
Arms, Armor and Militaria
Arms, Armor and Militaria
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Description
Harpers Ferry US Model 1855 Type IV Iron Mounted Rifle
Lot # 151 (Sale Order: 151 of 262)
American Civil War
.58 caliber. 33" round barrel secured by two flat iron spring retained bands. NSN. Bright barrel, color casehardened lock, iron furniture with short brass nose cap, walnut stock. Single shot, muzzleloading percussion rifle with Maynard automated tape primer lock. Lock marked in two horizontal lines forward of the hammer: US/HARPERS FERRY and dated 1859 at tail of lock. Primer magazine door with {Spread-Winged Eagle}. Breech dated 1859 as well, breech with standard V/P/{Eagle Head} inspection marks. Counterpane with two clear script cartouches, the AMB of Harpers Ferry's Master Armorer Armistead M Bell and the TR of Thomas Russell, foreman of the Harpers Ferry rifle shop. US on buttplate tang, "U" marks on both barrel bands. 1858 Pattern three-leaf, short base rear sight with the sight leaves appropriately marked "R", low-base iron rifle front sight, saber bayonet lug on obverse of barrel near muzzle. Iron furniture throughout, with the exception of the short brass nose cap. Second type stock with patchbox cut in an oval with an original spare nipple in the patchbox. 1855 pattern hammer with primer tape cutter face and notch in nose. Rifle retains both sling swivels and an original tulip head, swelled shank ramrod with good threads at the end. This was a transitional variation of the 1855 Rifle, long known simply as the "Type II" 1855 Rifle, lumping all iron mounted guns together regardless of evolution or minor differences in features. Willyard has reclassified these guns as "Type IV" and his research suggests that only 294 of these iron mounted rifles with brass nose caps were produced circa 1859, using up the inventory of old stock tips available. A very nice example of the classic "iron mounted" variant of the 1855 rifle to be made before the war erupted.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
The Collection of John Vagnetti
CONDITION: Fine. Bore very good, moderately oxidized and with some light pitting but retaining very good rifling. Metal with a mottled and oxidized brownish gray patina with some scattered pin pricking, mostly around the breech and bolster area, as well as some lightly scattered minor surface roughness. Lock with a rich bluish-brown patina with some traces of case coloring, other steel parts with a mottled and oxidized brownish patina similar to the barrel. Markings are relatively clear throughout. Mechanically functional lock with the Maynard primer system complete. Wood fairly crisp and with some feathery texture in some areas, not sanded and with nice edges. Two chips are present on either side of the breechplug tang, with the right one showing an old repair with a square nail the left one showing some missing wood. Otherwise the wood shows the expected scattered bumps, dings and mars. There is also some minor gapping at the buttplate on the reverse and a tiny crack between the buttplate and the patchbox on the obverse.
2nd Model Joslyn Carbine - Model 1864
Lot # 152 (Sale Order: 152 of 262)
American Civil War
.52 RF. 22" barrel. SN: 6438. Blued barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, blued iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot, breechloading metallic cartridge cavalry carbine. Lock marked in three horizontal lines JOSLYN FIREARMS Co/STONINGTON, CONN./1864. Breechblock and breech tang both numbered 6438. Left of barrel breech with a FDL sub-inspection, the mark of civilian Ordnance Department inspector Frederick D Livingston. No cartouches are present on the flat opposite the lock. 2nd Model pull release breech latch as is standard on these later production guns, along with iron furniture including a single barrel band secured by a spring. Retains the original 1861 pattern leaf rear sight, iron blade front sight and saddle bar with ring. Roughly 12,500 of these 2nd Model (M1864) carbines were produced with 8,000 being acquired by the US Government, like this one, and the balance being sold commercially. A fine example of one of the interesting secondary carbines of the Civil War period.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore very good, moderately frosted and dull with strong rifling. Metal moderately oxidized with a brown patina over most of the surfaces and a few spots of minor surface rust, along with some lightly scattered pitting. Markings in metal clear. Action mechanically functional. Wood lightly sanded but retaining good edges, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars.
Palmer Carbine
Lot # 153 (Sale Order: 153 of 262)
American Civil War
.50RF Government (.50 Spencer) caliber. 20" round barrel secured with single barrel band. SN: NSN. Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut stock. Single shot bolt action cartridge saddle ring carbine. Lock marked in three lines: U.S./E.G. LAMSON & CO/WINDSOR, VT. and dated 1865 at the tail. Top of receiver marked in two lines: PATENTED DEC. 22, 1863. Counterpane with no visible cartouche. Carbine retains the L-shaped folding leaf rear sight with aperture hole, musket style iron blade front sight, short sling bar and ring. The Palmer Carbine holds the distinction of being the first bolt action metallic cartridge firearm to be acquired by the US military. Only 1,001 of the carbines were produced but their delivery was after the conclusion of the American Civil War, so they never saw service and were subsequently sold as surplus. An important part of any Civil War carbine collection as the Palmer and the Ball were both the first attempts to standardize a metallic cartridge for the US military, who had chosen the .50 Rimfire Government, better known as the .50RF Spencer. Although both were Civil War period contracts, neither were delivered in time. A very fine condition example of a rare gun.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore with good rifling, heavy frosting and evenly distributed light pitting. Metal with no finish and a medium pewter gray patina, showing scattered freckles of oxidized discoloration, minor surface roughness and some scattered pinpricking. Markings mostly legible. Action mechanically functional, but the nose of the hammer with the blade rimfire firing pin is chipped. Wood lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars.
Allen & Thurber Dragoon Pepperbox
Lot # 154 (Sale Order: 154 of 262)
.36 caliber. 5.5" ribbed barrel cluster. SN: 150. No finish remaining, varnished smooth walnut two-piece grips. Double action percussion pepperbox with ribbed 6-barrel cluster, engraved frame and recoil shield, spur triggerguard and no sights. Barrel marked on two of the ribs PATENTED 1837 CAST STEEL and ALLEN & THURBER WORCESTER. Left side of bar hammer marked ALLEN'S PATENT. Matching serial number 150 in triggerguard, on upper rear of barrel breech, on left of frame under the grip and in both grips. A solid example of the somewhat uncommon large and heavy "Dragoon" sized pepperbox. From the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Charles Worman
CONDITION: Good. Bores dark and oxidized with pitting. Metal with a moderately oxidized and mottled gray appearance with clear markings. Mechanically functional. Grips with moderate wear, marks and dings.
Merwin & Bray Marked Ball & Williams Assembled Ballard Military Carbine
Lot # 155 (Sale Order: 155 of 262)
American Civil War
.56-56 Spencer. 22" barrel secured by a single spring-retained rounded barrel band. SN: 392. Blued finish, iron mountings, walnut stock and forend. Single shot metallic cartridge breechloading carbine with dropping block action and "split breech" block. Weak Ballard patent markings on right of receiver and weak Merwin & Bray markings on left, with serial number. Equipped with folding leaf military rear sight, dovetailed front sight blade, manual extractor under forend and sling swivels in the toe of the butt and on the barrel band. These scarce carbines were assembled by Ball & Williams after the failure of Dwight, Chapin & Co, using parts produced by the bankrupt company. They were part of a total of roughly 1,800 carbines in this configuration produced circa 1864 initially for a US military contract that had been secured by Merwin & Bray, but which due to production delays and the Dwight, Chapin & Con bankruptcy was essentially canceled with only about 115 guns being delivered. Roughly 1,000 of the carbines produced were subsequently sold to the State of Kentucky in in April of 1864. A scarce secondary martial US Civil War carbine.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore good, dark and oxidized with pitting but decent rifling. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown patina, showing scattered surface roughness and some pitting and weak markings. Mechanically functional action, but the operating lever does not lock into the closed position. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars.
Allen & Thurber "Baby Dragoon" Pepperbox
Lot # 156 (Sale Order: 156 of 262)
.32 caliber. 4.5" fluted barrels. SN: O 165. Blued finish, color casehardened hammer, smooth varnished two-piece walnut grips. Double action bar hammer percussion pepperbox with engraved frame and recoil shield, fluted six barrel cluster and no sights. Barrel marked in one of the flutes ALLEN & THURBER WORCESTER on the left side of the bar hammer ALLENS PATENT/1845. Matching serial number 165 inside triggerguard, on frame under left grip, on upper breech of barrel and inside both grips. A very nice condition larger than average Allen & Thurber pepperbox often referred to as a "Baby Dragoon" as it is larger than the medium frame guns but not the size of an actual "Dragoon" pepperbox. From the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Charles Worman
CONDITION: Very good. Bores moderately oxidized with some pitting. Barrels with some very nice thinning blue remaining, blending with an attractive plum patina. Frame and recoil shield with crisp engraving and an attractive thin brown patina. Mechanically functional action. Grips with some light wear, dents and dings and much of their varnish remaining.
Early Transition Dragoon Sized Cased Allen & Thurber Pepperbox
Lot # 157 (Sale Order: 157 of 262)
.36 caliber. 5.5" ribbed barrel cluster. SN: 163. Blued finish, varnished smooth walnut two-piece "dog leg" grips. Double action percussion pepperbox with ribbed 6-barrel cluster, engraved frame and recoil shield, oval triggerguard and no sights. Barrel marked on two of the ribs PATENTED 1837 CAST-STEEL and ALLEN & THURBER WORCESTER. Left side of bar hammer marked ALLEN'S PATENT. Matching serial number 163 in triggerguard, on upper rear of barrel breech, on left of frame under the grip and in both grips. The gun is contained in a period Allen casing with a compartmentalized interior lined in burgundy velvet. The casing includes a two-cavity iron pepperbox mold that casts both a round and an oval bullet, a shell motif pocket pistol sized flask and some loose percussion caps. This gun comes from the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West. A solid example of a fairly scarce "transitional" Dragoon pepperbox that retains the grip angle of the Norwich era production guns.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Charles Worman
CONDITION: Good. Bores good, dark, moderately oxidized and pitted. Metal with traces of blue on the barrel cluster in protected areas, mixed with a mostly smoothly oxidized plum brown patina. Engraving remains clear and fairly crisp, markings remain legible. Mechanically functional action, one nipple is chipped with part of it missing. Grips with some wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars but no finish. Case good to very good, showing moderate wear and some marks on the exterior with the interior lining showing moderate to heavy wear, significant fading and discoloration and staining from mold or mildew. Accessories good to very good.
5th Model Burnside Carbine
Lot # 158 (Sale Order: 158 of 262)
American Civil War
.54 caliber. 21" barrel. SN: 9565. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth oil-finished walnut forend and stock. Single shot percussion breechloading cavalry carbine with aperture leaf rear sight, pinched front sight blade, saddle bar and ring and sling swivel in toe. Top of chamber marked in BURNSIDE PATENT/MODEL OF 1864 over the serial number, breech block with matching serial number. Left wrist with two clear script GC cartouches, the mark of Springfield Arsenal civilian sub-inspector George Curtis. A small HDH block inspection is present on the bottom of the forend, the mark of arsenal sub-inspector Henry D. Hastings, whose cartouche often appears on 5th Model Burnside Carbines with Curtis'. This carbine is from the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Charles Worman
CONDITION: Very good. Bore very good, mostly bright with fine rifling and scattered oxidation. Metal with some nice thinning blue on the barrel, some bright blue on the lever and with some strong traces of case color on the frame. Barrel with scattered dings and impact marks. Markings mostly clear and crisp. Mechanically functional action. Wood with moderate wear, forend showing numerous dents, dings and a couple of more serious gouges, butt somewhat crisper with some scuffs and mars.
London Cased & Proofed New York Address Colt Model 1849 Pocket Revolver
Lot # 159 (Sale Order: 159 of 262)
.31 caliber. 4" barrel. SN: 297012L(mfg. ca. 1867). Blued and color casehardened finish, blued steel backstrap and triggerguard, varnished one-piece walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with six-chambered round cylinder roll engraved with the "Stagecoach Hold Up" scene, a hammer nose notch rear sight and a brass cone front sight. Top flat of barrel marked in a single line ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S.A. AMERICA, lower left of frame marked in two lines COLT'S/PATENT. Matching serial numbers throughout, including wedge and grip, with the loading lever unnumbered as is not uncommon this late in production. London commercial proof marks on left of barrel web and between cylinder chambers. "L" marks above and below serial numbers indicating the gun was for the export market in London. The revolver is housed in an original English oak casing for a 4" or 5" Colt Pocket with a red baize lined compartmentalized interior, with accessories and the loading instructions on the label inside the lid. The accessories include a correctly marked James Dixon English flask for a Colt Pocket with the wrong spout, a correct pattern blued iron dual cavity COLT'S/PATENT marked mold, an original Colt L-shaped combination tool, a japanned Eley cap tin, a James Dixon pewter oiler and correct English cased set cleaning rod. The case also includes some lead bullets in the lidded compartment and a key that operates the case's lid.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good to fine. Bore moderately oxidized with some pitting and strong rifling. Metal with much of the original blue intact, showing moderate wear and loss, mixed with a lightly oxidized patina. Frame with some traces of nice case color on the right side, less on the left, mostly fading and aging to a bluish brown patina. Much of the blue remains on the backstrap and triggerguard. Cylinder with most of the scene intact. Markings mostly clear and crisp, action is mechanically functional. Grip with some wear but with the varnish largely remaining and scattered bumps, dings and mars. Case with moderate wear and some attractive figure to the honey colored oak. Interior with moderate wear and some loss to the lining, compartment lid warped and worn, dividers mostly solid with some wear. Accessories all about very good.
Cased Colt Root Model 5 Revolver
Lot # 160 (Sale Order: 160 of 262)
.31 caliber. 3.5" round barrel. SN: 4041 (mfg. ca. 1855). Blued finish, color casehardened hammer, varnished walnut grip. Single action percussion spur trigger pocket revolver with five-chambered fluted cylinder, top strap groove rear sight and brass cone front sight. Top of barrel marked in two lines: ADDRESS COL COLT/NEW-YORK U.S.A. Patent date mark in cylinder flute, matching number on barrel under loading lever. Right rear of frame marked 31CAL under hammer. Revolver is contained in a factory compartmentalized wood case with a dark green velvet lining. The casing contains an "Eagle & Shield" motif flask, an Eley cap tin and Root combination screwdriver. A display label plaque and a key that does not fit the lock are also included.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore good, moderately oxidized with some pitting and strong rifling. Metal with some nice original blue remaining, mostly on the frame with more wear and loss on the barrel, where there is some scattered surface oxidation and some lightly scattered pitting. Mechanically functional action. Grip with much of the varnish intact and shows moderate amounts of edge wear. Case with moderate wear, refinished with a repaired crack in the top running the length of the lid near the rear edge. Interior with light to moderate wear to the lining, dividers solid.
Cased Colt 3rd Model Navy with Accessories
Lot # 161 (Sale Order: 161 of 262)
.36 caliber. 7.5" octagonal barrel. SN: 29838 (mfg. ca. 1853). Blued and color casehardened finish, silver plated brass backstrap and small triggerguard, one-piece walnut grip. Single action percussion revolver with hammer nose notch rear sight, brass cone front sight and round six-chambered cylinder roll engraved with the Republic of Texas vs Mexico naval engagement scene. Barrel roll marked in a single line: - ADDRESS SAML COLT NEW-YORK CITY -. Lower left of frame with small COLT'S/PATENT mark. All matching serial numbers including the wedge and the grip. Revolver is contained in a compartmentalized Colt factory casing with a maroon velvet interior and includes a number of accessories which the consignor's notes indicate were acquired from Robin Rapley. The accessories include an American Flask Company angled spout flask for a .36 caliber revolver, a packet of six American Powder Company combustible cartridges, a brass .36 caliber COLT'S/PATENT marked dual cavity mold, a 250 count japanned Eley Brothers cap tin, and an original L-shaped Colt combination tool. Additional accessories include another dual cavity blued iron COLT'S/PATENT bullet mold and two additional Eley Brothers cap tins.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore good, moderately oxidized and pitted with strong rifling. Metal with some strong traces of blue in protected areas and an attractive plum brown patina over most of the surfaces. Metal with some scattered surface oxidation and lightly scattered pitting, in particular on the face of the cylinder and sides of the hammer. Frame with some minute traces of dull case color on the right, although mostly a pewter gray patina. Cylinder scene very good and almost completely intact with much of the "Engaged" legend at the front edge of the cylinder visible and partly legible. Safety pins all intact with some showing moderate wear. Brass with some traces of silver. Mechanically functional action. Grip lightly sanded with no varnish remaining, and a couple of tiny chips missing at the sharp leading and trailing edges. Case good, with moderate wear on both the exterior and interior. There is wear and loss to the lining and the dividers show moderate wear, looseness and areas of separation. All of the accessories rate good to very good.
Merwin, Hulbert & Company 1st Model Open Top Frontier Revolver
Lot # 162 (Sale Order: 162 of 262)
.44-40. 7" ribbed barrel. SN: 13604. Nickel finish, blued trigger, color casehardened hammer, checkered hard rubber grips. Single action open top revolver with fixed frame notch rear sight and front sight blade, automatic ejection, loading gate and six-chamber scoop-flute cylinder. Top of barrel with one-line Merwin, Hulbert & Co patent markings, left side of barrel with one-line Hopkins & Allen manufacturing marking. Matching assembly number 3010 on left of frame under grip, on rear face of cylinder, on rear face of barrel web, on cylinder arbor and scratched inside the right grip panel. Lower left of frame marked CALIBRE/WINCHESTER and 1873, indicating .44-40 chambering. Butt with swiveling lanyard loop.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very fine. Bore good, showing moderate oxidation and pitting with a couple of patches of more severe pitting and strong rifling. Metal with most of the original nickel finish intact with some small areas of flaking, as well as a couple of areas of surface oxidation and slightly more obvious finish loss. In there is one particular fingernail sized patch on the top of the barrel at about the middle of the patent markings and at one cylinder flute where there are also a couple of impact marks. There is some flaking from the front sight blade as well. Hammer with some traces of faded case color, trigger with some blue. Mechanically functional action that times, indexes and locks up well, but has no closure suction. Grips with some light wear and minor handling marks.
Attractive Unwin & Rogers Knife Pistol
Lot # 163 (Sale Order: 163 of 262)
.26 caliber. 3.62" tapered octagonal barrel. NSN. 3.5" single-edged spear point blade with prominent median ridge, 2.5" single-edged secondary blade. Gun metal barrel finish, German silver bolsters and furniture, iron hammer and trigger, horn grip with smooth side and checkered grip area. Single action single shot smoothbore combination percussion knife pistol with manually deployed folding trigger. Both knife ricassos marked UNWIN &/ROGERS/SHEFFIELD in three lines. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proofs on the left angled flat. The gun metal bullet mold and steel tweezers are still present in the butt of the gun, and the butt trap door to store balls is functional. A nice example of the combination knife pistol concept that was popularized by Unwin & Rogers in the 1840s and 1850s that is not missing the often lost mold and tweezers. Philip Unwin and James Rogers worked in Sheffield, Yorkshire circa 1827-1868.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore dark and oxidized. Barrel with a dull silvery gray patina. Blades with a dully oxidized gray patina and some lightly scattered pinpricking. Blades both full length and extend as they should. Pistol action is functional, with manually deploying trigger releasing the hammer as it should. Butt trap door hinge is slightly loose. Horn grip very good, although there is some moderate flattening to the checkering and some minor restoration on the left side where a crack and likely a chip were located.
Restored & Engraved 1883 Production Colt Single Action Army Revolver in .44-40
Lot # 164 (Sale Order: 164 of 262)
.44-40. 4.75" barrel. SN: 96656. Silvered finish, blued small parts, two-piece ivory grips. Single action revolver with black powder solid frame, loading gate, frame notch rear sight and round blade front sight. No barrel or frame markings from polishing, refinishing and the addition of the contemporary engraving in the style of Cuno Helfricht that covers about 80% of the gun. Left front web of triggerguard with "44" marking. Matching serial numbers on bottom of frame, triggerguard and butt. No number on cylinder, rear face of which is marked "L" between two chambers. No number on barrel. Loading gate numbered 2538. Grips are somewhat ill-fitting contemporary replacements and there was no pin added to the frame to index them as the gun was made for one-piece grips. Kidney shaped ejector rod head, ejector housing may be a more modern replacement. Still an attractive engraved Single Action for a reasonable price.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good as restored and refurbished. Bore good, with wide groove, narrow lands and scattered moderate pitting. Metal with most of the contemporary silvered finish which has aged and toned to pinkish hue. Refinished small parts with most of their bright blue intact. Mechanically functional action that times and indexes correctly and has four distinct "clicks" when cocked. Grips somewhat ill-fitting and loose due to the lack of locating pins in the frame.
Remington-Rider Double Action New Model Belt Revolver
Lot # 165 (Sale Order: 165 of 262)
.36 caliber. 6.5" octagonal barrel. SN: 3587. Blued finish, color casehardened hammer, brass triggerguard, two-piece walnut grips. Double action percussion revolver with six-chambered smooth round cylinder, frame notch rear sight and half-moon German silver front sight blade. Barrel with three line roll mark that reads PATENTED SEPT. 14, 1858/REMINGTON & SONS ILION. NEW YORK. U.S.A./NEW-MODEL. Serial number on frame under left grip. Barrel number is 111 under loading lever. Rear of cylinder and grips are not numbered. A fairly scarce Remington revolver, it is estimated that only between 3,000 and 5,000 were produced circa 1863-1873, with many of the later production guns being factory alterations to .38 caliber metallic cartridge.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore good, moderately oxidized with some pitting and good rifling. Metal moderately oxidized with a mostly thin brown patina over dull gray metal, with some minute traces of blue in protected areas and scattered surface roughness and pinpricking, mostly on the cylinder. Markings good, mechanically functional action, grips with some wear, dings and dents and retaining some varnish.
Remington New Model Police Percussion Revolver
Lot # 166 (Sale Order: 166 of 262)
.36 caliber. 4.5" barrel. SN: 10679. Blued finish, color casehardened hammer, silver plated brass triggerguard, two-piece smooth varnished walnut grips. Single action percussion revolver with five-chambered un-fluted cylinder, grooved top strap rear sight and half-moon German silver front sight blade. Barrel with three-line address and patent marking. Matching serial numbers on left of frame under grip, under barrel and in pencil in both grips.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Bore good, moderately oxidized with some pitting and strong rifling. Metal with some nice original blue and showing moderate loss with some surface oxidation. Markings clear. Mechanically functional action. Grips with most of the varnish intact, showing some edge wear and loss, as well as scattered bumps, dings and mars.
19th Century Bronze Salute Gun by William Parker
Lot # 167 (Sale Order: 167 of 262)
.80 Caliber. 18.25" barrel length. SN: NSN. (Mfg. ca 1840) Cast bronze salute gun set in a non-wheeled wood mount with wedge retained trunnion bearings. Breech is engraved with a maker mark reading W PARKER MAKER TO HIS MAJESTY HOLBORN LONDON, a maker commonly encountered on mid 19th Century salute guns. London proof marks below breech include the London {Crown/V} and {Crown/GP}. Breech is further engraved with a {Rampant Wolf} above the stylized initials TMWMT with the latter two letters mirrored, and enclosing a {Shield with a hand}, possibly representing the seal of Ulster. Mount appears to be a replacement for the original wheeled model, and is composed of Walnut, with no manufacturer markings, and a mounting port below the point of balance.
William Parker's armsmaking career spanned nearly five decades from 1793 to 1841 with most of those years spent at his High Holborn address in London. Over the course of his career, Parker satisfied contracts for the British government, the East India Company, and even supplied arms to the Hudson's Bay Company and the London Police. Additionally, Parker experimented with the cutting edge breechloading small arms, and described his patents in period advertisements. From 1841, he was succeeded by Parker, Field & Sons. This salute gun was most likely produced during the latter years of his gunmaking business.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good to Fine. Bore is Dark with blue-green bronze oxidation throughout. Metal finish displays a patina to all exposed bronze with some mars and abrasions along the edges weakening the maker marks. Mount shows scattered dents and mars with some stains and scratches.
William Muese Made Scale Replica of a British Bronze "Grasshopper" Field Piece on Carriage
Lot # 168 (Sale Order: 168 of 262)
1.75" bore. 21.75" 5-stage barrel (23.5" including the cascable). SN: 4. Brass barrel, wooden carriage, iron furniture. Single shot muzzleloading smoothbore cannon. Breech marked W: MEUSE FECIT and a large Broad Arrow is on the top of the tube. Tube is 4.9" in diameter at the breech, and 4" in diameter at the largest portion of the swell at the muzzle. The 1.5" diameter trunions are 6.5" wide, end to end and located 10.75" from the muzzle. The right trunion is marked 4 over a Masonic seal {Square & Compass} and the left trunion is marked No 72. The tube is mounted on a replica field carriage that has 30.5" six-piece, twelve-spoke wheels and the carriage has an overall length of nominally 67" including the tube and an overall width of nominally 28" hub to hub. The cannon is accompanied by a group of scale replica implements including a sponge, a wiper, three rammers, a worm and a tompion.
William "Bill" Meuse (1938-2012) was a long time National Park Service employee who during the course of his career was assigned to the NPS sites at Harpers Ferry, Fredericksburg, the Springfield Armory and Saratoga just to name a few. He was the Chief of Historic Ordnance for the NPS and was instrumental in accurately "re-arming" some eleven American Revolutionary War NPS sites with historic ordnance for the Bi-Centenial celebration in 1976. Many of these guns were painstakingly created replicas that Bill produced by recreating the historically correct patterns which were used by foundries to cast the tubes. He then supervised the production of authentic carriages to mount them on. In all he was responsible for producing approximately 100 authentic replica cannons which were deployed at several NPS locations for the Bi-Centennial, many of which are still on display to this day. During his career as one of the leading experts on period cannons, he produced a number of replica guns for use outside the NPS system, including some scale guns like this one. Bill's work is highly prized for its authenticity and attention to detail and is extremely desirable on the collector market. The beauty of a scale gun like this is that is can easily be displayed in a den or library of a home or in a professional's office providing the ambiance of historical ordnance without overwhelming the space or requiring an entire cannon crew to move it.
Note: Due to size and weight in-house shipping is not available for this item.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good. Brass with a dull bronze patina, bore showing discoloration and wear, probably from firing blanks and salutes. Carriage with moderate wear, but solid and functional. Implements all show wear and use as well.
Revolutionary War Centennial Carved Powder Horn for Andrew Porter - US Marine Corps & Continental Ar
Lot # 169 (Sale Order: 169 of 262)
Nominally 12" in length carved cow's horn with a 3.25" wide oval base and 5.5" turned spout section with carved scallops at the transition to the main body. The slightly oval hardwood base plug is attached with oxidized square head finishing nails that have rusted and discolored the surrounding horn surface. The horn is carved in two lines ANDREW PORTER HIS HORN/CApt of MARINES AnoDm 1776 JN. The horn is further decorated with carved floral motifs and crosshatching, a 19th century interpretation of what a Revolutionary War US Marine officer would look like, armed with cutlass and blunderbuss, a three-masted frigate surmounted by the name EFFINGHAM and a panoply of arms. The lower portion of the spout is carved with cross hatching as well, which shows moderate wear. A hole is in the base plug where some sort of suspension ring used to be screwed in. The horn is typical of the commemorative horns carved during the Centennial of the American Revolution to commemorate famous family members, the depiction of the soldier is particularly common on these Centennial horns and is often a somewhat anachronistic portrayal as it is a 19th century interpretation of what those men looked like 100 years earlier. This horn apparently descended in the family before being acquired as part of a collection circa the 1960s and is accompanied by an 1824 printing of a Porter family owned book entitled American Biography which provides details of Andrew Porter's life. There is a November 21, 1834 presentation inside the front cover to Porter's son from his uncle James, and a second, much later presentation dated March 11, 1885. Andrew Porter's biographical sketch is printed on pages 379-382 of the book. The horn is further accompanied by some research on Andrew Porter, copies of his service records from the Revolutionary War, several letters regarding the horn from well-known upstate New York antiques dealer and collector Ed Kreinherder, who owned it twice in his career, and other pieces of provenance including a chain of custody since the horn left the family for the collector market. Interestingly, one of the letters from Mr. Kreinherder to one of the buyers, dated 11 October 2000, notes that the Marine Corps museum had an interest in acquiring and displaying the horn.
Andrew Porter (1743-1813) was born in Montgomery County, PA in what is now Worcester Township. The child of Irish immigrants who were modest farmers, young Andrew showed no interest in manual labor but rather a penchant for reading and mathematics. Andrew was such a precocious student that he soon mastered many fields and in 1767 moved to Philadelphia where he became the master of an "English & Mathematics" school. After the Revolutionary War erupted, Porter decided to fight for his newly founded country and was commissioned a Captain of Marines in June of 1776. He was assigned to the frigate Effingham, which is depicted on the powder horn. He served there into 1777 when to better utilize his gift for mathematics he was made a Captain in the 2nd Continental Artillery. He served in that position into 1783 and during that time was engaged at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown. In 1783 he was made Colonel of the 4th Continental Artillery (Pennsylvania) and was heavily involved with the preparation of the artillery for the Siege of Yorktown at the direction of General George Washington. After the war Porter became a Major General in the Pennsylvania Militia and served as the state's surveyor general and a commissioner in the establishment of the Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio state lines. During the latter part of his life he was offered the Cabinet position of Secretary of War by President James Madison, but he declined it. Porter died in 1813. Two of Porter's grandsons saw service with the Union Army during the American Civil War. General Horace Porter was an aide-de-camp to General Grant, a recipient of the Medal of Honor and later served as Ambassador to France. Andrew Porter was also a general who served on General McClellan's staff and later was the Provost Marshal of the Army of the Potomac. Most interestingly, Mary Todd Lincoln was also a descendent of Porter and was his great-granddaughter.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very good, with most of the carving still clear and visible. Horn shows good age and moderate wear, particularly around the spout area and on the wood of the base plug. As noted above, a hole in the base plug suggests that some sort of screw-in suspension ring is missing. Book with moderate wear and foxing.
Gettysburg Souvenir 12 Pound Solid Shot Engraved by Edward Woodward
Lot # 170 (Sale Order: 170 of 262)
11.8 pounds, nominally 4.5" in diameter. Round iron solid shot engraved Gettysburg/1863 with a sprig of leaves emanating from the top of the "g" at the end of Gettysburg. The engraving is consistent with the style of the shells marked by Edward Woodward (1815-1894) of Gettysburg. Woodard was an Englishman who emigrated to America in the mid-1850s and was a gunsmith by trade. Too old to really participate in the war as a solider, Woodward initially volunteered to care for Confederate prisoners held at Point Lookout, MD in 1862 as part of the Union Relief Association. In 1863 he came to Gettysburg after the battle with the US Christian Commission to help care for the thousands of wounded. He would remain in Gettysburg for the rest of his life, until his death in 1894. Almost immediately after the battle Woodward realized the potential for souvenir hunters to want a piece of historic events that took place in that town. To that end he opened what may have been the first Civil War "relic shop" in the country and offered bullets, shells and various other battlefield relics for sale. He often engraved shot and shells with the characteristic "Gettysburg/1863" marking found on this shell, and was known to make desk sets from shells as well. According to one source, the earliest known relics proffered by Woodard were dated September 1865, just a few months after the conclusion of the war.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Vern Gregg
CONDITION: Very good battlefield pick up condition. Metal moderately oxidized with a thick brown patina and showing scattered areas of pitting, as well as some metal loss from firing and ground action. Overall a wonderful example of one of the first commercialized Gettysburg relics.
Village Restorations & Consulting Commemorative Presentation Grade Lewis & Clark Rifle Set by Chuck
Lot # 171 (Sale Order: 171 of 262)
.49 caliber (40 balls to the pound). 42" pinned octagonal barrel. NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, maple full stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading rifle. #35 of 200 special commemorative rifles intended to replicate the rifles carried by Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The original rifles, obtained through Harpers Ferry were quite similar to the Pennsylvania built Model 1797 Contract Rifles and likely came from the same makers. The reproduction lock copies a Harpers Ferry Model 1803 Rifle lock and is Harpers Ferry marked and dated 1803. The barrel is signed C Edwards, for the maker Chuck Edwards, and a certificate of ownership and various documents relating to the set accompany it. The rifle has a two-piece brass patchbox with the release on the top of the buttplate, a fixed notch rear sight, a dovetailed Rocky Mountain blade front sight, sling swivels, and a wooden ramrod. It is accompanied by a sling and an accoutrement set that includes a possibles bag with sling and brass breast plate, a powder horn and series of period style tools, including a Rapine bullet mold, powder measure, vent pick, pan brush and screwdriver. A number of lead round balls are included as well. A rare and attractive set allowing a collector to display what the best research has determined the rifles of the expedition looked like. To my knowledge there is no surviving example of a Corps of Discovery rifle. These presentation grade guns that were made in very limited quantities sold for $3,550 in 2003, equivalent to roughly $6,000 today.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
The Collection of John Vagnetti
CONDITION: Fine. Bore fine and bright with excellent rifling. Metal with most of the finish and showing only some minor thinning and light wear. Some lightly scattered oxidation is present on the metal and around the front sight. Mechanically functional lock. Wood with some very minor, lightly scattered handling marks. Accessories all very good or better, but the sling for the powder horn is broken at the rear attachment point. A lovely and scarce replica rifle.
Cape Gun by Eduard Girku of Kaufbeuren, Bavaria
Lot # 172 (Sale Order: 172 of 262)
11 Bore/11mm. 27.125" barrel length. SN: 97. Browned finish to Damascus barrels with remaining metal components left in the white with gold borders and set in walnut straight-wrist stock with splinter forend, horn furnishings, and featuring fine bordered multipoint checkering to wrist and forend. Double barrel side by side back action lock extractor combination gun. Item features two position rear notch and front blade sights, and features a gold inlaid signature to the barrel rib reading ED. GIRKU, KAUFBEUREN. Item struck with Imperial German {Eagle} and {Crown/U} commercial proofs to major components with {Crown/V} london proof markings to frame and barrel rib, indicating it was proofed in Britain after production in Germany. Item is highly embellished and features deep relief engraved vignettes to the lockplates and watertables with spiral and floral scroll engraving over all frame components. Vignettes include {Wolf carrying a slain pheasant} to left lockplate, {Bear within forest} to the right lockplate, a {Boar} to the right watertable, and a {Hunting Dog} to the left. Each vignette is surrounded by a floral border inlaid with gold wire. Item further features a gold bordered {Deer} engraved below the triggerguard. Lever and grip are both carved horn, with the latter featuring a pierced horn finial. Item mounts a steel buttplate with floral engraved widow's peak and engraved checkering enclosing floral embellishments to screw ports.
Born into a gunmaking family in Bavaria, Edouard Girku is listed as an Apprentice in his father's firm until 1855, when Edouard went into business for himself. Thus began an exceptionally long career manufacturing primarily elaborately embellished sporting arms using Suhl produced components. Girku's firm became Eduard Girku & Sohn in 1900, and remained in existence as late as 1910. Firearms bearing Girku's name frequently feature elaborate deep relief engraving with hunting vignettes a common feature, in addition to horn levers and finger rests.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Very Good. Both bores bright with rifling displaying some wear. Browned finish is strong with barrels showing some light edgewear. Some nicks to the edges of the barrel rib and one flat spot to the left barrel. Gold inlay remains complete and readily visible. A gray patina is forming over the frame and lockplates with some traces of varnish to the top of the buttplate. Horn components display some light nicks at the edges with a gap visible through the embellishment behind the finger rest. Forend latch appears to have had a knob shear off leaving sharp edges. Crack forming near latch. Wood retains a tight fit to the metal. Metal components fit proud of the wood in some spots, suggesting wood has been sanded. Action locks up tightly with barrels on face and lever resting slightly left of centerline.
Winchester Model 1886 .45-70 Rifle
Lot # 173 (Sale Order: 173 of 262)
.45-70. 26" barrel length. SN: 66089 (mfg. ca. 1892). Blued metal refinish overall mounting smooth walnut straight wrist stock, half length handguard, crescent buttplate, and adjustable rear ladder and front blade sights. Lever-action repeating rifle fed by a full length magazine tube and mounting an octagonal barrel. Tang manufacturer marking reads -MODEL 1886- with the barrel mark in two-lines reading -MANUFACTURED BY THE-/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.-. Underside of the tang struck with a two-line patent marking reading PAT. OCT. 14. 1864/JAN. 20. 1885., while caliber mark at the breech reads 45-70.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good as Refinished. Bore is Frosty with strong rifling throughout. Metal finish shows some internal cycling wear with some weakening of the markings on the tang, scattered streaks and scratches. Some brown flecks to muzzle. Stock has been sanded and refinished with metal fitting proud of the wood at seams. Item shows a chip to left wrist that has been sanded own, and a further large chip to the forward left edge of the forend. Safety notch slips when trigger depressed.
Starr Arms Model 1858 Carbine
Lot # 174 (Sale Order: 174 of 262)
American Civil War
.54 caliber. 21" barrel. SN: 20176. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock and forend. Single shot percussion dropping block with tilting breech breechloading cavalry carbine with military folding leaf rear sight, fixed front sight blade on base and saddle ring in receiver on reverse. Standard Starr markings on back action percussion lock and on barrel. Matching serial numbers on breech block and under barrel.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
CONDITION: Good. Bore mostly crisp and moderately oxidized with good rifling with moderate pitting in the last couple of inches near the muzzle and an old ring of erosion. Metal moderately oxidized with no finish remaining and appearing to be chemically toned with some scattered pitting. Markings mostly clear and legible. Mechanically functional action. Wood sanded and refinished, no cartouches present.
3rd Infantry Marked US Model 1866 "2nd Allin Conversion" Rifle
Lot # 175 (Sale Order: 175 of 262)
Indian Wars
.50-70 Government. 36.5" barrel secured by three solid rounded spring-retained bands. Bright finish, steel furniture, walnut stock. Single shot breechloading "Trapdoor" alteration of a Civil War Model 1864 Rifle Musket. Lock marked U.S./SPRINGFIELD and with a {Spread-Winged Eagle} forward of the hammer and dated 1865 horizontally at the tail. Top of breech block marked with an {Eagle Head} and 1866. Right side of barrel stamped below the breech block F 3D I, indicating Company F 3rd Infantry. Counterpane with a clear script HSH cartouche, the mark of Springfield Arsenal sub-inspector Henry S. Hill. Rifle retains the correct 1866 pattern rear sight, musket combination front sight and socket bayonet lug, and sling swivels on the triggerguard bow and middle band. This gun is from the Collection of Charles Worman, co-author of the two volume set Firearms of the American West.
The 3rd US Infantry, known as the "Old Guard" is one of the oldest US Infantry Regiments, having been established on June 3, 1784 and remaining in service through November of 1946 when it was briefly deactivated until April of 1948. The regiment remains in service to this day. Today the regiment provides the honor guard for ceremonial burials at Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers ceremonies, Dignified Transfers at Dover Air Force Base as well as a number of other specialty services. During the Indian War period the regiment was stationed in Kansas, Colorado and Indian Territory from 1866 to 1874, spent time in the deep south of Mississippi and Louisiana from 1874 to 1877 and in 1877 was sent to the plains, where it served in Montana, Minnesota and South Dakota until the Spanish American War. During their time in Kansas and surrounding ares from 1866 to 1874 the regiment was involved in a number of skirmishes and actions with hostile Native Americans. These included at least three conflicts around Big Timbers, KA in 1867 as was as actions at Goose Creek, CO and Pawnee Fork Bluff, KS. 1868 saw more fighting for the regiment at Little Coon Creek, Sand Hills, Big Bend and Fort Zara in Kansas, time at both Fort Dodge and Fort Larned and a fight at Crow Creek, KS. A very nice 1866 Rifle, far better than most encountered and marked to one of the most storied regiments in the US Army.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
From the Collection of Charles Worman
CONDITION: Very good. Bore good to very good, moderately frosted and with strong rifling. Metal with scattered surface oxidation and discoloration, as well as some areas of minor surface roughness and some pinpricking. Markings all remain clear and legible. Mechanically functional action. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars from service and use.