
Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Spring Sale
Historic Firearms and Early Militaria Spring Sale
See Special Terms for additional fees
Description
British Joseph Manton Cased Percussion Shotgun
Lot # 177 (Sale Order: 176 of 698)
Condition: Barrels have some of the brown finish, mostly turning plum. Locks have been lightly cleaned to a grey finish. Stock is excellent with a few nicks and dings. Case is very good with nice label. Accessories are excellent.
EST $ 1500 - 2500
Full-Stock Indian Percussion Rifle from the Jim Richie Collection
Lot # 178 (Sale Order: 177 of 698)
Provenance: Jim Ritchie
Condition: The barrel, hammer and lockplate all have a rich dark brown patina. The brass has a dark patina throughout. Some of the tacks have fallen off over the years. The stock shows some heavy use, with some cracks beneath the barrel. The bore shows some light oxidized colors on the interior and could use a cleaning. The mechanics are good.
EST $ 7000 - 10000
Plains Rifle by A. G. Bishop
Lot # 179 (Sale Order: 178 of 698)
Condition: Barrel with nice old original brown finish with some speckling and staining. Stock with very nice untouched look and dark untouched patina. Stock with sharp lines. Sharp markings. Bore is very dirty but will clean to better. Has nice deep rifling.
EST $ 1000 - 2000
Half-Stock Iron-Mounted Percussion Rifle by R. Beauvais from the Jim Richie Collection
Lot # 180 (Sale Order: 179 of 698)
Renault Beauvais made rifles in St Louis from 1840-1874. Excellent "Mountain Man" rifle built to compete for business with the Hawken rifles - at first glance, a close resemblance.
Condition: The barrel has a mottled brown and gray patina. The lock and hammer have a gunmetal patina. The stock shows some light handling marks, but is in very good overall condition. Excellent markings on the barrel and the lock. The bore is good and will clean to very good. The mechanics are excellent.
EST $ 6000 - 9000
Kentucky Full-Stock Percussion Indian Rifle from the Jim Richie Collection
Lot # 181 (Sale Order: 180 of 698)
Condition: Fair to good; bore dark with strong rifling, barrel and lock with pitting as noted above. Action does not hold. Stock worn on the edges, patchbox lid slightly bent, triggerguard has a repaired break and the back tip of the backplate is missing.
EST $ 10000 - 15000
Kentucky Percussion Rifle by W.M. Sheetz N. 64
Lot # 182 (Sale Order: 181 of 698)
Condition: Barrel is smooth with a nice dark original brown finish. Markings are sharp and clear. Lockplate and hammer with nice smooth and brown finish. All metal has nice even look. Brass with nice untouched patina. Stock is excellent.
EST $ 2000 - 3000
American Heavy Barrel Percussion Target Rifle
Lot # 183 (Sale Order: 182 of 698)
Condition: The barrel has an even dark gunmetal patina. The tang, hammer and lock have a mostly blue finish, with some small areas fading to a gunmetal patina. The stock has a crack on the left side at the rear of the barrel, extending diagonally towards the triggers. All German silver is bright and shiny. The bore and mechanics are excellent.
EST $ 2000 - 4000
Percussion Plains Rifle Marked F.R. Hamilton, Bloomington, Indiana
Lot # 184 (Sale Order: 183 of 698)
Condition: The barrel has a brownish plum patina. There is a very small amount of separation at the breech. The lock and hammer have a dark brown and grey mottled patina. The stock has some small hairline age crack in the butt and another on the right side above the escutcheon. There is an old repair on the left side of the stock where the breech of the barrel meets the upper tang. One of the ferrules is missing. The bore needs to be cleaned, but is in good condition. The mechanics are very good.
EST $ 4000 - 6000
Contempoary Copy of an Armstrong Percussion Rifle by Donald Lee Kammerer
Lot # 185 (Sale Order: 184 of 698)
Condition: Good; bore dark, barrel and lock in brown finish with light surface oxidation.
EST $ 1500 - 2000
Percussion Target Rifle by E. Wesson
Lot # 186 (Sale Order: 185 of 698)
Condition: The barrel has an even dark plum patina, with hints of brown. There is some light oxidization around the nipple. The frame, hammer, lock, tang, patchbox, trigger guard and buttplate have the same dark patina. The trigger guard is loose and is missing a rear screw. The German silver is bright and shiny. The stock has some minor nicks and dings, and there appears to be an old repair at the end of the upper tang of the buttplate. The bore and mechanics are very good.
EST $ 3000 - 5000
Ornate German Percussion Hunting Rifle Marked Hop P. Mann in Munchen
Lot # 187 (Sale Order: 186 of 698)
Condition: The barrel has a dark gunmetal patina, with areas of spotting throughout. As noted, the barrel has a small and large blue band at the breech. The hammer, lock and upper tang all have a flat dark gunmetal patina. All German silver parts are bright and shiny. All screws are engraved and appear original. The horn fore end cap has some chips to it. The stock has a few nicks and dings, but is in very good overall condition. The bore and mechanics are very good.
EST $ 1500 - 2500
Percussion Fowler by Le Page
Lot # 188 (Sale Order: 187 of 698)
Condition: Barrel retains most of the brown finish. Breechblock with some of the case colors and some brown staining. Lock and hammer with some case colors and highly blue finish around the base of the hammer. Stock is excellent.
EST $ 6000 - 8000
Breechloading Pauly Shotgun
Lot # 189 (Sale Order: 188 of 698)
Condition: Barrels are brown with most of the gold still intact. Frame with crisp markings and a nice untouched mottled grey look. Stock is excellent. Bores are good.
EST $ 7500 - 10000
1830 - 1840s Half Spanish Eagle Head Quilted Seat Officer's Saddle
Lot # 190 (Sale Order: 189 of 698)
Condition: Fair to good. Normal service wear. Some loose stitching and minor repairs, girth torn in the middle and repaired, heavy overall mothing and loss of the left back edge of the shabraque.
EST $ 5000 - 8000
John Wilkes Booth Dueling Target Pistol
Lot # 193 (Sale Order: 190 of 698)
American-made dueling pistol, 17 in. long, 10.5 in. octagonal barrel of .43 caliber with a good bore. Bottom of barrel stamped J.G. SYMS 44 CHATHAM ST. NY. The pistol has a walnut half-stock with checkered grip, light floral scroll engraving on the lock, patent breech, and trigger guard. It also has double lines of gold inlaid at the breech, front and rear sights and a single set trigger.
John G. Syms was the brother of William Syms, partner of Blunt and Syms, which produced percussion pistols between the 1840s-1850s in New York City. The pistol is accompanied by a 3-page letter written by Col. J.H. Willets to his daughter, in which he references the dueling pistol that he had presented to his grandson and its previous owner, John Wilkes Booth.
On the night of April 15, 1865 John Wilkes Booth pulled the hammer of a .44-caliber Derringer pistol and fired a bullet through the head of the unsuspecting President. Through a cloud of smoke he leaped onto the stage and yelled Sic semper tyrannis! The action secured the gun and its marksman a place in infamy. Although this is not the same firearm, this dueling pistol was held and shot several times by the same gunman who killed the President.
Colonel J.H. Willets was President of Courts Martial during the Civil War in Washington, D.C. In his leisure time he participated in shooting as sport at a local gallery. He was considered one of the best shots in the city and, as a gift, the proprietor of a shooting gallery in Washington, A New Orleans Creole named Pierre, presented him with this dueling pistol. Prior to Willets' possession, the pistol was one of a pair used in New Orleans for duels (Willets gifted the other pistol to another family member). In the letter to his daughter, dated Dec. 4, 1916, Willets recounts that Pierre explained that he loaned the pistols in affairs of Honor…each pistol killed more than one man. Willets competed with many men in Pierre's gallery, and one of his contenders was John Wilkes Booth. He was a fine shot, explains Willets, [he] used this pistol many times. After using the pistol in competition, Booth shot Lincoln that following April with his derringer. Willets gifted his dueling pistol and wrote about its past so that in years to come, the Boys seeing this old Relic of War Times, may know something of its History.
Along with the handwritten testimony is a collection of newspaper clippings confirming the pistol's provenance, including an issue of "We Women," published in Bridgetown, NJ, in October 1946, in which the story of Booth, Col. Willets, and the pistol is referenced, as well as a binder of additional paperwork detailing the life of its owner, Col. Willets.
Condition: Barrel of pistol has dark patina, but displays scattered, small patches of corrosion. The remaining metal exhibits lighter patina. Stock with older, repaired crack above front of the lockplate.
EST $ 15000 - 30000
Massive Bell Bowie Knife
Lot # 194 (Sale Order: 191 of 698)
Samuel Bell, a silversmith, made Bowie knives both in Knoxville and also in San Antonio, Texas. This knife was probably made ca 1830. This is a very rare and great prize of collecting American-made Bowie knifes.
Condition: Scabbard is in excellent condition with a nice unpolished look retaining most of the natural patination. Some small dents on the back edge of the scabbard. Engraving and markings are sharp and crisp. Blade is excellent with nice untouched look, some fine staining and some dents along the sharp edge. No handle and the tang shows that the handle has been missing for a long time.
EST $ 40000 - 60000
English Bowie Knife by Wragg & Sons
Lot # 195 (Sale Order: 192 of 698)
Condition: Blade in mostly bright finish with an area or two of oxidation, most of the gilt finish is intact. Scabbard service worn and broken at the tip.
EST $ 1000 - 2000
English Bowie Knife by Barnes
Lot # 196 (Sale Order: 193 of 698)
Provenance: Dr. R. Charles Griffith Collection
Condition: Blade has been lightly polished. Handle and German silver have nice patina.
EST $ 3000 - 4000
Cutlery Handle Bowie Knife and Sheath by W&S. Butcher
Lot # 197 (Sale Order: 194 of 698)
Condition: Blade is very nice with an untouched look. Etched panel is very good and visible. Some very light staining across the ricasso and under the guard. Some light staining on the blade on the right side. Sheath shows some light scuffs.
EST $ 3500 - 4500
Republic of Texas Marine Officer's Shako
Lot # 198 (Sale Order: 195 of 698)
Condition: Fair to good. Dents and crazing from age and service with moderate finish loss. Several extra holes behind the plate where another insignia was once attached.
EST $ 2000 - 3500
Sheffield Bowie Knife by C.Congreve Presented to the Governor of Wisconsin
Lot # 199 (Sale Order: 196 of 698)
Nelson Dewy (also spelled Dewey) was born in Connecticut in 1813 and shortly thereafter his family moved to Butternuts (now Morris) New York, where Dewy taught school as a young man and began the practice of law. In 1836 he moved to Wisconsin Territory and helped establish the town of Cassville, where he entered public service as Registrar of Deeds. Elected to the territorial general assembly as a Democrat in 1838, he helped develop lead mining in Grant County. A decade later Dewy was elected as the first state governor of Wisconsin.
Dewy served two terms as governor and helped create the Board of Public Works, which constructed new canals, harbors, roads and railroads. In 1849 he was elected president of the new state historical society. By the end of his second term, his political capital waned and he returned to his law practice, while remaining an important figure in the state. Elected state senator two years later, Dewy was consistently chosen as a delegate to most state Democratic conventions. His end came in 1889, when he died a poor man.
Condition: Blade is untouched with some staining. Markings are sharp and crisp. Handle with untouched yellowed age patina. One small dark stain close to the pommel. Pommel is excellent with clear engraving on the top. Leather is nice and untouched with no opened seams. Frog button is missing. Silver with nice patina. Overall this is an excellent early knife circa 1830-1840.
EST $ 6000 - 10000
Model 1860 Presentation Sword to Col. Viall From the Officers of the 4th Rhode Island Militia
Lot # 200 (Sale Order: 197 of 698)
Nelson Viall (1827-1903) saw service during the Mexican War. At the beginning of the Civil War he joined the 1st Rhode Island Detached Militia (30 days) as a 1st Lieutenant. He was then commissioned as the Captain of Co. D, 4th R.I. Vol. Inf. fighting at 1st Bull Run in 1861 were he was promoted first to Major, then to Lt. Colonel. He assumed command of the regiment at Fredericksburg in 1862 and received a battlefield commission to Colonel. Viall resigned in 1863 to accept a commission in the newly formed 14th R.I. Heavy Artillery (Colored), later renamed the 11th US Colored Heavy Artillery. He was largely personally responsible for the recruitment and training of this unit and was said to have had great faith in the ability of African-American soldiers. This unit formed part of the garrison of New Orleans until mustered out in Oct. 1865. At the war's end he was brevetted a Brigadier General of Volunteers. He served as the Chief of Police in Providence until 1867 and as the Warden of the R.I. State Prison until his death. The sword offered here was most likely given to Viall in honor of his commission to the 14th R.I. Heavy Artillery.
Condition: Good to very good. The blade has been cleaned and has minor to moderate shallow pitting towards the tip above the etching.
EST $ 8000 - 12000
Model 1840 Republic of Mexico Cavalry Officer's Sword French Made
Lot # 201 (Sale Order: 198 of 698)
Condition: Good. Blade lightly graying with spots of oxidation. Point slightly blunted. Scabbard has scattered pitting and wear at the throat.
EST $ 2000 - 4000
Model 1840 Cavalry Officer's Sword
Lot # 202 (Sale Order: 199 of 698)
Oral tradition provided by the consignor attributes this sword to Civil War Union General Franz Sigel. However, the sword is not inscribed to him and does not include any corroborating documentation.
Condition: Good; blade has mottled gray finish, wire loose on the grip, scabbard with multiple dents, heaviest toward the drag.
EST $ 6000 - 8000
Model 1860 Cavalry Officer's Sword
Lot # 203 (Sale Order: 200 of 698)
Condition: Good; blade has overall light gray spotting, hilt with an even, mild patina with small traces of gilt finish. Scabbard has minor dents and oxidation only on the drag.
EST $ 2000 - 4000