Auction No. 104 - Session 1
Saturday, November 22, 2014 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
Auction No. 104 - Session 1
Saturday, November 22, 2014 | 10:00 AM Eastern
Auction closed.
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Description
This sale by Amoskeag Auction Company features over 700 lots of rare and historic firearms. View the entire catalog here.
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Colt Camp Perry Model Pistol
Lot # 1 (Sale Order: 1 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #1905, 22 LR, 8" barrel with a bright excellent bore. This pistol is the desirable 8" barrel length and is virtually as new-in-box. The metal surfaces of pistol retain 99% original blue finish with finely knurled backstrap. The checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions rate about mint. The pistol comes in its original purple hinge top box numbered in pencil on bottom to the gun. The box rates excellent and comes with its original test target numbered to the gun and a factory cleaning brush. End label is excellent. Here's your chance to purchase a virtually perfect 8" Camp Perry in the box. (16651-63) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt Police Positive Target Model Revolver
Lot # 2 (Sale Order: 2 of 711)
Low Estimate: 1,000High Estimate: 1,500
serial #32424, 22 WRF, 6" barrel with a bright excellent bore. This revolver remains in near new condition and is equipped with factory mother-of-pearl grips. Metal surfaces of revolver retain 98 Ð 99% original blue overall with just a tiny amount of edge wear at the muzzle. The factory mother-of-pearl grips have silver Rampant Colt medallions and rate excellent with no chips. The sides of hammer still show nice bright polish. The revolver comes with a factory letter confirming the configuration, including the grips, and shows a single gun shipment on May 12, 1927 to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods in Boston. Revolver comes in its original purple Colt box with correct end label along with "SPECIAL TARGET", "PATRIDGE SIGHTS" and "PEARL BLUE" surcharges. The box is in about good condition with some separations along the edges but it all appears to be present. A splendid little Police Positive Target. (16651-64) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Harrington & Richardson U.S.R.A. Model 195 Single Shot Target Pistol
Lot # 3 (Sale Order: 3 of 711)
Low Estimate: 1,500High Estimate: 2,000
serial #1857, 22 LR, 7" key hole shaped barrel with an excellent bore. This pistol has seen light use but remains in excellent condition with about 96% blue finish remaining. The muzzle has started to silver along with slight thinning finish of the forestrap and scattered light scratches. The one piece checkered walnut wraparound "No. 5 Free Pistol" style grips are in excellent condition and have the retention screw in the rear. This pistol is marked U.S.R.A. Model, has the early round checkered thumb latch, curved trigger, fixed undercut Patridge sight, matching numbers on the barrel and flat hinged extractor. The pistol includes an original one piece hinged blue box that is correctly end labeled to the gun and has matching serial number stamped on the bottom. The box is in very good condition exhibiting light handling and storage wear. Also included are the original test target numbered to the gun that is lightly soiled, a near excellent H&R catalog No. 21 with the street address hand written on the book, near excellent price of parts list, near excellent advertising pamphlet for the U.S.R.A. model, manual in pamphlet form that is starting to separate in the folds, copies of U.S.R.A. advertisement and a wooden cleaning rod. If you are looking for magnificent example of a U.S.R.A. you need look no further than this wonderful offering. (86651-52) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Smith & Wesson Post War Pre-Model 27 357 Magnum Hand Ejector Revolver
Lot # 4 (Sale Order: 4 of 711)
Low Estimate: 1,400High Estimate: 1,800
serial #S94882, 357 Magnum, 6 1/2" pinned barrel with an excellent bore. This 1952 Ð 1953 era revolver retains about 98% original blue finish with some light silvering at the muzzle, a light turn ring on the recessed cylinder and a few light handling marks. The Magna trigger and standard hammer retain rich case hardened colors with a faint operation mark seen on the hammer. The diamond checkered factory walnut Magna grips with silver S&W medallions are in very good to excellent condition with most of the loss on the right panel which consist of light handling marks and small, shallow chip of wood missing below the medallion. The grips, frame, crane, cylinder, extractor and barrel have correct matching serial numbers. The gun includes a wonderful condition original factory gold box that is correctly end labeled and hand numbered to the gun and contains a cleaning rod, bore brush, bore mop and early style screwdriver. This is a fine example of Pre-model 27. (86886-11) {C&R}
Smith & Wesson Post War Transitional 357 Magnum Hand Ejector Revolver
Lot # 5 (Sale Order: 5 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #S71729, 357 Magnum, 8 3/8" pinned barrel with an excellent bore. This 1947 Ð 1948 made, five screw revolver retains 99% plus original blue finish with a light turn ring on the recessed cylinder the only blemish observed. The radial grooved hammer and Magna trigger retain bold case-hardened colors with no operation marks seen. The big N frame has like new diamond checkered factory walnut Magna grips with silver S&W medallions. The grips and all appropriate parts are correctly numbered to the gun. This revolver has the post war blue adjustable micrometer rear sight but was equipped with a King Patridge front sight equipped with removable blade. The revolver includes a superb condition original gold factory box that is correctly end labeled and hand numbered to the gun and contains a cleaning rod and bore mop. According to Jim Supica in the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson perhaps as few as six guns with barrels 8" or longer were made during the 1946 Ð 1950 transitional period before the pre-model 27 production started at serial #S75000. This is a truly striking rare gun that has seen very little if any use. (86886-10) {C&R}
Winchester Pre '64 Model 70 Rifle
Lot # 6 (Sale Order: 6 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 3,000
serial #395893, 257 Roberts, 24" barrel with a bright minty bore. This 1957 production rifle has obviously spent no time chasing game. The rifle features the Monte Carlo stock of the period and is sighted with a silver bead front and Lyman folding rear sight. The bolt is properly electric-pencil numbered to the rifle on the underside and features the type III safety and drilled bolt handle, all correct for the period. The rifle is in stellar condition with the metal surfaces retaining 99% original finish with the only loss on the right frame rail and corresponding areas of extractor. The checkered pistolgrip stock rates excellent plus with 98% original finish, crisp checkering and one or two light handling marks; factory sling swivels are present. (16652-6) {C&R}
Winchester Pre '64 Model 70 Rifle
Lot # 7 (Sale Order: 7 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 3,000
serial #21410, 22 Hornet, 24" barrel with a bright minty bore. This pre-war rifle remains in very fine condition. The bolt is properly electric-pencil numbered to the rifle and is equipped with the early knurled safety. The rifle is sighted with a silver bead front and Winchester 22G rear sight. The rifle features the early style polished action and metal surfaces retain 98% original blue with just the tiniest bit of edge wear on front end of floorplate. The pistolgrip walnut stock features the early fine checkering and checkered steel buttplate. The condition of the stock is fabulous with 98% original finish remaining and with a few very light handling marks. A very clean 1939 production rifle. (16652-1) {C&R}
Whitney Kennedy Small Frame Sporting Rifle
Lot # 8 (Sale Order: 8 of 711)
Low Estimate: 1,500High Estimate: 2,500
serial #1260, 44-40, 24" round barrel with an excellent bore. This rifle features the "S" lever and remains in nice condition. The barrel and magazine retain about 25% original blue finish blending with a smooth and even brown patina. The action retains about 80% original blue finish with most loss on belly which is mostly gray and tangs which are similar in color. There are some scattered light scratches in the surface of the action, not overly obtrusive but they warrant mention. The hammer retains a good deal of original color case-hardened finish. The plain walnut buttstock and forend rate very good with about 95% original finish remaining. The buttstock has a neat period repair to the wrist consisting of oval brass panels inlet and screwed to either side of the wrist. Both brass panels bear a wonderful untouched patina, the left panel engraved "Philip Miller / Traverse City MI", the right lightly scratched-engraved "LAH / Mustadt / Ontario". The rifle wears its original crescent steel buttplate with sliding door compartment. The rifle is sighted with standard open sporting sights. A nice Whitney Kennedy sporting rifle with neat period repair. (16520-2802) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Winchester Model 1895 Flatside Rifle
Lot # 9 (Sale Order: 9 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #678, 38-72 WCF, 26" round barrel with an excellent bore. This is a nice honest rifle. The barrel retains about 50% original blue finish blending with a smooth brown patina and with some light oxidation staining present. The action retains about 70% original blue finish also blending with a smooth brown patina in areas of loss and also showing some light oxidation staining and a couple very light scratches through the finish only. The plain walnut buttstock and forend rate near excellent with about 90% original finish remaining and with a single hole in toeline where a sling stud was removed, there is no evidence of any type of forward sling mount. The forend has a schnabel tip with ebony insert. The rifle is sighted with standard open sporting sights. A very nice second year production three digit 1895 rifle. (16520-2354) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Merrimack Arms Deluxe Ballard Sporting Rifle
Lot # 10 (Sale Order: 10 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #20102, 38 CF, 24" octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a lovely rifle. The barrel retains about 70% original blue finish with nearly all loss coming on the top and top left flats where there is scattered light and in some places moderate pitting present. The balance of the barrel shows nice original blue and the areas of pitting are dark brown and not overly obtrusive. The action shows about 85% original color case-hardened finish which has softened but still shows subtle colors throughout. The uncheckered buttstock and iron capped forend forend show very nice figure, particularly the buttstock and both rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with just light handling marks present. There is sling swivel mounted very neatly in a dovetail in the bottom of the barrel with corresponding stud in toeline of stock. This rifle features the manual extractor mounted in bottom breech end of forend along with a gold washed Beach combination front sight, two leaf folding rear barrel sight and the original tang mounted peepsight mounted in dovetail in top rear of action. Merrimack Arms sporting rifles with condition are very rare, deluxe variations are extremely rare. (16651-44) {ANTIQUE} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Engraved Volcanic Lever Action No. 1 Pocket Pistol By New Haven Arms Company
Lot # 11 (Sale Order: 11 of 711)
Low Estimate: 10,000High Estimate: 15,000
serial #1445, .31 caliber, 3 1/2" octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a fabulous little Volcanic. The brass frame features wonderful loose flowing factory scroll engraving on sides of frame and having lovely foliate border engraving along the top of the frame and down the backstrap. This pistol has an unusual barrel marking reading "NEW HAVEN CONN. / PATENT FEB. 14. 1854" and the right side of the lever shows assembly number "8". The condition of this little pistol is fabulous with the barrel retaining about 60% bright original blue finish with areas of loss bearing a smooth gray brown patina. The blue loss on the barrel looks to be from flaking and not wear and the areas of loss are quite smooth. The frame shows very sharp engraving, crisp edges and bears a wonderful even patina. The hammer is a pleasing mix of faded color case-hardened finish and gray patina. The bolt retains lots of bright original fire blue as does the cartridge lifter. The grips are each stamp-numbered to the gun and rate excellent plus with 95% original varnish remaining. A superb Volcanic pocket pistol. Investment grade. (16520-4038) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Rifle
Lot # 12 (Sale Order: 12 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #55779, 32-40, 30" part round part octagon No. 2 weight barrel with a bright excellent bore. This rifle is in wonderful condition. The barrel retains 90% evenly thinning original blue with areas of thinning blending with a smooth brown patina. The action retains 95% brilliant original color case-hardened finish. The plain walnut buttstock and forend rate excellent with 85% original finish remaining with most loss being on belly of forend. The rifle has been fitted with a factory Swiss buttplate which does not fit perfectly and with the very edge of the buttstock having been lightly beveled to meet the buttplate. A good wood man could likely fit a factory crescent buttplate to this rifle in a fashion that would be undetectable. The rifle is sighted with a windgauge front, open rear slot and a mid-range Vernier tang mounted peepsight. Overall a nice, high condition antique High Wall with one period alteration. (16520-1756) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Bullard Semi-Deluxe Takedown Single Shot Target Rifle
Lot # 13 (Sale Order: 13 of 711)
Low Estimate: 3,500High Estimate: 5,500
serial #3690, 38-55, 28" part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This rifle is in wonderful all original condition. The barrel of this rifle retains about 80% evenly thinning original blue finish with the octagonal breech section being mostly a smooth brown patina. The frame retains 90 - 95% original blue finish with some striations through the finish bearing a pleasing smooth brown patina. The hammer and lever retain strong original color case-hardened finish. The un-checkered pistol grip buttstock and forend show some nice figure and rate excellent retaining 95% original finish and showing nice honest raised grain. The buttplate is a steel rifle type butt that may or may not be original although it fits very nicely, the wood beneath the buttplate is completely undisturbed. The rifle is sighted with a globe front, blank in rear slot and a Soule windage adjustable tang mounted peepsight is present. A lovely Bullard rifle. (16651-17) {ANTIQUE} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Maynard Improved No. 16 Target Rifle
Lot # 14 (Sale Order: 14 of 711)
Low Estimate: 3,000High Estimate: 5,000
serial #26348, .32-35, 28" part round part octagon barrel with an excellent bore. This is a very nice rifle with the barrel being correctly numbered to the action. The condition is quite nice with the barrel retaining about 90% original blue finish with wear being even and mostly along the high edges. The action retains 95% original color case-hardened finish which remains quite strong and rich. The checkered pistolgrip buttstock and forend are of very highly figured American black walnut and rate very good plus with lots of original finish on the butt and less on the forend from honest period carry wear. The checkering remains quite strong with just the lightest wear present. The rifle is equipped with its original nickel plated brass Swiss buttplate with only traces of original nickel remaining and with the brass showing a lovely rich patina. The rifle is sighted with a globe front with removable inserts, no rear seat and its original folding tang mounted peepsight. The original sight rest stud at rear of top tang is present. This is a very nice deluxe Maynard rifle. (16520-2732) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Colt Lightning Medium Frame Factory Cutaway Rifle
Lot # 15 (Sale Order: 15 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #28968, 44-40, 8" round barrel with full magazine and a bright minty bore with just a little oxidation at the muzzle. This is one of approximately 50 factory demonstrator Lightning rifles made between 1885 and 1890, this one being made in 1888. The frame has 11 milled openings to allow viewing of the internal mechanism of the rifle. The forend is a typical two-piece checkered walnut forend and the buttstock is cut and rounded over just before the comb. Metal surfaces of rifle are a brown patina with some scattered old surface oxidation and some minor light scattered pitting. The area with the Rampant Colt is milled away and there are traces of bright original blue in protected areas. The stocks rate excellent with the forend screws showing light oxidation. The rifle functions perfectly. A rare and completely honest Colt Lightning factory cutaway. (16891-6) {ANTIQUE}
Colt Officer'S Model Target Revolver
Lot # 16 (Sale Order: 16 of 711)
Low Estimate: 1,800High Estimate: 2,200
serial #643062, 32 Colt, 6" heavy barrel with a minty bore. This 1940 production revolver features Patridge adjustable target sights and is in a desirable chambering. The condition of the revolver is flawless. Metal surfaces of revolver retain 99% plus original blue finish overall. The sides of the hammer retain their bright polish and the checkered walnut grips with silver Rampant Colt medallions are mint. The revolver comes in its original purple Colt box numbered in pencil on bottom to the gun. The box is numbered again in pencil inside the lid and also bears the name "Capt. Flynn". The condition of the box is superb and the end label is correct with the "2" in the caliber being an applied label over the original "8" as these 32 caliber revolvers were made in very limited quantities. Included in the box is a cleaning brush, screwdriver and "Shooting Suggestions" sheet. This revolver is virtually perfect. (16651-65) {C&R}
Colt Model 1877 Thunderer Revolver
Lot # 17 (Sale Order: 17 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,000High Estimate: 3,000
serial #46330, 41 Colt, 2 1/2" barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a desirable "storekeeper's" configuration with the ejectorless short barrel and also features an etched panel and blue and case colored finish. The condition is very nice with the barrel and cylinder retaining about 70% original blue with loss due to flaking and with those areas of loss bearing a lovely smooth brown patina. The left side of the barrel shows a strong fully legible etch. The frame retains about 95% strong original color case-hardened finish. The gripframe retains about 65% original blue which is bright and strong with wear being just along the backstrap which is now a smooth brown patina. The grips are period mother-of-pearl replacements. A handsome little 1883 production Thunderer snubby. (16520-981) {ANTIQUE} [Richard "Stretch" Kennedy Collection]
Colt New Service Target Revolver
Lot # 18 (Sale Order: 18 of 711)
Low Estimate: 3,500High Estimate: 5,500
serial #83325, 44 Russian and S&W Special, 7 1/2" barrel with a bright excellent bore. This revolver features a square notch rear sight and blued bead front with checkered gripstraps and trigger. The metal surfaces of the revolver retain 97% plus original blue finish with most loss at the muzzle and the smallest amount of light thinning on left side of barrel toward muzzle. The hammer spine retains nearly all of its original fire blued finish and polish on sides of hammer remains bright. The fancy diamond checkered factory walnut grips with brass Rampant Colt medallions rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and showing sharp checkering. A very fine 1915 production New Service Target with dual caliber marking. (16651-79) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Colt New Service Target Revolver
Lot # 19 (Sale Order: 19 of 711)
Low Estimate: 2,500High Estimate: 3,500
serial #18167, 44 Russian, 7 1/2" barrel with a bright excellent bore. This old model target revolver shows the barrel address with last patent date of 1901 and has original high polish blue finish. This flattop frame revolver has an adjustable "U" notch rear sight with blued bead front, checkered gripstraps and trigger. The condition of the revolver is excellent with 95% original blue remaining with primary wear at the muzzle and on left side of frame from locking latch rubbing lightly on the frame. The hammer spine and trigger retain strong original fire blue with sides of hammer showing good bright polish. The correct early style diamond checkered grips rate excellent and fit perfectly with 95% original finish and sharp checkering. A lovely New Service Old Model Target. (16651-75) {C&R} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
Beautiful Owens Brothers Magazine Sporting Rifle By Bob Owen
Lot # 20 (Sale Order: 20 of 711)
Low Estimate: 8,000High Estimate: 10,000
30-06, 24" barrel with a bright very good plus to near excellent bore which shows only some very light frosting nearer the breech. The metal surfaces retain about 95-97% of an older restored rust blued finish, there being some tiny remnants of some streaky, extremely light pinprick pitting beneath. The bottom metal shows slightly more toning to gray, especially along its sharp edges and the front extension. The bolt body shows only light wear with the extractor showing the mottled burnishing that was popular during the period. The receiver and first 5" of the barrel show lovely loose flowing foliate scroll with background punch dot shading by Rudolf Kornbrath, the front ring with a nice depiction of a large bull moose head. The bottom metal is engraved in similar fashion with the floorplate showing wonderful depictions of a grizzly bear and a bull elk, forever separated by a large flowing flourish of foliate scroll. The bolt handle and shroud show the same lovely Kornbrath engraving along with geometric borderline embellishment while the knob proper shows four coarsely checkered panels for positive grasping with a flower on its very bottom surface. The rifle is stocked classic style in a nice grade of English walnut and rates very good with overall dings and handling marks from the years of use afield. The rifle features nice scant comb flutes with a rounded shadow line left-side cheekpiece. The checkered pistol grip panels are flawlessly executed and nicely bordered with tiny diamonds accenting their front-most sections, the forend area is profusely checkered over all in a flawless wrap-around pattern which is borderless except for its rear-most edge adjacent to the magazine box; it features arrow-shaped ribbons left and right with the same accenting diamond in each rear-most panel. The rifle features European-style sling swivels, an un-engraved gold monogram plate along the toeline, a beautiful bone forend tip and a blued steel pistolgrip cap which is nicely engraved. The typical fully checkered buttplate is present with engraved widows peak giving a 13 1/2" length of pull; beneath the trap we find a thong and brush, spare firing pin nose and spare Marbles Sheard style front sight. The barrel shows the appropriate early maker mark "Owens Brothers Saquoit New York". The gun is sighted with a sporting ramp front which supports a Marbles Sheard sight. The face of the ramp is neatly matted and there are light sprays of geometric and foliate engraving surrounding the ramp. The rear of the striker is neatly fitted with a Lyman aperture sight, the screw-in aperture no longer present. This particular rifle is featured in Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century and pictured on page 66. Mr. Owen was an exceptional craftsman and started in the business making "best quality" arms, a fact this rifle is testament to; these arms are extremely scarce and very rarely encountered. Really an astonishing arm done by this extremely talented maker. (36650-8) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Lovely Custom 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle From Kirkwood Of Boston
Lot # 21 (Sale Order: 21 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #1406893, 30-06, 24" star gauged barrel with a bright excellent bore. The metal surfaces retain about 98-99% excellent quality maker rust blue. The bolt body is bright with the nice crosshatched burnishing seen during the period, the extractor with light wear. The shroud shows remnants of some silvery case-hardening mixing with its rust blue. The receiver races have been honed bright and the right race and follower neatly jeweled. The bottom metal shows the tiniest amount of light oxidation, it is unobtrusive. The gun is stocked classic style with a nice left side flared shadow line cheekpiece. The stock is of English walnut and rates very good plus to near excellent showing only some very minor handling marks from light use and with some a very stunning grain in the butt, especially in the area of the cheekpiece. The grip shows borderless checkered panels with the forend wraparound, each showing numerous very tiny little overruns which are somewhat amusing. The rifle is very classic with its horn forend tip, blued steel gripcap and checkered steel buttplate providing a 13 3/4" length of pull. There are generous quick detachable swivel studs along the toeline and underside of the forend. The rifle is sighted with a banded sporting ramp front which supports a simple bead sight along with a knurled hood while the rear receiver ring supports a Lyman aperture sight. The front guard screw shows some very light damage and there is a small ding or scratch just ahead of it on the front extension. There are two squarish cracks left and right at the very front of the stock flat, disassembly reveals a repair to a crack through the recoil lug area, very professionally done, utilizing bedding compound, it is likely these cracks may have been caused by the installation of a hidden crossbolt, they are unobtrusive and barely worth the mention. the underside of the barrel is star gauge numbered "A/483" and the star gauge mark is present at the muzzle. The rifle comes with a copy of a June 8, 1934-dated voucher from the DCM and a copy of an SRS letter, showing shipment of this rifle by serial number, NRA Type Sporter, to Dr. Judson A Smith, care of Kirkwood Brothers Boston. Overall a very handsome 30s-made Kirkwood sporter that likely shoots extremely well with its lovely star gauged barrel. (36649-11) {C&R}
Custom 1903 Rock Island Magazine Sporting Rifle By Fred Adolph
Lot # 22 (Sale Order: 22 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #235874, 30-06, 24" 7-13 dated barrel with a bright excellent bore. The barreled action retains perhaps 90-92% original blue, actually appearing much stronger under normal ambient light, with the loss due primarily to just even fading. The bolt body and handle show excellent restored blue with minor operational marks and light toning on the knob, also with some pinprick pits in that area. Built on an NRA action, the bottom metal retains about 70% original blue, the front extension with the flaming bomb and NRA stamp, the center of the floorplate with the name of the fellow for-whom it was built, "GW Mixter/1916" engraved in a scrolled riband; there are some dings on the triggerguard bow, they are unobtrusive. The gun is beautifully stocked classic style with a lovely pinched comb and a rounded left-side cheekpiece with a shadow line. The grip features flawlessly checkered panels with mullered borders while the forend has a wrap-around pattern. The arm has a very graceful schnabel tip and a scalloped hard rubber grip cap with a length of pull to the grooved trapdoor buttplate of 13 7/8". The stock itself rates very good plus to excellent showing only sparse, very minor dings and handling marks from use afield. There is a tiny chip missing from the rear of the receiver tang and a very tiny crack starting near the magazine cut off inlet, neither of these relevant. The rifle is sighted with a Marbles bead in the original front banded ramp and there is a Lyman receiver sight in place on the rear bridge. George Webber Mixter was an Army colonel among other things and was chief of aircraft production. He was a graduate of Yale and Johns Hopkins and would become the director and vice president of John Deere, his family company, and was president and general manager of the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company for a period of time. Really an absolutely lovely Adolph rifle in a very fine state of condition. The arm is pictured and discussed in Custom Gunsmiths of the 20th Century, volume 2. An absolutely superb example, clearly one of the finest Adolph's around. (36650-20) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Interesting 1903 Springfield Magazine Sporting Rifle By Seymour Griffin
Lot # 23 (Sale Order: 23 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #684170, 30-06, 24" barrel with a very good bore showing sharp rifling but with minor frosting within the grooves. The barreled action retains about 98% very nicely restored rust blue. The bottom metal is similar and is beautifully Rudolf Kornbrath engraved with his typical loose foliate scroll on front extension, bow of guard and surrounding a game scene vignette of a grizzly bear on the floorplate. The bow of the guard has the initials "FMH" inlaid in gold. The classic style stock rates very good to very good plus with the overall minor dings and handling marks one would expect from a field-used rifle. The forend is three-quarter-length, typical of Griffin's early stocks, terminating in a nice schnabel. There is a rounded left side cheekpiece with shadow line, bone pistolgrip cap which shows a bit of insect damage and a checkered and lightly engraved trapdoor buttplate giving a 13 3/4" length of pull. The generous grip panels are very nicely checkered and feature mullered borders, the right panel showing a number of tiny over-runs. The forend panels are lovely as well, also with mullered borders, close inspection revealing a tiny overrun here or there. The most interesting part of the rifle is a silver plaque affixed to the right side of the butt which details the rifle's history. It mentions the gun being recovered in Fismes France in August 1918 and being carried by a member of the 111th infantry in the Argonne Forest. When returned to America the rifle was presented by Capt. Charles Johnston, Headquarters 111th infantry to a Mr. F M Hoblitt (Frederick M Hoblitt of New York City was the general manager of sales for the Ajax Rubber Company and connected with other automotive interests) and converted to a sporting rifle in 1919 by Mr. Griffin. Fismes was the scene of horrific fighting in August 1918, the village basically reduced to rubble, American casualties disastrous. Hopefully Mr. Hoblitt was able to put the rifle to good, more peaceful uses afield in the forests of upstate New York or wherever the road took him. Charles Johnston was captain of Company G, 111th Infantry. Overall a lovely early Griffin still in a very fine state of condition with a quite a story to tell, further diligent researcher may turn up the connection between Johnston and Hoblitt. (36650-10) {C&R} [Michael Petrov Collection]
Lovely Griffin & Howe Pre '64 Winchester Model 70 Rifle
Lot # 24 (Sale Order: 24 of 711)
Low Estimate: 4,000High Estimate: 6,000
serial #34217, 270 Win, 24" Winchester barrel with a bright excellent bore showing a throat so crisp it appears unfired. The metal surfaces retain 98 to near 99% top-quality G&H rust blue, there being the tiniest ghost of some radial scratches about 2" in front of the receiver ring, they are actually missed at first glance. The bolt body and extractor are bright and show exceptional cross-hatch burnishing while the right receiver race and magazine follower show lovely engine turning, the left race honed bright; the rear of the receiver itself has been neatly narrowed from its original cloverleaf configuration and is very pleasing. The bolt handle has been gracefully sculpted and checkered in teardrop panels top and bottom on the knob; the safety was modified by G & H and sports a larger grooved thumb piece and now acts upon the right side of the shroud, rather than atop it as the original prewar safety did. The rifle is stocked classic style with a flared shadow line cheekpiece in a nice grade of English walnut, the stock rates excellent showing only a small handful of the very sparsely scattered very light handling marks here or there; there is a tiny flake starting at the left side of the butt's widows peak which could easily be arrested. There are checkered grip panels which are nicely bordered and the forearm has a flawless wrap-around pattern. The rifle features the Griffin & Howe signature bone forend tip, blued pistolgrip cap and has a very nice checkered and engraved trapdoor buttplate providing a 13 7/8" length of pull. There is an oval German silver monogram plate along the toeline which is neatly block engraved "HAS" and there is a Griffin & Howe swivel stud on the toeline, with a barrel band base soldered to the barrel. The rifle is sighted with the original Winchester matted front ramp with simple bead sight and heavily knurled G&H hood, the rear sight boss has been turned from the barrel and the receiver now sports a Lyman aperture sight in the factory holes on its left side; there is a sight bridge and bridge blank included with the rifle. The left side of the receiver has also been fitted with a G & H quick-detach base and ring set which supports a 2 1/2X Lyman Alaskan telescopic sight with post and crosshair reticle and bright excellent optics. The scope itself rates excellent with nearly all its original blue. The rifle is absolutely superb and does not appear to have seen any use since leaving the Griffin & Howe. A super rifle, in a super caliber, with wonderful amenities. (36652-34) {C&R}
Superb Marlin Ballard No. 6 Schuetzen Rifle
Lot # 25 (Sale Order: 25 of 711)
Low Estimate: 8,000High Estimate: 12,000
serial #26308, 38-55, 32" heavy weight part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a completely honest, untouched and high condition example of one of the most handsome of Ballard rifles. The frame features lovely relief floral scroll engraving with a trotting buck in round panel on left side and a standing bear in round panel on the right side. The barrel is heavy with the octagonal section being identical to the frame in size. The rifle features factory adjustable double set triggers, ball and spur lever, factory target sights and heavy Swiss buttplate. All serial numbers match on the frame, barrel, forend, buttstock, buttplate and stock tang. The barrel retains 95% original blue with just a little light even thinning and some light silvering along the highest edges. The frame retains about 80% fading original color case-hardened finish which has a lovely antique appearance. The checkered straight grip buttstock and forend are of nicely figured walnut and rate excellent with 95% original finish remaining and with strong, crisp checkering. The stock shows its original factory cheekpiece, just a few scattered light handing marks and it fits perfectly. The forend tip is of horn and the original Schuetzen buttplate retains virtually all of its original nickel plated finish. The rifle is sighted with a windgauge spirit level front, no rear seat and a Vernier folding tang mounted peepsight. The rifle weighs in at 15 lbs. A truly wonderful Ballard No. 6 Shuetzen rifle, the finest we have ever had the privilege of offering for sale. Investment grade. (16651-3) {ANTIQUE} [John and Jan Wills Collection]
