is a small crack at the forend tip, it is tight, and the butt has been fitted with a heavy 1 1/4” Kick-Eez Sorbothane recoil pad (there is some damage along the left edge of the pad in the form of a torn-out piece which was then re-attached) giving a length of pull of 13 5/8”. The rifle is sighted with a banded sporting front ramp with a sourdough style insert and a Lyman receiver sight in place on the rear bridge. While unmarked, the gun does not appear to have been sporterized by Niedner, merely barreled. The treatment of the bolt body and handle would suggest G&H work although the stock conversion is more rudimentary. The SRS “Summary of DCM Rifle Sales 1922-42” lists this gun by serial number as a “sporter”, the underside of the barrel is Niedner-marked “1718” being a very late barrel, likely 1940, there are no initials. Nevertheless this is an outstanding large bore American caliber, and in this configuration, in a very affordable package. (36650-24) [Michael Petrov Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Marlin Ballard No. 7A Long Range Rifle
Lot # 110 (Sale Order: 110 of 824)
serial #746, 44-100 Everlasting, 34" octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a wonderful Ballard rifle that is in completely honest condition and with its chain of ownership complete from 1879 to present. The rifle is discussed in Grant's More Single Shot Rifles which was published in 1959 along with its original accessories which remain with the rifle to this day. The rifle features its original long range tang mounted peepsight and Hart windgauge front with spirit level; the comb of the buttstock shows its original heel position sight base. This rifle weighs the proper 10 lbs. and features a full loop lever with single plain trigger. This rifle remains in very nice original condition. The barrel retains about 90% evenly thinning original blue finish overall with silvering along the high edges. The frame retains 85% original mottled color case-hardened finish which has a lovely antique appearance. The checkered pistolgrip walnut buttstock and forend rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining with sharp checkering. The pistolgrip has a nice triangular horn inlay in the base and the forend tip is of nicely carved horn. The checkered steel shotgun buttplate bears a pleasing smooth brown patina. This rifle was presented to W.H. Carter of Akron, Ohio by the members of his rifle club when he retired as president in 1879. After Carter's death his daughter held on to the rifle until she sold it to Kenneth Van der Hulse in 1934. After Mr. Van der Hulse died, his nephew sold it to W.D. Ballenger of Ballenger's Gunshop in Lakeland, FL in 1987 who later sold it to our consignor. The rifle comes with its original Morroccan leather sight case which is embossed on the top lid in gold "Balard (sic) Rifle", along with a full box of Ballard 44-100 cartridge cases, early Ballard ball seater and bullet mould, Ballard re-decapper, a James Dixon powder dipper, numerous paper patched case bullets and a copy of Wingate's Rifle Practice marked in ink on first page "W.H. Carter / July 1877", three tins of primers and some old unused targets. Also included are several pieces of correspondence between Van der Hulse and James Grant dated between 1948 and 1955. The box of cartridge cases, cast bullets and mould are all illustrated in More Single Shot Rifles by Grant and the tools and rifle are discussed in detail and ownership credited to Van der Hulse however Grant mistakenly lists the serial number as "736" an error repeated by Dutcher in his list of known surviving No. 7 long range rifles. An interesting testament to the honest nature of this rifle is a period linen tag inside the sight case which reads "No. 7A / Length 34 / Bore 44/100 / Weight 10 / 746". An absolutely splendid Long Range Ballard rifle with an impeccable pedigree. Investment quality. (17064-1) {ANTIQUE}
Estimate: 15000 - 25000
Estimate: 15000 - 25000
Marlin Ballard No. 6 1/2 Off-Hand Rifle
Lot # 111 (Sale Order: 111 of 824)
serial #34003, 40-70, 30" part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This rifle has been partially restored by master craftsman John C. Wills of Anchorage, Alaska. The rifle has been rebarreled with the only markings on the barrel being "40-70" on top and under forend there is a "JW" in an oval border. The forend is not numbered and looks like it is one of Will's perfectly crafted Ballard forearms with horn schnabel tip and correct checkering pattern. The barrel retains 99% original blue finish overall. The action, full loop lever, breechblock and hammer all retain 98% excellent quality restored color case-hardened finish. The forend retains 99% original finish while the buttstock which is the typical 6 1/2" style with pistolgrip, cheekpiece and short prong Swiss buttplate retains 95% restored finish. The rifle features a single trigger and is sighted with a windgauge front, no rear seat and a mid-range tang mounted peepsight with adjustable objective. A fine and very attractive Ballard. (16651-46) {ANTIQUE} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 3000
Estimate: 2000 - 3000
Remington Hepburn No. 3 "B" Grade Match Rifle
Lot # 112 (Sale Order: 112 of 824)
serial #8668, 32-20, 30" part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This rifle features fancy walnut checkered forend and buttstock with cheekpiece and Swiss buttplate. The "REMINGTON ARMS CO." marked barrel retains about 95% original blue finish with some scattered light pitting near the muzzle which is dark and blends in with the finish nicely. The action retains 90% mellow original color case-hardened finish with a couple small patches of light oxidation staining on the left top side of action. The walnut stocks are nicely figured and rate excellent with over 90% original finish remaining and with sharp checkering on the pistolgrip and rather worn checkering on forearm from the rifle being carried. There are some light handling marks in the butt and on the cheekpiece. The iron forend tip and brass Swiss buttplate both retain lots of original nickel plated finish. The rifle is sighted with a globe front, no rear seat and a mid-range Vernier tang mounted peepsight. A very fine and handsome Hepburn rifle. (16651-25) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Remington Hepburn No. 3 High Power Rifle
Lot # 113 (Sale Order: 113 of 824)
serial #1-9780, 30-40 Krag, 30" round barrel with a very good bore that shows just a little light wear but remains quite bright. This rifle features a checkered walnut pistolgrip buttstock without cheekpiece, uncheckered schnabel tipped forend with ebony insert, nickel plated Swiss buttplate and adjustable double set triggers. The barrel shows four added holes for scope blocks and is cut for sporting sights with a beaded blade front present and a blank in the rear slot. The rifle is additionally sighted with a mid-range Vernier adjustable folding tang mounted peepsight. The condition is quite nice with the barrel retaining 90 - 95% original blue finish with a little old light surface oxidation present in some areas. The frame retains about 80% original color case-hardened finish which has softened over time but has a pleasing appearance. The checkered pistolgrip walnut buttstock and forend rate very good plus to excellent with 90% plus original finish remaining and just light handling marks present. The original Swiss buttplate retains 97% original nickel plated finish overall. A nice Hepburn rifle. (16520-1918) {C&R} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Estimate: 2500 - 3500
Estimate: 2500 - 3500
Stevens Ideal No. 49 Walnut Hill Rifle On No. 44 Action
Lot # 114 (Sale Order: 114 of 824)
serial #7533, 25-25 Stevens, 30" part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a handsome rifle that appears to be a composite piece. The action features loose foliate factory etching with running deer in center of each side. The barrel is marked only "25-25" on top flat at breech with no serial number or barrel address present and the front face of the frame is marked "52" and "0". The rifle features a full loop lever with double set adjustable triggers, a shuetzen style buttstock with large cheekpiece and heavy iron Swiss buttplate. The factory forend is the two screw type with schnabel tip. While all the parts appear to be original Stevens products, the stock and forend show no numbers and the buttplate is marked "433" on the inside. The barrel is of moderately heavy weight being larger than the frame with top three flats rounded to meet the frame. The barrel retains about 75% thinning blue finish which is showing some plum hues coming through. The action is mostly a gray patina which is smooth and free of pitting with well-defined etch. The walnut buttstock and forend are checkered and rate about excellent with 95% original finish remaining. The rifle features a globe target front, no rear seat and a Stevens mid-range Vernier tang mounted peepsight. This rifle has a handsome appearance and a wonderful bore, a perfect rifle to work up some loads for and see what it can do on the range. (16813-1)
Estimate: 2500 - 3500
Estimate: 2500 - 3500
Extremely Rare Japanese Presentation Baby Nambu Pistol
Lot # 115 (Sale Order: 115 of 824)
serial #4675, 7mm Nambu, 3 3/8” barrel with a bright excellent bore showing only some extremely light frosting and only one notable pit about halfway down the bore. The metal surfaces on this superb pistol retain about 98-99% original blue with the only wear being some very light sharp edge toning. The bolt remains bright with stunning straw on the extractor; the trigger shows very good straw color as does the sear bar with the magazine release toned to a pewter, the bolt lock/spring guide a light straw. The checkered walnut grips rate excellent and are numbered to the gun. All of the parts are matching numbered and the guns seems to function as-designed. The top of the frame is inscribed with kanji characters that basically translate to “Imperial Gift” or “Presented by the Emperor” and is Tokyo Arsenal marked. These very rare arms were generally reserved for honor graduates of Military Acadamies and were presented during the Reign of Emperor Taisho (Hirohito’s daddy) circa. 1911-1926.This example comes with two beautiful bright bodied, aluminum base magazines, each numbered to the gun and rating excellent and about excellent. There is a bright nickelled cleaning rod as well and very nice soft flap holster with shoulder strap which rates about very good to fine. Included beneath the ammunition flap are 14 original rounds of 7mm Nambu showing some light verdigris. This serial number is identified in the monumental work Japanese Military Cartridge Handguns 1893-1945 in the serial number listings at the back of the book with a letter (P), as a known presentation model. Overall a really amazing example of these very rare Imperial Presentation Baby Nambu pistols. (36520-4503){C&R}[Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection]
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Japanese Baby Nambu Pistol By Tokyo Gas And Electric
Lot # 116 (Sale Order: 116 of 824)
serial #36243, 7mm Nambu, 3 3/8” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 95-97% original blue, the chief loss being on the left edge of the frame with some muzzle and high edge wear. The sear bar retains excellent straw while the trigger has strong traces, the magazine release and bolt lock/spring guide toned more to a pewter. The checkered walnut grips rate very good with some minor flattening of the points more prominent on the right grip; they are appropriately numbered to the gun. The area over the chamber is marked with the TGE logo. All of the parts are matching numbered including the two bright-bodied, aluminum base magazines, one rating excellent the other very good-fine. There is an interesting kidskin holster included which fits the pistol precisely and has an external pocket for the spare magazine. The holster is lined, rates about very good and has intact seam stitching. The rear has a belt loop and there are empty holes where once there were two shoulder strap billets attached, something a civilian owner would not bother to have, likely making this the private purchase holster of some officer. A very nice, very respectable Baby Nambu overall with an intriguing but very nice holster. (36520-4504){C&R}[Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection]
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Japanese Model 1904 Papa Nambu Pistol By Tokyo Gas And Electric
Lot # 117 (Sale Order: 117 of 824)
serial #8505, 8 mm Nambu, 4 3/4” barrel with a bright about excellent bore showing just some very light frosting along the tops of the lands. The metal surfaces retain about 90-92% original blue with some sparsely scattered light oxidation, the straps at the butt showing some light oxidation and a few light pinprick pits; the lanyard loop with some pitting as well. The bolt remains mostly bright with a few oxidation stains and a small pit, the trigger shows some trace straw, fairly strong on the sear bar. The checkered walnut grips rate very good with some minor flattening of the points, more prominent on the left grip, they are numbered to the gun; the grip screws show some slot damage. All of the numbers are matching but the following: magazine catch, cocking piece, recoil spring guide, bolt lock/spring guide and the ejector. There is a single, bright-bodied magazine with aluminum base included, it is un-numbered and rates about excellent. The pistol rides in a nice hard-flap holster with kanji characters on an apllique’ on the flap. There is a nickel cleaning rod included which rates excellent. The holster itself rates very good plus to fine with only light scuffing and handling marks and mostly tight seam stitching, the top flap billet showing some very minor separation; the shoulder straps are present. The left grip is loose. Overall a very nice Papa Nambu with a very nice holster rig. (36520-4501){C&R}[Richard “Stretch” Kennedy Collection]
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Mauser Model 1930 Commercial Broomhandle Pistol
Lot # 118 (Sale Order: 118 of 824)
serial #854506, 30 Mauser, 5 1/4” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces of this handsome pistol retain about 98 to near 99% original blue showing wear on the sharp edges and at the muzzle, a couple small dings on its left side and a handful of very superficial handling scratches. There is some very nice pale fire temper blue on the extractor, trigger, firing pin block and rear sight slide. The bolt and hammer are a dull gunmetal patina, the hammer with some very light oxidation staining. The 12-groove walnut grips rate about excellent, they are un-numbered and retain nearly all their original varnish with only a couple light dings. The gun comes with a fabulous pebbled pigskin-covered holster stock which is likely original equipment. The exposed portion of the iron is a light gray with a small spot of light pitting. What can be seen of the wood rates very good to excellent, the leather covering in similar condition with tight seams and a few very minor scuffs from the years. There is an external pocket for loaded stripper clips of ammunition. Really a wonderful high-condition broomhandle pistol, early 1930 commercial. (37022-156){C&R} [Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Estimate: 3000 - 5000
Rare U.S. Colt Model 1902 Military Pistol
Lot # 119 (Sale Order: 119 of 824)
serial #15198, 38 Rimless Smokeless, 6" barrel with an excellent bore that shows just a little light frosting ahead of the chamber. The pistol is marked "U.S." on left side of triggerguard bow with the right side showing Rinaldo Carr's "R.A.C." marking and subinspector's mark "K". The right side of the frame shows inspector's initials "J.T.T." and the original lanyard loop is present on left side of butt. The slide shows proper forward positioned checkered panels. All markings remain clear and legible. Metal surfaces of pistol retain about 90% original blue with loss due primarily to light flaking on the slide and wear on the straps. The rounded "stub" hammer retains brilliant original color case-hardened finish. The checkered hard rubber grips rate excellent. This pistol is listed as a known surviving example in Sheldon's Colt's 38 Automatic Pistols, in fact, it is the highest known example listed being only two numbers from the highest number produced. A very rare and desirable U.S. Martial Colt model 1902 military pistol. (17027-4) {C&R}
Estimate: 14000 - 18000
Estimate: 14000 - 18000
Colt Model 1911 Civilian Model Semi Auto Pistol
Lot # 120 (Sale Order: 120 of 824)
serial #C94137, 45 ACP, 5” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 98% original blue, the only thing keeping this gun from being 99% is a small spot of oxidation on the right radius of the slide below the front sight. The diamond-checkered walnut grips rate about excellent, a couple of the grip screws with some light slot damage. The underside of the barrel is “P” stamped and the left lug shows an off-strike “H”; an excellent two-tone lanyard loop base magazine is included. There are a few very superficial handling scratches here and there but overall this is an excellent civilian Colt pistol in a very fine state of condition. (36954-3){C&R}
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Estimate: 3000 - 4000
Lovely Custom 1903 Springfield Magazine Rifle By Bob Owen
Lot # 121 (Sale Order: 121 of 824)
30-06, 24” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barrel action retains 95% original rust blue finish which has now toned to a plum brown showing a few spots of light oxidation scattered here and there. The bottom metal shows more wear with toning to pewter along the sharp edges and some light oxidation on the bow. The bolt body is a dull pewter patina with some light oxidation, the handle and shroud toned to a plum brown; the knob showing three very nicely checkered panels on its underside. The rifle is stocked in a very nice grade of English walnut rating very good plus with only some light scattered handling marks from use afield and a sliver chipped from the bone forend tip along its left upper edge which shows an older repair, a small crack just to the rear of this. The stock is lovely and typifies Owen’s work featuring a rounded dual beaded left-side cheekpiece, checkered panels with mullered borders, the forend in a full wrap-around pattern, Owens signature “spearheads” just ahead of the grip panels and a nice blued steel trapdoor pistolgrip cap in place. Additional amenities are a nice checkered trapdoor buttplate showing light engraving, a shield-shaped monogram plate along the toeline which is un-engraved and sling swivels present along the toeline and soldered to the underside of the barrel. The rifle is sighted with a sporting front ramp which supports a gold Lyman bead sight and a Lyman 48 receiver sight, the front ring showing a very nicely matted top surface. The trigger has been honed and is very nice. The rifle is completely unmarked but the work is unquestionably Owens’. Overall a very nice example of Mr. Owens work in a fine state of condition which certainly could be hunted without reservation. (37022-37) {C&R} [Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Custom Mauser Magazine Sporting Rifle By Seymour Griffin
Lot # 122 (Sale Order: 122 of 824)
serial #172244, 30-06, 23 1/2” 8-21 dated Springfield Armory barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barreled action retains about 97% original rust blue, the loss due to fading and some high edge wear. The bolt body and extractor are a mostly bright pewter patina with nice pale fire blue on the bolt stop spring. The bottom metal retains about 99% later, nice quality, restored blue, showing some light trace remnants of very light pinprick pitting. The receiver ring is nicely matted and has light scroll while the bottom metal shows the light scroll and ribands that typify Griffin’s floorplates and triggerguard bows. The gun is stocked classic style in a nice piece of English walnut, without cheekpiece, the stock rating very good plus with the expected light dings and handling marks consistent with a hunted rifle, more prominent at the heel of comb. Amenities include a bone forend tip and gripcap, checkered grip and forearm panels, finely checkered trigger face, bent bolt handle with flattened and checkered underside and a checkered steel trapdoor buttplate giving a 14 1/8” length of pull. The rifle is sighted with an ivory bead front sight in the original sight block and a Lyman 48 rear on the rear receiver bridge. A very handsome Griffin rifle that has seen just enough use that it could still be taken afield while preserving its investment potential. (37022-100){C&R}[Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Custom Mauser Magazine Sporting Rifle By Griffin & Howe
Lot # 123 (Sale Order: 123 of 824)
serial #268 (G&H No. 1650), 30-06, 26” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 96% G&H rust blue, the areas of loss due to fading and toning to plum, with some wear to pewter on the high edges and contact points. The receiver races are still bright with engine-turning on the follower and the bolt body and extractor showing parallel diagonal burnishing which remains strong. The classic style English walnut stock rates about excellent with only minor dings and handling marks from the years, a couple more prominent on the left side at butt. The stock has a lovely rounded shadowline cheekpiece, wrap-around grip and forearm checkering patterns, horn forend tip, blued steel gripcap and oval monogram plate along the toeline engraved “M W L”; the length of pull to the checkered Winchester-style steel buttplate is 13 3/4”. The rifle features a quick detach rear swivel stud with barrel band front, lever-release floorplate, and nice tang thumb safety. The face of the trigger has been neatly, finely checkered and the bolt knob has dual teardrop-shaped checkered panels. The gun is sighted with a banded sporting front ramp with brass bead sight (the hood is not present) and a Lyman 48 receiver sight at rear. The left side of the action fitted with a G&H quick-detach base and ring set which mounts a Hensoldt Klein-Dialyt 2 3/4X telescopic sight with adjustable objective, crosshair reticle and bright excellent optics. The top of the barrel is engraved “No 1650 Griffin & Howe Inc. New York”. Overall, a very handsome, very complete and functional vintage sporter with all the classic amenities. (37022-19){C&R} [Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Exceptional Engraved Griffin & Howe Savage Model 99 Rifle By Paul Jaeger
Lot # 124 (Sale Order: 124 of 824)
serial #908148, 250 Savage, 20” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 99% plus maker blue with the bolt body bright and nicely engine-turned. The arm is embellished with absolutely top-quality loose flowing foliate scroll and game scenes, with Elk and Big Horn sheep left and right and a leaping whitetail on the belly of the receiver. The nice scroll continues from the top of the action onto the barrel for about 3 1/2” and from the belly of the frame onto the lever its full length. The rifle is stocked classic style in a nice grade of English walnut with left-side rounded shadowline cheekpiece and engraved blued steel gripcap. Both buttstock and forend are flawlessly checkered, the forend in a wrap-around pattern, the buttstock with additional checkering on the stock cheeks. The stocks rate about excellent overall with minor dings and handling marks from the years, the length of pull to the checkered Niedner style buttplate is 13 1/2”. The barrel has the G&H address and is numbered 2431, the left side of the receiver is signed “Paul Jaeger Jenkintown PA”. The rifle is sighted with an ivory bead front sight and Lyman 29 1/2 rear aperture sight. Really a stunning rifle, wonderfully executed with flawless engraving. (37022-26)[Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Estimate: 5000 - 7000
Custom 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle By Bob Wallack
Lot # 125 (Sale Order: 125 of 824)
serial #842726, 35 Whelen, 19” barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces on this diminutive sporter retain about 98% excellent quality maker blue with the bolt body polished bright. The bottom metal shows a bit more wear and a few light scuffs on the front extension. The rifle is stocked classic style in straight grained English walnut, with a flared left-side cheekpiece. Flawlessly executed, the stock has tight inletting and nice checkered panels at the capped grip with a wrap-around pattern on the forearm. There is a quality, quick detachable swivel stud on base inletted along the toeline and a barrel band stud ahead of the forend; the length of pull to the checkered Niedner style buttplate is 13 1/4”. The stock itself rates very good plus to excellent with some minor handling marks from light field use and a couple scuffs on its left side below the magazine cut-off; there is the beginning of a very tiny crack at the rear of the tang which could easily be arrested and made to disappear by any competent ‘smith. The rifle is sighted with a ramp front sight with small ivory bead and a nice Marbles folding leaf rear sight atop a custom steel quarter rib. The rear of the rib is milled for dovetail–style steel scope rings and the rear receiver ring is drilled and tapped for an appropriate steel base; these mount a Lyman Alaskan telescopic sight with post and crosshair reticle and excellent optics. The trigger is nicely tuned and the striker clearly has an extra power spring installed for very quick lock time, with the striker head neatly modified with a 1922-style knurled striker head. The bolt handle is nicely low-swept and the safety is low-scope style as well. The underside of the barrel is numbered “484” and marked “10 / 2 / 50” with the top neatly maker-stamped “L.R. Wallack” and “Langhorne PA”, he would later move to Mayfield NY in 1951, making this a late Langhorne gun. He was an extremely well-thought-of (read that very talented) maker and accomplished shooter “back in the day”, in 1948 he set the 200 yd. world record for a 5-shot group using a Mauser 98 rifle of his own build chambered in 22-250. Wallack authored five books and many articles and was good friends with Harvey Donaldson amongst others. This is a superb rifle in an absolutely classic and very handy configuration, no doubt very robust in this versatile big game caliber. (37022-15){C&R}[Mark Benenson Collection]
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
Estimate: 2000 - 4000
