
Premier Firearms Auction - Day 3
Premier Firearms Auction - Day 3
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Description
Dauernheim a Homburg Flintlock Sporting Gun
Lot # 3328 (Sale Order: 326 of 616)
In "Der Neue Stockel", Johannes Dauernheimer (Dauernheim) is noted as active in Homburg c. 1680-1720. This large smoothbore sporting gun has a rounded blade front sight, "Dauernheim" and "A Homburg SS*" signed on the sighting flats, foliate engraved accents, turned bands at the breech, and engraved tang. The rounded lock has relief chiseled scroll and mask designs, including a particularly fiendish mask on the tail. The mounts are also chiseled and engraved steel with French influence including fleur-de-lis finials, scrolling pierced side plate with disgorging masks, a long spire pointed buttplate finial, and classical martial trophies at the heel. The highly figured rootwood stock has fine molding, an old label on the forend,
Class: Antique
Fine with mostly smooth gray patina, some minor staining, and general mild wear. The stock is very good with some cracks, spliced and other repairs, distinct molding, and very attractive figure. Mechanically functions but needs some adjustments.
Straight Rifled Flintlock Sporting Gun by Eisenmenger
Lot # 3329 (Sale Order: 327 of 616)
Johann Conrad Eisenmenger (1689-1745) and his son Johann Georg Eisenmenger (1717-1757) were gunmakers in Zweibrucken (Deux-Ponts) in present day Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. The straight rifled octagonal to round barrel has a dovetailed blade front sight, a raised groove rear sight with ornate finials on the dovetailed base, beaded girdles, and a fire blue finish. The lock is signed "EISENMENGER" in a scrolling banner below the priming pan and "A•ZWEVBRUCK" below the frizzen spring and has a sliding safety button and scroll engraving. The mounts are engraved steel with rococo scroll and foliate engraving, and the stock is carved en suite and has a sliding wood patchbox and horn forend tip. A sling bar is fitted on the left side, and a sling swivel is mounted at the front of the trigger guard. The wood ramrod has a horn tip. Norman R. Blank acquired the gun from W. Keith Neal on August 16, 1959.
Class: Antique
Very good with 85% plus of the re-blued finish remaining, gray and brown patina on the balance, some minor oxidation, minor wear, and distinct markings and engraving. The stock is also very good and has crisp carving and molding, some faint cracks and repairs, and scattered scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Gewerhkammer of Jagdschloss Kranischstein; W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection
18th-Century British Collumbell Breechloading Flintlock Rifle
Lot # 3330 (Sale Order: 328 of 616)
A very early mid 18th-century breechloading flintlock rifle made by British Gunmaker David Collumbell, who originally apprenticed to Gerrett Johnson in 1712. David Collumbell started his own workshop in 1734 in Westminster, London. He was appointed Gunmaker to Ordnance in 1756, and to the East India Company in 1761, and would live until 1777. This early example of his work features a single start threaded 8 1/4 turn breech plug for loading access from the underside of the barrel. Rare and expensive for its time, a rifle such as this would typically be used for sporting purposes by wealthy Englishmen, giving an advantage in the ability to reload at the breech end while sitting up high in a tree. Small front blade sight and single ornate barrel band with U shaped rear sight on top. Barrel with twelve-groove .65 caliber rifling, flaring to .67 caliber at the muzzle, marked with Crown proofs on the left breech and "COLLUMBELL LONDON" on top. Rounded early style lock marked "COLLUMBELL". Light coverage floral scroll engraving on the breech end of the barrel, sideplate, triggerguard, and buttplate. Full length stock with ramrod below, and minor raised relief shell carving at the top of the wrist. Butt of the stock contains a removable 4 1/2 inch rod intended for use in the initial turning of the breech plug after a live firing.
Class: Antique
Fine with a lightly aged patina on the cleaned and polished metal surfaces, very light scattered surface pitting, some light handling marks, and sharp markings. Stock is also fine with crisp raised relief carving visible on top wrist, some scattered dings and scratches, a 5 1/2 inch repaired section of wood at the front, and a 5 inch crack on the left, some light spots and crisp edges. Mechanically excellent. One of the earliest breechloading sporting rifles of its kind, displaying some of the finer work in 18th-century British gun making.
Cased Engraved John Manton Flintlock Double Barrel Shotgun
Lot # 3331 (Sale Order: 329 of 616)
This early John Manton shotgun from c. 1785 is listed on page 60 of "The Mantons: Gunmakers" by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back and identified as then owned by Neal and as having been originally made for the Duke of Hamilton. This would have been Douglas Hamilton, 8th Duke of Hamilton, 5th Duke of Brandon, and 2nd Baron Hamilton of Hameldon (1756-1799). The gun is illustrated in plates 35 and 36 and also mentioned on page 15: "One of his earliest double guns is a 22 gauge made for the Duke of Hamilton about 1785." The browned Damascus barrels have a concave upper rib with a silver blade front sight, no lower rib, "MANTON" and "LONDON" signed on the breech sections, gold bands and vent liners, and London proof marks. The standing breech has a groove for a rear sight and foliate engraving. The locks are signed "MANTON" and have gold lined priming pans, rollers on the frizzens, ramps on the frizzen springs, sliding safeties, and stepped tails. The blued steel mounts have foliate engraving along with a scene of a dog and fowl on the heel extension. A sling swivel is mounted in the forend, and a sling stud is on the underside of the butt. The wedge and wrist escutcheons are silver, and the wrist escutcheon is engraved with the motto "JAMAISE ARRIERE" (Never Behind) and the crest of the Douglas family. The stock is plain. A faint pencil marking on the forend includes "Castle". Includes a mahogany case with olive green baize lining and later John Manton trade label along with a suite of accessories and the tags from the W. Keith Neal Collection. Notes indicate the gun belonged to the Duke of Hamilton and that Neal had purchased the gun back around 1940 from a "Mr. Barlow." It was purchased by Norman R. Blank from the sale of Neal's collection in 2000.
Class: Antique
Fine with 90% plus of the older re-browned finish on the barrels, bright gold, light original case colors, 30% original blue finish, gray and brown patina on the balance, distinct markings and engraving, and fairly minor overall wear. The stock is also fine and has a few small chips and general minor marks and scratches. The safeties are tight and do not operate; otherwise, the gun is mechanically fine. The case and accessories are good and have moderate age and storage related wear including cracks and repairs in the case.
Provenance: The Collection of the Duke of Hamilton; The W. Keith Neal Collection; The Norman R. Blank Collection
John Knubley 16 Bore Single Barrel Flintlock Sporting Gun
Lot # 3332 (Sale Order: 330 of 616)
John Knubley began his career as a gunmaker in the county of Yorkshire in the 1760s before moving his business to London where he is recorded at two addresses on Charing Cross between 1786 and 1794. He became gunmaker to the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Clarence and Prince Edward, and was a contractor to the Board of Ordnance between 1790 and 1794. Upon his death in 1795 his business was taken over by Samuel Brunn and continued as Knubley & Co. or Knubley & Brunn until 1797. Norman R. Blank's collection notes indicates he received this gun from W. Keith Neal in November 1959. In an included description by Blank, he notes: "This is a very elaborate English gun. The English are usually quite conservative in their use of gold and silver, and this one shows quite a lot of it. I tried to shoot some clay birds from a hand trap with this but without much success." A certificate of authenticity for Mr. Blank from F. Theodore Dexter is also included. The browned stub twist barrel has a gold front sight with flush mounted gold "spider" base, chiseled girdles along with engraved gold bands, engraved burst patterns, "KNUBLEY LONDON" signed in gold inlay on the octagonal breech section, and a gold paneled breech. The standing breech is deep relief engraved with a dog and bird scene along with scroll and foliate patterns. The flat beveled lock has a stepped tail with a hound scene, a burst pattern engraved on the sliding safety plate behind the bird and foliate pattern engraved gooseneck cock, "KNUBLEY" signed in a gold oval surrounded by another bird and dog accented by foliage, a gold lined priming pan, gold lining on the underside of the frizzen, a frizzen roller, and a corresponding ramp on the frizzen spring. The buttplate and trigger guard are blued steel. The latter has a silver inlaid oval inscribed with the initials "JV". The forend cap, wedge escutcheons, inlay on the left at the breech, and the "TG" inscribed oval on the left stock flat are all engraved silver. The half-stock has a checkered wrist and an approximately 13 1/2 inch length of pull. The ramrod has a horn tip.
Class: Antique
Very fine overall as restored with 95% plus of the high quality re-browned finish on the barrel along with distinct twist patterns and bright gold, strong fire blue on the top jaw, bright gold panel on the lock, superb engraved and fire blued lock mechanism, gray and brown patina on the balance of the lock, attractively aged patina on the silver mounts, 90% plus of the re-blued finish on the trigger guard and buttplate, replacement ramrod, and crisp checkering and some scratches and dings on the stock. Mechanically excellent. Overall, a stunning example of a fancy English sporting gun from the late 18th century.
Provenance: W. Keith Neal; The Norman R. Blank Collection
Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by Surber of Wiesbaden
Lot # 3333 (Sale Order: 331 of 616)
Chiseled, Engraved, and Carved Pair of Flintlock Holster Pistols by Surber of Wiesbaden -A) Surber Flintlock Pistol
These pistols date to c. 1730 and were sold to Norman R. Blank by Arthur Yates around July 1964. Yates's description for the pair reads: "An extremely fine pair of long horseman's flintlock pistols (20") signed by SURBER in WISBADEN. These 'Berain' style pistols are of a particularly refined nature for German work and have a lot of French quality. The mounts are of gilded bronze done to stylized foliage with a Roman head on the sideplate and a grotesque butt. The locks are nicely engraved and in the finest condition both inside and out. The barrels are truly a work of art in that they are chiseled for one third their length with stylized foliage and a grotesque against a finely pebbled ground. This work is of the highest quality. The condition of the pair is excellent plus." In addition to what Mr. Yates wrote, we note that the pistols feature etched Damascus barrels with blade front sights with flush "spider" bases, flat locks with beveled edges, faceted priming pans, and "SURBER A WISBADEN" signatures as well as a boar on the tails behind the cocks and Diana engraved at the center; wrist escutcheons with coronets and lion supporters, "No 42" and "No 43" respectively stamped on the walnut stocks near the toes, relief scroll carving, and horn forend caps. The wooden ramrods also feature horn tips.
Manufacture: European
Model: Flintlock
BBL: 13 1/8 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 20 bore
Finish: bright/gold
Grips:
Serial Number: 43
Class: Antique
Condition: Very fine with silver-gray and gray patina on the lock and barrel, most of the bright gilt finish remaining on the mounts, crisp engraving and chiseling, distinct markings, and minor wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, insect damage to the horn end cap, minor dings and scratches, and faint cracks and repairs. Mechanically fine.
B) Surber Flintlock Pistol
As described in "A."
Manufacture: European
Model: Flintlock
BBL: 13 1/8 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 20 bore
Finish: bright/gold
Grips:
Serial Number: 42
Class: Antique
Condition: Very fine with mainly gray and silver-gray patina on the lock and barrel, most of the bright original gilt finish remaining on the mounts, distinct engraving and chiseling, crisp markings, and minor overall wear. The stock is also very fine and has crisp carving, minor dings and scratches, and some faint cracks and repairs. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: Arthur Yates; The Norman R. Blank Collection
Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum Pre-Model 29 Revolver with Letter
Lot # 3334 (Sale Order: 332 of 616)
The included factory letter confirms the current five screw variation, finish, barrel length, sights, target hammer, target trigger, and grips when the revolver was shipped to M&W Distributors of Charleston, WV, on July 9, 1956. Showing matching serial number barrel, cylinder, and butt. Fitted with serrated red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and checkered Goncalo Alves grips with silver Smith & Wesson medallions. Includes a Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum case containing cleaning tools and screwdriver as well as a copy of the factory invoice to M&W Distributors.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue finish, light cylinder drag line, and sharp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good.
Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman Pre-Model 23 Revolver with Box
Lot # 3335 (Sale Order: 333 of 616)
Manufactured in 1953. The revolver is fitted with a Patridge blade front sight, adjustable rear sight, and checkered walnut grips with silver S&W medallions. Matching serial numbers on the barrel, frame, and butt, right grip panel numbered to another gun. Includes the original factory gold box and a factory screwdriver.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus original finish with minor handling evidence, slight muzzle rub, tiny patch of spotting on right of barrel, partial cylinder drag line, and sharp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine.
Smith & Wesson K-22 Outdoorsman Double Action Revolver with Box
Lot # 3336 (Sale Order: 334 of 616)
Manufactured between 1931 and 1940. Fitted with a King red beaded blade mirrored ramp front sight, pre-micrometer rear sight, and checkered walnut grips with silver S&W medallions. Factory refinish diamond under the left grip, no date present. The revolver has matching serial numbers on the barrel, cylinder, and butt. With a 1939 dated Camp Perry patch and unnumbered correct model factory box.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine overall as factory refinished, retaining 95% blue finish with light handling evidence, a cylinder drag line, a few freckles of spotting, and sharp checkering on the replacement grips. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some storage wear.
Smith & Wesson .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1950 Target Revolver
Lot # 3337 (Sale Order: 335 of 616)
One of a reported 2,768 S&W manufactured circa 1950-1961, with this example manufactured circa 1955. The revolver is fitted with Patridge front and micrometer click rear sights and non-matching checkered Magna grips. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The correct period S&W maroon box is numbered to a different gun.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with slight muzzle and edge wear, limited handling marks, and a light cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The undersize replacement grips are very fine with a few dings on the bottom and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine.
Smith & Wesson Model 29-2 Double Action Revolver with Case
Lot # 3338 (Sale Order: 336 of 616)
Manufactured in 1964. Showing matching serial number on the butt and frame. Fitted with serrated red ramp front sight, white outline rear sight, and checkered Goncalo Alves grips with silver Smith & Wesson medallions. Includes an earlier non-matching Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum case containing cleaning tools and screwdriver.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent overall, retaining 99% original blue finish with minor handling evidence, faint cylinder drag line, and sharp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good.
S&W .44 Target Model of 1950 Pre-Model 24 Revolver
Lot # 3339 (Sale Order: 337 of 616)
The included factory letter confirms the current configuration when it was shipped to Arizona Hardware Co., Phoenix, AZ, on June 30, 1955. Also includes a non-matching correct factory grey box.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent overall, retaining 98% original blue, light handling evidence, cylinder drag line, light wear at the muzzle, and sharp grip checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with some corner wear.
Reg. No. 6 Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Revolver
Lot # 3340 (Sale Order: 338 of 616)
Offered here is an extremely early Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum revolver, Reg. No. 6, documented in the included factory letter as made as a factory presentation piece delivered to Emil Hurja through the office of Douglas B. Wesson for presentation on May 7, 1935. The records also confirm the 8 3/4 inch barrel, Patridge front sight, square notch rear sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips with grip adapter attached. This is one of only 735 Registered Magnums manufactured with 8 3/4 inch barrels. The extremely low registration number "REG. 6" is stamped on the inside of the frame. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The original box is numbered to the gun by serial number and registration number. In the factory letter, S&W historian Roy Jinks noted, "Douglas B. Wesson ordered this revolver built at the same time he requested registration number 1 built for Mr. J. Edgar Hoover. This would lead me to believe that Mr. Hurja was a very important and powerful individual. The revolver was a presentation and charged to Smith & Wesson's advertising account." Low registration numbered Registered Magnums were generally presented to prominent individuals such as FBI Director Hoover, exhibition shooter Ed McGivern, and Western Cartridge Company's John M. Olin. Reg. No. 6 is identified in Supica and Nahas' "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" as delivered to Emil Hurja (1892-1953). Hurja was a key figure in the New Deal Era. The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research notes, "Beginning with the run-up to the 1932 election and continuing on through the election of 1936, Franklin Delano Roosevelt sought Hurja’s advice time and time again and incorporated it into his thinking, strategizing, and policymaking. Hurja’s innovative polling methodology subsequently became foundational to the development of modern, scientific, statistics-based public opinion polling such as we know it today." The first-generation Finnish-American and veteran of World War I served as the executive director of the Democratic National Committee in 1932 to 1937. The accuracy of his polling stunned the political world and public. Reporter Thomas Sugrue of the Saturday Evening Post dubbed him the "Wizard of Washington." Hurja was featured on the cover of Time Magazine on March 2, 1936. The magazine stated: "Democracy's Emil Hurja: He counts his elections before they are hatched," and the biography inside detailed Hurja's career, including his accurate election predictions in 1932 and 1934, and indicated Hurja was already predicting Roosevelt was certain of re-election in 1936 as later proved true. In addition to his forecasting of elections, Time indicated that Hurja calmly but boldly informed the president and his advisors when the administration was out of step with the American people, allowing the president to adjust his policies and messaging. He also helped guide the Democrats to focus their campaign efforts on the states that were actually up for grabs based on careful statistical analysis, thus paving the way for the polling that plays a key role in our political system to this day.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original blue finish with some spotting on the right side of the barrel, a light cylinder drag line, and minimal handling marks. 98% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with edge wear. As an early production S&W Registered Magnum, Reg. No. 6 is well-deserving of the finest private or public collection. As a factory presentation piece delivered to the "Wizard of Washington" who forever changed the American political landscape, Reg. No. 6 is a national treasure.
Provenance: Emil Hurja, "Wizard of Washington"; Property of a Gentleman
Harris Engraved, Texas Ranger Carried Colt Government Model
Lot # 3341 (Sale Order: 339 of 616)
Manufactured in 1978, this is a very attractive example of a Colt Mk. IV Series 70 Government Model pistol which was embellished by Master Engraver David Wade Harris and is documented as carried in the line of duty by lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, of Texas Rangers Company B out of Garland, Texas. Harris is part of a lineage of legendary Texas engravers starting with Cole Agee (1901-1955), who is best known creating the unique "cattle brand" pattern engraving. Agee taught Weldon Bledsoe (1916-1995) to engrave, including the iconic cattle brand style, who then taught Harris, continuing a Texas engraving tradition for over a century. This example is discreetly signed "DWHARRIS" on the right rear of the frame and shows about 80% coverage, masterfully executed floral scroll engraving in the traditional American style. The smooth, flat mainspring housing is engraved with "Co B". The pistol is fitted with a pair of silver plated grips marked "STERLING" on the insides, with both panels being fitted with small Texas Rangers badges and engraved with full coverage floral scroll. It is unclear if the grips were also engraved by Harris, but the style appears very similar to that found on the pistol. The left side of the slide has the standard three-line model and caliber marking followed by the Rampant Colt, while the right has the one-line model marking. The right of the frame has the Colt address and the serial number. The chamber hood of the barrel is marked with the caliber and Mk. IV Series 70 markings in two lines. It is fitted with a replacement, low profile blade front sight and flat topped notch rear sight. Included with the pistol is a letter of authenticity signed by lieutenant J. Rodney Odom of Company B (Garland) of the Texas Rangers, stating that this pistol belonged to him and was carried by him while carrying out his duties as a Ranger. The revolver in the previous lot is also documented as carried by Odom in the line of duty.
Class: Modern Handgun
Very fine as masterfully upgraded/embellished by David Wade Harris, retaining 99% plus of the nickel plating, some very light handling evidence, and crisp engraving and markings. The grips retain 99% plus of the silver plating and have crisp engraving. Mechanically excellent. This pistol along with the revolver in the previous lot, which were both carried by Ranger Odom, would make a fantastic collector's pair!
Provenance: Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, Texas Rangers, Company B
Texas Ranger Carried Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 Revolver
Lot # 3342 (Sale Order: 340 of 616)
This Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 revolver was owned and carried by Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom. Lt. Odom confirms this was his duty pistol in his accompanying signed letter of authenticity: "I am proud to and do hereby authenticate that the pistol described herein was carried by me, Company 'B' Texas Ranger Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, in my official capacity as a law enforcement officer commissioned by the Texas Department of Public Safety...When I carried the pistol, it was in the normal course of my Ranger duties while assigned to Texas Rangers Co. 'B' Garland." The revolver is listed by serial number in the letter. Lt. Odom continued, "At the time I carried this handgun I had a black floral tooled leather holster and speed loader carriers made for it by an inmate serving time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice." The floral tooled holster and two matching tooled speed loader carriers are included with the revolver. The back of the holster is marked "HAND MADE BY/[five-pointed star]/RICKY DOTSON." Lt. Odom began his career with the DPS in 2005, was promoted to Ranger in January 2013, and, as of this writing, continues to serve as a Ranger. The Texas Rangers have a proud, nearly 200 year history, of being the elite of Texas law enforcement. As America’s oldest state law enforcement agency, the Rangers have taken part in some of the most notable Old West criminal cases, played a role in some of the most critical moments in Texas history and have been the subject of countless books ranging from non-fiction to pulp fiction. This modern S&W duty revolver and Lt. Odom continue the Texas Ranger legacy. This revolver and the pistol in the previous lot are both documented as carried by Ranger Odom in the line of duty.
Class: Modern Handgun
Very fine as refinished after a hard use career with a Texas Ranger, some scattered pitting under the finish. The grips are also very fine with very limited handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The holster and speed loader carriers are excellent. This revolver and the pistol in the following lot, which is also documented as carried by Ranger Odom, would make a for a fantastic, instant Texas Rangers collection!
Provenance: Lieutenant J. Rodney Odom, Texas Rangers, Company B
Smith & Wesson K-32 Hand Ejector First Model Target Revolver
Lot # 3343 (Sale Order: 341 of 616)
This is one of approximately 94 K-32 Hand Ejector Target revolvers Smith & Wesson manufactured from 1936 to 1941, according to "The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas. These revolvers are found in the approximate 653388-682207 serial number range and are built on the .38 Military & Police of the 1905, 4th Change frame and pinned 6 inch round barrel. This example (no. 653372) falls just short of the accepted start of the serial number range. After World War II this model became part of the K-22/K-32/K-38 Masterpiece series of target revolvers. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was ordered through Von Lengerke & Antonio Co. of Chicago, Illinois, shipped on March 13, 1936, and delivered to Walter L. Palla of Princeton, Illinois, with a 6 inch barrel in .32 S&W Long caliber, blue finish, .38 M&P target frame, and sights set for a 6 o'clock hold. It was billed at $25.99, and it is not often that we catalog S&W shipped to an individual. These were special order revolvers offered by S&W before the formal announcement to the public that the gun was available for general sales, and in the factory records these extremely rare pre-war revolvers are listed as a .38 M&P Target in .32 caliber. The checkered silver S&W medallion grips are numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and barrel.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original high polish blue finish showing a cylinder drag line and minimal handling marks. 97% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The replacement grips are excellent with a few handling marks on the bottom and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver
Lot # 3344 (Sale Order: 342 of 616)
This Registered Magnum is one of a very limited number of this model manufactured with an 8 3/8 inch barrel. The accompanying original registration certificate confirms the 8 3/8 inch barrel, McGivern front sight, and deep "U" notch rear sight as well as being registered to Dr. James Johnson, Jr. of Cumberland, Maryland. Additional shipping information is provided by the included factory letter. The revolver was shipped on February 18, 1937 and delivered to E.K. Tryon Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with the barrel length and sights, the factory letter also confirms the blue finish and Magna stocks. The right grip panel is numbered to another gun ("48736"), "REG. 1964" is stamped on the inside of the frame, and matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The factory box is numbered on a piece of applied tape to the gun by serial number and registration number.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original blue finish with a light cylinder drag line and minimal handling marks. 98% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The period replacement grips are excellent with minimal handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with wear, separated lid corner, and remnants of tape. A very desirable, high condition 8 3/8 inch barrel S&W .357 Registered Magnum DA Revolver that will be a great addition to any S&W or big game revolver collection.
Colt Ace Pistol with Original Box and Factory Letter
Lot # 3345 (Sale Order: 343 of 616)
Manufactured in 1939, the included factory letter confirms the pistol's configuration, including a 4 3/4 inch barrel chambered for .22 caliber, blue finish, and type of grips not listed, when sent alone in a shipment to Fred Kroner Hardware Company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 31, 1939. Features fixed oval blade front and adjustable tangent rear sights, unmarked blued barrel with polished chamber hood, along with checkered slide catch, short trigger, thumb safety, wide spur hammer, and arched mainspring housing. The right of the slide bears the two-line Colt address and patent dates with Rampant Colt, with the "ACE" designation and caliber marking on the right side. The right of the frame bears the serial number, with "4" and "triangle/VP" marked on the left of the trigger guard. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips and a correct two-tone blued magazine marked "COLT/ACE/22LR" on the base. Includes the original Colt maroon box with appropriate end label and matching serial number written on the underside in pencil, manual, and bore brush.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine, retaining 85% plus original blue finish with minor edge wear, some thinning/silvering visible on the grip straps, a few minor patches of spotting/freckling, and minor handling marks. The grips are also very fine with a minor gouge on the left panel and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some edge wear visible on the lid and a few tears.
Nickel Finished Colt Government Model Pistol with Factory Letter
Lot # 3346 (Sale Order: 344 of 616)
Manufactured in 1928, the included factory letter confirms the pistol's configuration, including a five inch barrel chambered for .45 caliber, nickel finish, and wood grips, when included in a shipment of four sent to the famed Wolf & Klar retailer in Forth Worth, Texas, on October 22, 1928. Features fixed rounded blade front and square notch rear sights, nickel finished barrel with "7" marked on the back of the recoil lug, two-line Colt address and patent dates on the left of the slide with the caliber designation and Rampant Colt on the right side, matching "156/697" serial number marked behind the firing pin stop, model designation and serial number on the right of the frame, along with checkered slide catch, short milled trigger, thumb safety, wide spur hammer, and arched mainspring housing with lanyard loop on the base. The right side of the trigger guard is marked "20, with "1" over "triangle/VP" on the left side. Fitted with a pair of checkered walnut grips and an unmarked nickel finished magazine with pinned base.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 99% plus original nickel finish with some limited minor scratches and handling evidence. The grips are exceptionally fine with defined checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Scarce Colt Model 1900 Commercial "Sight Safety" Pistol
Lot # 3347 (Sale Order: 345 of 616)
This is a unaltered Colt "Sight Safety" Model 1900 semi-automatic pistol that was manufactured in 1902. The Model 1900 was the very first Colt semi-automatic pistol produced, with only 3300 "Civilian" models being manufactured from 1900-1903. This pistol employed a unique mechanism in that the rear sight functioned as the safety. You would have the rear sight in the up position to fire it and push it down and it would function as a firing pin block. Although they proved to be a huge success because it demonstrated a very desirable technological upgrade (semi-automatic functioning), they were not well liked as the cartridge proved to have marginal stopping power. The right side of the slide is marked "AUTOMATIC COLT/CALIBER 38 RIMLESS SMOKELESS" and the left side is marked ""BROWNING'S PATENT" COLTS PATENT FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./PAT'D APRIL 20. 1897. HARTFORD CONN. U.S.A." with the circled Rampant Colt on the rear portion of the slide behind the serrations. Casehardened flat spur hammer, niter blued trigger and magazine release. The magazine is nickel plated and is marked on the floorplate, PAT'D SEPT.91884. It is fitted with the standard Colt factory smooth walnut grips with the brass escutcheons. Slide number matches the frame.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Fine with 40% of the bright original blue remaining overall, showing an even general wear overall, with the wear being on the radius of the side of the slides, the front edges, with a larger spot of blue loss visible on the left side with the overall balance turning a brown patina. The frame shows wear on the back strap and the front grip strap. The markings are clear and sharp overall. The refurbished grips are very good with a nice even brown finish showing numerous light handling marks. The case colors have faded to a silvery hue. Mechanically fine.
California Shipped Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
Lot # 3348 (Sale Order: 346 of 616)
Manufactured early in 1913, the second year of production for Colt's commercial Government Model pistol with an approximate serial number range of C1900 to C5399. The included factory letter confirms the pistol's configuration, including a five inch barrel chambered for .45 caliber, blue finish, and types of grips not listed when included in a shipment of two pistols sent to the Golcher Brothers of San Francisco, California, on August 29, 1913. Features fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear sights, a replacement blued barrel with inspector "P" stamp visible on the unpolished blued chamber hood, a smooth long trigger, flat smooth mainspring housing with lanyard loop, along with a niter blued checkered slide stop, magazine release, thumb safety, and wide hammer. The left side of the slide bears the two-line, two-block Colt address and patent markings with uncircled Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations, along with the caliber marking on the right. The frame is marked with "triangle/VP" and "R" on the left of the trigger guard, along with "GOVERNMENT MODEL" and serial number marked on the right side. Fitted with a pair of checkered "double diamond" walnut grips and a two-tone magazine with pinned baseplate.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine, retaining 80% plus original blue and 60% plus original niter blue finishes with scattered light edge wear, light thinning on the grip straps with grey patina, scattered minor spots of spotting/freckling, and minor handling marks. The grips are fine with minor handling wear in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection
Colt Model 1902 Military Semi-Automatic Pistol
Lot # 3349 (Sale Order: 347 of 616)
Manufactured in 1909. Features oval blade front and rounded notch rear sights, early production mirror polish blue finish, a casehardened and checkered spurred hammer which is consistently found on pistols over serial number 33,000, the two-line, two block Colt patent dates and address on the left of the slide and caliber designation on the right, checkered slide stop, the serial number on the left of the frame, "triangle/VP" and "W" marked on the left of the trigger guard, and a lanyard loop on the lower left side of the grip frame. Fitted with a pair of Colt banner and circled Rampant Colt marked checkered hard rubber grips and a later production replacement "MIL/COLT/CAL.38" marked blued magazine.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Fine, retaining 60% plus bright original high-polish blue finish and 75% case colors on the hammer with light edge wear, thinning on the grip straps with some visible silvering along with grey and brown patinas, some minor patches of visible freckling/spotting, and some light handling marks. The grips are also fine with defined logos and checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Pre-WWI Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless Pistol with Box
Lot # 3350 (Sale Order: 348 of 616)
Manufactured in 1913, features fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear sights, an unmarked blued barrel, two-line, two-block Colt patent dates and address on the left of the slide with Rampant Colt behind the serrations, and caliber designation on the right of the slide. The left of the frame bears the serial number, with "triangle/VP" and "R" marked on the left of the trigger guard. Fitted with a pair of correct early pattern Colt banner and Rampant Colt with stylized "C" marked checkered hard rubber grips and an unmarked blued magazine. Includes an un-numbered Colt maroon box with appropriate end label and a bore brush.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retaining 90% plus bright original high polish blue finish with some minor edge wear, some minor thinning on the grip straps with visible brown patina, and minor handling marks. The grips are also excellent with crisp logos and defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine.
Canadian Contract Colt Gov't Model Pistol with Factory Letter
Lot # 3351 (Sale Order: 349 of 616)
Manufactured early in 1914, the included factory letter confirms the pistol's configuration, including a five inch barrel chambered for .45 caliber, blue finish, and types of grips not listed when included in a shipment of 1,000 pistols sold to the Canadian Government (which ordered roughly 5,000 pistols total) and sent to J. Wesley Allison of Waddington, New York, on September 11, 1914. This shipment, with a listed serial range of C3000 to C8400, is also documented in the table of "Appendix E" on p. 413 of "Colt .45 Service Pistols: Models of 1911 and 1911A1" by Charles W. Clawson. Some replacement components have been installed, including the fixed oval blade front and rounded notch rear sights, blued barrel with "P" on the polished chamber hood, checkered slide stop, magazine release, safety, wide hammer, flat smooth mainspring housing and short checkered trigger (a later production M1911A1 pattern). The left side of the slide bears the two-line, two-block Colt address and patent markings with uncircled Rampant Colt behind the slide serrations, along with the caliber marking on the right. The frame is marked with "triangle/VP" and "y" on the left of the trigger guard, with "GOVERNMENT MODEL" and serial number marked on the right, along with "T" marked on the right of the trigger guard. Fitted with a pair of checkered "double diamond" walnut grips and a two-tone magazine with pinned lanyard loop base.
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Very fine as a Great War Canadian Government purchased Colt Government Model pistol, retaining 85% bright original commercial blue finish with some light holster pattern edge wear, minor thinning on the grip straps with some visible brown and grey patinas, some limited faint freckling, and some light scratches and minor handling marks. The grips are also very fine with minor handling evidence in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Pre-WWII Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless Pistol
Lot # 3352 (Sale Order: 350 of 616)
The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as shipment to "Baker, Hamilton & Pacific Company in San Francisco on 4 January 1928. The left side of the slide is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates with the Rampant Colt behind the serrations. The right side has the standard two line caliber marking. The serial number is marked on the left of the frame. The left of the trigger guard is marked "W/VP", while the right is marked "91". It is fitted with blade and notch sight as well as a pair of checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions. Includes the original factory box (most of the end label absent).
Class: Curio & Relic Handgun
Excellent, retains 97% of the original blue finish with some light handling marks/spotting on the front grip strap and grip safety, as well as some light holster wear on the leading edges of the slide. The grips are also excellent with a few light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is good with mild handling/storage wear and most of the end label absent.