Sale 1052 | Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness by Hindman Auctions

FRONTIER FIREARMS FROM THE LIFETIME COLLECTION OF LARRY NESS 8 JUNE 2022

FRONTIER FIREARMS FROM THE LIFETIME COLLECTION OF LARRY NESS 8 June 2022 10am ET | Cincinnati Lots 1–244 PREVIEW June 6 | 9:00am - 6:00pm June 7 | 8:00am - 4:00pm June 8 | 8:00am - 10:00am PROPERTY PICK UP HOURS Monday - Friday | 9:00am – 4:00pm By appointment 513.871.1670 All property must be paid for within seven days and picked up within thirty days per our Conditions of Sale. All firearms not identified as antique, will require compliance with the following agencies, as noted with asterisks in our printed and online catalogues. There will be no exception to these rules and regulations. * Indicates the weapon is regulated by Federal Firearms laws. ** Indicates the weapon is regulated by Curio & Relic classification of the Federal Firearm laws. *** Indicates the weapon is regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1934.

DEN 1057930 FL AB3688 GA AU-C003121 IL 444.000521 OH 2019000131 MO STL 107286

5030 Oaklawn Drive | Cincinnati, OH 45227 | 513.871.1670

COWANS.COM

Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness Larry Ness’ interest in weaponry began at a young age. As a kid growing up on a farm in South Dakota, he was rarely seen without his trusty jackknife and slingshot, and quickly became the bane of any gopher or rabbit that dared to step foot in the Ness gardens. Larry’s first collecting passion was the arrowheads and stone hammers that would turn up on the family lands. When his father told him it was time to go pick up rocks in the fields, Larry would bound out the door hoping to find his latest treasure. From there, Larry transitioned into acquiring Plains Indian beadwork, tools, and weapons. By the time he was an adult, Larry had begun collecting firearms. The firearms presented in this auction represent over 50 years of buying, trading, and shows that led to him becoming known as the “go to guy” for frontier firearms. Through this collection, Larry has assembled a lifetime of memories and friendships. Now, he feels it’s time to allow new collectors to form lifetime bonds over this pile of iron and wood. “I hope you will carry on the stories with your friends and families. Good luck!” -Larry Ness

Cowan’s would like to acknowledge Senior Consulting Specialist Tim Prince, for cataloguing the Ness Collection. O P P O SI T E Lots 20, 159, 221 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

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FRONTIER FIREARMS FROM THE LIFETIME COLLECTION OF LARRY NESS LOTS 1-244

O P P O SI T E Lots 162, 215, 225, 218 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

English Flintlock Trade Fusil by Ketland .53 caliber. 48” pinned round barrel. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Flat reconverted flint lock with teat at tail shows simple foliate engraving and is weakly marked “KETLAND & Co” in two lines. Nocksform marked “LONDON” with pre-1813 Birmingham proof marks at breech. Simple brass furniture with lightly engraved buttplate tang and triggerguard, rudimentary open work flowing floral side plate suggesting the form of the the ubiquitous serpent side plate that would become the norm for these guns. Simple brass ramrod pipes with baluster turned ends and wooden ramrod. A military style shield shaped brass thumb piece is in place on the wrist. Includes a wooden ramrod. The Ketland family of gunmakers and retailers was a major force in the Birmingham arms trade from the mid-18th century through the first quarter of the 19th century. They served as both gunmakers and merchants and by 1789 were in operation not only in England but in Philadelphia as well. Although they produced and sold large numbers of guns under the various Ketland maker marks, they produced even more locks for the American and Birmingham gun making trade and also severed as brokers and purchasing agents. Little evidence suggests that they produced trade guns for the Hudson’s Bay Company but they did sell to the Northwest Company prior to its merger with the HBC in the early 19th century. Good. Metal retains some old applied blue with the balance of the metal a moderately oxidized brownish patina with moderate pitting at the breech. Lock reconverted to flint with replaced external parts, including an ill-fitting hammer and frizzen. Lock functional, but weak. Bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock good with wear and approximately 21” of the forend neatly replaced from about the second rammer pipe to the tip. Both upper pipes replaced as well. Wooden ramrod likely replaced. $1,500 - 2,500

Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Ketland & Co. .58 caliber. 35.75” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, full-length beech stock. Lock appears to be in original flint configuration and is marked “T./KETLAND/& Co.” in three lines. Lock with rounded and fenced bridled pan and swan neck cock. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks. Typical trade gun features include a three-screw brass serpent side plate, an oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass butt plate, simple forend reinforcement and corrugated ramrod pipes. Butt previously decorated with brass tacks that are now missing, leaving their impressions and a combination of square and round shank holes. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Metal retains some applied brown with surface oxidation, scattered roughness and some pitting. Action functional, bore fair and pitted. Stock with added finish and stain, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars, and probable repaired cracks in the forend concealed by the added stain. $2,000 - 4,000

Early Full-Stock Flintlock Trade Gun .62 caliber. 47.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Metal heavily oxidized, iron and brass mountings, highly figured stock, possibly of maple. Unmarked flat beveled lock with pointed tail has an unbridled, faceted and fenced iron pan and slightly beveled flat swan neck cock. The lock remains in original flint configuration with an old period of use replaced bridle. Despite the strange profile of the cock, removal of the lock makes it clear that cock was made for this lock and has been with the lock since the period of use. It is this cataloger’s opinion that the cock was probably made in America at the time of the bridle replacement, thus the odd form yet perfect fit and obvious age. Barrel with early sunken London commercial proof marks. Typical trade gun features include the oversized iron triggerguard and the simple, flat buttplate, secured by seven square head nails. The flat brass side plate is similar in appearance to some Sea Service pistol side plates and may have been repurposed for the assembly of the gun. Mr. Ness notes that this gun is “a little strange”, but it appears to be an early American-made trade gun using mostly British made parts that was later repaired to keep in service. The stock certainly appears American and the unbridled pan and nailed buttplate are early features that suggest the gun dates to the late 18th century. A very attractive “Pennsylvania” style, full stock early American assembled Trade Gun. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock remains in original flint, remains fully functional and is moderately pitted. Bore condition is commensurate with the external condition of the metal. Ramrod is a modern replacement. Stock shows scattered bumps, dings and mars and moderate wear. $4,000 - 6,000 6

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Shortened American Fur Company Marked Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Chance .58 caliber. 22.25” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish now heavily oxidized, iron and brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked in two vertical arcs at the tail “W. CHANCE/& SON” and with the sunken “tombstone” “{FOX}/IA” mark of the American Fur Company under the pan. Top flat of barrel marked “LONDON” with another American Fur Company mark and a pair of pre-1813 Birmingham proof marks. Obverse butt with weak “fox in a circle” mark. Pointed-tail lock remains in original flint configuration with a rounded swan-neck cock, bridled and fenced rounded iron pan and wonderfully period re-faced frizzen. Typical trade gun features of the period include the oversized iron triggerguard, serpentine brass side plate in the form of a dragon and raised carved moldings around the breech plug tang, the rear of the lock mortise and the counterpane. The gun was shortened during the period of use to carbine length, with the barrel somewhat crudely cut back between 10” and 15” from its original full length and all but one ramrod pipe removed. The buttplate was removed as well, with the butt now slightly rounded and showing moderate wear due to long use without the buttplate in place. A small number of old, square shanked holes in the obverse butt suggest that at one time the gun was decorated with a few tacks. William Chance was listed as a “merchant” in Birmingham from 1777 through 1780, then doing business as Chance & Homer and finally as William Chance & Son(s) from 1812-1821. The pre-1813 Birmingham proofs, combined with the lock markings date this gun rather narrowly to about 18121813 production. A really attractive, if hard used, Native trade gun from the American Fur Company that is well worn and completely honest and that dates from the period of the War of 1812. Good. Metal is heavily oxidized with moderate amounts of surface roughness and scattered pitting. Markings remain mostly clear and legible. Lock remains in original flint and is essentially functional, but will not hold at half cock due to tumbler wear. Bore heavily oxidized. Wood worn with the expected imperfections for a 200 year old native used gun and shows scattered bumps, dings and mars. The stock also shows some impact marks, chipped wood loss around the tang and along both sides of the forend at the barrel junctions and a couple of non-structural minor cracks. Overall a really attractive and completely honest trade gun. $3,000 - 5,000

Northwest Trade Flintlock Gun by Parker, Field & Sons - Dated 1839 .60 caliber. 35.625” three-stage octagon to round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron triggerguard, brass furniture. Lock marked “PARKER/1839” in two vertical lines at the tail of the lock with the weak remnants the Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox}” on the lock and barrel. London commercial proof marks on barrel as well. Pre-1840 HBC style contract lock remains in original flint configuration with pointed tail, rounded swan neck cock with bridled and fenced rounded iron pan. Classic trade gun pattern brass “snake” three-screw side plate in the form of a dragon. Stock with raised carved apron with finial tip around breech plug tang and at tail of lock mortise and counterpane. Large iron triggerguard, brass buttplate secured by seven small brass wood screws, sheet brass stock reinforcement at stock tip and as ramrod pipes. Includes wood ramrod. The long time London gun making family of Pakers went into business circa 1592 when William Parker (I) was made “Free of Armorer’s Company”. The family continued with William Parker (II) circa 1656 and William Parker (III) circa 1804. With the addition of John Field in 1792 the partnership of Parker, Field & Co was formed, becoming Parker, Field & Sons by the 1830s. The first Hudson’s Bay Company contract with the firm was dated 1837. Parker, Field & Sons would eventually become second only to the Barnett family of London gunmakers in the manufacture of North West Trade Guns for the Hudson’s Bay Company. Very good. Metal with a medium gray, moderately oxidized patina with scattered light to moderate pitting in the breech area, and mostly smooth metal forward of the barrel transition to round. Markings remain legible with the exception of the Hudson’s Bay Company “Tombstone Fox” marks that appear to have been intentionally defaced. Lock remains in original flint and is fully functional, barrel shows no signs of reconversion and was inspected with an endoscope for welds and modifications at the breech. Brass furniture with an attractive golden patina. Stock crisp with some scattered chips and wood loss, particularly to the finial at the end of the breech plug apron and the moulding at the rear of the lock mortise. Counterpane with a couple of grain cracks, otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and handling marks. $3,000 - 5,000

F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Shortened and Modified Parker, Field & Co. Flintlock Trade Gun

.58 caliber. 18” three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions, shortened from full length with added barrel band. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Round-tailed lock remains in original flint with a bridled and fenced, rounded iron pan and rounded, reinforced cock. Lock marked in a three-line arc at the tail “PARKER/FIELD & Co/1869” and with the “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” Hudson’s Bay Company trademark under the pan. Barrel with weak London commercial proof marks on the breech and another HBC mark on the top flat. The barrel was shortened with a narrow barrel band added during the period of use and the buttstock was replaced with a military musket butt during the period of use as well. Mr. Ness notes that guns shortened in this manner for use in “Buffalo Running” and suggests the butt was broken and replaced at some point. It is equally possible that the gun was shorted and the butt remove for concealed use as a “blanket gun” and a butt was later reattached for more conventional use. The added musket butt appears to be from a European gun and is neatly attached with a an old riveted brass band at the junction. An interesting and attractive Native-modified Northwest Trade Gun with a really great “been there, done that” look. Parker, Field & Sons started to produce arms for the Hudson’s Bay Company under contract in 1837 and continued to do so until 1883. In 1875, the HBC contracts show the name changed to Parker, Field & Co, although arms bering that marking were produced by the late 1860s. About good as modified. Metal with a dull pewter patina and scattered surface oxidation, with some age standing and scattered pitting. Markings mostly legible, lock functional, bore pitted. Stock shortened and showing moderate wear with bumps, dings, bruises and some minor cracking. $2,000 - 3,000

Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Parker, Field & Co. dated 1874

.58 caliber. 36.25” pinned three-stage octane to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Blued and color casehardened finish, brass and iron furniture, hardwood stock. Round tailed flint lock in original flint configuration and is marked in four lines at the tail, “PARKER FIELD/& Co/1874/LONDON”. The Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox / EB}” trademark is stamped below the pan and on the top flat of the barrel. A depressed circular stamp is present on the obverse butt that has the raised letters “HHB Co” over a “{Standing Fox}”. Barrel with London commercial proofs on the left angled flat and a 24 gauge mark, indicating .58 caliber. Traditional Northwest Trade Gun features including the serpent side plate, over-sized iron triggerguard, carved moldings around the tang, rear of lock mortise and rear of counterpane, “two ring” barrel, flat brass buttplate and corrugated sheet brass ramrod pipes. A simple wooden ramrod that is likely a replacement is present in the channel under the barrel. Although a late production flintlock considering the technology of the time period, the Hudson’s Bay Company was still dealing in flint ignition Northwest Trade Guns up to the turn of the 20th century. An exceptionally nice condition example of one of the later production Northwest guns that was still made two years before the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Fine. Retains much of the blue on the barrel which is thinning and turning to plum in many areas, with crisp and clear markings throughout. Lock with weak traces of case colored mottling and touchhole extremely crisp and possibly unfired. Mechanically excellent, fine bright bore with some dirt and dust near the muzzle. Stock very crisp some light handling marks but retaining excellent lines and edges. A truly exceptional example of a latter day Northwest Trade Gun. $4,000 - 6,000

Barnett & Co. Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun

.58 caliber. 27.25” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron and brass furniture, walnut stock. Round-tailed lock in original flint configuration with a rounded, fenced and bridled iron pan and rounded reinforced cock. Lock marked in a two-line arc at the tail “BARNETT/1863” and with the Hudson Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” trademark under the pan. This same mark appears on the breech of the barrel along with London commercial proof marks, a “24” gauge mark (indicating .58 caliber) and the “*/TB” maker’s mark of Thomas Barnett. The gun has been shortened during the period of use with between 5” and possibly as much as 10” removed from the barrel and forend. The buttplate was removed as well. Thomas Barnett & Sons entered into their first Hudson’s Bay Company contract for Northwest Trade Guns in 1821 and continued to provide arms to the company through the turn of the 20th century. In 1832 the firm became John Edward Barnett and in 1842 it became J.E. Barnett & Sons, but apparently continued to use the old */TB touch mark on barrels long after the death of Thomas. Barnett was probably the most prolific of the HBC gun contractors during the latter part of the 19th century. Good as period shortened. Metal with a heavily oxidized brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some scattered pitting. Lock remains in original flint but is non-functional as the mainspring is missing and the tumbler is wedged against the upper boss of the lock internally, leaving it jammed in place. Stock with moderate wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars, some chipping around the pins and a couple of tiny grain cracks. $2,000 - 3,000 8

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Period Shortened Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .58 caliber. 25.75” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Original flint lock with rounded and fenced bridled iron pan and rounded swan neck cock. Lock marked “BARNETT” at the center bottom with the “{FOX in a Circle}” trademark above it. This same Fox mark appears on the top flat of the barrel, along with London, with London commercial proofs on the left angled breech flat and the maker mark “*/RW” for Richard Wilson (I). Standard trade gun features including the brass serpent side plate, “two ring” barrel and oversized iron triggerguard. The gun has been shortened during the period of use with the barrel and forend cut back somewhere between 6” and 10” from the original length, the forend narrowed and tapered and secured by some sinew and the buttplate removed with the butt probably shortened an inch or so. Some old tack holes are present in the obverse butt with a couple of the tack shanks still present. A crude period repair to the forend is present between the two sets of baluster turned rings utilizing a small sheet iron plate attached with six nails. A somewhat salty and well used but very authentic example of a Native used trade gun, shortened during the period of use to be more handy for its owner and marked by two of the most prolific of the Northwest trade gun makers, Richard Wilson on the barrel and Barnett on the lock. Good. Metal with a thick, uncleaned brown patina with surface oxidation, roughness and some pitting. Markings remain clear and legible, lock functional, bore heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock well worn with period repairs, damage, slivers missing from the forend, old crack and chips and the expected range of wood damage expected from a well use Native gun that is roughly 200 years old. $3,000 - 5,000

High Grade Belgian Flintlock Trade Fusil .58 caliber. 40.25” octagon to round wedge-retained barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, European hardwood half stock. Reconverted stepped flat flint lock with teat at rear is unmarked. Barrel with “E/LG/*” in an oval Liege proof mark, with hooked breech and simple decorative engraving on the top flat. The gun is mounted with an extremely attractive four-piece brass “horse head” patchbox that is decorated with simple geometric engraved patterns around the periphery. The patchbox release is located in the buttplate tang. There is a lightly engraved cut-out brass toe plate with the decorative cut out inlaid in the toe of the stock. The raised cheek rest is decorated with an engraved brass arched foliate spray, as is the reverse butt. Delicate silver wire is inlaid in flowing patterns around the reverse butt, wrist and around the tang. A German silver thumb piece is inlaid on the top of the wrist with engraved decorations. The two brass lock screw escutcheons are engraved in patterns that match the brass stock adornments. The overall fit, balance and feel of the is of an extremely high quality English fusil from the last quarter of the 18th century but was produced in Belgium, likely during the 1820s-1840s. The gun was almost certainly full-stocked originally and was altered to half stock during the period of use. The wooden rib under the barrel and accompanying ramrod pipes appear to be more recent additions and the striped wood rammer appears contemporary as well. A really lovely high grade trade fusil with an extremely attractive horse head patchbox. Good to very good with restoration. Barrel moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock reconverted to flint with an ill-fitting frizzen. Lock remains functional, bore is moderately oxidized with some pitting. Stock with some chipped wood loss around the mortise, with under rib added. Wood shows scattered bumps, dings and mars as well. Bottom buttplate screw ill fitting and possibly replaced. $6,000 - 9,000

F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Belgian Made Northwest Trade Gun with J. Henry Marked Flint Lock .65 caliber. 35.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, beech stock. The lock remains in original flint configuration and may well be a period of use replacement. It is marked “J HENRY” under the pan and “49/PCJ & CO” in two vertical lines at the tail, indicating production in 1849. The barrel has the Liege “E/LG/*” in an oval proof and the balance of the gun appears to be of Belgian “Northwest” pattern construction. The buttplate is missing and the butt may have beens slightly shortened and it is possible the barrel was slightly shortened as well. The gun is decorated with a dozen brass tacks, six on each side of the forend that have square brass shanks. A wood ramrod is secured in the corrugated brass pipes. Good to very good with moderate wear and missing the buttplate. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown and gray patina, showing some areas of surface roughness and pitting. Lock is functional, but the mainspring is an incorrect replacement that will disengage from the lock if removed from the stock. Bore oxidized and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars, some wood loss around the pin holes and some grain cracking in the butt. $3,000 - 5,000

Period Shortened Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Leman .58 caliber. 30” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown metal, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Slightly convex rounded tail flint lock marked “H.E. LEMAN” in a vertical arc at the tail and with the remnants of the “{Tombstone Fox / PA}” mark typical of Leman’s Northwest Trade Guns. Lock remains in original flint. Barrel with Birmingham style proofs that are likely Leman’s own marks on the left angled flat and marked “H.E. LEMAN” in an arc and “LANCASTER, PA” on the top flat. Two-screw serpent side plate, large iron triggerguard, raised carved moldings on stock at tail of lock, counterpane and around tang. Typical corrugated ramrod pipes with wooden ramrod. Gun cut down during the period of use to a much handier length with about 6” of barrel and stock removed, with a brass blade sight added near the muzzle. Nailed buttplate removed. Shortening trade guns to “carbine” length was quite popular with the Native Americans, making the guns easier to use on horseback or carry in dense brush. This gun shows moderate wear with some period use and damage. A solid and honest example of a Native used and shortened trade gun. Good as period modified and used. Metal with a thickly oxidized brown patina with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock in original flint, functional and with a moderately eroded touchhole. Bore dark, dirty and pitted. Brass with a rich patina. Stock with moderate wear and period damage including about a 16” long sliver missing from the obverse forend at the barrel junction, other slivers and chips missing from the forend on the reverse, and the expected bumps, dings and mars. $2,000 - 4,000

Early Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Wilson .60 caliber. 44” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Slightly rounded reconverted flint lock with pronounced teat at rear shows light engraving at the tail and is marked “WILSON” under the pan. Skillfully reconverted with pan almost impossible to recognize as having been replaced, but the lower quality of the completely correct pattern rounded swan neck and frizzen, as well as the aged modern screws are tell tale signs of the work. Top flat of barrel engraved “MINORIES LONDON” with the upper left angled breech stamped with pre-1813 style raised London commercial proof marks in a sunken oval and the initial “RW”. Three-screw serpent side plate with the rear screw being functional indicative of earlier production guns, moderately sized brass triggerguard a precursor to the later large iron guards, nailed flat brass buttplate. This example has a particularly “Roman-nosed” profile to the stock with a wide 1.625” butt, suggesting it is an early production gun. While most Wilson marked guns are marked in an arc on the tail of the lock, at least a few were marked as this one is, with two in the collection of the Museum of the Fur Trade. Wilson, his sons and later his grandsons would provide guns to the various fur trading companies for roughly a century, from the 1730s through the 1830s and is largely responsible for classic pattern known as the Northwest Trade Gun today. Good as reconverted to flint with some restoration. Barrel with moderate oxidation, a brownish-gray patina and scattered pitting. Markings remain legible, lock is not functional as the tumbler and sear are both very worn. Bore is heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, scattered bumps, dings and mars. Forend with numerous cracks and repairs, both middle and upper ramrod pipes are aged modern replacements. $2,500 - 4,000 10

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

American Fur Company Marked Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Sargant & Son .58 caliber. 34.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Pointed tail lock appears to be in original flint with rounded iron pan that is fenced and bridled with a rounded swan neck cock and possibly replaced top jaw and screw. Lock marked in two arched vertical lines at the tail “SARGANT/& SON” and with the American Fur Company trademark “{Tombstone Fox}/IA” under the pan, over the word “WARRANTED”. Barrel marked “LONDON” on the top flat and with another American Fur Company mark and a set of post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Typical Northwest Trade Gun features including serpent side plate, over sized iron triggerguard, carved moldings around the lock mortise, counterpane and tang and simple screw retained flat brass buttplate. Ribbed brass pipes retain an old, brass tipped wooden ramrod. A solid example of a 19th century flintlock trade gun. The firm of Sargant & Son started to do business with the American Fur Company circa 1836 with the correspondence indicating a change in name to Sargant & Brothers circa 1840. They continued to provide guns to the American Fur Company through the early 1850s. Very good. Barrel retains some traces of what appears to be period blue, with the balance a moderately oxidized brown patina with some scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings mostly clear, lock functional, bore heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some wood loss around the pins and the typical marks associated with a used 200 year old trade musket. $3,000 - 5,000

Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Tryon .69 caliber. 41” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster-turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Slightly rounded flint lock in the form of late 18th or early 19th century English locks is marked “TRYON” vertically at the tail and “PHILADA” along the bottom edge. The lock appears to be in original flint, with an interestingly and apparently period fenced pan unlike those used on American military muskets of the period, which show old brass brazing compound on the interior where the pan was applied to the bolster, but all of the age and patina is so consistent it appears to be period work. This begs the question, was Tryon repurposing old musket parts or even condemned musket parts to produce their trade guns? The .69 caliber barrel and beefier “musket type” stock that has been rudimentarily slimmed to make it more “trade gun” like. This suggests an attempt to use parts already on hand, or that Tryon was being their trade guns of this era on guns they were already set up to produce. The top flat of the barrel is marked “TRYON/PHILADA” in two lines. The gun retains the classic Northwest Trade Gun characteristics of the serpent side plate, overly large iron triggerguard, corrugated brass ramrod pipes and a flat brass buttplate. A simplified version of the raised carved apron and finial is present around the breech plug tang, but has been eliminated at the tail of the lock mortise and counterpane. As mentioned, however, this is all scaled up to “musket size” in the traditional “trade gun” form. An interesting oval copper inlay is present in the reverse of the butt depicting a crowd of men and women passing a man on a raised platform who is gesticulating and possibly preaching, as the people pass in couples. The meaning of which is unclear. However, Tryon was known for applying copper decorations of all types in the production of their arms. Oval brass escutcheons surround the pins on both side of the forend and a wood ramrod is secured by the thimbles. The forend utilizes a thin sheet brass reinforcement at the nose much like those found on the Leman-made Northwest Trade Guns. The Tryon gunmaking family went into business in Philadelphia circa 1811 and remained in that business through two generations until 1872. They received their first Bureau of Indian Affairs contract in 1832 and filled a number of contacts for both “Rifles” and “Northwest Guns” through 1855 with a total of 2,100 rifles and 5,522 Northwest guns delivered. An interesting and rather scarce variation on the Northwest trade gun theme from a major Philadelphia maker. Very good. Metal with a mottled and oxidized brownish-gray patina and showing some evenly distributed pitting on the barrel and lock. Markings remain clear, lock remains mechanically functional, bore is heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock shows moderate wear with some chipped loss around the butt and some slivering along the upper edge of the forend. $6,000 - 10,000

F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Willets .58 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. 6” flint lock in original flint configuration and marked “WILLETS” at the tail and with the “{Circle-Fox}” trademark under the pan. Lock with fenced, unbridled pan and swan neck cock. Top flat of barrel with another “{Circle-Fox}” trademark and marked “MINORIES LONDON”. Left angled breech flat marked with pre-1813 raised London commercial proofs in depressed ovals with the maker mark “*/RW” for Richard Wilson. Typical trade gun features include the three-screw “serpent” side plate, oversized triggergauard, flat nailed buttplate, and corrugated brass pipes. Breech tang screw enters from the bottom of the gun. An indecipherable maker’s name is present in the ramrod channel. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod. The somewhat ill fit of the lock suggests that it is a replacement, and the gun is probably really a Wilson, rather than Willets’ produced trade gun. A lovely early gun. Very good. Metal moderately oxidized with streaky and mottled brownish-gray patina and some scattered pitting, particularly around the breech area. Mechanically functional lock, bore good with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock good, lightly sanded and refinished but leaving good edges and definition at the raised carved moldings around the lock mortise and breech plug tang. Otherwise showing scattered bumps and dings. $2,000 - 4,000

Wilson Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun .58 caliber. 36.125” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized barrel, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Original flint lock marked “WILSON” over “1824” vertically at the tail and with the Hudson’s Bay Company trademark “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” mark under the bridled and fenced rounded iron pan. Rounded swan neck cock appears original. Breech with London commercial proof marks and a “*/TB” makers mark, indicating the barrel was produced by Thomas Barnett. Stock with “{Circle-Fox}” mark on obverse butt and carved “HB” as well, simple flat brass buttplate retained by seven square head nails. Ribbed brass pipes retain an old trumpet head iron ramrod. William Wilson (I) son of gunmaker Richard Wilson worked in London from the mid-18th century having been Freed of the Gunmakers Company in 1754, until his death in 1808. During that time he was a contractor for the Board of Ordnance, the East India Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. According to Jim Gordon’s research it was Richard Wilson who establish the prototypical pattern of the Northwest Trade Gun, including the brass serpentine sideplate, the oversized large-loop triggerguard, the “double ring” barrel and the flat brass buttplate, all features that help to quickly identify a trade gun from this period. Good to very good. Metal with mostly dark gray patina showing mottled areas of darker oxidation and discoloration, some surface roughness and scattered pitting. Markings remain visible, if a little weak on the lock. Lock mechanically functional, bore moderately oxidized with pitting. Stock with wear, missing the side plate, showing a nailed and screwed repair on the off-side of the tang and with splitting along the forend in the ramrod channel. Stock shows some shrinkage in the butt area and the buttplate appears to be a replacement as it is oversized and ill fitting. Buttplate with a small hole drilled in the bottom. Otherwise the wood shows scattered bumps, dings and mars. $3,000 - 5,000

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Exceptional Leman Flintlock Chief’s Grade Rifle .42 caliber. 40.75” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, color casehardened lock, brass furniture, full-length faux finished maple stock. Lock in original flint configuration with fenced waterproof pan and reinforced flat faceted cock. Lock marked in three lines “LEMAN/LANCASTER PA/1840”. Lock decorated with simple scroll engraving at tail. Top flat of barrel marked in three lines “LEMAN/LANCASTER PA/WARRANTED”. Barrel decorated with simple flowing punch dots and geometric lines forming intertwined foliate motifs. Dovetailed fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain German silver front sight blade. Stock with raised cheek rest, simply checkered wrist and round brass patchbox decorated with foliate engraved patterns, crescent steel buttplate, engraved brass toe plate. Brass triggerguard and saddle plate engraved with simple foliate decorations. Brass nose cap, ramrod thimbles and entry pipe. Includes what appears to be the original wood ramrod. Mr. Ness’ notes say that this is one of five Leman rifles found in new condition in a crate in Requa, NY. Henry Leman worked in Philadelphia from 1831-1834 then relocated to Lancaster where he worked until his death in 1887. He produced some arms under the trade name Conestoga Rifle Works and was a prolific contractor producing all forms of sporing and military style arms with some estimates placing his output at over 100,000 guns during his working life. A really fantastic example of a late production American-made Chief’s Grade flintlock rifle by one of the most prolific and famous of the Pennsylvania makers. Very fine to excellent overall. Barrel retains most of the browned finish with some thinning, fading and minor loss due to age and handling. Lock with muted case color but retaining some nice bluish mottling. Mechanically functional lock remains in original flint. Fine rifled bore with scattered oxidation and some old collected dirt and dust. Brass with a rich, untouched bronze patina. Stock with an attractive striped faux finish is crisp and free of breaks, cracks or repairs. The wood does show scattered bumps and dings, primarily from handling and storage. An uncommon opportunity to acquire a nearly “as new” condition Leman rifle from the end of the flintlock period. A really stunning gun. $7,000 - 10,000

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Flintlock Chief’s Grade Northwest Trade Gun by Jacot .60 caliber. 36” three-stage octagonal to round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lightly engraved reconverted flint lock marked “W. JACOT” under pan. Lock with roller frizzen and fenced and bridled rounded iron pan. Faceted swan neck cock a replacement. Barrel with weak “{CROWN}/GR/{BROAD ARROW}” Board of Ordnance inspection, but no accompanying “Broad Arrow” is present on the lock. Brass furniture lightly engraved with panoplies of arms on the triggerguard bow and simple martial motifs on the side plate and buttplate tang. Wrist with German silver Indian Chief thumb plate. This gun is a conundrum, as are the handful of other Jacot marked trade guns. William Jacot was Liverpool based, with Blackmore listing him as a “Merchant & Gun Manufacturer” and his working dates at 1847-1857. DeWitt Bailey lists him in Liverpool in 1847 and both note that he marked some guns “London”. Jim Gordon, in Volume I of his three volume set Great Gunmakers for the Early West lists Jacot as working circa 1830-1857 and the two examples pictured in his book both appear to be the products of other makers, or at least assembled from parts made by Barnett and Ketland. This suggests that Jacot may have been much more of a “Merchant” than “Gun Maker”. Gordon further notes that Jacot’s first contract for trade guns was in 1837 with the American Fur Company. This one is interesting in that it utilizes a British military Board of Ordnance marked barrel. An attractive Chief’s Grade trade gun from a scarce maker. Very good. Barrel and lock moderately oxidized with some surface corrosion and pitting in the breech area. Lock reconverted to flint, lock mechanically functional. Bore heavily oxidized with scattered pitting. Brass with a golden patina, stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, along with expected wear, some chipped loss around the tail of the lock mortise and a small nailed repair in the same location. Some additional wood loss is present around a number of the pins. Wood lightly sanded with some added finish. $5,000 - 8,000

Flintlock Hudson’s Bay Company Northwest Trade Gun by Richard Wilson .60 caliber. 34.5” three stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, beech stock. Flat, pointed lock in original flint and marked “R. ASHMORE” with the Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” trade mark under the unbridled, fenced rounded iron pan. Lock with original flat, faceted swan-neck cock. Barrel marked with the Hudson’s Bay Co. trademark and “LONDON”, along with London commercial proof marks and the “*/RW” of London gunmaker Richard Wilson (I) who worked circa 1725-1766 and became a contractor to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1730 which he remained through 1756. Standard Northwest trade gun features include the “double ring” barrel, over sized iron triggerguard, nailed flat brass buttplate, raised carved moldings to the rear of the tang, lock mortise and counterpane and of course the ubiquitous serpent side plate. Ribbed brass ramrod thimbles retain an old, brass tipped ramrod. A very crisp example of a Hudon’s Bay Company Northwest trade gun. Very good to fine. Metal with a moderately oxidized brownish gray patina with some areas of minor surface roughness and some lightly scattered pitting. Markings remain clear and legible. Lock remains fully functional, bore with moderate oxidation and pitting. Stock very crisp with strong edges and line, showing some scattered handling marks. There is some gapping along the bottom edge of the lock, but the fit of the lock, particularly internally, indicates that this is the original lock to this gun. A really lovely example of a Northwest trade gun. $3,000 - 5,000

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Flintlock Hudson’s Bay Trade Gun by Sargant Brothers .58 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, beech stock. Pointed tail lock in original flint with rounded iron pan that is fenced and bridled with a rounded swan neck cock. Lock marked in three arched vertical lines at the tail “SARGANT/BROTHERS/1850” and with the Hudson’s Bay Company trademark “{Tombstone Fox}/EB”. Barrel marked “LONDON” on the top flat and with another Hudson’s Bay Company mark and a set of post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks . Typical Northwest Trade Gun features including serpent side plate, over sized iron triggerguard, carved moldings around the lock mortise, counterpane and tang and simple screw retained flat brass buttplate. Ribbed brass pipes retain what appears to be the original wooden ramrod which has been carved at the end into a jag. Sargant & Son, later Sargant & Brothers, produced Northwest Trade guns for the American Fur Company and the Hudson’s Bay company from the mid-1830s through the early 1850s. A solid example of a mid-19th century flintlock trade gun made towards the end of the period that this gunmaker was in business. Very good. Metal with traces of finish and a mostly attractive mottled brown and plum patina, with some scattered surface oxidation and some scattered roughness. Markings remain mostly clear, lock functional, bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with some repaired cracks in the forend, which shows more moderate wear than the balance of the wood. Otherwise with the usual scattered bumps, dings and mars. Buttplate with crack at tang. $3,000 - 5,000

Hudson’s Bay Company Flintlock Northwest Trade Gun by Parker, Field & Sons .58 caliber. 36.25” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized barrel, iron and brass furniture, hardwood stock, possibly of beech rather than walnut. Rounded pointed-tail flint lock marked “PARKER/1837” in two arched lines behind at the tail and with the Hudson’s Bay Company “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” trademark under the pan. Lock with rounded, bridled and fenced iron pan and rounded swan neck cock. Hudson’s Bay Co. trademark on top flat of barrel, along with “LONDON” and with British Board of Ordnance proof marks at the breech. Barrel secured by the old-style screw through the bottom of the tang and front of the triggerguard plate. Flat brass buttplate secured with seven square head nails. Traditional, trade gun style large iron triggerguard and brass serpent side plate. Ribbed, trade-style ramrod pipes secure an old wooden ramrod. Raised carved aprons with finials around breech plug tang, lock mortise and counterpane, wrist with pronounced rail below comb. Parker, Field & Sons entered into their first contact with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1837 and continued to provide trade guns to the HBC through 1883, although in 1875 the firm changed their name to Parker, Field & Co. Very good with moderately oxidized metal that has an a thick brown patina, moderate amounts of surface oxidation and some pitting. All markings remain legible. Lock functional, bore moderately oxidized with some pitting. Brass with an uncleaned patina. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $3,000 - 5,000

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Untouched Leman Full Stock Flintlock Trade Rifle .52 caliber. 41.5” pinned heavy octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, maple stock. Original configuration flint lock with roller frizzen, fenced waterproof pan and flat reinforced cock is unmarked and decorated with simple foliate scroll engraving at the tail. Top flat of barrel is marked “H.E. LEMAN LANCASTER, PA WARRANTED”. Four-piece unadorned brass patch box with release in toe plate, simple brass furniture, corrugated or ribbed brass ramrod pipes typical of trade guns, simple S-shaped military style sideplate, original wooden ramrod with tip carved into a jag configuration. Full-length stock with faux striped finish and raised cheek rest. A very attractive untouched and unmolested example of a late flintlock period trade rifle that likely spent time on the great plains. In a survey of arms collected from the Native Americans by the US Army in the post-Little Big Horn period, the most commonly encounter muzzleloading long arm was a Leman trade gun of one sort or another. A great and completely authentic example of a Leman trade rifle, with Mr. Ness noting that this is “The best untouched Leman trade rifle I have.” Very good, untouched condition. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brownish gray appearance, some scattered surface roughness and some very lightly scattered pitting. Markings remain clear on barrel. Lock remains in original flint and is functional. Bore is fair, with strong rifling, moderate oxidation and scattered pitting. Stock with moderate wear, with a moderately sized piece of wood missing from the upper rear of the lock mortise area and a crack around the tang area. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Patch box release in toe does not function, but box can be opened easily. Ex-Louis Parker $6,000 - 8,000

Flintlock Trade Gun with Board of Ordnance Marked Ketland & Allport Lock .69 caliber. 42” pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Three-screw pointed flint lock in original flint although the cock may be a replacement, as are the top jaw, jaw screw and cock screw. The lock is Board of Ordnance inspected on the interior and also has a small “{CROWN-Broad Arrow}” under the pan. Lock additionally marked with the “{Fox in a Circle}” logo forward of the cock and “KETLAND/&/ALLPORT” in three arched vertical lines at the tail. Lock with rounded and fenced, unbridled iron pan. Stock of more robust musket form rather than the more typical “trade gun” or “Fusil de Chasee” form. Flat brass side plate secured by small nails, brass buttplate secured by three screws. Sheet brass ramrod pipes secure an old iron button head ramrod. Triggerguard with hole in front of bow for sling swivel that is not present. The stock has been reshaped and slimmed through the wrist with the comb lowered into a classic form often associated with Native-used guns. Decorative oval brass thumb piece at wrist. The overall appearance of the gun with the beefier stock and musket bore barrel suggest this may be a period restock using the Ketland & Allport marked lock, probably done in North America sometime in the early 19th century. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered roughness and surface scale, including freckles of surface rust along the barrel. Markings remain legible, lock functional, bore heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars with some chipped loss around the tang, at the tail of the lock mortise and around the buttplate. $2,000 - 4,000

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Chief’s Grade Flintlock Trade Gun by Morley .66 caliber. 37” pinned round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, walnut stock. Flat stepped lock in original flint with bridled and fenced rounded iron pan and flat faceted swan neck cock. Lock marked “G. MORLEY” under the pan and with a “{Wild Boar}” surrounded by a hunting horn at the tail. Barrel weakly marked “LONDON” on top and with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks as well as a deeply stamped set of maker’s initials that read “T?”. Breech plug tang lightly engraved, as are the flat brass side plate, buttplate tang and escutcheons around the lower pin. Typical German silver “Indian Chief” thumb piece at wrist. Fixed notch rear sight and German silver front. Corrugated ramrod pipes retain an old wooden ramrod. Only two gunmakers named “Morley” are listed in either Bailey or Blackmore, with the only one appropriate to this gun being John Morley who worked in London during the first quarter of the 19th century. This suggests that the mark may be a retailer or sales agent mark rather than a maker’s mark. A solid example of an early 19th century Chief’s Grade trade gun by a rarely encountered lock marking. Very good. Metal with some of the original lacquer brown finish, with moderate wear and loss, some scattered surface oxidation and roughness and some areas of light pitting. Markings remain mostly legible. Lock functional, bore heavily oxidized with pitting. Brass with a medium golden patina. Stock with scattered wear, bumps, dings and mars and a repair to the wood around the upper rear of the lock mortise. $3,000 - 5,000

Extremely Rare Serpent Side Plate Flintlock Trade Pistol .60 caliber. 14.5” pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, European hardwood stock. Top flat of barrel engraved with a makers mark that is filled with gold but only partially legible and may be “Penzeneter a Wien” (Vienna). Two generations of Penzenter gunsmiths worked from circa 1715-1786, certainly during the period when this pistol was made. Pistol with semi-curved flat stepped lock with teat at the rear, unbridled and fenced pan and flat faceted swan neck cock that is missing the top jaw and screw. Lock lightly engraved with foliate motifs and game scenes, remains in original flint, gold lined touchhole, trigger with reverse curve at tip. Brass furniture includes a two-screw serpent side plate, engraved bulbous butt cap with long, narrow langets, lightly engraved triggerguard with urn finial. Brass urn thumb plate missing from wrist. Stock with floral motif raised carvings around the tang, triggerguard and entry pipe, with simple bulbous apron finials behind the lock mortise and counterpane. Rear tang of triggerguard broken and missing, dovetail in rear of barrel for rear sight empty, no front sight. Forend shortened approximately 7” with an added sheet brass ramrod pipe in the rear most dovetail underneath the barrel, with the forward dovetail empty. Wood ramrod is a replacement. Serpent side plate trade pistols are extremely rare, with Mr. Ness’ notes indicating that he has only ever seen two other examples. This pistol is clearly Continental in origin with French being the overriding style but Austrian certainly being a possibility, with the features suggesting not much later than mid-18th century manufacture. The serpent side plate clearly indicates that it was intended for use in the Fur Trade with North American Natives and is an elegant example of what was clearly a very high quality pistol when it was initially produced. A rare opportunity to obtain a wonderful early trade pistol. Good. Pistol is in hard used condition with a mottled and moderately oxidized brown and gray patina with some scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock needs mechanical attention as the mainspring screw is missing, hammer screw replaced. Triggerguard tang broken and missing, butt cap with wear and cap shows some gapping, markings weak on barrel. Bore heavily oxidized with rust and pitting. Stock cut back with moderate wear, showing scuffing and wear along the high edges and a few chips out around the butt cap. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars and what looks like strong traces of old dark paint. $2,500 - 5,000

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Relic Condition British Board of Ordnance Chief’s Gun .59 caliber. 36.75” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, hardwood full-length stock. Commercial percussion lock has an illegible marking and is an old, period of use replacement that is ill-fitting and secured by numerous nails. Barrel with British Board of Ordnance proof marks, indicating that this gun was part of the 1813 contract during the War of 1812 to provide firearms to the British Native Allies. The gun was altered to percussion by the drum bolster method during the period of use and the lock was likely replaced at that time. Barrel appears to have been shortened 2”-3” during the period of use, with the stock cut back appropriately. Wrist with an old, very crude repair using a piece of sheet iron and numerous nails. Lock screw escutcheon missing, retains original buttplate. Stock missing barrel pins with a piece of bailing wire in the middle pin position to retain the barrel. Stock with two corrugated brass ramrod pipes and an old wooden ramrod. Consignor’s notes say this gun was acquired from a family farm on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota. Fair, relic condition. Completely untouched and heavily oxidized with a thick brown patina and moderate amounts of surface roughness. Not mechanically functional, bore heavily oxidized and pitted. Brass with a dark, uncleaned patina. Wood well worn with drying cracks, numerous bumps, dings and mars, wood loss around the lock mortise and the repair to the wrist and ill fitting lock issues noted above. $800 - 1,200

British Board of Ordnance Marked Brass Barreled Flintlock Trade Pistol by Sharpe .60 caliber. 8.5” pinned brass octagon barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Flat flint lock with pointed tail in original flint configuration marked “TOWER” in an arc at the tail and “SHARPE” under the fenced and bridled iron pan. Barrel marked “LONDON” on the top flat and “EXTRAPROOF” on the left angled flat, along with a set of British Board of Ordnance proof marks. Rudimentary flat S-shaped side plate, lightly engraved brass triggerguard, brass butt cap and brass ramrod thimbles. This Board of Ordnance inspected trade type pistol was likely made up during the War of 1812 for use by Natives allied to the British or the use of Canadian militia, as higher quality arms were reserved for use by British line troops, particularly those fighting Napoleon in Europe. The lock markings likely refers to Birmingham gunmaker John Sharpe who worked circa 1811-1831. Fine. Brass barrel with a thick, uncleaned patina and clear markings. Lock with a rich brown patina. Lock in original flint and functional, although full-cock requires some effort. Bore good, dirty and moderately oxidized. Stock with some wear, catered bumps, dings and mars but without any breaks, repairs or major flaws. $1,500 - 3,000

Trulock of Dublin Percussion Altered Trade Rifle .62 caliber. 24.75” pinned octagonal swamped barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked “TRULOCK”. Forend shortened to half-stock configuration, butt shortened roughly 1” and thinned down. Obverse butt branded “N W” in brackets. Serpent side plate. The Trulock family of gunmakers worked for several generations in Dublin from approximately 1685 through the late 19th century. This gun’s styling is that of an Anglicized version of the German Jaeger rifle with a short rifled, large bore barrel, similar to the guns adopted by the British military as the Pattern 1776. The lock plate styling and construction suggest mid18th century manufacture probably by Thomas Trulock, either senior or junior, both of whom worked during this period. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with some scattered surface roughness and pitting with an untouched attic patina. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly, bore good with moderate pitting and strong rifling. Stock with moderate wear, chipped loss and a crude nail replacing the barrel pin. Wood scattered bumps, dings and mars. $3,000 - 5,000 18

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Restored Board of Ordnance Marked Flintlock North West Trade Gun by Whately .60 caliber. 36.5” pinned three-stage octagonal to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Reconverted flint lock marked “WHATELY” in a vertical arc at the tail and with the “{Fox in a Circle}” trademark under the unbridled around and fenced pan. Top flat of barrel marked “LONDON” and with the same “{Fox in a Circle}” trademark. Breech retains what appear to be the remnants of British Board of Ordnance proof marks. The gun has early production features including the elongated, pointed tail lock, the tang screw entering from the bottom through the front of the the triggerguard plate and a simple nailed brass butt with what appear to be period added screws. The stock is marked “WS” under the replaced serpent sideplate and the stock has been shaped and slimmed through the comb area in a style often encountered on Native American used firearms. The forend of the gun has been replaced. Little is known of Whately, with more information provided in Jim Gordon’s Great Gunmakers for the Early West(Volume I) than in most other references. Several English makers named Whately (and/or Whaetely) worked during the second half of the 18th century and the early 19th century, but the most likely candidate is the firm of Henry & John Whately of Birmingham who worked during the first quarter of the 19th century and had a Board of Ordnance contract for trade guns during the War of 1812, delivering 1,580 between 1813 and 1815. The presence of Board of Ordnance markings suggests that this is one of those 1,580 guns. Interestingly Gordon notes that no contracts are known between the Whately firm and either the Hudson’s Bay Company or the American Fur Company. Good as restored. Metal moderately oxidized with a thick brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock restored to flint with numerous modern parts internally and remains mechanically functional. Bore is heavily pitted. Side plate is a modern replacement as are several of the screws. Brass with an attractive golden patina. Stock with moderate wear, period modified butt and replaced forend. Otherwise wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $800 - 1,200

British Board of Ordnance Marked Percussion Altered Trade Fusil by Moxham .54 caliber. 44.5” wedge retained octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked “MOXHAM” under the bolster and with a “{Wild Boar}” in a circle with arrows and feathers at the tail of the lock. A small British Board of Ordnance “{CROWN-Broad Arrow}” is stamped below the bolster. Barrel marked with pre-1813 Birmingham proofs on the left angled flat and “LONDON” on the top flat. Lock secured with two screws with round brass escutcheons and no side plate, lightly engraved brass triggerguard with acorn finial and lightly engraved brass commercial buttplate. Sheet brass ramrod thimbles with baluster turned rings at the ends, wood ramrod. Thomas Moxham was a Birmingham based “Gunmaker & Victualler” who worked circa 1799 to 1837 and regularly marked his guns “London”. He was one of the 16 contractors to the Board of Ordnance to produce arms for the Natives allied to the British during the War of 1812 and delivered 1,532 guns under that contract between 1813 and 1816. Notes from Mr. Ness indicate that this gun was collected from an Indian Reservation in Traverse Bay, MI. He further notes that it is “Chief’s Grade” with a question mark, as is it is better quality than the typical Northwest Trade Guns, but does not have some of the decorative features that would be expected on a true “Chief’s Grade” gun. Fair. Gun is well worn and heavily used. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled gray and brown patina on the lock with some traces of blue on the barrel, most of which has toned toward plum. Metal with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, more moderate at the breech and bolster area. Lock is not functional, bore is dirty, dark and pitted. Stock broken at wrist and through the mortise with an old nailed repair, resulting in the lock not fitting well. Forend with cracks and repairs and replaced pins. Overall with heavy wear, bumps, dings and mars. Ramrod replaced. $2,000 - 3,000

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Percussion Altered Chief’s Grade Board of Ordnance Trade Gun by Sutherland .60 caliber. Three-stage octagon-to-round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked “R&R/ SUTHERLAND” with “{CROWN-BROAD ARROW}” British Board of Ordnance acceptance mark. Top flat of barrel marked “LONDON” and upper left breech with British Board of Ordnance proof marks. Simple drum bolster conversion with a crude percussion hammer. Typical Chief’s Grade brass furniture, with flat brass two screw side plate engraved with trophies of arms, lightly engraved triggerguard, lightly engraved buttplate tang and corrugated ramrod pipes. German silver Indian Chief motif wrist escutcheon, typical raised carved apron around the breech plug tang. This gun was part of the British Board of Ordnance 1813 contracts with various English gunmakers to provide arms to the Native allies fighting the Americans during the War of 1812. The firm of Richard and Ramsay Sutherland delivered 2,587 guns, both of standard grade and Chief’s Grade to the Board of Ordnance under this contract between 1813 and 1816. The firm itself operated from 1800-1827. Jim Gordon depicts a similarly percussion altered example in his book Great Gunmakers for the Early West (Volume I) on page 141. Very good. Metal moderately oxidized to brown with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, particularly at the breech and bolster area. Markings remain legible, mechanically functional lock, bore dark and dirty with heavy oxidation and some moderate pitting. Stock good, lightly sanded with wood loss at the pins, chipped loss at the front of the mortise and at the lower rear of the lock and some moderate burn out around the bolster. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $2,000 - 3,000

British Board of Ordnance Marked Percussion Altered Trade Gun by Galton .60 caliber. 36.75” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at transitions. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown barrel, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Three screw percussion altered flint lock marked with the “{Fox in a Circle}” trademark under the bolster, along with a Board of Ordnance “{CROWN-Broad Arrow}” acceptance mark and “GALTON” at the tail in a vertical arc. Top flat of barrel marked “LONDON” with British Board of Ordnance proofs on the left angled flat. Reverse butt branded upside down in two lines “C/I {Broad Arrow} D” most likely indicating “Canadian Indian Department”. Typical Northwest gun features include the serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, nailed brass buttplate, and raised carved moldings around the tang and at the tail of the lock and counterpane. Wrist wrapped with copper wire to effect an old repair. Standard ribbed brass ramrod thimbles with metal tipped wood ramrod that appears to be period. Two generations of Galtons worked as gunmakers in Birmingham, initially as Farmer & Galton with Samuel Sr making his son Samuel Jr a partner in the firm in 1774 after the death of James Farmer. The firm continued under the name Galton and then Galton & Son though the early 19th century. Their primary products were inexpensive trade guns for the African slave trade and the East India Company but they were also one of the 16 contractors to produce guns for the Board of Ordnance to distribute to the Native allies of the British during the War of 1812. Between 1813 and 1816 Galton delivered 2,557 such guns for the use of North American Natives and this is one of those scarce guns. Good. Metal with a thick untouched and uncleaned brown patina with some surface roughness and scattered pitting. Lock altered to percussion during the period of use but is not fully functional as there is no full cock position. Bore is dark, dirty and heavily oxidized with pitting. Stock with wear, slivered loss on the forend, scattered bumps, dings and mar and an old wire repair at the wrist. $6,000 - 9,000

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Altered British Board of Ordnance Marked Northwest Trade Gun by Morris .58 caliber. 36.25” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron and brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Crudely percussion altered flint lock is marked “MORRIS” in an arc at the tail and appears to have the remnants of a “{Circle-Fox}” logo forward of the hammer, which has been partially cut away to make room for the crude brazed percussion bolster applied at the time of alteration. Lock with commercial percussion hammer added as part of the alteration, screw holes for the flint battery were not filled during the conversion. Barrel marked “LONDON” on the top flat and with British Board of Ordnance proof marks indicating that this gun was produced at part of the 1813 contract to provide arms to the Native Allies of the British during the War of 1812. Barrel with brass blade front sight. Standard Northwest gun features include the ubiquitous brass three-screw serpentine side plate, large iron triggerguard and raised carved apron around the tang. The flat brass buttplate is retained in the early style with nails and the tang screw enters from the plate in front of the triggerguard. Two corrugated pipes secure a wood ramrod. Henry Morris was a Birmingham gunmaker circa 1802-1813, with his wife taking over the business from 1814-1817. While Morris did not appear to directly contract with Ordnance he was a partner with William Grice who was a long time Birmingham maker and Board of Ordnance contractor. Thus the partnership of Grice & Morris (ca1799-1817) did receive part of the 1813 trade gun contract from Ordnance and delivered 1,821 guns between 1813 and 1816 for the use of Native Allies. A scarce, crudely altered Board of Ordnance gun from the War of 1812 with an uncommon contractor’s name on the lock. Good. Well worn, heavily oxidized with scattered pitting, roughness and some impact marks on the metal. Barrel with scattered roughness and pitting. Lock functional, but does not operate easily. Lock fit and bolster fit are less than ideal and the alteration is very crude. Bore is fair, heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock worn, with repaired cracks in the forend, some chipped wood loss at the tip, slivered loss along the upper edge of the forend, some deep grain cracks in the wrist and butt and numerous bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 3,000

Percussion Altered British Board of Ordnance Trade Gun by Dawes .60 caliber. 36.5” pinned three-stage barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron and brass furniture, full-length stock. Percussion altered flint lock with crude hammer and drum bolster. Lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo and Board of Ordnance “{Crown-Broad Arrow}” forward of the hammer and in an arc at the tail “DAWES”. Top flat of barrel with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo and marked “LONDON”. Breech with British Board of Ordnance proof marks. Traditional Northwest gun features include a three-screw brass serpent side plate, flat buttplate secured by both screws and nails, oversized iron triggerguard, raised carved apron around the tang and corrugated ramrod pipes. Stock shows traces of old red ocher paint but has a bleached appearance as if the paint was intentionally stripped from the wood. Triggerguard with silver paint and traces of gold paint as well. William and Samuel Dawes worked in Birmingham during the 1st quarter of the 19th century and were among the contractors who received British Board of Ordnance contracts in 1813 to deliver trade guns to the Native Allies of the British during the War of 1812. The Dawes firm would deliver 1,048 guns to the Board of Ordnance under that contract. Good. Metal cleaned to gray with areas of oxidized discoloration and some surface roughness and pitting. Markings mostly legible, lock mechanically functional, bore moderately pitted. Stock cleaned with traces of old paint, showing some wood loss around the pin holes, some grain cracks in the butt, scattered bumps, dings and mars, some of which are fingernail sized and fairly deep. $1,500 - 3,000

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Percussion Altered British Board of Ordnance 1813 Contract Trade Gun by Rolfe .58 caliber. 35.75” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered early form flint lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo forward of the hammer and marked in an arched vertical line at the tail “ROLFE”. Top flat of barrel with “{Circle-Fox}” logo and with British Board of Ordnance proofs on the left angled flat, including the expected “{Crown}/GR/{Broad Arrow}” and “{Crossed Scepters}”. No visible Ordnance mark on the lock. Crude percussion alteration without the flint battery holes filled, crudely made percussion hammer and typical “blacksmith” style drum bolster. Typical 3-screw brass serpent side plate, nailed flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and two corrugated brass ramrod pipes securing an old wood ramrod. William Rolfe was Birmingham based gunmaker who worked circa 1807-1817 and was contractor to both the North West Company and the British Board of Ordnance. He was one of 16 Birmingham makers to receive Board of Ordnance contracts in 1813 to produce guns for the British government to provide to their Native Allies during the War of 1812. Rolfe delivered a total of 1,335 guns, including 134 pistols. This is one of those War of 1812 contract guns, that clearly saw continued use well into the mid-19th century. Good showing heavy wear and use. Barrel with a thickly oxidized brown patina, scattered surface roughness and moderate amounts of scattered pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area and on the lock. Not mechanically functional, poor bore is heavily pitted and worn. Buttplate tang is loose, breech plug tang broken and secured by an old screw without a slotted head. Stock with numerous chips and slivered loss, particularly along the forend and around the lock mortise and with some old drying cracks in the butt. $1,000 - 1,500

Flintlock Pistol with Rawhide Repair .72 caliber. 9.5” pinned octagon to round barrel with canon muzzle. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown patina, brass mountings, walnut stock. Reconverted flint lock with partially legible two line marking that appears to read “COME” at the end of the second line, likely a maker’s name and location. Pistol with flat brass side plate, decorated cast brass butt cap with grotesque mask motif, single brass ramrod thimble and a brass triggerguard with the bow broken and missing. Pistol apparently broken at the wrist with a very old leather wrap repair that Mr. Ness’ notes identify as buffalo hide. The style of the pistol is continental, possibly French, with the appearance of having been made for the export market, possibly in the Middle East. An attractive relic pistol with a nice old rawhide repair. Fair. Metal heavily oxidized, with some surface roughness and pitting. Markings partially legible. Mechanically functional lock is reconverted to flint, bore is rusted and pitted. Wood worn, with old leather wrap repair. No ramrod. $1,000 - 2,000

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Red Painted Percussion Altered Smooth Rifle with Powder Horn & Pipe Tomahawk .62 caliber. 34.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Percussion altered two-screw flint lock marked “TAYLOR”. Barrel with drum bolster conversion and no external markings other than a small 5-pointed star at the rear of the upper left angled flat. Gun is mounted with a lightly engraved two-piece brass patchbox with the release in the buttplate tang. Other brass furniture include a crescent buttplate with faceted tang, toe plate, triggerguard, lock screw escutcheons, nose cap, two ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe. The gun is painted red with an older paint that has crackled and has an alligatored appearance with much of the paint worn away on the bottom of the forend from handling. The gun is accompanied by a pipe tomahawk and powder horn, both of which were painted red as well. The tomahawk has a 9” long iron head with a 5” long blade that is 3.375” wide at the beak and nominally 2” long pipe bowl that is about .85” in diameter. The eye, part of the blade and part of the bowl were painted red with much of the paint having worn and faded. It is mounted on an old pipe haft with some moderate wear and shrinkage, allowing the head to move out of alignment with the holes that allow the pipe to be functional. The haft shows some reasonable age and appears to be from the period of use of the tomahawk. The naturally curved cow’s horn powder horn is painted red as well, although the tone and coloration seems brighter than on the other pieces. The horn measures just under 12” in length with a wood base secured by finishing nails and a large baluster turned ring at the spout. The accompanying notes say that the three pieces were collected together by an employee of the US Indian Department in New York state. A number of American gunmakers named “Taylor” worked during the 19th century in Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, but there is not enough information to try to pin down a specific maker for this gun. A very interesting and attractive grouping with an interesting percussion altered smooth rifle, a very attractive pipe tomahawk and a large powder horn. Rifle about good with moderate oxidation on the metal, some surface roughness and scattered pitting that is most notable around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, fair bore with moderate oxidation and pitting. Stock with a major repair at the wrist where it was broken, secured with screws and with the paint freshened to try to conceal the repair. An additional chipped repair is in the toe, with the balance of the gun showing moderate wear, paint loss and bumps, dings and mars. Tomahawk about good with moderate oxidation on the head. Haft of tomahawk with added varnish. Horn good to very good with some wear. $8,000 - 12,000

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Percussion Altered Trade Musket by Wheeler & Son .62 caliber. 36.25” pinned round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Pointed, early pattern flint lock altered to percussion and marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” trademark under the drum bolster and “WHEELER/& SON” in a two line arc at the tail. Breech with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Buttplate missing, flat rudimentary S-shaped two-screw side plate, large iron triggerguard. Barrel possibly shortened 1”-2” with iron front sight blade, stock forend shortened 6”-8” with a rudimentary tip carved at the end. Retains a single corrugated brass ramrod pipe and is missing the ramrod. Good. Metal oxidized and showing scattered surface roughness with scattered pitting. Lock functional, but loose and sloppy. Smooth bore heavily oxidized, dark and pitted. Stock modified as noted, showing moderate use and wear, wood loss around most of the stock pins and some loss around the lock mortise. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $800 - 1,200

Percussion Altered Trade Gun by Wheeler & Co. .68 caliber. 36” pinned round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” motif under the bolster and in marked in two vertical arcs “WHEELER/& SON” at the tail. Drum bolster alteration, with lightly engraved civilian-style percussion hammer. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Flat geometric S-shaped military style side plate, flat brass buttplate, large iron triggerguard. Two corrugated brass pipes secure an old wood ramrod. The firm of Wheeler & Son was the continuation of a Birmingham business established by Robert Wheeler (3) circa 1799, adding “& Son” circa 1814 and continuing operation until about 1843. While Wheeler did deliver British Board of Ordnance trade guns under the 1813 contract during the War of 1812, he never appears to have contracted with the Hudson’s Bay Company or the American Fur Company and the majority of the Wheeler trade guns appear to have reached Native hands through the old Northwest Company of Montreal. Interestingly Wheeler guns do not follow the prototypical Northwest, particularly in terms of caliber, which was larger than the standard trade gun. Good to very good. Moderately oxidized metal with a brownish-gray patina and some scattered pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area. Lock functional, percussion cone broken, bore moderately pitted and dark. Wood lightly sanded with bumps, dings and mars. Triggerguard loose. $2,000 - 3,000

Percussion Altered 1813 Board of Ordnance Contract Chief’s Grade Trade Gun .60 caliber. 36.625” three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Lightly engraved flint lock altered to percussion with a commercial hammer and a drum bolster. Lock with weak “{Crown-Broad Arrow}” Board of Ordnance mark, left angled breech with Board of Ordnance proofs. Traditional “Chief’s Grade” furniture includes a lightly engraved flat brass three-screw side plate and triggerguard, both decorated with arrow motifs. Wrist with German silver “Indian Chief” motif thumb plate. Buttplate with simple boarder engraving, typical corrugated brass ramrod pipes secure an older wood ramrod with copper tip. The presence of the British Board of Ordnance markings on the gun indicate it was part of the 1813 British military contract for arms to supply to the British Native Allies in North America during the War of 1812. Good. Metal a dull and oxidized grayish color with scattered discoloration, darkness, surface roughness and pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster area. Lock functional, hammer loose with modern replaced hammer screw. Bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, forend shortened, showing slivered wood loss along the edges and at the pin holes, with some pins missing. Otherwise with the expected bumps, dings and mars from handling and use and a small amount of wood filler in a pin hole. $3,000 - 4,000 24

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Percussion Altered British Board of Ordnance Marked 1813 Contract Trade Gun by Gill .58 caliber. 36.25” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered early form flint lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo forward of the hammer and marked in an arched vertical line at the pointed tail “GILL”. British Board of Ordnance proofs on the left angled flat, including the expected “{Crown}/GR/{Broad Arrow}” and “{Crossed Scepters}”. No visible Ordnance mark on the lock. Crude percussion alteration with the flint battery holes filled, very crudely made percussion hammer and typical “blacksmith” style drum bolster. Typical 3-screw brass serpent side plate, nailed flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and one corrugated brass ramrod pipe securing an old wood ramrod. Stock shortened roughly 12” to half-stock configuration with an old bent nail added to the upper barrel tenon for use as an ersatz sling swivel. Another forged nail serves as a barrel pin forward of the remaining pipe and bottom entry tang screw is a very old replacement. While a number of “Gills” worked in Birmingham and The Regions as gunmakers during the 19th century, only John Gill, the son of the late Thomas Gill, who worked circa 1802-1817 makes sense as the maker of this gun. His father Thomas was a “sword cutler to the government, the army & c” in addition to being gun maker had held Board of Ordnance contracts. John succeeded to his father’s business upon his father’s death in 1801 and was a known entity to the Board of Ordnance. He was one of 16 Birmingham makers to receive Board of Ordnance contracts in 1813 to produce guns for the British government to provide to their Native Allies during the War of 1812. Gill is known to have delivered a total of 934 guns under this contract. This is one of those War of 1812 contract guns, that clearly saw continued use well into the mid19th century. Good, showing moderate to heavy use. Metal heavily oxidized, with surface roughness and pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, percussion cone heavily battered, bore pitted, dark and dirty. Stock with moderate wear, shortend as noted, with chipped and slivered loss along the forend, some surface grain cracks and numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 1,500

Percussion Altered Chief’s Grade Board of Ordnance North West Trade Gun by Sutherlands .60 caliber. 36.75” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Damascus patterned finish on barrel, brass furniture, walnut stock. Flint lock is percussion altered with a striker in the jaws of the flat faceted swan neck cock and a percussion bolster screwed into the touchhole. The lock is marked with a wild boar in a hunting horn at the tail and “SUTHERLANDS” forward of the cock. Barrel with Board of Ordnance proofs including a “{CROWN}/GR/{BROAD ARROW}”. Chief’s Grade gun with German silver Indian Chief motif thumb plate at wrist and lightly engraved brass furniture. Comb of stock dished with small finishing nails around the periphery suggesting that a cheek pad of some sort was added to the comb during the period of use. The firm of R&R Sutherlands was a partnership between Richard and Ramsay Sutherland that worked in Birmingham circa 1800-1827. They received a contract from the British Board of Ordnance to produced trade guns for the Native Americans that were allied with the British during the War of 1812 and during the period of 1813-1816 the firm delivered 2,587 guns (Gordon). This percussion altered Chief’s Grade gun with Board of Ordnance proofs was likely part of the War of 1812 contract deliveries. Good. Metal with a mottled and somewhat oxidized grayishbrown patina and showing remnants of what appears to have been a Damascus patterned finish. Metal is mostly smooth with some scattered pitting around the breech and bolster area. Lock mechanically functional, bore moderately oxidized with some pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars but free of any breaks or repairs. $5,000 - 7,000

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U.S. Model 1803 Harpers Ferry 2nd Type Flintlock Rifle .60 caliber smoothbore. 36” round barrel with half-length rib. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, walnut half-stock with raised cheek rest. Reconverted flint lock with “{Spread-Winged Eagle}” under pan and marked in three vertical lines behind the cock “HARPERS/FERRY/1819”. Harpers Ferry proofs at breech. Standard configuration with fixed notch rear sight, blade front sight, brass furniture and patchbox with release on top of butt. Includes what appears to be the original trumpet shaped brass-tipped ramrod. Harpers Ferry produced 15,703 of these later production, 2nd Type 1803 Rifle from 1814-1820. Fair to good. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown and gray patina and some scattered pitting primarily around the breech area. Lock reconverted to flint and needs mechanical attention as the trigger will not release the hammer when it is cocked and the half-cock notch does not function either. Barrel has been bored smooth to about .60 caliber and is moderately oxidized with some pitting. Stock with moderate wear and some repaired cracks and some replaced wood around the breech and lock area, resulting in an imperfect fit of the barrel and tang at the breech area. A major crack exists through the rear of the lock mortise creating an unnatural downward angle for the butt with a poor repair that results in a loose fit in this region. $1,500 - 2,500

Relic Composite Harpers Ferry Model 1795 Percussion Conversion Musket .69 caliber. 37” round barrel secured by a single flat barrel band. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized, relic condition metal and heavily damaged walnut stock. Lock and stock from an 1808 dated Harpers Ferry Model 1795 flintlock musket altered to percussion. Barrel appears to be from a U.S. Model 1842 percussion musket. Age and wear indicate the parts have been together since the period of use, likely in the mid-19th century. Barrel shortened from 42” to 37”, stock shortened as well with overall length 52.75”. Musket is in relic condition as if found in a barn in a very dry climate after many decade of disuse. Mr. Ness’ attached tag notes that the gun was found in a barn in Pierre, SD. It also mentions that “these guns”, possibly a reference to obsolete military muskets, “were sold at Ft. Pierre until 1855.” As this is a composite gun utilizing parts made at least 30+ years apart, it seems more likely that it is the work of a frontier gunsmith, blacksmith or even an enterprising Native American. A very cool looking relic that certainly has a completely authentic frontier appearance. The tag additionally notes that the musket is still loaded, which means that due to the presence of the black power the gun ineligible for shipment. It must by picked up in person. Relic condition. Hard used, worn, heavily rusted, dry stock with significant damage, cracking wear and wood loss. Tang broken from breech plug. $800 - 1,200

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Wheeler .65 caliber. 37” pinned round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Percussion altered flint lock with drum bolster is marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” trademark under the bolster and in two arched lines at the tail “WHEELER/& SON”. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Flat S-shaped “New Land Pattern” side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, simple brass buttplate, corrugated brass ramrod pipes. Old wood ramrod. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with scattered surface oxidation and some pitting. Lock functional, bore fair and heavily oxidized. Stock with moderate wear, some wood loss around the pin holes, missing some pins and with repaired cracks in the forend and at the front of the counterpane. Chipped wood loss around the lock mortise and under the sear, front of triggerguard secured with an old iron staple. $1,000 - 1,500 26

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Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Tryon .56 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked with the American “{Spread-Winged Eagle}” motif forward of the hammer, and marked in three lines at the tail of the lock “TRYON/PHILADELPHIA/1845”. Top flat of barrel marked “TRYON PHILADA”, breech with cryptic markings intended to appear like English proof marks and no doubt to deceive the recipient of the gun into believing it was of English origin. Lock appears to be a repurposed U.S. Model 1816 lock plate, re-profiled for use with this trade gun and possibly for use to make New England Militia Muskets as well. Drum conversion to percussion with drum bolster missing and rounded commercial percussion hammer with light floral engraving. In imitation of the typical Northwest Trade Gun form the gun has a three-screw serpent side plate, an oversized iron triggerguard, a rudimentary raised carved apron around the tang and a flat brass buttplate. A single corrugated brass pipe secures the wood ramrod. While the Northwest pattern guns were certainly made in large quantities during their period of use, most were of English or Belgian manufacture. American made guns that so closely follow the form are rather scarce and one by such a desirable Philadelphia maker is a real rarity. A very important, if well used example of a scarce American trade gun. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface pitting and roughness, showing a mottled brown and gray patina. Markings remain legible, not mechanically functional as the mainspring is missing. Bore moderately oxidized and about good with pitting. Stock with heavy wear and forend damage with about 5” of splintered loss near the muzzle, some additional chipped and slivered loss and some missing pins. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $6,000 - 9,000

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Period Restocked and Percussion Altered Trade Gun by Robert Wheeler .60 caliber. 42” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions and a slightly flared muzzle. SN: NSN. Thickly oxidized brown metal, brass furniture, maple stock. Lock marked “WHEELER” in an arc at the tail, barrel with pre-1813 London commercial proofs and the “*/RW” mark of Robert Wheeler. Gun has been restocked during the period of use in the form of a “Kentucky” rifle and altered to percussion. The three-screw serpent side plate has been retained, as have the original barrel and lock but the other furniture appears to be contemporary to the restocking of the gun, rather than the original trade gun furniture. A commercial brass finger extension triggerguard was added during the alteration as were simple round ramrod thimbles rather than the more common corrugated trade gun pipes. Fixed rear sight and brass blade front sight, wood ramrod. Robert Wheeler was from one of the long-time London gun making families with at least four generations of Wheelers being involved in the business. Wheeler was one of the sixteen Board of Ordnance contractors who delivered trade guns to the British Native allies during the War of 1812 and manufactured trade guns for sale to various buyers from at least the 1790s through the first quarter of the 19th century. This is a very attractive and somewhat unique example of a Northwest Trade Gun restocked and percussion altered to allow it to continue in use well past its original lifespan. Very good as altered and restocked. Metal with a thick, untouched and heavily oxidized brown patina, with markings still legible. Lock altered to percussion and remains fully functional. Bore heavily pitted, dark and dirty. Stock with scattered bumps and dings, showing use and loss of some of the period applied striped finish due to wear. $3,000 - 5,000

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Whately .55 caliber. 35” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized grayish brown metal, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Percussion altered three screw lock marked with the “{Fox in a Circle}” under the bolster and “WHATELY” in an arc at the tail. Top flat of barrel marked with the same “{Fox in a Circle}” mark, “LONDON” and with a pair of pre-1813 Birmingham crowned crossed-scepter proofs with a “{CROWN/3}” inspection between them. Three-screw serpent side plate, over sized iron triggerguard, nailed brass buttplate, raised carved moldings around breech plug tang, corrugated brass pipes with wood ramrod. Like many of the long time gunmaking families in England, the Whately (also spelled Whateley) family appears to have been in the trade for several generations, working in both London and later Birmingham. This gun is likely the product of the Birmingham firm of Henry & John Whately (Whateley) who worked circa 1799-1817 and during the War of 1812 received a contract from the Board of Ordnance to deliver arms for distribution to the Natives allied to the British. A total of 1,580 guns were delivered by the Whatelys under that contract between 1813 and 1816. Surviving records do not show any major sales by them to the prominent fur trade companies of the period. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a nice brown patina on the barrel that was cleaned in the breech area to make the markings more visible. Lock with a mottled gray and brown appearance. All metal with scattered roughness and some pitting. Lock mechanically functional, bore dark, dirty and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, cracks and some slivered loss in the forend, showing some glued repairs. Otherwise with the expected bumps, dings and mars of a Native used trade gun. $4,000 - 6,000

Tack Decorated Percussion Altered Leman Rifle .58 caliber. 34” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright barrel, brass furniture, hardwood full stock. Barrel marked “LEMAN LANCASTER PA WARRANTED”. Percussion altered commercial lock with single trigger marked “TRUITT BROS/& Co”. Lock is likely an old replacement and fits poorly. Brass mountings include a four-piece simple Lancaster style patchbox with release in the toe, as well as a flat S-side plate, triggerguard, buttplate, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Stock with raised cheek rest and decorated with numerous brass tacks, many missing, leaving empty round shank holes. Fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass front sight blade with iron base. Includes wood ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with some pitting and scattered discoloration giving the barrel a somewhat mottled gray and brown appearance. Mechanically functional, heavily oxidized bore with no visible rifling. Brass with a mellow mustard patina. Stock with scattered bump, dings and mars. $1,000 - 2,000 28

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Altered English Trade Fusil .62 caliber. 44” two-stage pinned round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Lightly engraved English commercial percussion lock without legible markings is a replacement with a nailed brass filler plate at the rear of the mortise. Altered to percussion from flint. Trigger an old, crude replacement with a broken tip. Single screw sheet brass flowing foliate side plate nailed in place. Barrel with what appear to be “Tower Private Proofs” rather than post-1813 Birmingham proofs as noted by Mr. Ness on his tag, nocksform of barrel marked “LONDON”. Fixed notch rear sight and brass bead front sight. Overall form of the gun is that of a the French “Fusil de Chasse” with an elegantly downward swept butt, slim wrist and sleek lines. Buttplate with an extra screw in the bottom to secure it to the stock. Good. Metal with a pleasing plum brown patina, moderately oxidized with some scattered pitting that is more moderate around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate oxidation and pitting. Wood with repairs and chipped loss around the lock mortise, a large chip out of the toe of the stock and wood loss at the pin holes. Wood shows numerous bumps, dings and mars, appears to have been sanded and show remnants of some old added finish. $800 - 1,200

Early Production Percussion Altered Trade Gun by Wilson .62 caliber. 42” three stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked “WILSON” in a vertical arc at the tail. Top flat of percussion altered barrel with drum conversion is marked “MINORIES LONDON” and upper left flat marked with pre-1813 London commercial proof marks and the “*/RW” maker’s mark of Richard Wilson. Mid-18th century production, circa 1760 with early trade gun features including a lightly engraved brass buttplate tang, engraved small bow triggerguard and of the course the ubiquitous dragon motif “serpant” side plate. The brass furniture of later Northwest Trade Guns would be simpler with the large bow triggerguard and engraved higher grade fittings like those found on this gun would be relegated to “Chief’s Grade” guns. The form of the stock is slender with an attractive and graceful French butt with pronounced rail at the wrist in imitation of the French Fusil de Chasse. The tang has a raised carved apron and the side plate has been shortened from the three-screw to two-screw length, with no indication of a third screw ever being used in the gun. It is not clear if the shortened side plate was Wilson’s original intent or if the strongly French influenced stock form is a period of use re-stocking of English parts. In either case, this is an elegant and untouched early trade gun that saw use from the mid-1700s well into the percussion era. Two corrugated brass ramrod thimbles and a cast entry pipe secure an old horn tipped wood ramrod. Richard Wilson (1703-1766) was one of the most prolific London based gunmakers during the mid-18th century. He was apprenticed to Thomas Green in 1718 and made free of the Gunmakers Company in 1725. His proof piece and mark were approved in 1730 and he was elected Master in 1734. He took over the business of Agnes Green located in Fowler, Minories in 1730. By 1730 he was a contractor to the Hudson’s Bay Company and in 1733 became a contractor to the East India Company as well. He produced arms for the Hudson Bay company from 1730-1756, East India Company from 1733-1736 and in 1746 became a Board of Ordnance contractor as well. The firm also became a contractor to the Royal African Company in 1739. The firm operated as Richard & William Wilson & Co in 1757 with the addition of Richard’s son William and in 1759 became Richard Wilson & Co which it operated as until Richard’s death in 1766. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a thick brown patina. Metal with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Percussion altered lock functional, without the flintlock battery screw holes filled. Hammer nose skirt battered. Tail of entry pipe damaged and missing, side plate shortened from three-screw to two screw. Mechanically functional, fair bore with heavy oxidation and pitting. Stock with numerous bumps, dings and mars, some old repaired cracks and slivering along the forend, a repaired crack forward of the lock mortise, some loss around the pin holes and one pin replaced by an old hand forged square nail. A really lovely and untouched pre-Revolutionary War trade gun. Ex-Ciak Collection $6,000 - 8,000

F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Modified Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .58 caliber. 34.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, period shortened walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked with the “{Tombstone-Fox}/IB” mark and marked at the tail in two lines “BARNETT/1802”. Barrel with drum bolster conversion, crude percussion hammer, Tower private proofs and the “*/RB” mark of Robert Barnett. Typical trade gun features include the three-screw brass serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, raised carved aprons around the tang and at the tails of the lock and counterpane and nailed brass buttplate. Stock shortened to “half-stock” length with an added iron pipe brazed to the bottom of the barrel, which secures a swelled shank tulip head ramrod of the U.S. Model 1855 or Model 1861 pattern. Fair. Well worn and heavily used, metal cleaned to bright with gray metal showing scattered surface oxidation and some pitting. Tail of lock broken with rear screw loose. Lock is loose in mortise and does not function correctly. Fair bore with oxidation and pitting. Stock lightly sanded with some wood loss at the pin holes and a couple of cracks. $1,600 - 2,500

Percussion Altered Tack Decorated Chief’s Grade Northwest Trade Gun by Tryon .58 caliber. 36” 3-stage octagon to round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked “TRYON/PHILADA” in two vertical lines at the tail. Three screw serpent brass side plate, large iron triggerguard, flat screwed brass buttplate. Stock decorated with numerous brass tacks along the wrist and forend, as well as German silver oval discs. Small sling swivel added to forend, with hole in toe line behind triggerguard tang that probably held a screwed-in swivel at some point in time. Barrel altered to percussion via the drum bolster method. Single corrugated ramrod pipe secures an old wooden ramrod. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that this gun was brought to the Watertown gun show by a Native American family. The notes further indicate that the gun is pictured in Charles Hansen’s book on Northwest guns, but no further reference was provided and the book was not readily available to reference. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a grayish brown patina and with some scattered roughness and pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional, fair bore is moderately oxidized and pitted. Brass with a mellow golden mustard patina. Stock with moderate wear, showing some slivered loss along the forend with numerous bumps, dings and mars, some missing pins and wood loss around the pin holes, as well as some chipped loss around the lock mortise. $3,000 - 5,000

Very Early Percussion Altered Trade Fowler .69 caliber. 54.25” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Three screw, 6.75” flat flint lock with pronounced teat at tail is altered to percussion and is marked “M/GUEST and has a very crude percussion hammer and a drum bolster. Barrel with weak “{CROWN}/P” and “{CROWN}/V” proofs in an English style that could variously be described as early “Tower private proofs” or possibly Birmingham forgeries of London commercial proofs. The overall form of the gun is a synthesis of what would become classic trade gun features in the later part of the 18th century and that of a simplified British “Long Land” Pattern Brown Bess, with the raised carved apron around the trapezoidal breech plug tang, pronounced rail along the wrist and comb, the rudimentary palm swell at the entry pipe, an inlet in the wrist of the traditional acorn shaped escutcheon (now missing) and the long barrel length. Brass furniture includes an early variant of the three-screw serpent side plate, a long-tang brass buttplate, brass triggerguard, two corrugated ramrod pipes. Percussion alteration includes a very crude hammer with not all of the lock plate flintlock battery holes filled. Stock was cut back to half-stock configuration during the period of use, removing approximately 26” of wood. A brass pipe has been added to the upper barrel tenon nearest the muzzle. A small brass blade front sight is mounted 2.5” from the muzzle. The gun likely dates from the mid-18th century and had a working life long enough to be percussion altered circa the 1830s. A very interesting example of a very early trade gun. A search of Heer der Neue Stockel, as well as both Blackmore and Bailey’s references on English gunmakers did not find an “M Guest”, although Blackmore does list a London gunmaker Richard Guest who worked circa 1750 which would probably be correct time wise for this piece. It is also possible the name on the lock could be a lock maker rather than a gunmaker or even a retailer or trade name reference. While Mr. Ness’ notes suggest that he felt the gun was of Dutch origin and it could be a Low Country interpretation of a British military musket as a trade fowler, this cataloger feels the gun is almost certainly of English origin. Good. Gun shows hard use and wear. Barrel with a dull pewter patina and scattered surface oxidation, with the appearance of an old cleaning that is starting to tone down. Mechanically functional, fair bore is dark, pitted and oxidized. Stock with substantial wear, altered as noted above, missing the acorn escutcheon at the wrist, with chipped loss at the tang, some cracking in the butt, chipped loss around the pin holes and numbers bumps, dings and mars. $2,000 - 4,000 30

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by J.A. Petry .66 caliber. 40” pinned 3-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length beech stock. Slightly rounded flint lock altered to percussion with a drum bolster and somewhat crudely executed percussion hammer. Lock marked “IA” for John Jacob Astor and with the “{Tombstone Fox/IA}” mark of his American Fur Company forward of the hammer. Tail of lock marked “J.A. PETRY” in a vertical arc and dated “1854”. Top flat of barrel marked with the “E/LG/*” in an oval Liege proof house mark, another “{Tombstone Fox/IA}” and “LONDON”. The left angled breech flat has a pair of Birmingham commercial proof marks. Traditional trade gun furniture includes the ubiquitous three-screw brass “serpent” sideplate, oversized iron triggerguard, screwed flat brass buttplate and two corrugated brass ramrod pipes. Beech stock with traditional raised carved apron around the tang and at the tails of the lock mortise and counterpane and is equipped with sheet brass reinforcement 2” from the tip to reduce spitting of the forend. A classic example of a Belgian-made interpretation of the classic English Northwest trade gun. This gun was produced by Belgian maker J. Auguste Petry who worked in Liege circa 1842-1867 (Stockel). The presence of the Birmingham proofs indicates that this gun was imported to England prior to being sold. Interestingly although the gun is marked to the American Fur Company, that company failed some dozen years prior to the date on the lock, thus presenting an interesting conundrum to the collector. The use of beech rather than walnut as the stock wood is a good example of some of the minor differences often found between English-made and Continental-made trade guns and military arms of the period. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, hammer loose on tumbler. Bore fair, heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock crisp with nice edges, some chipped loss along the forend and some repairs in the butt which has cracked and has an extra screw added to the buttplate tang as a reinforcement. $1,500 - 2,500

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun .60 caliber. 41.625” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock is crudely converted without filling of the external flint battery holes and a crudely made percussion hammer is in place. The lock is marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo forward of the hammer with the same logo found on the top flat of the barrel. Upper left breech flat with Birmingham commercial proof marks. Not maker marked. Traditional trade gun features include the brass three-screw dragon motif serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, screwed flat brass buttplate and corrugated brass ramrod pipes. Stock with the usual simple raised carved aprons around the tang and at the rear of the lock mortise and counterpane. Fixed notch rear sight, blade front sight. No ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness, some scattered pitting and mostly legible markings. Lock mechanically functional, bore fair, dark and moderately oxidized with pitting. Stock with moderate wear, showing wood loss around the pin holes, as well as some missing pins, missing the middle rammer pipe and showing scattered areas of minor slivered and chipped wood loss along the forend. Otherwise wood with bumps, dings and mars as would be expected. $2,000 - 3,000

Percussion Altered Belgian Northwest Trade Gun Marked Barnett .62 caliber. 42.5” three-stage octagon to round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal, brass furniture, walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” under the bolster and “BARNETT” in a vertical arc at the tail. Barrel with Liege proof mark on top flat. Simple drum bolster alteration using an ill-fitting commercial percussion hammer. Three-screw brass serpent side plate, flat brass screw-retained buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard. No apron around the tang, missing thumb piece. Simple sheet brass forend reinforcement. Stock decorated with tacks, many of them missing. Corrugated brass ramrod pipes, brass tipped wood ramrod. Good. Well used with moderately oxidized metal, showing some pitting and surface roughness. Not functional, poor bore, lock ill-fitting with gapping around the plate and mortise. Stock modified with shaved down comb and a rudimentary recessed cheek rest. Missing lower buttplate screw, forward triggerguard screw replaced. Barrel band replaced as noted above. $2,000 - 3,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Parker, Field & Co. .58 caliber. Pinned three-stage octagon to round 30” barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal with iron and brass furniture and a full-length walnut stock. Flint lock altered to percussion with a crude hammer that is vaguely reminiscent in shape to some Lehigh Valley guns. Lock marked in three curved lines at the tail “PARKER/ FIELD/1863”. Barrel with London commercial proof marks and a “24” gauge mark to indicate .58 caliber. Usual trade gun features including the three-screw brass serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate, raised carved aprons and corrugated ramrod pipes. Barrel and forend both shortened, probably at least 6” with a small brass cone front sight added near the muzzle. Wrist broken and repaired with a neatly wrapped cord repair. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod. Good. Moderately oxidized metal with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock with repaired wrist, a chip out of the front of the comb and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,500

Period Shortened and Percussion Altered Trade Gun by Parker, Field & Son .58 caliber. 23.5” wedge-retained three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal, brass and iron mountings, period of use replaced hardwood stock. Percussion altered flint lock with drum bolster and crude percussion hammer is marked “PARKER” over “1839” in two arcs at the tail. Breech with London commercial proof marks. Gun shortened during the period of use, barrel cut at least 12”-13”. Gun restocked during there period as well with a replacement buttplate, but retains the serpent side plate and large iron triggerguard. Barrel secured by a crude iron wedge with brass escutcheon plates. Shortened gun is nominally 29” in overall length, making it more handy for use on horse back or in dense brush. A single iron thimble retains a wood ramrod. Good. Metal oxidized to brown with some surface roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional lock with crude replacement hammer. Moderately oxidized and pitted bore. Stock sanded with scattered bumps, dings, mars and some slivered loss along upper portion of the forend. $500 - 800

Percussion Altered Chief’s Grade Trade Gun .60 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock with commercial percussion hammer and drum bolster. Lock marked with the “{Circle-Fox}” trademarks, as is the top flat of the barrel. Breech with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Mounted with a German silver “Indian Chief” wrist escutcheon, three-screw brass dragon motif serpentine side plate, screwed flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and a sheet brass reinforcement band near the forend tip. Corrugated brass pipes secure an old wood ramrod. Raised carved apron around the breech plug tang. A nice example of a 1st half of the 19th century “Chief’s” trade gun that had its working life extending into the percussion era. Good. Metal oxidized with a brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster as well as the lock. Markings mostly visible. Mechanically functional, heavily oxidized bore with moderate pitting. Stock with some wear, scattered bumps and dings and some minor cracking in the forend. Butt slightly warped as if it was intentionally bent to create cast off to better fit its owner. $2,000 - 4,000 32

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by Parker, Field & Co. .58 caliber. 42.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked in three vertical arcs at the tail “PARKER/FIELD & Co/1852”. Converted lock has a medium sized military type percussion hammer similar to those found on US Model 1841 Rifles, with the hammer secured by an old screw with brass washer. Barrel with drum bolster alteration and marked very weakly on the top with the “{Tombstone-Fox}/EB” mark and with London commercial proof marks. Traditional trade gun features include the three-screw brass dragon motif serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate, corrugated brass ramrod pipes. Stock with rudimentary raised carved aprons around the tang and at the tails of the lock mortise and the counterpane. A small notch rear sight has been added to the barrel and the original brass front sight blade is in place near the muzzle. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with scattered roughness and some pitting. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation is dark and dirty. Breech plug tang broken. Stock with moderate wear, enlarged pin holes in the forend with pins missing. Showing numerous small handling marks, dings and surface mars. $1,000 - 1,500

Tryon Fullstock Rifle Altered to Percussion by Leman .50 caliber. 42.25” wedge retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Percussion altered flint lock marked “TRYON” weakly. Top barrel flat marked “TRYON . PHILADA”. Rifle altered to percussion by Henry Leman of Lancaster with his trademark patent breech, sweeping bolster with clean out screw and percussion hammer with tall spur that seems out of proportion with the balance of the hammer. Equipped with single trigger, dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed German silver blade front sight in brass base. Mounted with four-piece plain brass patch box, brass butt and toe plates, thick geometric two-screw brass side plate, chunky finger extension triggerguard, brass nose cap, two ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe. The initials RB are carved into the cheek rest on the reverse butt. Mr. Ness’ notes mention that the gun was found in Kansas. Good to very good. Moderately oxidized barrel with a mottled brownish-gray patina with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Functional lock, moderately pitted bore with strong rifling. Brass lightly cleaned long ago and toning to a medium golden color. Full stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, with finish loss and wear and some old added oil. Wood with some surface grain cracks and chipped loss around the butt and toe plates, as well as some loss from burn out near the bolster. $1,000 - 2,000

Native Altered Percussion Trade Gun by Isaac Hollis & Sons .58 caliber. 31.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Flat, Enfield style percussion lock marked with the usual Isaac & Hollis trademark at the tail and “I HOLLIS & SONS/LONDON” forward of the hammer. Left angled barrel flat with Birmingham commercial proofs and “24” gauge mark, indicating .58 caliber. Near relic condition shortened and modified stock with buttplate removed, an arrow design cut through the buttstock, the barrel shortened around 6” and forend shortened similarly. Three screw serpent side plate with rear screw missing, oversized iron triggerguard, two corrugated brass ramrod pipes with an additional sheet iron pipe added near the muzzle secured through a barrel tenon with an old nail. Pipes secure an old wooden ramrod. Stock with typical raised carved aprons around the breech plug tang and at the tail of the lock and counterpane. Stock with numerous added old tacks and many more missing leaving old iron shanks without heads in the forend and butt as well as some tack holes. A great looking, unmolested Native used and modified trade gun. Good, relic condition showing heavy wear and use. Metal with a thick brown patina, surface roughness and pitting. Markings partially legible, lock not functional, bore heavily pitted and worn. Stock with heavy wear, shortened and modified during the period with nails replacing some of the pins, a substantial number of chips, dings and areas of wood loss. Also showing cracks around the lock mortise and some gapping around the tang. Triggerguard loose and possibly an old, period of use replacement. $1,000 - 2,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Percussion Altered Northwest Trade Gun by W. Chance & Son

.60 caliber. 40” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock marked with the American Fur Company “{Tombstone/Fox}/IA” mark of John Jacob Astor forward of the hammer and marked in a two line arc at the tail “W. CHANCE/& SON”. Barrel with drum bolster alteration to percussion and marked with post-1813 Birmingham proofs and “LONDON” on the top flat. Stock with the “{Circle-Fox}” logo on the obverse butt. Typical trade gun features including a 3-screw brass “serpent” side plate and an oversized iron triggerguard. Flat brass screwed buttplate, corrugated brass pipes secure a wood ramrod. William Chance was a Birmingham merchant who was in business circa 1777-1780, with the firm then becoming Chance & Homer and eventually William Chance & Son circa 1812-1821. They apparently had contracts with the American Fur Company as their guns are often found with AFC markings. The business continued under William II, the son of William I and with the end of American Fur Company operations the son concentrated on providing firearms to St. Louis merchant Pierre Chouteau who then resold them to traders, trappers and emigrants heading west during the early days of American western expansion. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with moderate pitting around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional, fair bore is dark and pitted. Stock very good with scattered bumps and dings, good definition at the raised carved aprons and some minor wood loss around the upper part of the lock area and at the various pin holes. $1,500 - 2,500

H.E. Leman Northwest Trade Gun

.58 caliber. 36” pinned, three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition, slightly swamped at the muzzle. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Round-tailed reconverted flint lock mark “H.E. LEMAN” in a vertical arc at the rear and with Leman’s variant of the Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox}” mark under the pan, with the letters “PA” for Pennsylvania, rather than HBC’s “EB” mark. Cock, pan, frizzen, spring and external lock screws are all modern replacements. Top flat of barrel marked “H.E. LEMAN” in an arc and “LANCASTER, PA” in a single straight line, with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks on the angled left flat. Produced in the form of the classic Wilson and Barnett Northwest Trade Guns, Leman used imported barrels from Birmingham and constructed a gun of somewhat higher quality than his English contemporaries. The classic “serpent” side plate, over sized iron triggerguard and simple, flat brass buttplate were retained, as were the corrugated brass ramrod pipes. The raised carved moldings around the breech plug tang, rear of the lock mortise and the tail of the counterpane were also retained, but the lock itself was of somewhat better quality as was the overall fit and finish of the guns. An inexpensive but logical improvement was the addition of a small sheet brass piece near the tip of the forend to reduce the potential for the stock to split. Leman entered into the Northwest gun trade in 1842 with a Bureau of Indian Affairs contract that would last 18 years and resulted in the delivery of 9,000 guns of this pattern by the maker. Considering the huge quantities of these guns produced and delivered by makers like Barnett over many decades, the production of Leman Northwest guns was relatively modest, making them somewhat uncommon on the collector market. Very good as reconverted. Metal with a moderately oxidized brownish-gray patina with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain clear with the exception of the “Tombstone Fox” mark on the lock, which is weak. Reconverted flint lock is functional, bore is moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars with some added finish and a small grain crack forward of the lock mortise. Otherwise, the stock remains quite crisp with sharp edges. $2,000 - 4,000

Northwest Trade Gun By Barnett

.58 caliber. 42.25” pinned, three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Commercial flint lock appears reconverted with a replaced pan, is lightly engraved with simple floral motifs under the pan, at the tail and on the hammer neck and is unmarked externally but is marked “T KETLAND” on the interior. Barrel is marked on the upper left angled flat with pre-1813 London commercial proof marks and the “*/TB” maker’s mark of Thomas Barnett. Traditional Northwest gun features include the serpent side plate, large triggerguard, carved moldings around the tail of the lock, counterpane and breech plug tang. Early production features include the thin, nailed brass buttplate and the tang screw entering from the bottom of the stock forward of the triggerguard. Butt with the letters “W” and “X” carved on the reverse. It is not clear if the Ketland commercial lock was used by Barnett in the production of the gun or if it was a later replacement. Barnett was one of the most prolific of the English gun makers to produce Northwest Trade Guns. Good to very good. Barrel with a mottled and moderately oxidized brown patina with surface roughness and some pitting. Lock with a lighter gray color. Lock functional but sluggish and not crisp. Bore oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings, mars and marks, with some added finish and possibly lightly sanded. Added stain likely conceals repairs in the forend and there is some chipped wood loss around the tang. $2,000 - 4,000 34

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Cut Down Leman Northwest Trade Gun .54 caliber. 21.875” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown metal, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Flat pointed flint lock marked “H.E. LEMAN” in a vertical act at the tail and with the “{Tombstone Fox/PA}” mark typical of Leman’s Northwest Trade Guns. Barrel with Birmingham proofs on the left angled flat and marked “H.E. LEMAN” in an arc and “LANCASTER, PA” on the top flat. The gun appears to have been cut down during the period of use to a much handier length with about 14” of barrel and probably 24” of stock removed, and a brass blade sight added near the muzzle. Butt shortened about 1” and buttplate reattached. Shortening trade guns to “carbine” length was quite popular with the Native Americans, making the guns easier to use on horseback or carry in dense brush. This gun is well worn with heavy period use and damage and also shows a number of old tack holes in the butt and forend where brass tacks were in place at one point in time. A salty and completely honest, well-used Native trade gun. Fair. Well worn with heavily oxidized metal showing surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain mostly legible, lock needs mechanical attention and is only partly functional with broken frizzen and no full cock. Bore dark, heavily oxidized and pitted. Front of triggerguard plate broken, reattached buttplate ill fitting due to shortened stock. Wood heavily worn with numerous deep marks, mars, gouges, etc. Cracks and splits are present in the forened, with wood loss around pin holes, a screw has been added in the ramrod channel to help secure the barrel and the tang screw is an incorrect replacement. $4,000 - 6,000

Percussion Rifle by Leman .34 caliber. 39.125” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass, pewter and steel furniture, walnut stock. Percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA”, double set triggers, fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed blade front sight. Butt plate tang replaced with pewter piece, stock decorated with brass tacks in obverse butt and along the line of the cheek rest on the reverse. Barrel with long, East Tennessee style breech plug tang that measures 7.75” and extends along the wrist to the comb. Wood ramrod secured by two iron pipes. Good. Shows moderate wear with scattered surface oxidation and pitting with more moderate pitting around the breech and lock area. Lock needs mechanical attention. Stock cut back from muzzle, barrel possibly shortened during the period of use. Bore dark and heavily oxidized with strong rifling. $1,000 - 2,000

Conestoga Rifle Works Percussion Rifle Apparently Acquired on the Standing Rock Reservation .45 caliber. 34” pin-retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Attic brown patina, brass furniture, walnut stock. Percussion lock marked in two lines “CONGESTOGA/RIFLE WORKS”, top flat of barrel marked “P.A.” Double-set triggers, dovetailed buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed blade front sight. Brass furniture includes buttplate, spur triggerguard, two faceted thimbles and the entry pipe and the nose cap. Stock with an old iron wrapped and brass reinforced repair at wrist and brass plate repaired crack in butt. Rifle includes a hand written tag that says the rifle was purchased from James O Aplan who acquired the rifle on the Standing Rock Reservation. Good in untouched, barn-found condition. Metal thickly oxidized with some pitting, brass with an untouched patina, stock dry and faded. Lock needs some mechanical adjustment but is essentially functional, bore heavily oxidized and pitted with visible rifling. Stock worn and dry with old repairs and splintered slivering and loss along the upper edge of the forend. Pin holes worn, wood with scattered bumps, dings, mars and some chipped loss. $1,500 - 2,500 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Relic Tryon Percussion Trade Rifle .50 caliber. 30” wedge retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, walnut stock. Percussion lock marked “A ANSCHUTZ”, top flat of barrel marked “TRYON/PHILADA”, surrounded by asterisks. Relic condition rifle with the triggerguard and part of side plate missing, forend shortened and toe of stock damaged. Mounted with a fully engraved leaf-finial four-piece Tryon patchbox. Fair, relic condition. Heavily oxidized and pitted metal with a thick, untouched patina, brass uncleaned and untouched. Not mechanically functional, bore heavily pitted. Stock extremely worn and dry, missing splinters and pieces of wood from the forend, moderate damage and wood loss to stock toe. $300 - 500

Percussion Trade Rifle By Gumpf .54 caliber. 37” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, maple stock. Barrel weakly signed “GUMPF” at breech and may be shortened at the breech as well. Commercial percussion lock with simple scroll engraving is an apparent old replacement that fits poorly. Missing brass side plate, brass triggerguard and buttplate with four-piece brass matchbox. Forend shortened with one brass corrugated and one sheet brass thimble and an entry pipe. Fixed dovetail buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed blade front sight. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that the gun was obtained from a dealer who acquired it from the Outlaw Trading Post which had a large collection of Native American relics in its collection. An old black and white photo of the trading post is included in the folder with Mr. Ness’ notes on the rifle. Fair. Well worn and heavily used. Barrel heavily oxidized with scattered pitting. Lock functional, brass untouched. Bore heavily pitted with visible rifling. Stock with moderate damage, broken and repaired through the lock area. $2,000 - 4,000

Fullstock Percussion Trade Rifle by Gibbs .54 caliber. 43.5” wedge-retained octagonal to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux finish tiger striped hardwood stock with checkered wrist. Barrel marked “GIBBS/LANCASTER/PA” in three lines behind the rear sight. Commercial single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “Henry Parker/Warranted” in two lines with single trigger. Fixed notch dovetailed rear sight, dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Four-piece, simple Lancaster-style patchbox is unadorned with release in toe plate. Other brass fixtures include rudimentary spur triggerguard, butt plate, toe plate, nose cap, three wedges without escutcheons and two ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe. Stock with simple skip line checkering at wrist, with small plain oval German silver inlays on the raised cheek rest and at the wrist. Includes an old brass tipped wood ramrod. Two mid-19th century gunmakers named Gibbs worked in Lancaster, PA. Abraham Gibbs is listed by Sellers as circa 1857. Henry Gibbs (1824-1880) is listed as worked circa 1857-1870. Sellers notes that Henry made particularly high quality guns. The fit and finish of this trade rifle is superior to many and may be the work of Henry Gibbs, although Mr. Ness’ notes indicate he felt this gun was made by Abraham. Very good. Barrel smoothly oxidized with a rich and untouched brown patina. Gibbs marking on barrel remains mostly legible, lock markings clear. Mechanically functional, poor bore is heavily pitted and extremely dirty with no discernible rifling nor any indication that the guns as ever rifled, suggesting it was made as a “buck and ball” gun or a “smooth rifle”. Brass with an old cleaning and an attractive golden tone. Stock crisp with scattered bumps, dings and mars and an old repair at the toe. $1,000 - 1,500 36

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Trade Rifle by Jacob Fordney .54 caliber. 42.5” wedge-retained octagonal smoothbore barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock with plain wrist. Barrel marked “J FORDNEY/ LANCASTER/PA” in three lines behind the rear sight. Unmarked commercial single screw percussion lock with single trigger. Fixed notch dovetailed rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Four-piece, simple Lancaster-style patchbox is unadorned with release in toe plate, which is now missing. Other brass fixtures include rudimentary spur triggerguard, butt plate, toe plate, nose cap, three wedges without escutcheons and two ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe. Includes an old brass tipped wood ramrod. Jacob Fordney (1808-1870) was a well-known Lancaster gunsmith who produced many of the early rifles that went west with settlers during the early days of western expansion. In 1837 he contracted with the US Government to produce 250 Indian Trade Rifles. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that he feels that this is one of those rifles. Good. Rifle shows moderate use with some pitting on the lock and breech and most of the metal having a moderately oxidized brown patina. Barrel marking remains legible. Lock functional with no half cock. Bore poor, heavily pitted and dirty and showing no evidence of having been rifled, suggesting a “buck and ball” gun or “smooth rifle”. Brass with an uncleaned, dull golden color. Stock with moderate wear, a poorly repaired long diagonal crack in the forend and showing numerous bumps, dings and mars. A coating of old applied varnish is present on the wood as well. $1,500 - 2,500

Relic Condition Shortened Percussion Northwest Trade Gun .58 caliber. 31.75” three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, period shortened stock. Percussion altered lock dated “1855” at tail and marked with a “{Circle-Fox}” forward of the hammer and secured by only a single remaining screw. Barrel shortened during the period of use with stock cut back to a “half-stock” configuration with a crudely applied blacksmith made iron strap barrel band secured by a single nail. Traditional trade gun features include the cast “serpent” side plate and flat, two screw buttplate. One of the original corrugated ramrod pipes has been soldered on to the bottom of the barrel about 3” from the muzzle. A real example of a period altered and modified Northwest trade gun that saw heavy use during the mid-19th century. Fair, relic condition. Metal heavily oxidized with a thick brown patina and moderate surface roughness over all iron parts. Lock semi-functional, apparently only cocking to the half-cock position and releasing from there as well, missing hammer screw. Triggerguard tang broken, side plate missing first and last screw. Stock shortened with forend thinned and tapered, wood dry and showing some cracks as well as numerous bumps, dings and mars. $800 - 1,200

Period Shortened Native Used British Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle Musket .577 caliber. 26.75” barrel retained by two clamping barrel bands. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked with usual “{CROWN}” at tail without a VR underneath and “1862/TOWER” forward of hammer. Barrel with remnants of Birmingham commercial proof marks. Period shortened with barrel cut back slightly over 12” and smooth bored, stock cut back to just in front of the middle barrel band. Butt shortened slightly more than 1” as well with buttplate removed. Stock decorated with 8 brass tacks, 6 in a line along the bottom edge of the butt and 1 each at the front and rear of the lock mortise. Rear sight removed, front sight missing, missing sling swivels. Rear barrel band retained by a two old finishing nails. Consignor’s notes indicate the gun was purchased from Mel Overweeg of Wagner, SD who acquired the gun on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. Fair. Metal heavily oxidized with moderate surface roughness and thick, dark patina. Moderate pitting at breech and bolster with some wood loss due to burn out around the bolster area. Not mechanically functional, appears to be missing the mainspring. Bore pitted and heavily oxidized with no discernible rifling. Stock with heavy wear, numerous bumps, dings and mars and a large old chip missing at the toe. Stock additionally shows some old cracks as well as missing wood between the lock and hammer and ill fit around the breech plug tang. $800 - 1,200 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Shortened & Tacked Leman Percussion Rifle .50 caliber. 28.5” pinned octagonal heavy barrel, 1” across the flats at the muzzle. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass and pewter furniture, hardwood stock. Barrel marked “HE LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Lightly engraved, single screw, single trigger commercial percussion lock with illegible markings. Lock is likely a period of use replacement as it is partially secured in the mortise with nails and is somewhat ill-fitting. Stock cut back to half-stock length with poured pewter nose cap. Brass butt plate, triggerguard and toe plate. Brass patchbox added to stock. Fixed notch rear sight dovetailed front sight blade. Stock decorated on obverse, reverse and along the wrist and comb with added brass tacks, with some missing along the comb line, leaving only their square brass shanks. Fair to good. Barrel with a moderately oxidized brown patina, with legible markings and some scattered pitting. Not mechanically functional, bore with strong rifling, moderate oxidation and moderate pitting. Stock with moderate wear, forend shortened with crude pewter nose cap missing some pewter. Some wood loss with chipping and wear around pin holes, primary barrel pin replaced, wood showing dents and dings. $800 - 1,200

Tacked Fullstock Percussion Trade Rifle by Leman .56 smoothbore. 32.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, German silver decorations, faux striped maple stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Barrel with drum bolster is marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Simple commercial round brass patchbox with other plain brass commercial furniture consisting of butt and toe plates, finger extension triggerguard, nose cap, two thimbles and an entry pipe. The smooth rifle is decorated with German silver inlays including a dog on point in the obverse wrist, a dog on the run in the reverse wrist and a spreadwinged eagle on the cheek rest. Stock is decorated with brass tacks along the forend and behind the tang on the wrist and on the cheek rest and below it. Some of the tacks are missing, leaving empty holes, while others are missing their heads revealing square brass shanks. The trriggerguard has been decorated by having numerous diagonal lines cut into it. An attractive smooth rifle with the look of some real, legitimate Native use. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, particularly around the breech, bolster and lock area. Markings mostly legible, lock worn and need some attention to reliably function. Skirt of hammer nose is chipped. Smooth bore is good with moderate oxidation and pitting. Stock broken with an old repair at the wrist using screws and nails. The wood is damaged and repaired around the mortise with some wood missing. An additional 3” sliver of wood is missing on the reverse forend near the counterpane. Otherwise with the usual moderate wear, showing bumps, dings and mars as well as some chipped loss around the pin holes. $3,000 - 5,000

Percussion Indian Trade Rifle by A. Gumph .50 caliber. 41” wedge-retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length stock with checkered wrist. Single screw commercial percussion lock is unmarked with some light engraving. Barrel with drum bolster signed “A+Gumpf” on top flat. Engraved Lancaster style four-piece brass patchbox with release in toe plate which is engraved en-suite, extended finger spur triggerguard, buttplate with faceted tang. Plain brass thimbles with baluster turned rings and entry pipe secure a wood ramrod with an iron button head tip. Mr. Ness’ tag on the rifle notes that this is likely a US government contract trade gun and further notes that is a “fancy gun” and a “chief’s grade” rifle that is “scarce”. Andrew Gumpf worked in Lancaster, PA circa 1829-1848 and was one of nine Gumpfs that worked in the gunmaking trade for nearly 100 years in the region, from the late 1770s through the late 1870s. Very good. Metal with a pleasingly oxidized plum patina showing some scattered surface roughness and some light pitting at the breech and bolster area. Functional lock, good bore with strong rifling is moderately oxidized with some pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, with some minor wood loss around the wedges in the forend and scuffs and mars. $2,000 - 3,000 38

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Trade Gun by H.E. Leman .50 caliber. 46.25” wedge-retained two-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, faux-striped hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Single trigger, drum bolster. Brass buttplate, toe plate, lock screw escutcheon, triggerguard with extended finger spur, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Barrel decorated with punch dot pattern groups that may be intended to represent a medicine wheel or the “Four Directions” of the Lakota. Gun with an old applied coat of varnish, turning yellowish on the barrel. Includes a wood ramrod. Very good. Barrel cleaned to a pewter gray color with scattered oxidation and some pitting and an old coat of varnish. Mechanically functional lock, smooth bore moderately oxidized. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars but much crisper than most similar arms of this age, with good lines and edges and a small chip out of the toe. $1,000 - 2,000

H.E. Leman Chief’s Grade Trade Rifle .46 caliber. 42” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length faux striped hardwood stock with checkered wrist and raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single-screw lock marked “Henry Parker/Warranted”. Barrel with stamped geometric and intertwined designs and marked “LEMAN LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED”. Stock with engraved four-piece, two-leg Lancaster style brass patchbox with the release concealed in the tip of the engraved toe plate. Stock with German silver lozenge shaped plate in toe line. Fixed buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain front sight. Two corrugated brass thimbles and a plain brass entry pipe secure a wood ramrod. A very attractive, if later 19th century Leman trade “rifle” in a much higher grade than they are normally encountered. Good. Metal with a thick brown patina showing moderate oxidation, some surface roughness and moderate pitting around the breech area. Lock functional, smooth bore heavily pitted and oxidized. Stock with moderate wear to the faux finish and with some significant wood loss around the top edge of the lock and bolster, apparently from percussion burn out. Otherwise stock with scattered bumps, dings and handling marks, a couple of old grain cracks in the forend and the toe and some wear to the checkering at the wrist. $2,500 - 3,500

Percussion Trade Gun by Isaac Hollis & Sons .56 caliber. 25.5” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Enfield style percussion lock marked “I HOLLIS & SONS” with the Isaac Hollis trademark to the rear of the of the hammer. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks. Typical Northwest Trade Gun styling with brass “serpent” side plate, oversized iron triggergaurd, multi-stage barrel and simple raised carved aprons around the breech plug tang and the rear of the lock mortise. Barrel and forend both shortened during the period of use by approximately 10” or so, retaining only one of the corrugated brass ramrod pipes. Buttplate removed as well. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Apparently shortened and modified during the period. Missing buttplate. Metal with no finish and a moderately oxidized brown patina with some scattered pitting that is more moderate around the breech and bolster area. Bore fair, dark, dirty and moderately pitted. Stock with numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars and a few small cracks and an upper pin replaced with an old nail. Some wood loss has occurred behind the bolster due to burn out. $1,000 - 1,500 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Leman Percussion Trade Gun .58 caliber. 45” pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped full-length hardwood stock. Single screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Barrel unmarked with fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed blade front sight. Brass furniture includes two-piece rudimentary daisy-head patch box, triggerguard with urn finial, nose cap, two ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe. Wide butt measures 1.8” thick at rear. Wood ramrod. Good to very good. Barrel moderately oxidized with a mixture of plum patina and traces of brown. Metal with scattered surface oxidation and some pitting, especially around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, smooth bore with moderate pitting. Brass furniture with a medium golden patina. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars with nicks and scratches. $800 - 1,200

Shortened Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Isaac Hollis & Sons .58 caliber. 22.25” three-stage octagon to round pinned barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Flat Enfield-style percussion lock marked “I HOLLIS” forward of the hammer and with the Hollis trademark at the tail. Traditional dragon motif serpent sideplate and oversized iron triggerguard. Buttplate removed, stock with marks from old tacks around the butt which are now missing, and traces of old red paint as well as some flecks of white wash. Comb thinned to make the gun more handy and useable as with a single hand, gripping the wrist. Trade guns were often shortened to make them easier to use on horseback and potentially for concealment. Stock with rudimentary raised carved apron around the tang. Front lock screw an old replacement that is too short. Good as period shortened with a thick, untouched and heavily oxidized patina showing pitting and surface roughness. Lock mechanically functional, fair bore is heavily pitted and dark. Stock worn and modified, with chipped loss around the comb in addition to the intentional thinning and sculpting. Forend with a large hole for the attachment of a sling or possibly a thong to hang feathers or decorations from. Lock slightly ill fitting with some gapping and a repaired crack at the rear. $2,000 - 3,000

Shortened and Native Decorated Leman Percussion Trade Rifle .48 caliber. 27.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron mountings, faux striped hardwood stock. Rifle shortened during the period of use and decorated with tacks along the forend and on the butt. Second rear sight dovetail cut into top of barrel in Leman address. Lightly engraved single screw percussion lock with weak “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA” markings. Crescent iron buttplate, brass toe plate, finger spur brass triggerguard, brass nose cap, plain round brass patchbox. Brass thimbles with wood ramrod. Some tack heads broken off, revealing square shanks. Stock with raised cheek rest. Good. Metal with a mottled and oxidized grayish patina, showing some pitting and roughness. Markings partially legible, lock functional with no half cock position, bore fair, with strong rifling and moderate pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and wear to the faux finish. Forend with some scattered areas of slivering and minor wood loss, along with some slivered cracking. $1,000 - 1,500

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett Dated 1889 .58 caliber. 30.5” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Enfield style percussion lock marked “BARNETT/LONDON/1885” and with the seated “{FOX/EB}” of the Hudson’s Bay Company at the tail. Breech with London commercial proof marks. Brass three-screw serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat screwed brass buttplate. Stock with raised carved aprons around the tang and at the tail of the lock and counterpane. A single corrugated brass ramrod pipe secures an old brass tipped wood ramrod. Good to very good. Metal moderately oxidized with a thick brown patina, with some scattered surface roughness and pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional, moderately oxidized and pitted bore. Stock with wear and showing use, with scattered bumps, dings and mars as well as some old cracking in the forend. $1,500 - 2,500

Percussion Northwest Trade Gun Attributed to Leman .60 caliber. 29” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Unmarked single-screw percussion lock, unmarked barrel with drum bolster. Simple brass furniture includes a flat, screwed buttplate, finger extension triggerguard, sheet brass forend reinforcement and nose cap and a single corrugated pipe securing a wooden ramrod. Larry Ness’ notes identify this as Leman’s “first attempt” to produce a percussion trade gun and further notes that when these guns were sent to Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming for trade that the Natives “threw them on the ground in disgust”. This is a lightly made, poorly finished gun that would certainly be less than popular with Natives used to receiving the much higher quality arms made by the British. Good. Moderately oxidized metal with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate oxidation and pitting. Stock with repaired cracks and damage around the lock mortise and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $3,000 - 5,000

Fullstock Percussion Smooth Rifle by Daniel Brown .54 caliber. 44” pinned two-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood full stock. Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock marked “TRUITT BROS & Co”. Top flat of barrel weakly marked “D P BROWN MAKER/LANCASTER PA”. Barrel with drum bolster, typical of early percussion guns. Simple crescent brass buttplate, lightly engraved triggerguard with dual finger spur extensions, brass nose cap and ramrod pipes. Wood ramrod. Mr. Ness’ notes on this rifle indicate that the gun was produced circa 1840 by David P Brown of Lancaster, a maker not listed in Sellers’ American Gunsmiths. He further notes that Brown had a contract with the US Indian Department to provide guns for this government entity for trade to the Native Americans. Good. Moderately oxidized metal with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Markings weak but legible under good light and magnification. Mechanically functional, good bore with oxidation and some pitting. Hammer screw replaced. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, a repaired chip in the toe and some wood loss at rear of the lock mortise. $1,500 - 2,000

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Mid-19th Century Percussion Trade Gun .56 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Lock from a British military Type III Pattern 1853 Enfield and marked “1856/TOWER” forward of the hammer, along with a War Department “{Crown-Broad Arrow}” and with the British “{CROWN}/VR” at the tail. No visible barrel proofs. Three-screw brass serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate with five screws. Two corrugated ramrod pipes with old iron trumpet head ramrod. Stock with traditional raised carved aprons around the tang, rear of the lock mortise and the counterpane. A nice example of a mid-19th century trade gun, showing the evolution from the 18th century form to the more “Enfield” inspired form of the late 1850s through the turn of the century, retaining the early barrel form, stock and side plate but adopting the new standard of the Enfield percussion lock. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled grayish patina and even pitting. Mechanically functional lock, fair bore with moderate pitting and oxidation. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some slivered loss along the forend, some gapping at the breech and around the lock and some chipped loss to the obverse butt. $1,500 - 3,000

Barnett Percussion Trade Gun Dated 1900 .58 caliber. 29.75” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Lock marked forward of the hammer in three lines “BARNETT/LONDON/1900” and with the Hudson’s Bay Company “{Tombstone Fox}/EB” at the tail. Breech with London commercial proofs and a “24” gauge mark indicating .58 caliber. Traditional trade gun features including the brass three-screw serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard and flat brass buttplate. Stock with the traditional raised carved aprons. Obverse butt with the remnants of an old carved identification that has been intentionally removed over the carved date “1/6/28”. A great example of a true anachronism at the turn of century, a percussion muzzle loading smoothbore trade gun in use at a time when machine-guns, tanks and airplanes were less than two decades from dominating the battlefields of the world. Good. Metal with a rich, dark patina and moderate surface roughness as well as some pitting. Markings remain legible. Mechanically functional lock, bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, lightly sanded, lock and tang slightly proud of the wood, a small section of the obverse butt surface has been planed off to remove the carved information. Otherwise with the usual bumps, dings and mars and a surface crack behind the lock mortise. $1,500 - 3,000

Ketland Percussion Trade Musket .66 caliber. 36” pinned there-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with checkered wrist. Two-screw percussion lock marked “KETLAND/& Co”, top flat of barrel marked “LONDON” and breech with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks. Stock decorated with brass tacks, around the base of the butt with a cross motif in the obverse butt and additional tacks along the forend. Brass ramrod pipes retain an old wood ramrod. Fair to good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered roughness and pitting. Lock functional, bore fair and dark with pitting. Stock worn, missing pins, forend loose with splintered and slivered loss, chips and minor damage. Cracks through lock screws, balance of stock with wear, dings and mars. $1,200 - 1,800 42

FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Full Stock Percussion Rifle by Leman .58 caliber. 33” pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Nocksform of barrel marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED” with stamped decorative boarder lines. Semi-buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain sight blade. Plain brass commercial furniture, including finger extension triggerguard, crescent butt plate, toe plate, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that this is a “rare configuration” and the gun is likely an Indian trade rifle. The form is that of a “smooth rifle” or “buck and ball gun”, so it was surprising to find the bore rifled. A very nice, lightweight percussion rifle by Henry Leman. Very good. Metal with a mostly smooth brown patina with some scattered surface oxidation and some lightly scattered pitting. Mechanically functional, very good bore with strong rifling. Brass with an attractive golden patina, stock solid with scattered light bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 1,500

Relic Condition Half Stock Percussion Rifle by Enterprise Gun Works .52 caliber. 36” octagonal barrel with under lug. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, hardwood half stock with pewter nose cap. Single screw commercial percussion lock, drum bolster, weak barrel marking that reads “WORKS PITTSBURG”, almost certainly originally marked Enterprise Gunworks Pittsburg. Extended scroll triggerguard, shortened butt with butt and toe plates missing. Forend secured by an old raw hide wrap. A good example of an apparently “western used” rifle that has a completely honest look. Fair. About relic condition and dry as if barn found out west. Barrel heavily oxidized with a dark brown patina, surface oxidation and some pitting. Lock functional, hammer loose on tumbler, bore poor with no rifling and heavy pitting. Stock heavily worn, short and damaged at the butt with butt plate missing. Stock scored and worn and very dry. $400 - 600

Half-Stock Leman Percussion Trade Rifle .45 caliber. 32.5” wedge retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, brass furniture, walnut half stock with raised cheek rest and pewter forend cap. Two-screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” in two lines forward of the hammer. Barrel with drum bolster is marked “LEMAN LANCASTER, PA”. Stock mounted with a lightly engraved four-piece floral final patchbox with a lightly engraved toe plate that contains the door release. Crescent butt plate, extended finger spur triggerguard, flat geometric two-screw side plate, iron pipes with old wood ramrod. Stock decorated with a lightly engraved German silver inlay on the cheek rest and numerous small brass brads that run from the tang to the comb along the top of the wrist, around the periphery of the cheek rest and right in front of the butt plate tang. A single brass tack has been added behind the side plate. A well used percussion rifle that has the wear, tear and earmarks of being a real frontier used rifle. Good with moderate to heavy wear. Metal oxidized with scattered surface oxidation and some pitting. Mechanically functional lock, good bore is dark with strong rifling and moderate pitting. Skirt of hammer nose chipped, lock with some gapping at the tail. Stock with significant damage in the forend where the wedge was dislodged and the wood broken on both sides. The damage is very old as the wood is worn quite smooth. Further damage includes wood loss around a pin above the entry pipe, some chipped loss at the side plate as well as some loss due to burn out at the bolster. Otherwise with moderate wear, bumps, dings and mars. $3,500 - 5,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

Half-Stocked Percussion Trade Gun by Leman .56 caliber. 36” pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Blued barrel, brass furniture, walnut stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “HENRY PARKER/WARRANTED”. Top flat of barrel with drum bolster is weakly marked “LEMAN LANCASTER PA WARRANTED”. Simple brass crescent butt plate, plain toe plate, finger extension triggerguard. German silver front sight blade. Stock cut back to “half stock” configuration long ago, with an old iron wire ring in the upper barrel tenon to help retain a wood ramrod. As well worn and heavily used trade gun from the famous Leman shop in Lancaster. Fair. Metal heavily oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Mechanically functional, but lock is not crisp and hammer is loose on the tumbler with the hammer screw an apparently old replacement. Stock worn, cut back about 20”, with splintered and cracked loss forward of the lock mortise, at the lock screw and at the surviving pin hole. Otherwise with some minor cracking in the forend and numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars. $500 - 1,000

Percussion Hudson’s Bay Company Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .60 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Enfield style percussion lock marked in three lines forward of the hammer “BARNETT/LONDON/1889” and with the Hudson’s Bay Company “{Tombstone-Fox/EB}” trademark at the tail, with a weaker “HBC” mark on the top flat of the barrel. Breech with “JEB” stamp for John Edward Barnett, a small flag stamp and the usual London commercial proofs and a “24” gauge mark for .58 caliber. Typical Northwest gun features include the three screw brass serpent side plate, raised carved molding around the tang and at the tail of the lock and counterpane, the oversized iron triggerguard and the the flat brass buttplate. Forend with simple sheet brass reinforcement near tip, two corrugated brass pipes secure a brass tipped wood ramrod. Triggergaurd decorated with leather strap cut to hold percussion caps for ready access, wth the leather attached with twine. Some caps are still in place. A nice example of the old pattern muzzleloading guns still being traded to Native hunters and trappers as the dawn of the 20th century approached. Good to very good. Metal with a mottled and freckled oxidized brown over gray appearance with some roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and some light pitting. Stock fairly crisp with some scattered bumps and dings and some minor chipped loss at the forend tip. $2,000 - 4,000

Half Stock Percussion Rifle by Henry Leman .36 caliber. 37.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped half-stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock with drum bolster is marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA”. Top flat of barrel marked “HE LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED”. Double set triggers, period of use replaced notch rear sight, dovetailed brass front sight blade. Simple brass furniture includes a crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, finger extension triggerguard. Plain iron pipes attached to the under lug of the barrel retain a wood ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain legible, lock functional, bore fair with strong rifling and moderate pitting. Stock with numerous bumps and dings, with about 1” of the forend missing where it would meet the barrel lug. A slivered piece is missing forward of the lock mortise, with cracked loss at the lock screw, as well as some burn out at the bolster. $600 - 1,000 44

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Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .58 caliber. 41.25” pinned three-stage octagonal to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Enfield-style lock marked “BARNETT/LONDON/188?” forward of the hammer with the last number in the date not legible. Lock also marked with a Hudson’s Bay Company “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” at the tail. Breech with London commercial proofs and a “24” gauge mark for .58 caliber. Three-screw dragon motif serpentine side plate, flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard. Stock with traditional raised carved aprons around the tang and at the tail of the lock mortise and counterpane, as found on 18th century guns. Two corrugated pipes retain a wood ramrod. A solid example of an HBC percussion trade gun from the waning days of the trade. Good. Metal moderately oxidized to brown with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain partly legible. Lock mechanically functional, fair bore is dark and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some wood loss at the pin holes and some chipped loss under the lock. $2,000 - 4,000

Percussion Northwest Trade Bun by Barnett .58 caliber. 30” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal, iron and brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Enfield style percussion lock marked “BARNETT/LONDON/1888” in three lines forward of the hammer, with the seated “{Tombstone-Fox}/EB” mark of the Hudson’s Bay Company at the tail. Breech with London commercial proof marks and a “24” gauge mark indicating .58 caliber. Typical trade gun features include the brass three-screw serpent side plate, five screw flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard and raised carved aprons at the tang and tails of the lock mortise and counterpane. Two corrugated brass pipes hold an old brass tipped wood ramrod. A neat example of a very late production percussion muzzleloading trade gun. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain legible, lock functional, moderately oxidized and pitted bore. Wood lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars with some chipped loss at the comb, with some cracks in the forend and some splintered loss. $800 - 1,200

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Full Stock Leman Percussion Rifle Showing Native American Use .52 caliber. 34” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and unmarked. Barrel with drum bolster, is marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED”. Typical commercial cast brass furniture including plain round patchbox, crescent buttplate, finger extension triggerguard, ramrod pipes. Nose cap missing. Stock shows signs of having been heavily tacked, with the tacks now missing, leaving a large number of holes in the stock as well as a few brass shanks, also leaving the impressions in the wood from the tack heads. A heavily used and very authentic appearing Native used Leman rifle. Fair to good. Untouched and near relic condition. Metal oxidized, mostly brown with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Lock functional, hammer screw replaced. Bore about fair, with visible rifling and heavy pitting. Stock with heavy wear, chipped loss at the toe, a weathered appearance, slivered loss and cracks in the foren and numerous bumps, dings and mars. $3,000 - 5,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

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Hudson’s Bay Company Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .60 caliber. 36” pinned there-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron and brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion altered flint lock with the “{Tombstone-Fox/EB}” trademark forward of the percussion alteration hammer and marked in three lines at the tail “BARNETT/LONDON/1885”. Breech with “{Crown}/JEB” for John Edward Barnett and a flag mark, with the London commercial proof, view and gauge marks mostly obscured. Traditional trade gun features include a brass three-screw serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate, raised carved aprons at tang, rear of mortise and rear of counterpane and the ubiquitous corrugated pipes to hold a wood ramrod. Stock decorated with a few brass tacks in the butt behind the wrist and on the top of the wrist. A neat example of a late period trade gun made in flint in the mid-1880s, then altered to percussion and still used well into the cartridge firearm period. Good to very good. Metal lightly oxidized with a brownish gray patina, some indications of an old cleaning, partially visible markings and some scattered roughness and pitting. Lock is mechanically functional, bore is oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, with some small areas of slivered loss along the forend and at the tip. $1,000 - 1,500

102

Belgian Made Percussion Northwest Trade Gun .60 caliber. 39” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Black painted barrel, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Liege proof mark on top of barrel, percussion lock with “{Circle-Fox}” trademark. Traditional trade gun features include the brass three-screw serpentine side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, raised carved aprons around the tang and rear of the lock mortise and counterpane. Simple brass buttplate, corrugated brass thimbles retain a wood ramrod. Good. Metal with some old applied black paint, with chipped and flaked loss. Metal with some scattered roughness. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock good with warping around the middle transitions on the barrel where the stock has pulled away from the barrel, and showing scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,000

103

Tryon Chief’s Grade Trade Gun with Old Repairs .60 caliber. 35” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, full length walnut stock with German silver decorations. Percussion altered flint lock marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and with a “{Tombstone-Lion}/PA” cartouche. Barrel marked “TRYON/PHILADA” with part of the lower line obscured by an added rear sight and dovetail slot. Left angled barrel flat with fake proof marks in imitation of English proofs, no doubt intended to deceive those that the gun was traded to. Crude percussion hammer with similarly crude drum bolster. Forend with German silver oval escutcheons over some of the pins. Obverse butt decorated with small iron tacks in the form of a cross, empty tack holes are present in the forend as well. Typical trade gun features include the three-screw brass serpentine side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate and corrugated ramrod thimbles with wood ramrod. The gun is broken through the wrist and lock mortise with an old sheet iron repair nailed in place and is wrapped with copper wire to reinforce the repair. A hard used and completely authentic Native American used American made trade gun. Mr. Ness’ attached tag notes that he feels this is a Chief’s Grade gun. Fair, relic condition. Heavily oxidized with dark brown metal that shows roughness and pitting. Amazingly the lock remains functional but the stock damage suggests that working the action is a bad idea. Bore dark, dirty and pitted. Stock heavily damaged as noted above, broken with period repairs and reinforcements but still weak and loose at the repair. Forend with splintered and slivered loss and additional damage. $2,000 - 4,000 46

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Slotter & Co. Marked Percussion Plains Rifle .50 caliber. 30” heavy wedge retained octagon barrel. SN: 892. Browned finish iron and brass furniture, half-stock with checkered wrist and raised cheek rest. Back action percussion lock marked “SLOTTER/& Co PHILA”. Top flat of barrel also marked “SLOTTER/& Co PHILA” in a pyramid. Left breech flat marked “892/GAIN TWIST/WART”. Equipped with double set triggers, fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed German silver front sight blade with steel base. Mountings include iron buttplate and toe plate, oval brass patchbox that is also marked “SLOTTER/& Co/PHILA” on its interior, a double finger spur brass triggers guard and brass nose cap and escutcheons for the single barrel wedge. Two additional iron ramrod pipes are secured to the barrel’s underlug and contain a wooden ramrod. Heavy barrel measures 1.25” across the flats at the muzzle. A prototypical Plains Rifle in the form of the most successful of the St. Louis makers, executed by a Philadelphia gun making firm well known for producing their own versions of successful firearms designs, with Henry Deringer’s pocket pistols being chief among them. The firm operated from roughly 1860-1868 and is better known for producing quality target rifles than heavy Plains Rifles. This is a very nice and rather uncommon example from the end of the percussion era. Good to very good. Barrel with a rich brown patina that may include some traces of finish, mixed with moderate surface oxidation and some pitting. Lock mechanically functional, bore with visible rifling and moderate pitting. Brass with a thick, uncleaned patina. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some grain cracks along the toe line, moderate wear to the checkering and a couple of small chips missing. $2,000 - 4,000

105

Leman Percussion Trade Rifle .52 caliber. 30.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Top flat of barrel marked “LEMAN LANCASTER P.A. WARRANTED”, lightly engraved commercial percussion lock with no discernible markings appears to be an old replacement as the fit is poor. The rifle was likely altered to percussion from flint as the drum bolster is crude and the lock was probably replaced at the time of alteration. Rifle mounted with a four-piece simple Lancaster style patch box with lower leg broken and missing and relying on an old piece of brass with a screw to hold the door closed. Additionally brass furniture includes the buttplate, toe plate, S-shaped side plate, triggerguard with short spur, nose cap and ramrod pipes. The barrel and stock appear to have been shortened during the period of use, probably between 2” and possibly as many as 12”. Lock mounting screws replaced, as is the hammer screw. Fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass front sight blade. Includes a wooden ramrod. Good. Rifle shows moderate oxidation with a salt and pepper patina and scattered pitting, particularly on the lock and breech area. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly. Bore heavily oxidized with moderate pitting and strong rifling. Wood worn with numerous bumps, dings and mars, a repair at the toe of the stock and cracks in the counterpane. $1,000 - 1,500

106

Percussion Trade Gun by Henry Gibbs .49 caliber. 42.325” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, smooth faux striped hardwood stock. Unmarked commercial single screw, single trigger percussion lock, barrel marked “H GIBBS” on top flat. Brass furniture includes a spurred triggerguard, buttplate, toe plate, a ramrod thimble and an entry pipe. A sheet brass saddle plate has been added to the belly of the stock, forward of the triggerguard. Forend shortened between 5” and 6” with pin lug removed from barrel. Henry Gibbs (1824-1880) worked as a gunmaker in Lancaster, PA from the 1850s-1880s. The form of the gun is that of a later pattern, inexpensive trade gun rather than one for general commercial sale, with the multi-stage barrel being completely out of date for an 1850s-60s period commercial arm. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that this was made for a US Indian Department trade contract. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock with more moderate pitting. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly. Bore dark, oxidized and pitted. Stock worn, missing 5”-6” of the forend with repaired cracks around the lock mortise and numerous bumps, dings, mars and scattered impact marks. $400 - 800

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Percussion Hudson’s Bay Percussion Trade Gun by Barnett .60 caliber. 42” pinned three-stage octagonal to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, Enfield musket style walnut stock with checkered wrist. Enfieldstyle lock marked “1866/BARNETT” forward of the hammer, with a Hudson’s Bay Company “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” at the tail. Two-screw dragon motif serpent side plate, flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard. Forend shortened to half-stock length with added rib under barrel and two iron pipes to secure a brass tipped wood ramrod. Brass blade front sight. A nice example of a post-Civil War era trade gun that retains the early style multi-stage barrel, side plate, buttplate and large triggerguard combined with Enfield pattern lock, bolster and stock. This style of trade gun would predominate production of these items for the majority of the time they were produced, from the 1860s into the dawn of the 20th century. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown patina with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional lock, fair more is moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock shortened to half-stock with crudely added rub under barrel that is coming loose in areas. Checkering at wrist worn and weak, stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 1,500

108

Native American Tacked & Decorated Percussion Trade Gun by Hollis & Sons .58 caliber. 36” pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Flat Enfield style lock marked with the usual Isaac & Hollis trademark at the tail and “I HOLLIS & SONS” forward of the hammer. Left angled barrel flat with Birmingham commercial proofs and “24” gauge mark, indicating .58 caliber. Three screw serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, two corrugated brass ramrod pipes secure an old wooden ramrod. Stock with typical raised carved aprons around the breech plug tang and at the tail of the lock and counterpane. Stock with numerous added old tacks with some missing leaving old brass shanks without heads in the butt as well as some tack holes. A great looking, untouched and completely honest Native used trade gun. Good showing moderate wear and heavy use. Barrel with a thick brown patina with scattered surface oxidation, some pitting and traces of blue. Lock not mechanically functional, bore dark and pitted, brass furniture with an untouched patina. Stock worn and dry with chips, mars and some deep dings as well as chipped loss around the buttplate and some slivered loss in the forend. $2,000 - 3,000

109

Native Decorated Percussion Trade Rifle by Leman .54 caliber. 32” pinned octagon barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Lightly engraved percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Top flat of barrel marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Barrel is decorated with Native American themed decorations lightly cut into the metal in almost the style of tattoo art. The images are very light, but the accompanying paperwork has a card with the decorative images transcribed and they show arrows, lances, swirling lines and what appear to be fringed pipe bags. The rifle is further decorated with brass tacks around the edge of the butt. Rifle with simple brass furniture including butt and toe plates, plain round brass patchbox, nose cap and three plain thimbles with a plain wood ramrod. Barrel with dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed brass blade front sight. Stock with raised cheek rest. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brownish gray patina, showing some surface roughness and light pitting. Markings mostly clear, apparently Native applied decorations much weaker. Mechanically functional, good bore with strong rifling and scattered pitting. Stock with moderate wear and loss, particularly along the upper edges of the forend, showing repaired cracks in the forend and substantial, if well performed repair at the wrist. Otherwise with scattered bumps and dings and a small crack at the toe. $1,500 - 2,000 48

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Shortened Relic Percussion Trade Rifle by Leman .52 caliber. 22.25” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, faux-striped hardwood stock. Relic condition shortened rifle with a second dovetail added to the barrel in the Leman barrel address that partially obscures it. Commercial single screw percussion lock heavily oxidized with illegible markings. Gun heavily used, missing trigger with broken trigger plate, toe chipped with toe plate missing. Rear sight missing, brass blade front sight dovetailed into barrel. Relic condition. Heavily oxidized, with surface roughness and pitting. Weak markings, not functional, fair bore with strong rifling and heavy pitting. Stock heavily worn, with substantial damage and breaks in the stock, particularly at the wrist and through the lock area. $200 - 400

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Fullstock Percussion Trade Rifle with Leman Marked Barrel .40 caliber. 34” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Blued finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single screw percussion lock marked “GOULCHER” in a banner. Barrel with drum bolster with weak traces of a Leman mark, but only “WARRANTED” remains legible. Barrel with long, three-screw tang similar to guns made in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, simple two-piece brass patchbox with release in toe that suggests a similar region of production. Despite the fact that the gun is configured and stocked like a rifle from these regions from the lock back, from the lock forward it has the overall appearance of a typical trade gun with a forend that extends to the muzzle, a simple sheet brass reinforcement at the forend tip and a corrugated ramrod pipe. Dovetailed, semi-buckhorn rear sight dovetailed front sight blade, finger extension triggerguard with spur. The gun was likely shortened during the period of use and possibly reconfigured to be more like a trade gun at that time. An interesting percussion rifle that is short and handy enough for use on horseback or in dense brush with a nice look to it. Good. Metal oxidized with traces of old blue and a mostly plum patina with scattered surface roughness and oxidation. Markings weak, lock with pitting. Hammer screw replaced with an old, added copper washer. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate pitting and visible rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars some moderate chipped loss below the lock and forward of the bolster, some cracking at the lock screw, some chipped loss along the upper edge of the forend and some more loss around the pin holes. $800 - 1,200

112

Late-19th Century Hudson’s Bay Company Percussion Trade Gun by Barnett .58 caliber. 30” pinned three-stage octagonal to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass and iron furniture, Enfield musket style walnut stock with checkered wrist. Enfield-style lock marked “BARNETT/LONDON/1885” forward of the hammer, with a Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” at the tail. Upper left breech flat marked with London commercial proof marks and a “24” gauge mark indicating .58 caliber. Three-screw dragon motif serpent side plate, flat brass buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard. Gun shortened roughly 6”-8” with the forend shortened an additional 4”. Retains a single corrugated brass pipe and wood ramrod. A solid example of a later 19th century trade gun that retains the early style multi-stage barrel, side plate, buttplate and large triggerguard that were typical of this from from the mid-18th century onward and combines them with Pattern 1853 Enfield pattern lock, bolster and stock, which in this case incorporates the raised carved apron of the earlier production guns. This style of trade gun would predominate production of these items for the majority of the time they were produced, from the 1860s into the dawn of the 20th century. Good to very good as period shortened and modified. Barrel with an attractive mottled brown and gray patina that may include some traces of finish. Metal lightly oxidized with some scattered light surface roughness and some pitting in the breech and bolster area. Lock mechanically functional, bore fair, heavily pitted and oxidized. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and some grain drying cracks in the forend and butt. $1,000 - 2,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

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Fullstock Flintlock Boys Rifle .40 caliber smoothbore. 28” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, maple stock. Commercially made lock in original flint with fenced waterproof pan and roller frizzen is marked “ASHMORE/WARRANTED” in two lines. Lock appears to retain original cock, although the cock screw is replaced. Brass mountings include a flat side plate, triggerguard with short spur finger extension, buttplate, toe plate and nose cap. Rifle is additionally mounted with a truly wonderful open work, four-piece patchbox that is lightly engraved, with the release on the bottom of the buttplate. A tastefully engraved brass plate is also applied to the comb. Sights include a dovetailed notch rear and dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass blade front. A sheet brass ramrod thimble and entry pipe secure an old, brass tipped wooden ramrod. Stock with raised cheek rest and a graceful form indicative of truly talented maker. A really lovely example of a flintlock “Kentucky” style boys rifle with an exceptionally attractive patchbox. Very good. Barrel with traces of finish and a mottled and oxidized patina that is quite attractive. Markings on lock remain clear, lock functional, bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Brass with a wonderful rich and untouched patina. Stock with much of the original finish, with moderate thinning and wear. Wood with scattered bumps and dings but no damage. An extremely attractive and elegant boy’s rifle. Ex-Louis Parker $8,000 - 12,000

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Untouched Pennsylvania Flintlock Longrifle by Peter Belles - Ex Kindig Collection .42 caliber. 44.75” wedge retained, slightly swamped octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, maple stock. Imported commercial flint lock is lightly engraved at the tail and marked “WARRANTED” weakly at the bottom center and has a rounded and fenced iron waterproof pan with a roller frizzen and a flat faceted swan neck cock. The lock could not be removed for internal inspection due to frozen screws and the breech could not be inspected by endoscope due to a blockage roughly 4” from the breech, suggesting the rifle may still be loaded. The set trigger is missing from the lock action and the hammer is frozen as well and will not cock. The top flat of the barrel is signed “P + Belles” in script, although the marking is weak. The gun is mounted with a lightly engraved brass four-piece stylized horse head patch box with six piercings, a brass cresent buttplate with faceted tang, a lightly engraved 3.5” brass toe plate, a plain flat brass side plate, a brass triggerguard with skeletonized finger extension, faceted brass ramrod thimbles and entry pipe and a brass nose cap. The stock has a raised cheek rest with simple incised line carving along the toe line through the wrist with more decorative incised line scrolls at the entry pipe, with another simple line proceeding forward along the forend to the nose cap along the line of the wedged and stock pins. The stock is further decorated with eight German silver inlays in the forend, four on the reverse serving as wedge escutcheons and four on the obverse concealing the wedges themselves. Four more German silver inlays are present as well, including an engraved eight-pointed star on the cheek rest, an engraved crescent moon to the rear of the cheek rest, an engraved oval thumb piece on the top of the wrist and a boarder line engraved stylized hear behind the tang. Sights include a simple dovetailed rear notch and a dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain style front blade. Two old collection numbers are in the patchbox cut out, one a tin rimmed paper disc numbered 33 and an old rectangular sticker numbered 207. This rifle was part of the Joe Kindig Jr. collection and mentioned, but not pictured in his classic work Thoughts on Kentucky Rifles in its Golden Age. In that book Kindig pictures his Belles’ rifle #89 and mentions this one. This gun is pictured and published in Roy F Chandler’s Kentucky Rifle Patchboxes and Barrel Marks, where its ownership is attributed to Kindig. Peter Belles worked in Lykens Township, Dauphin County PA during the second quarter of the 19th century. A really lovely late flintlock era Pennsylvania Rifle with gorgeous patchbox in lovely, unmolested condition. Attic fine, with the metal having a mostly untouched, heavily oxidized patina with the exception of the top flat in the signature area, where the barrel was cleaned years ago in an attempt to make the weak signature more legible. Lock is possibly reconverted to flint but the plate fit is perfect and the lock itself is almost certainly not a replacement. Lock does not function, as noted above, and the set trigger is missing. Bore is rusted, with strong rifling and heavy pitting. Stock with an attractive, uncleaned look showing a crack through the second wedge from the entry pipe and several more small longitudinal grain cracks in the forend closer to the nose cap. Ex-Joe Kindig Jr. $15,000 - 20,000

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Untouched Incised & Relief Carved Flintlock Rifle by Henry Albright .52 caliber. 45.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, figured maple stock. Unmarked flint lock is an old reconversion with an ill-fitting frizzen and hammer with incorrect tumbler geometry. Barrel is unmarked but the style of the work and craftsmanship are certainly that of Albright. The gun is mounted with a lovely, lightly engraved four-piece Lancaster-sytle daisy head finial patchbox with the release in the top of the buttplate tang. Other brass mountings include the crescent buttplate with faceted tang, the flat, unadorned side plate, the triggerguard with skeletonized finger rest extension and the nose cap. The stock features a raised cheek rest with delicately executed relief carved foliate swirls to its rear, incise carved swirls at the wrist and double incised lines running along the forend from the entry pipe to the nose cap, along the line of the stock pins. The stock is further decorated with the addition of an oval brass insert in the cheek rest, delicately carved in the form of a shining star, and a blank German silver oval thumb piece at the wrist. Sights include a simple dovetailed notch rear and a dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass blade front. Faceted brass pipes secure a wooden ramrod. Henry Albright (1772-1845) was born in Lititz, PA and is listed as working as a gunsmith in Lancaster, PA (1792-1794), Chambersburg, PA (c1796), Shippensburg, PA (1800), Gnadenhutten, OH (1805-1808) and Nazareth, PA (1810-1845) (Sellers). Attic and untouched. Metal with a dark and uncleaned patina. Lock needs mechanical attention and is somewhat ill-fitting with some wood loss in the lock mortise showing gaps around the tail and lower edge of the plate. Lock may be a very old replacement. Although previously cataloged by another major auction house as “smoothbore” this gun does have rifling in the bore, and dropping a very bright light down into it reveals that the rifling is quite visible until the last 3”-4” of the barrel nearest the muzzle where it becomes quite weak. The bore is extremely dirty, heavily oxidized and pitted and clearly has not been cleaned since the period of use. The stock shows scattered bumps, dings and mars, with grain drying cracks, most notably in the figure of the wood around the head of the patchbox. There is also an old sliver of wood missing from the tang area. $20,000 - 30,000

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Highly Adorned Lehigh Valley Flintlock Rifle Attributed to Adam Knutz .42 caliber. 41” wedge-retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass mountings, maple stock. Reconverted commercial flint lock is marked “CLEWELL” under the pan, the barrel is unmarked. Rifle is adorned with a lovely, engraved four-piece Fleur-de-lis finial patchbox with the release located in the toe plate and made of horn. Other brass furniture includes the toe plate, flat, un-engraved side plate, triggergaurd with finger spur, wedges, faceted ramrod pipes and the nose cap. The rifle is further decorated with a wide assortment of brass, bone and German silver inlays and adornments. The bone inlays include a diamond along the toe line, a tulip and an elongated teardrop along the comb and four small inserts along the upper edge of the cheek rest. All of these are further decorated. The brass decorations include a pair of crescent moons at the wrist, lightly engraved feathery motifs in front of, below and behind the cheek rest, as well as a pair of winged Cherubs located on either side of the forend between the front of the lock mortise and the first wedge. Finally an oval German silver thumb piece is lightly engraved with decorations and the initials PM on the upper wrist of the rifle. The stock has a pronounced “Roman nose” profile, with a raised cheek rest and simple parallel incised lines running along the toe line of the rifle from the but tot eh wrist and from the entry pipe to the forend cap. Sights include a dovetailed notch rear and a dovetailed brass blade front. Adam Knutz (1814-?) was one of five children of famed Pennsylvania gunmaker Jacob Knutz (1780-1876). This rifle was sold by James D. Julia’s in March of 2013. Very good to fine as refinished and reconverted. Metal with a moderately oxidized bluish-brown appearance with some surface roughness and some pitting. Lock needs mechanical attention and will not hold at half or full cock. Bore is moderately oxidized and smooth, without rifling. It is not clear if it was bored smooth at some point or if the gun was manufactured with a smooth bore. The bore shows moderate pitting and is quite dirty. Stock shows some wear, thinning to the incised lines, and has been refinished. The wood shows scattered bumps, dings and mars, some gapping around the lock and a repaired crack on the obverse forend between the middle and entry pipes, and some chipped loss between the toe plate and buttplate at the toe. Wood ramrod is a replacement. $15,000 - 20,000

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Fullstock Percussion Pennsylvania Long Rifle by Henry Deringer .45 caliber. 43.5” octagonal barrel retained by three wedges with hammered copper escutcheons. SN: NSN. Browned finish, lightly figured maple stock, brass furniture. Barrel marked in two lines “H DERINGER/PHILADA” with the commercial percussion lock marked with the same die. Although fit with a drum percussion bolster, there is no evidence that this rifle was ever flint and seems to have been produced by Deringer as a percussion gun. The percussion lock is likely of English origin and is decorated with simple engraved floral motifs at the front and rear. The percussion hammer is engraved with similar motifs. The rifle has a classic Pennsylvania full-stock profile with a Roman nose butt and raised cheek rest. Brass furniture includes an S-shaped, two-screw side plate, nose cap, triggerguard with finger extension, ramrod pipes, buttplate, toe plate and simple four-piece patchbox with rudimentary eagle head motif. A concealed release for the patchbox is located under the toe plate. The rifle is decorated with a hammered copper oval escutcheon featuring a leaping buck on the cheek rest, a similarly decorated copper thumb plate and decorated hammered barrel wedge escutcheons. The rear sight has a somewhat decorative base that is missing the notch and the front sight is dovetailed brass blade. The rifle retains what appears to be its original wooden ramrod. While Henry Deringer is well known to have produced a wide variety of firearms from simple trade guns to the pocket pistols that are referred to by his name to this day, higher end rifles of this style are somewhat uncommon and quite desirable. A wonderful example of Deringer’s work in the classic Pennsylvania Rifle form, probably dating from the 1840s. Very good. Barrel with a thickly oxidized brown patina showing some scattered roughness and some pitting, most notably in the breech and bolster area. Markings remain clear and crisp throughout. Lock remains mechanically functional, skirt of hammer with some chipped damage, bore retains strong rifling but is heavily oxidized and moderately pitted. Patchbox release does not function, but box can still be opened. Brass with a rich golden patina, copper decorations with a deep ocher appearance. Stock with an attractive and uncleaned patina showing the expected repairs for a Pennsylvania rifle of this age, including repaired cracks and breaks through the lock mortise area, repaired cracks and splinters in the forend and numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars. $6,000 - 8,000

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Fullstock Percussion Plain Trade Rifle by Leman .36 caliber. 44” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, simple commercial brass furniture, full-length maple stock with faux striped finish and raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock with weak “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA” marking and is somewhat ill-fitting. Lock equipped with double set triggers. Barrel with drum bolster is weakly marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER” and “WARRANTED” on the top flat. Fixed dovetailed rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight. Plain brass furniture includes a double spur finger extension triggerguard, crescent buttplate, toe plate, ramrod thimbles and nose cap. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Moderately oxidized metal with weak markings, scattered roughness, some pitting and wear. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly, bore about good with strong rifling and moderate pitting. Hammer with chipped skirt at nose and with replaced screw. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $800 - 1,200

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Fullstock Leman Percussion Rifle .36 caliber. 39” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, commercial brass furniture, German silver pin escutcheons, full-length stock with raised cheek rest and checkered wrist. Single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Lock equipped with double set triggers. Barrel with drum bolster and marked in three lines “LEMAN/LANCASTER/WARRANTED”. Brass furniture includes a lightly engraved round patchbox, engraved brass saddle plate and toe plate, plain finger extension triggerguard, ramrod pipes and nose cap. Crescent iron buttplate. Brass wrist shield with eagle from a Civil War imported Brazilian Light Minie Rifle added to the reverse butt behind the cheek rest. Dovetailed notch rear sight, dovetailed German silver front sight blade. Forend with pins concealed by oval German silver escutcheons. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered roughness and some pitting. Markings mostly legible, mechanically functional lock, bore good with strong rifling, moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and some repaired minor cracks in the forend, which has been shortened about .5” in length. $1,000 - 2,000

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Fullstock Percussion Rifle by Conestoga Rifle Works with Applied “Hancock Richmond” Tobacco Tag Decorations .44 caliber. 45.75” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN.Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, hardwood full-length stock with rudimentary cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is marked “CONESTOGA/RIFLE WORKS”. Lock equipped with double set triggers. Crescent brass buttplate, iron furniture includes finger extension triggerguard and ramrod pipes that secure a short and splintered wood ramrod. Mid-length, two-screw tang, dovetailed notch rear sight, dovetailed Germans silver front sight blade with brass base. Stock is decorated with thirty-eight .685” diameter round iron tobacco tags that are embossed “HANCOCK RICHMOND VA” around their periphery. The tags are primarily applied to the obverse butt and the cheek rest but are also present on the forend and counterpane. Hancock was a Richmond based tobacco company during the mid-1800s. As noted in Mr. Ness’ attached tag, “This Indian liked the decoration.” Fair to good. Heavily worn and used with the metal deeply oxidized with surface roughness and pitting. Lock functional but due to stock damage does not operate smoothly and moves in the mortise when cocked and when the trigger is pulled to release the hammer. Bore fair, very dark, dirty and pitted with visible rifling. Stock with heavy wear and damage. Stock broken behind lock and around the tang area with the tang screws missing. Wood missing from damage around the upper portion of the lock and bolster areas. Forend damaged with splintered loss along its entire length and with 8”-10” showing major loss and damage near the muzzle. Pins are missing and a wire tie helps to secure the barrel to the stock. Otherwise with numerous bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 2,000

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Lightweight Percussion Trade Rifle by Leman .50 smoothbore. 29” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length faux striped maple stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Barrel with drum bolster and no visible markings. Simple, unadorned commercial brass furniture includes a round patchbox, finger extension triggerguard, crescent buttplate, toe plate, nose cap and two thimbles. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod. Dovetailed semi-buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver blade front sight. Rifle may have been shortened slightly during the period of use to a handier, “stalking rifle” length, better for use on horseback and in thick brush. Good. Metal with moderate oxidation and a mostly plum patina, showing some surface roughness and some pitting at the breech and bolster area. Smooth bore good, moderately oxidized and with scattered pitting. Stock with scattered handling marks, bumps, dings and mars and with much of the faux finish worn away between the lock and ramrod entry. $1,500 - 3,000

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Lightweight Fullstock Percussion Smooth Rifle by Leman .45 caliber. 35” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Barrel with drum bolster has a nearly illegible two-line “LEMAN” mark on the top flat. Simple, plain brass furniture includes a crescent buttplate, toe plate, extended finger-spur triggerguard, nose cap, thimbles and entry pipe. Dovetailed fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed German silver front sight. Includes wood ramrod. A nice, lightweight “smooth rifle” possibly for an adolescent boy or a lady. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with some roughness and moderate pitting at the breech and bolster area, as well as on the lock. Lock needs mechanical attention to function properly. Bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings, mars and handling marks. $400 - 800

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Lancaster Marked Percussion Fullstock Rifle Probably by Leman .45 caliber. 34” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood full stock with checkered wrist and raised cheek rest. Weak two-line barrel markings is only partially legible with “LAN PA” readable. Unmarked single screw commercial percussion lock with replaced mainspring and mounting screw. Engraved brass oval patchbox in obverse butt. Crescent brass buttplate, toe plate, spurred triggerguard, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Dovetailed fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed brass blade front sight. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown patina, showing some surface roughness and pitting. Lock functional, bore fair, very dark and dirty with moderate pitting and no visible rifling. Wood worn with finish loss, repaired cracks in the forend, scattered bumps, dings and mars and some wear to the checkering at the wrist. $800 - 1,200

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B.A. Davenport Petite Fullstock Percussion Rifle .28 caliber. 31” wedge-retained octagon barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Diminutive small bore rifle measures 46.5” in overall length with a 13” length of pull. Barrel engraved “B A Davenport”. Altered from flint to percussion with a replacement single screw percussion lock that is unmarked and equipped with double set triggers. Barrel with drum conversion bolster. Dovetailed fixed semi-buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight blade with brass base. Rifle mounted with engraved brass hardware including a lovely open work four-piece patchbox with small daisy head finial, with release (missing) in toe plate of stock. Brass finger extension spur triggerguard, brass buttplate and open work toe plate, lightly engraved geometric brass sideplate, 2.375” brass nose cap. Stock with raised cheek rest missing a brass or German silver starburst decoration, wrist with German silver thumb plate. Stock with decorative incised lines around periphery of but and along forearm. B.A.Davenport is not listed in Sellers’ American Gunsmiths and could not be located in any other readily available references. Good. Barrel retains some of an old reapplied brown finish with scattered surface oxidation and pitting, particularly around breech and bolster area. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly. Bore dark, dirty, pitted but retaining visible rifling. Toe plate loose and bent, patchbox release missing. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, som wood loss around the pins and wedges and gapping at the lock. Stock with wood loss behind the bolster and with a repaired crack at the tang. $1,000 - 1,500

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Leman Half Stock Percussion Rifle .40 caliber. 38.5” wedge retained octagon barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, German silver escutcheons, half stock with raised cheek rest and checkered wrist. Single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA” in two lines. Top flat of barrel marked in two lines “H.E. LEMAN/ LANCASTER” and “WARRANTED”. Double set triggers, dovetailed semi-buckhorn fixed rear sight, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Engraved round brass patchbox, extended finger-spur scroll brass triggerguard, and brass butt and toe plate, brass nose cap, German silver escutcheons around wedge and lozenge escutcheon in toe line. Iron thimbles, brass entry pipe, wood ramrod. A very nice, higher quality rifle from Leman. Very good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brownish gray patina with scattered surface oxidation and some pitting. Markings mostly clear, mechanically functional, very good bore with strong rifling and scattered pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some minor wood loss behind the bolster and an old repair between the trigger plate and lower edge of the lock. $2,000 - 2,500

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Percussion Leman Fullstock Rifle .35 caliber. 33” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux-striped hardwood stock. Single screw percussion lock marked “CONESTOGA/RIFLE WORKS”, top flat of barrel marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Feature double set triggers, dovetailed fixed rear sight, dovetailed brass front sight blade. Brass furniture includes the butt and toe plates, finger spur extension triggerguard, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Includes a wooden ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a scattered surface roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate pitting and visible rifling. Percussion nipple replaced, skirt of hammer nose chipped. Brass with a medium golden patina. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and marks. $700 - 900 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

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Fullstock Percussion Rifle by Tryon of Philadelphia .45 caliber. 27.75” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood full-length stock. Top flat of barrel marked “TRYON PHILADA” and decorated with asterisk shaped punched decorations. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “N. ASHMORE”. Equipped with double set triggers, fixed leaf rear sight and dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight. Brass furniture includes a plain oval brass patchbox, crescent butt plate, plain toe plate, double spur finger extension triggerguard, nose cap, one corrugated thimble and one smooth brass entry pipe. The gun was almost certainly shortened at least 8” during the period of use and the work was neatly done. This makes the rifle handier, easier to use in brush or on horseback. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod. A nice example of a Tryon sporting or trade rifle that mostly likely saw western use. Very good. Barrel with a nice plum patina, showing some scattered surface oxidation, minor roughness and some light pitting around the breech and bolster area. Lock mechanically functional, bore good with strong rifling and moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings, bruises and mars and a small crack at the lock mounting screw. $3,000 - 5,000

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Percussion Trade Rifle by H.S. Groff .44 caliber. 41” wedge-retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest and checkered wrist. Single screw commercial percussion lock marked “COOPER/WARRANTED”. Barrel marked in two partially legible lines with the upper one reading “???MOUNT” and the lower line reading “?? GROFF”. Rifle with drum bolster of modern production, and the accompanying noted document that the rifling has been recut for shooting. Rifle mounted with nicely engraved four piece brass patchbox with the release in the lightly engraved toe plate. Traditional commercial brass furniture include a crescent butt with faceted tang, an extended finger spur triggerguard, and a lightly engraved flat geometric single screw side plate. Other brass fittings include the nose cap, two plain thimbles and an entry pipe. Dovetailed fixed rear sight and dovetailed brass blade front sight. Checkered wrist with impressed asterisk style decorations that are also stamped on the barrel. Raised cheek rest with lightly engraved German silver escutcheon, with a smaller similarly engraved thumb piece at the wrist as well. Mr. Ness’ notes on this gun are somewhat contradictory, as the gun is identified as the work of H.S. Groff of Lancaster but he refers to a Groff contract for Indian Department guns that was probably really with John Groff of Lancaster. Sellers listed H.S. Groff as an unidentified and unlocated maker of Kentucky style rifles, while John Groff worked in Lancaster, PA at the end of the 18th and during the early 19th century. This rifle appears to have been produced as a percussion rifle and the styling dates the gun no earlier than the late 1820s and possibly as late as the 1840s-1850s, suggesting it is not the work of John Groff. Other research indicates that H.S. Groff worked in Fairmount, PA, which is likely the address on the barrel, confirming the H.S. Groff identification. Mr. Ness categorizes the gun as a “Chief’s Grade” trade rifle, but in the opinion of this cataloger the gun represents a very nice mid-19th century sporting rifle that has been worked on to make it a legitimate shooter today. Good. Barrel with a moderately oxidized brown patina with partially legible markings and moderate pitting at the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, very good bore is mostly bright with fine rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, as well as a few scattered scuffs and scratches. $1,500 - 3,000

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German Silver Mounted Percussion Rifle by B.D. Gill .48 caliber. 41.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Blued barrel, German silver and iron mountings, full-length hardwood stock. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “JOSEPH GOULCHER” in a ribbon and equipped with double set triggers. Barrel measures 1” across the flats at the muzzle with a replaced drum bolster and nipple and is singed “B.D. Gill” in script. Rifle mounted with a nicely engraved open work German silver four-piece patchbox with an urn finial and nicely engraved toe plate with patchbox release. Period of use added German silver saddle plate is engraved by a lesser hand and shows moderate wear. Crescent iron buttplate, scroll style iron triggerguard, iron nose cap. Rifle with dovetailed fixed notch rear sight and German silver dovetailed blade front sight. Iron thimbles retain an old wood ramrod. An old note in the patchbox says that the rifle is named “Big Bertha” and was the favorite rifle of Charles M Borger. It was purchased from a Joe Bucheit of Old Appleton, MO around 1957. B.D. Gill was a Pennsylvania gunmaker who worked at the end of the flintlock era and into the percussion period circa the 1840s. He is best known for making a rifle that was decorated with crossed arrows and a tomahawk that was given by Kit Carson to a Taos Indian in 1848. A very nicely made heavier barrel full stock rifle with lovely German silver furniture. Good. Metal with a lightly oxidized brown and gray patina with some traces of blue on the barrel. Markings remain clear and legible. Lock needs mechanical attention. Bore good with strong rifling and moderate oxidation with some pitting. Furniture very nice with a yellowish tone and crisp engraving. Stock good with some minor repairs to the forend, a couple of replaced pins, one missing, with some minor wood loss around the pin holes. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $4,000 - 5,000

130

Fullstock Percussion Trade Rifle by Leman .32 caliber. 42.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is somewhat ill fitting with an apparently period of use replaced hammer and is equipped with double set triggers. Lock is lightly engraved and has weak Leman markings. Top flat of barrel with soft “LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED” markings. Semi-buckhorn dovetailed rear sight, dovetailed blade front sight. Simple commercial brass furniture includes a crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, finger extension triggerguard and rudimentary forend reinforcement strip. Plain brass thimbles hold a short wood ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized to brown with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Markings partially legible, lock functional, hammer nose skirt chipped, hammer screw replaced. Stock with some wear, some gapping around the lock, some cracks the forehead and scattered bumps and dings. $800 - 1,200

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Fullstock Percussion Rifle by George Fay .44 caliber. Pinned 41.25” heavy octagonal barrel 1” across the flats at the muzzle. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length stock with raised cheek rest, German silver decoration and inlays. Unmarked, lightly engraved commercial single screw percussion lock may be an old replacement with thin hammer and long, curved spur reminiscent of Lehigh Valley guns. Barrel with long, screwed in drum bolster is signed in script “G*F+”. Lock with double set triggers, dovetailed fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed German silver front sight blade in brass base. Obverse butt with lightly engraved open work four-piece brass patchbox. Two-screw flat side plate lightly engraved as well. Brass crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, finger extension triggerguard. Cheek rest with oval German silver plate engraved with a folk art American “spread-winged” Eagle. Stock with 21 additional German silver decorations, most with only light boarder line engravings. Forend decorations cover the pins and their holes. George Fay (18111890) was a Pennsylvania gunmaker who worked in Hopewell Township, Bedford County circa 1835-1844 and in Allegheny Township in Blair County circa 1848-1858. By 1862 Fay was working in Altoona, PA (also Blair County) where he remained through the rest of his life. This is a lovely rifle, with lots of applied embellishment that displays very nicely. Very good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, particularly around the bolster. Lock functional, but needs mechanical attention, hammer loose on the tumbler and is possibly an old replacement. Bore about good with visible rifling and moderate oxidation and pitting. Brass with a nice, even golden patina. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars with some repairs to the forend, most notably a 10” sliver along the upper edge on the obverse. Wood loss to burn out at the bolster, some fitting issues with the lock with some chipped and cracks loss as well as some minor repairs around the mortise and at the lock screw. $1,000 - 2,000

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Percussion Trade Gun by A. Gibbs .50 caliber. 38.25” wedge retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length faux striped hardwood stock with checkered wrist and raised cheek rest. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and unmarked. Barrel with drum bolster is weakly marked “A GIBBS” and “LANCASTER”. Lightly engraved Lancaster style four-piece brass patchbox, with release in toe plate, crescent buttplate, extended finger spur triggerguard. Dovetailed notch rear sight, dovetailed brass blade front sight. Simple brass pipes secure an old wood ramrod. Three small, plain German silver escutcheon plates are set into the toe line of the stock, the wrist and the cheek piece. Abraham Gibbs is listed as a gunmaker in Lancaster, PA during the mid-19th century. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock moderately pitted. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate pitting and visible rifling. Stock with some wood loss around the lock mortise, and burn out and cracked through mortise. Checkering with some wear, wood with some minor grain cracks, forend with chipped loss along the upper edge at the nose cap. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $600 - 1,200

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Lovely Full Stock Pennsylvania Percussion Rifle .42 caliber. 45.25” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, German silver inlays, full-length stockwtih raised cheek rest. Commercial singlescrew percussion lock is a likely replacement and is marked “WABSCHE/DE/PADA” in three lines under the drum bolster. Barrel signed with illegible script initials. Lock with adjustable double set triggers, barrel with dovetailed fixed rear sight and dovetail German silver front sight blade in a brass base. Rifle mounted with a beautifully executed open-work four-piece brass patch box with the release in the toe plate. Other brass furniture includes a crescent buttplate with faceted tang, finger extension triggerguard, open work foliate finial toe plate, scroll saddle plate, open work side plate and brass nose cap. Stock decorated with 21 German silver inlays, including fish and leaf decorative coverings over pins in the forend, a heart along the toe line, a Y-shaped vine motif scroll around the tang to simulate an apron, swirling vines below the cheek rest, leaf motifs on the cheek rest tear drops at the wrist. Brass pipes secure a wood ramrod. A really lovely longrifle. Good. Metal moderately oxidized and likely cleaned long ago, leaving the barrel markings weak. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly. Nipple replaced. Bore very good with strong rifling, moderate oxidation and some pitting. Brass with a lovely rich butterscotch patina. German silver tarnished with the vine under the cheek rest staring to lift from the stock. Two inlaid stars missing from the tail of the lock and the counterpane. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, missing some pins in the forend which has some repaired cracks. $2,000 - 4,000

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Relief Carved Percussion Altered Longrifle by Abraham Schweitzer .48 caliber. 41.5” wedge-retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length maple stock with raised cheek rest. Barrel altered to percussion via the drum method is signed “A Schweitzer” in script between the rear sight and the breech. Percussion altered commercial lock with light engraving and no legible markings has a hammer with a somewhat unique and awkward appearance with a low, thin spur and with the hammer nose showing a raised carved snake head and eyes. Hammer neck with simple decorative engraving. Lock equipped with adjusable double-set triggers. Barrel with a dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight blade in brass base. Stock with a lovely four-piece brass patchbox in a style that is typical of rifles produced in the Lancaster area during a slightly later period, with exposed wood between the outer legs of the patchbox and the door. Patchbox is lightly engraved with the work executed in a simple but very attractive manner. The toe plate probably doubled as the release for the door but the mechanism is not currently functional. Toe plate lightly engraved as is the two-screw side plate. Additional brass hardware include an extended finger spur triggerguard, a simple nose cap and faceted ramrod pipes with baluster turned rings at their ends. Cheek rest inlaid with a lovely German silver oval that is engraved with a folk art Spread-Winged American Eagle bearing the Shield of Columbia with the usual arrows and olive branches in its talons. The reverse butt is decorated with Rococo raised carvings with flowing C-shaped scrolls and foliate motifs and with shell decorations on both sides of the wrist. Simple incised lines decorate the toe line of the stock and the lower edge of the forend. Additional German silver decorations include stylized hearts at the rear of the lock mortise and the counterpane, an oval thumb piece and two additional decorative pieces to the rear of the entry pipe. A wood rammer is secured by the pipes. Abraham Schweitzer initially worked in Lancaster, PA circa 1794 but relocated to Antrim Township in Franklin County PA circa 1804. By 1805 he was working in Chambersburg, where he would remain though the early 1820s. Schweitzer was married to the sister of renowned Pennsylvania rifle maker Melchior Fordney, so it is likely that the two men had at least a small influence on each others work in the field. The rifle has a very nice, untouched and unmolested appearance and displays wonderfully. A really attractive example of a Golden Age “Kentucky” Rifle from a true artist. Very good. Metal with a nice, evenly oxidized plum brown patina with some scattered surface oxidation and some pitting, primarily around the lock, breech and bolster areas. Mechanically functional, but the lock needs some adjustment to function correctly and crisply. Good bore with strong rifling is dark, dirty and heavily oxidized. Stock with some wear, wood loss due to burn out at the bolster, a repaired crack at the toe and some small repaired cracks in the forend. A small sliver of wood is missing along the top edge of the forend on the reverse and their is minor loss around some of the wedge and pin holes. Otherwise with the expected bumps, dings and mars of a rifle that clearly saw a long working life but was always well cared for. $25,000 - 35,000

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Fullstock Leman Percussion Rifle .40 caliber. 41.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, spliced full-length faux striped maple stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw commercial percussion lock is marked “H. ELWELL/WARRANTED”. Lock with double set triggers. Barrel with drum bolster is marked “H.E. LEMAN” in an arc, along with “LANCASTER” and “WARRANTED”. Barrel decorated with intertwined punched lines, as well as punched tear drops and dots. Brass furniture includes a traditional Lancasterstyle four-piece patchbox that is lightly engraved with an engraved toe plate that doubles as a release. The engraved saddle plate is cut due to the forend splice. Other furniture includes a crescent buttplate, finger extension triggerguard, forend reinforcement strip, corrugated thimbles and an entry pipe that is attached to the saddle plate. Dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed brass blade front sight. As noted, forend is a spliced replacement that is old and shows wear and use but does not appear to be original to the rifle. Good. Metal with mottled and oxidized gray patina with scattered discoloration, surface roughness and some pitting, priorly around the breech and bolster area. Lock functional, hammer screw broken, bore with strong rifling is dark, dirty and pitted. Wood spliced as noted, showing wear, some damage and cracking in the forend, a chip in the toe and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,200 - 2,000

136

Fullstock Leman Percussion Rifle .36 caliber. 35.875” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length stock with checkered wrist and raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock is ill-fitting and marked LEAMAN/LANCASTER, PA. Barrel with drum bolster and very weak “LEMAN” marking and marked “WARRANTED”. Lock with double-set triggers. Rifle mounted with brass fittings that include a traditional four-piece Lancaster style patchbox which is lightly engraved, an engraved toe plate that operates as the door release, a crescent butt plate, an engraved saddle plate that matched the patchbox and toe plate, a plain nose cap, two corrugated thimbles and a plain entry pipe. German silver escutcheons are mounted on the forend and along the toe line of the stock. Good, metal moderately oxidized with scattered roughness and pitting, barrel markings weak. Lock needs mechanical attention to function correctly, bore fair, heavily oxidized, pitted and with no visible rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and the typical repair at the toe. $1,000 - 2,000

137

Fullstock Percussion Rifle by Truitt, Brothers & Co. .38 caliber. 42” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Unmarked, single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and equipped with double set triggers. Barrel with crude lead drum bolster and weakly marked “TRUITT BROs & CO/PHILADA” and with some lightly stamped decorations. Commercial brass furniture includes a plain oval patchbox, a crescent buttplate, a plain toe plate, extended finger spur triggerguard, two plain thimbles and a plain entry pipe. Includes an old wood ramrod. Truitt Brothers & Co worked in Philadelphia as “Importers and wholesale dealers in foreign and domestic hardware” (Sellers). Stockel lists them as operating circa 1860. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered roughness and some pitting, primarily around the breech, bolster and lock areas. Markings partially legible. Lock functional, skirt of hammer nose damaged. Bore fair, heavily pitting and with no visible rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, a chip at the toe, some grain cracks in the butt and minor chipped loss at the nose cap and along the upper edges of the forend. $1,000 - 1,500 62

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138

Fullstock Flintlock Trade Rifle by J. Henry .48 caliber. 36” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Commercial flint lock is marked “H.T. COOPER/NEW YORK” under the fenced and bridled iron pan with a flat faceted swan neck cock. Lock in original flint with the matching mating number 9 on most internal lock parts, including the cock. Barrel marked “J HENRY” on top flat. Rifle mounted with four-piece brass patchbox with rudimentary Fleur-de-lis finial, extended finger rest brass triggerguard, flat geometric brass side plate, brass buttplate, toe plate, nose cap and ramrod thimbles. Dovetailed fixed buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain German silver sight blade. Forend restored from behind the rear sight to the forend cap. Typical form of a J Henry trade rifle of the period, particularly the patchbox, with the one of this style that is illustrated in Jim Gordon’s Great Gunmakers for the Early West having been cut to half-stock length and altered to percussion. Like this rifle, that example uses a commercial lock, in that case marked “Spies”. Good as restored. Barrel with moderate oxidation and some light pitting, markings remain legible, lock functional, bore moderately pitted with strong rifling. Stock with wear and damage, forend replaced from about 3” in front of the lock to the forend cap, including the pipes, cap and pins. Stock with repaired cracks emanating from lock area, some chipped wood around the mortise and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,500

139

Tryon Retailer Marked English Percussion Twist-Off Pocket Pistol .45 caliber. 3” twist-off barrel. SN: NSN. Blued finish, checkered walnut grip. Lightly engraved frame marked “TRYON” on the reverse and “Philadelphia” on the obverse. Bottom of frame and barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks, bottom of barrel with maker’s mark “R*H”. Single action, folding trigger, single-shot pistol. This is a perfect example of the types of inexpensive firearms that were imported from England by American retailers and gunmakers during the first half of the 19th century for resale in the American market, often bearing the retailer’s name and location, rather than the English gunmaker’s name. Very good. Pistol has a smooth plum patina with clear markings, remains mechanically functional and has a moderately oxidized bore. Grip with some wear but with good checkering. $400 - 800

140

J. Henry & Son Heavy Barrel Percussion Plains Rifle .54 caliber. 34.5” heavy octagon barrel secured by two wedges. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron and brass furniture, double-keyed half-stock with raised cheek rest. A prototypical “Plains Rifle” in the style of the Hawkens and other St. Louis makers. Percussion lock is marked “J HENRY/& SON” and is equipped with double set triggers. Barrel is also marked in two lines with the same die. Heavy barrel measures 1.1” across the flats at the muzzle and is equipped with a half-length lug underneath. Dovetailed fixed-notch rear sight, dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Iron buttplate and toe plate, iron triggerugard with finger extension, brass wedge escutcheons. Stock broken completely through the wrist and poorly secured with a very old rawhide wrap identified as buffalo hide in Mr. Ness’ notes. Numerous tack holes are present around the periphery of the buttplate, with the tacks now missing. Mr Ness’ notes further comment that he acquired the gun from the late Paul Weisburg in 2009, Paul had purchased it when at the CGCA Show in Denver in 2008 when it walked in. Additional notes mention that the consignor considers this the rarest of his Indian rifles and says that it is much rarer than a Hawken. For a nearly identical example see page 245 of Volume II of Great Gunmakers for the Early West by Jim Gordon. Void of ramrod, but a small piece of period red wool trade cloth is rolled up in the upper ramrod pipe. Good. Heavily worn and used. Retains no finish with a moderately oxidized brown patina with patches of surface roughness and some pitting. Due to the broken wrist and loosens of the trigger plate in the stock, the lock is not really functional, but would be after the wrist was properly repaired. Wrist is loose and barely held in place by the old hide wrap and should probably be professionally stabilized for long term preservation. Forend with splintered loss, nose cap loose and bent. Bore fair, heavily pitted with good rifling. $5,000 - 8,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

141

German Silver Mounted Tryon Half Stock Percussion Rifle .35 caliber. 37.75” double key octagonal barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Browned finish, German silver furniture, half-stock figured hardwood stock with checkered wrist. Barrel marked “TRYON PHILADA”. Back action percussion lock lightly engraved and marked “H ELWELL”. Double set triggers. Mounted with engraved German silver furniture including a four piece rudimentary pineapple finial patchbox, a flat bottom triggerguard with finger spur, buttplate, toe plate, entry pipe, nose cap, wedge escutcheons and two blank oval plates at the thumb plate and counterpane positions. Two steel ramrod pipes are attached to the bottom lug of the barrel, continuing a modern steel ramrod. Dovetailed fixed rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight blade. The name H. ELWELL is that of an unidentified lock maker, but his locks do appear on a variety of mid-19th century rifles. Tryon was one of the leading Philadelphia gunmakers during the mid-19th century and produced everything from contract military arms to high grade sporting arms. This was a relatively high grade gun when new and is a very attractive half stock percussion rifle with very nice German silver furniture. Very good. Barrel with traces of brown finish in protected areas, showing scattered surface oxidation, some pitting and more serious pitting around the breech and bolster areas. Lock remains functional, bore fair with moderate oxidation and pitting. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars and moderate wear to the checkering at the wrist. Furniture very nice with a dull yellowish tone. $1,000 - 2,000

142

Percussion Plains Rifle with Brass Lock Marked Golcher & Butler Attributed to Tryon .45 caliber. 29.75” heavy octagonal wedge retained barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass lock and furniture, maple half-stock. Brass single screw percussion lock lightly engraved at tail and marked “GOLCHER & BUTLER/PHILADA” in two lines under the bolster. Barrel with intertwined decorative line and star decorations but no markings. Double set triggers, brass triggerguard with spur and finger extension, brass crescent buttplate with plain toe plate, oval commercial brass patchbox with simple decorative line engraving. Two sheet brass ramrod thimbles secured to barrel rib and brass entry pipe, no forend cap. Lovely maple stock with faux applied tiger striped finish. The consignor’s notes attribute this rifle to Tryon and note that Tryon used brass locks on some of their higher grade guns, notes further identify this as a “Chief’s Grade Rifle” but no similar example can be found in Great Gunmakers of the Early West by Jim Gordon or other leading references. It is often noted that Golcher (Goulcher) marked locks were utilized by numerous makers and that their presence is no indication that any Golcher/Goulcher was involved in the production of the gun. The only known mention of a Golcher & Butler marking is that of the supposed Kit Carson “Hawken” rifle that was first referenced in Hanson, with this same reference being repeated in both Sellers and Gordon. Garvaglia & Worman picture that famous rifle (in the collection of the Colorado State Historical Society) on page 226 of the first volume of Firearms of the American West and it is a classic half-stock percussion rifle described as having an unmarked barrel and a brass lock marked in the same way as the lock in this rifle. The form of this gun is that of a pure Plains Rifle that is very well made, likely by one of the Pennsylvania makers for use out west in the 1840s. It is a particularly attractive gun and is just the right size to be both handy and effective for most game in the west, with the possible exception of buffalo and grizzly bears. Very good. Barrel with what appears to be traces of original brown blending with an oxidized brown patina with some surface roughness and scatted pitting. Lock mechanically functional, very good bore with deep rifling, scattered pitting and some oxidation. Brass with a rich, uncleaned patina. Stock with moderate surface wear, some burnout around the lock area but really very attractive with a golden tone and nice tiger striped finish. Wood with scattered bumps, dings, mars and scuffs. $2,500 - 5,000

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143

Leman Heavy Barreled “Bear” Plains Rifle .62 caliber. 32” heavy octagon, wedge retained barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown patina on metal, iron furniture, walnut half-stock with single key, German silver decorations and nose cap. Lightly engraved front action percussion lock marked “LEMAN” under the bolster, top flat of barrel also marked “LEMAN” and “WARRANTED”. Lock with double set triggers, heavy barrel with German silver and gold bands at breech and a long, two-screw tang. Stock with raised cheekrest and mounted with a four-piece iron patchbox the release in the toe plate, patchbox door replaced during the period of use with a piece of copper that is well fit to the box. Crescent iron buttplate and toe plate, iron triggerguard with finger extensions, iron barrel under rib, two iron thimbles and a period of use added iron saddle plate between entry pipe and triggerguard. Dovetailed fixed buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight. Includes brass tipped wood ramrod that is a more recent replacement. Good. Barrel heavily oxidized with a thick brown patina and moderate amounts of evenly distributed pitting. Lock mechanically functional, fair bore with deep rifling and heavy pitting. Markings remain legible. Rib under barrel and the two associated pipes are more recent replacements. Stock with heavy wear showing numerous grain cracks and some repairs at the forend tip, a large piece of wood is replaced forward of the lock mortise resulting in gapping at the lock, additional tight grain cracks present as well. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $2,000 - 3,000

144

Percussion Fowler by Tryon .68 caliber. 32” double keyed octagon to round barrel with under lug. SN: NSN. Browned finish, German silver mountings, steel furniture, faux striped hardwood half-stock with shotgun butt. Top of barrel marked “TRYON PHILADA”. Back action percussion lock engraved with tight foliate scrolls and is marked by the maker “R ASHMORE & SON”. A high grade percussion fowler by Tryon with a gold band at the breech, as well as delicate scroll engraving on the breech and breech plug tang. The iron buttplate tang and triggerguard with pineapple finial are engraved en-suite. Barrel secured by two keys with German silver escutcheons. Other German silver fittings include the nose cap, entry pipe, engraved leaf motif lock screw finial and a plain oval escutcheon in the counterpane. Includes a brass tipped wooden ramrod. A really lovely, high grade fowler from one of the more famous and prolific Philadelphia gunmakers of the mid-19th century. Very good. Barrel retains some thinning brown which is mixing with a plum patina and some surface oxidation. Clear markings, mechanically functional. Very good bore with moderate oxidation near the muzzle. Stock very good with scattered bumps, dings and marks. $800 - 1,200

145

Percussion Plain Rifle by Leman .54 caliber. 33.25” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER”. Heavy barrel measures 1” across the flats at the muzzle, has a drum bolster and is marked “H.E. LEMAN LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED” on the top. Lancaster-style plain four-piece brass patchbox with release in toe plate, plain finger-extension brass triggerguard, plain brass buttplate, nose cap and thimble and entry pipe with a wood ramrod. Fixed notch rear sight, modified dovetailed front sight blade. Good to very good. Barrel with a nicely oxidized plum patina with clear markings. Lock functional, bore good with strong rifling and scattered oxidation. Wood with scattered bumps, dings, mars and typical wear. $1,000 - 1,500 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

146

Large Bore Fullstock Percussion Plains Rifle by Leman .58 caliber. 35.875” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned barrel, iron and brass furniture, full-length walnut stock. Single-screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA”. Leman barrel marking mostly obscured by oxidation and pitting. Heavy barrel measures 1.1” across the flats at the muzzle. Iron furniture consists of a repurposed US Model 1822/28 musket triggerguard without sling swivel and buttplate that has been narrowed and shortened. Brass furniture includes lock screw escutcheon and ramrod pipes which secure an old wooden ramrod. Dovetailed fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed brass blade front sight. Stock heavier and more robust than most Leman rifles of the period appears to be a recycled surplus musket stock, or was made in that style. An interesting economy interpretation of a large bore, full-stock Plains Rifle that uses some recycled US military musket parts and was produced with an economy of parts and decoration and an emphasis on durability. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Barrel markings weak, lock markings clear. Mechanically functional, poor bore is dark, dirty and heavily pitted with no visible rifling. Stock lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars and some more modest impact marks in the forend. $1,000 - 1,500

147

Heavy Barreled Leman Percussion Full Stock Plains Rifle .55 caliber. 35.875” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Top of barrel marked weakly marked “H.E. LEMAN WARRANTED” and with “P” proof at breech. Modified military-style percussion lock secured by a single screw, cut flat at the tail, lightly engraved and marked “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA”. Heavy barrel measures approximately 1” across the flats at the muzzle and is equipped with a drum bolster, Leman fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain German silver front sight blade. Other furniture includes the same type of iron triggerguard and buttplate that Leman used on his less than successful line of military style Militia Rifles. Brass lock screw escutcheon, nose cap and ramrod pipes, wooden ramrod. Stock also of military pattern, adapted to the use of pins instead of bands and an octagonal barrel. It appears that Leman took advantage of a left over supply of his military style hardware and parts from his militia rifle venture and used them in the construction of this Plains-style trade rifle. An interesting variation on the theme from one of the most prolific American arms makers during the 19th century. Very good. Barrel heavily oxidized with a rich, dark brown patina. Metal with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, partially obscuring the barrel markings. Lock mechanically functional and apparently made without a half cock notch. Bore has been bored smooth with no rifling and is lightly oxidized with some scattered light pitting. Stock crisp with scattered bumps, dings and handling marks. $1,000 - 1,500

148

Fullstock Percussion Rifle by Leman .34 caliber. 39” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Top flat of barrel marked “HE LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” and “WARRANTED”. Adjustable double set triggers, dovetailed fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass blade front sight. Brass furniture includes crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, finger spur triggerguard, nose cap and ramrod pipes. Includes a wood ramrod. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with some surface roughness and pitting around the breech and bolster area. Markings remain legible, lock needs mechanical adjustment. Bore fair, dark and pitted with strong rifling. Stock with burned out wood loss at bolster, cracks around lock mortise and areas of slivered loss along the forend. $600 - 1,000 66

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149

C. Curry Retailer Marked Leman Heavy Barrel Percussion Rifle .56 caliber. 33” heavy octagon wedge retained barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron mountings, smooth straight-gripped hardwood stock altered from full to half stock configuration with raised cheek rest. Single screw, back action percussion lock is marked in two lines “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER PA”, is lightly engraved and equipped with double set triggers. Percussion hammer appears to be an old, period of use replacement. Top flat of barrel with barely legible Leman maker mark, the words “MADE FOR” in a ribbon and “CHS CURRY”. Heavy barrel with German silver and gold bands at the breech measures 1.14” across the flats at the muzzle, with the muzzle turned round for about .125”, most likely for use with a bullet starter. Breech plug tang terminates in a socket for a peep sight, now missing. A crude fixed notch rear sight is dovetailed into the barrel 8” from the breech and the brass Rocky Mountain dovetailed front sight blade appears to be an old, period of use replacement. Iron furniture includes a crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, and finger extension triggerguard with spur. Rifle appears to have originally be a full stock gun that was shortened to half stock configuration during the period of use, cut back roughly 21” with a crude pewter nose cap added, secured by nails. An under lug has been added to the barrel with two plain iron pipes, securing a brass tipped wood ramrod. This heavy barrel rifle was apparently originally a target gun that was altered to a Plains Rifle configuration during the period of use. The large bore gun would be capable of taking the most dangerous of game, including bear. The firm of C. Curry & Co. was a San Francisco based retailer who sold arms from all the major makers ranging from Colt and Remington to Deringer and Leman, as well as arms imported from England and Belgium. The firm operated from from 1852-1863 and was succeeded by N. Curry who also produced and retailed derringer pistols. Good. Metal moderately oxidized scattered surface roughness and some pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster area. Lock mechanically functional, but could use some adjustment. Percussion hammer and screw replaced. Bore fair to good with moderate pitting and strong rifling. Stock period shortened and modified, wedge replaced with a large, crude key and forend cap replaced. Stock with moderate wear, with some wood loss and gapping around the lock, an old chip out of the toe inside the toe plate, and repaired cracks through the lock screw and running along the outer portion of the reverse wrist. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Rear sight an old replacement, as is front sight, peep sight missing. $2,000 - 4,000

150

Fancy Engraved German Silver Mounted Half Stock Percussion Rifle by Tryon .42 caliber. 39.75” double-keyed octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, engraved German silver furniture, highly figured half-stock with raised cheek rest. Single screw, lightly engraved percussion back action lock marked “TRYON/PHILADA”. Top flat of barrel engraved “Tryon Philada”. Adjustable double set triggers, fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade with brass base. Rifle mounted with delicately engraved German silver furniture throughout that features fine foliate scroll motifs. Butt with an attractively engraved open work four-piece patchbox, buttplate tang engraved with fully engraved open work toe plate the includes the patchbox release. Tiny cap box in toe of stock, between the toe plate and triggerguard. Extended finger spur triggerguard and combination nose cap and entry pipe are engraved as well. Barrel with half-length bottom lug and plain German silver pipes. Barrel wedges surrounded by lightly engraved decorative German silver escutcheons. Single screw open work lock escutcheon engraved as well with a feathery motif. A small oval German silver escutcheon is set in the left wrist. A similarly ornate Tryon “fancy rifle” is shown on page 281 of Jim Gordon’s Great Gun Makers for the Early West (Volume II). Good to very good. Barrel cleaned leaving the markings weak and the metal with a dull pewter color with scattered discoloration, surface oxidation and some light pitting. Mechanically functional lock, hammer loose, fair bore with strong rifling and moderate pitting and oxidation. Front barrel key is loose and secured by tape. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars $3,000 - 5,000

151

Fullstock Percussion Leman Trade Rifle .44 caliber. 38” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length faux striped hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved singlescrew percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA”. Leman barrel markings mostly illegible. Double set triggers, drum bolster, simple commercial brass furniture. Fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight blade. Includes an old wood ramrod. Fair to good. Moderately oxidized metal with wear and pitting. Weak markings on the barrel, nipple worn. Lock functional, bore poor and pitted with weak rifling. Stock broken through the wrist and poorly repaired, with a crack forward of the lock mortise. Lock mortise with gapping and wood with other wear, bumps, dings and mars. $800 - 1,200

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152

Leman Fullstock Percussion Rifle .45 caliber. 38.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, faux striped hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Unmarked, single screw commercial percussion lock, barrel marked “H.E. LEMAN LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Simple commercial brass furniture including a finger spur triggerguard, simple round patchbox, crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, two corrugated thimbles and an entry pipe. Simple German silver enhancements with small ovals concealing the barrel pins, a lightly boarder engraved thumb piece, a feather at the reverse wrist and a lightly engraved star burst on the cheek rest. Fixed notch rear sight, dovetailed brass Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Wood ramrod. Very good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown patina with scattered surface oxidation and some light pitting. Mechanically functional, fair bore is heavily oxidized and pitted with no visible rifling. $2,000 - 3,000

153

Fullstock Percussion Rifle by Leman .38 caliber. 40.5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest and lightly checkered wrist. Commercial single-screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCASTER PA” in two lines under the drum bolster, equipped with double set triggers. Lock somewhat ill fitting and possibly a very old, period of use replacement. No visible markings on barrel other that stamped geometric line decorations around the dovetailed rear sight. Dovetailed German silver front sight blade. Obverse butt mounted with lightly engraved four-piece brass Lancaster style patchbox. Brass crescent butt plate, toe plate, triggerguard with extended finger extension, simple nose cap and corrugated ramrod pipes, which secure an old wood ramrod. Good. Guns shows moderate wear and heavy use with moderately oxidized metal with surface oxidation and some pitting. Markings on lock legible, lock mechanically functional. Hammer skirt chipped and damaged, hammer possibly an old replacement, hammer screw replaced. Bore fair, heavily oxidized with moderate pitting and strong rifling. Stock with wear, showing wood loss due to burn out at the bolster, gapping at the lock mortise and some cracks around the mortise. Forend with several old cracks and slivered loss along the upper edge on the reverse. $1,000 - 2,000

154

Percussion Plain Rifle by Leman .54 caliber. 35” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Barrel with drum bolster marked on the top flat “H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA” and “WARRANTED”. Barrel with dovetailed semi-buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed brass front sight blade. Rifle mounted with simple commercial brass furniture including a round patchbox, a double spur extended triggerguard, crescent buttplate and toe plate. Simple brass pipes secured a nicely striped wood ramrod. Very good. Metal with a freckled and oxidized brown over gray patina with clear markings, some scattered roughness and some light pitting. Mechanically functional lock with two additional holes in the plate suggesting it has had multiple mainsprings during its working life, good bore is lightly oxidized with some pitting and strong rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars with a small crack at the toe some splintered loss along the upper edge of the forend and some tight hairline cracks in the forend. $1,500 - 2,500

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155

Leman Fullstock Percussion Smooth Rifle

.52 caliber. 41.5” pinned smoothbore octagonal barrel.SN: NSN. Oxidized metal, brass furniture, full-length hardwood stock with raised cheek rest. Single-screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “Henry Parker/Warranted”. Lock is somewhat ill fitting and may be a replacement. Barrel with drum bolster may be an alteration from flint. Barrel weakly marked on top flat “H.E. LEMAN” and “WARRANTED”. Rifle is mounted with a traditional Lancaster-style four-piece brass patchbox, crescent buttplate and plain toe plate that doubles as the patchbox release. Additional furniture includes an extended finger spur triggerguard, nose cap, two corrugated trade gun style ramrod thimbles and a smooth entry pipe. A wooden ramrod is secured by the pipes. Barrel with a dovetailed rudimentary buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed brass blade front sight. A lovely smooth rifle in its simplicity that may have been made as trade gun or as versatile frontier long arm. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with pitting that leaves the markings somewhat weak. Mechanically functional, heavily pitted bore. Brass with a rich, dark, uncleaned patina. Stock with scattered bumps and dings, and a significant repaired crack in the belly of the stock in front of the lock mortise. $1,000 - 1,500

156

Half Stock Percussion Fowler by Leman

.60 caliber. 40” wedge-retained barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, hardwood half-stock with raised cheek rest. A neat example of the post Civil War recycling of obsolete guns and their parts. The barrel is from a U.S. Model 1863 or 1864 Rifle Musket with the eagle ground off the bolster and the faint remnants of the “V/P/{Eagle Head}” proofs at the breech with “LEMAN” stamped over them in individual dies. Single-screw percussion lock with simple engraving is marked “LEMAN/LANCTR PA”. Simple commercial brass furniture include a crescent buttplate, a plain toe plate, a finger extension triggerguard, a forend cap and an entry pipe. Barrel with half-length lug added underneath with a pair of plain iron pipes with a brass tipped wood ramrod. Iron blade front sight. While the most common variant of the post-Civil War longarm altered to “shotgun” is the half-stocked, shortened and smooth-bored rifle musket, this is a much more elegant variation of the same concept. Guns like this were made in huge quantities for sale to settlers heading west in the post-Civil War period. While made in huge numbers, the survival of these inexpensive settler guns is uncommon in anything but well worn condition. Nice ones like this rarely appear on the market. Good to very good. Metal moderately oxidized with some surface roughness and scattered pitting. Mechanically functional, hammer loose on the tumbler and its geometry suggests it is an old replacement. Bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $600 - 1,000

157

Heavy Barrel Percussion Plains Rifle by Wurfflein

.54 caliber. 34.5” heavy octagonal barrel secured by two keys. SN: 64. Browned finish, German silver furniture, walnut half stock with checkered wrist. Commercial back action single screw percussion lock lightly engraved with game scenes and marked “H ELWELL/WARRANTED”. Barrel marked “J WURFFLEIN PHILADA”. Right side flat of barrel marked “64” forward of bolster. Traditional “Plains Rifle” styling and construction with heavy barrel measuring 1.2” across the flats at the muzzle, with extended double-screw iron breech tang, double keyed half-stock, double set triggers, Rocky Mountain pattern buckhorn rear and German silver blade front sights. The gun is in many ways a more attractive interpretation of the classic Hawken Rifle and even copies their somewhat distinctive snail shaped bolster. German silver furniture includes a plain oval patchbox, butt and toe plates, double-spur extended grip triggerguard, lock screw escutcheon, nose cap, entry pipe and wedge escutcheons. Barrel rib with two iron pipes secures a wood ramrod. A really lovely, high quality example of an Eastern-made Plains Rifle. This plain but attractive German silver mounted rifle was certainly a step in quality above the iron or brass mounted “working rifles” that are typical of this form. A very nice mid-19th century plains rifle in nice condition. H Elwell was an early to mid-19th century gun lock maker who produced late period flint and percussion locks in Pennsylvania. J Wurfflein was almost certainly a relative of the famous Philadelphia gunmaker and retailer Andrew Wurfflein who worked 1835-1871 and Andrew’s son William who continued the business until circa 1910. Although Sellers lists him as “unlocated” he was almost certainly a mid-19th contemporary working in Philadelphia or the surrounding area. Stockel lists him as John Wurfflein working in Philadelphia circa 1855-1861. Very good. Barrel with a mottled and lightly oxidized brownish-gray patina that may include some minute traces of brown finish. Clear markings, some scattered pitting, mostly around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, good bore with pitting and strong rifling. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars and moderate wear to the checkering at the wrist. $4,000 - 6,000

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Detail Lot 159

HAWKEN FIREARMS LOTS 158-163 No name is more synonymous with the rifles of the great plains and pre-Civil War western expansion than that of Hawken. Jacob Hawken moved to St. Louis from Hagerstown Maryland in 1818 and was followed by his younger brother Samuel in 1822. Jacob had learned the trade of gun making from his father Christian and also spent time working at the US Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Initially the Hawken brothers appear to have focused more on traditional gunsmithing and repairs in St. Louis than firearms manufacturing. The earliest guns they produced would have certainly been flintlocks with percussion guns not becoming typical until the early 1830s. Early St. Louis Hawken-marked percussion rifles were brass mounted full-stock guns that followed the general form of the Pennsylvania type rifles they would have produced in Hagerstown. Subsequently the brothers introduced the prototypical “Plains Rifle”, also referred at times as the “Rocky Mountain” rifle. These were typically very sturdy iron mounted large bore percussion rifles with double-set triggers that ranged from .52 to .60 caliber. They utilized heavy octagonal barrels that were typically 30” to 40” in length, normally measured at least 1.125” across the flats, were usually rifled with seven grooves and were often retained by two iron keys. The guns regularly utilized commercial locks marked by their makers or retailers. Fixed sights of the buckhorn rear and Rocky Mountain blade front were typical as well. These rifles were so perfectly adapted to the life of the mid-19th century plains hunter and mountain man that their popularity inspired a number of local gunmakers to offer guns of the same general pattern. Variations of the Hawken theme were produced by such famous St. Louis makers as Albright, Beauvais, Dimick and Gemmer.

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158

Samuel Hawken Percussion Light Sporting Rifle .34 caliber. 32.25” octagonal barrel secured by a single wedge. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass, iron and pewter fittings, hardwood half-stock. Prototypical “Light Sporting” Hawken rifle with the barrel only .9” across the flats at the muzzle. Barrel marked “S. HAWKEN ST. LOUIS”. Plain, single screw percussion lock is unmarked and equipped with double set triggers. Patent breech with double screw tang, dovetailed buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver blade front sight. Brass butt and toe plates and double finger spur triggerguard. Pewter nose cap. Wood ramrod secured with two iron pipes. Despite the popularity of the Hawken “Plains Rifle” the firm also produced light sporting rifles like this example. They were usually smaller caliber, single key guns fitted with commercially available brass furniture and often featured Goulcher locks. Good. Retains some thinning brown on the barrel with scattered surface oxidation, surface roughness and some pitting. Marking remains clear. Mechanically functional, good bore is moderately pitted with strong rifling. Iron furniture with surface oxidation and some crust. Stock lightly sanded with some handling marks and a crack at the rear of the lock mortise, as well as some minor chipping around the edges of the mortise. $4,000 - 6,000

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159

Shortened J&S Hawken Percussion Plains Rifle .56 caliber. 27.5” wedge-retained octagonal barrel with full-length rib. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, American hardwood stock. Top of barrel marked in a single line “J&S. HAWKEN ST. LOUIS” between the breech and the rear sight dovetail. Commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “WOLFE & BISHOP/WARRANTED” in two lines. Double set triggers. Long, 6” slender, elongated tear-drop shaped breech plug tang is lightly engraved with flowing foliate and feathery motifs. Traditional Hawken style iron furniture including engraved scroll triggerguard, butt plate, toe plate, nose cap, wedges and escutcheons. Rifle is additionally mounted with a rare Hawken iron patchbox with an oval, bottom hinged door and mirror frame style surround, all lightly engraved with simple foliate scrolls and motifs and a with a game scene on the door itself. Patchbox release is mounted in the toe plate. Barrel with dovetailed fixed buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain silver blade front sight in brass base. Wood ramrod retained by a single iron thimble and an entry pipe. Rifle appears to have been shortened during the period use with visible file marks on the face of the muzzle. Wedges relocated to within about 4” of each other. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that the rifle is restocked and the patchbox was engraved by Tristan Campbell. This rifle is pictured in plates 54 and 55 of Hawken Rifles, The Mountain Man’s Choice by John D. Barid. A very nice example of a rare Hawken plains rifle with an engraved iron patchbox, shortened to be a handier rifle for use in the mountains, brush or on horseback. This gun was previously sold at Bonham’s on 6/28/10 as lot #401. Very good. Metal with a moderately oxidized pewter and brown patina with scattered light pitting. Markings remain clear and legible, with most of the engraving still visible. Mechanically functional, good bore is dark with heavy oxidation, scattered pitting and strong rifling. Stock with some scattered bumps, dings and mars. A really attractive Hawken altered to make is more manageable and handy on the plains. $25,000 - 35,000

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160

J&S Hawken Marked Percussion Pistol .56 caliber. 5” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Damascus patterned barrel, iron mountings, walnut stock with checkered grip. Muzzleloading overcoat sized single shot percussion pistol with captive swivel ramrod. Top flat of barrel marked “J&S HAWKEN/ST. LOUIS”. Unmarked, lightly engraved single-screw stepped percussion lock with spanner nut retained hammer. Iron furniture with lightly engraved tang, triggerguard with urn finial, and hammer. Hawken marked pistols present a true conundrum to the collector. Their rarity makes it extremely difficult to draw definitive conclusions, but it seems that the Hawkens probably did not produce any pistols, but rather retailer marked pistols from other makers. Both Belgian and English made examples of Hawken marked guns are known, as well as pistols that are likely of American origin but whose makers have not been directly identified. Unlike the Plains Rifles produced by the Hawkens, which have very specific identifiable characteristics and features, the handful of known, legitimate Hawken marked pistols are in no way similar or consistent. This pistol is of English mid-19th century styling but the absence of external English proof marks suggests it may well be a Liege product. Belgian proofs were more often applied under the barrel. Due to the pinned nature of the barrel retention and the repairs in the wood, the pins were not removed to examine the bottom of the barrel. A very rare opportunity to own a real J&S Hawken marked percussion pistol that is hard used but exceptionally scarce. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized gray and brown patina with traces of Damascus patterning, some surface roughness and some pitting. Lock mechanically functional, with a poor smooth bore that is heavily pitted and rusted. Swivel ramrod is functional, but the swivel arms and pins appear to be very old replacements. Stock well worn and sanded with only weak checkering present. Wood with numerous repaired cracks as well as some filler in the forend and in the crack that passes through the lock mortise. Wood with added finish in an attempt to hide the repairs. $8,000 - 12,000

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161

Restored Percussion Plains Rifle by Samuel Hawken .58 caliber. 35.75” octagonal barrel secured by two wedges. SN: NSN. Blued finish, iron furniture, double-keyed half-stock. Barrel marked “S. HAWKEN ST. LOUIS”. Partially legible mark on right side of barrel at stock line appears to end with “Reynolds & Co”. Unmarked, single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and equipped with doubleset triggers. Typical Hawken from with double keyed half-stock with iron nose cap, scroll shaped iron triggerguard and iron butt plate and toe plate. Barrel mounted with a dovetailed semi-buckhorn fixed rear sight and a dovetailed German silver front sight blade. Heavy barrel measures 1.2” across the flats at the muzzle. Includes a heavy wooden ramrod that appears period with a threaded iron ferrule on the reverse. Good. Metal with a mottled brownish gray patina with scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Clear markings on barrel, mechanically functional lock, good bore is dark, dirty and moderately pitted with deep rifling. The rifle was professionally restocked by Robert Browner with both ramrod pipes and wedges replaced. The other furniture appears to be original to the rifle. $40,000 - 60,000

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162

Percussion Plains Rifle by Samuel Hawken .54 caliber. 36” octagonal barrel secured by two wedges. SN: NSN. Blued finish, iron furniture, double-keyed half-stock. Barrel marked “S. HAWKEN ST. LOUIS”. Unmarked, single screw percussion lock is unadorned and equipped with double-set triggers. Typical Hawken form with long, double screw iron tang, double keyed half-stock with iron nose cap, scroll shaped iron triggerguard and iron butt plate and toe plate. Barrel mounted with a dovetailed semi-buckhorn fixed rear sight and a dovetailed German silver front sight blade. Heavy barrel measures 1.125” across the flats. Includes a heavy wooden ramrod that appears period with a brass tip and brass fitting on the reverse. Good. Metal shows moderate wear and oxidation with some pitting and a mostly brown patina. Clear markings, mechanically functional, bore with deep rifling, dark and dirty with moderate pitting. Stock lightly sanded with moderate wear, some old added finish, bumps, dings and mars. Lock escutcheon and lock screw replaced, nipple replaced, skirt of hammer nose chipped. $40,000 - 60,000

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163

S. Hawken Marked Fullstock Percussion “Plain” Rifle .42 caliber. 39” wedge retained octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length walnut stock with raised cheek rest. Top of barrel flat marked “S. HAWKEN” and “ST. LOUIS”, with the “S” in St. Louis appearing double-stamped and slightly off-set as if the die jumped when struck. Markings are fully legible. Single screw commercial percussion lock is lightly engraved at the tail and unmarked and equipped with adjustable double set triggers. Lightly engraved percussion hammer and hammer screw both appear to be period of use replacements. Barrel mounted with angled dovetailed buckhorn rear sight and a dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade in a copper base. Furniture of brass, with a crescent buttplate, plain toe plate, double-spur finger extension triggerguard and two thimbles and an entry pipe that secure a wooden ramrod. The rifle has the traditional long iron breech plug tang found on Hawkens, which extends almost the full length of the wrist to the beginning of the comb, secured with two screws and with the typical elongated “reverse taper” shape. The bolster is not the large snail shaped bolster typical of Hawken’s later Plains Rifles, but somewhat more diminutive and dainty. The geometry of the hammer to cone suggests the hammer is an old replacement. The lock fit in the mortise is less than perfect and may be an old replacement as well and the overall styling suggests that this may have been an early St. Louis flintlock Hawken later altered to percussion. Significant erosion in and around the bolster area, flash pitting on the lock and wood loss due to burn out in the bolster area all indicate that this rifle saw a substantial amount of use in its current percussion form and all of the wear is consistent with a heavily used, if well cared for, hunting rifle. The full-stock form and brass furniture are more indicative of the Maryland styling of the Hawken’s early days and their lighter “sporting rifles” but the gun is certainly assembled as a heavy duty western hunting rifle, but of simple form and construction more aptly named a “Plain Rifle” than a “Plains Rifle” which evokes the image of the traditional heavy barrel, iron mounted half-stocked Hawken rifle. Mr. Ness’ folder of information regarding this gun indicates that the rifle was inspected by noted Hawken collector and authority Rudyard Rapp and at one time Mr. Rapp wrote a letter about the gun stating that it was acquired at a farm auction in the 1980s from the descendants of the Kessel family of Ava, IL who were the original owners, their ancestor having acquired the rifle from the Hawken shop in St. Louis during the period of use. A copy of the letter is visible in the old auction listing where this rifle was originally sold, but the letter itself is not in the folder. This is a very interesting and possibly early production Hawken rifle that combines the features of their lighter sporting rifles with the heavier duty construction of his Plains Rifles to create a very practical mid-caliber rifle that could be used to take almost any North American game short of bear and elk. Despite the popularity of the Hawken “Plains Rifle” the firm also produced light sporting rifles like this example. They were usually smaller caliber, single key guns fitted with commercially available brass furniture and often featured Goulcher locks. Very good and untouched. Metal with a thick brown patina, heavily oxidized and with moderate pitting at the breech and bolster. Mechanically functional, fair bore with heavy pitting but strong visible rifling. Stock with expected wear, a chip out of the toe with some damage and loss to the toe plate, some minor surface grain cracking in the butt and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $20,000 - 30,000

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HORACE E. DIMICK LOTS 164-166 Horace E. Dimick (1809-1874) was probably the most prolific of the fames St. Louis makers of Plains Rifles. A direct competitor with the famous Hawken shop, Dimick produced his variation of their famous plains rifle, as well as smaller caliber sporting and hunting rifles, target rifles and even delivered a lot of roughly 1,000 rifles that were used to arm Birge’s Western Sharpshooters (14th Missouri Volunteer Infantry) which was later redesignated as the 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Those Dimick rifles did yeoman’s service during the first 12-18 months of the Civil War in the Western Theater, in particular at battles like Fort Donelson and Shiloh. Dimick also imported large numbers of guns from England and Belgium and offered these guns with his retailer mark on them along with American produced guns like Metropolitan Navy percussion revolvers. Next to the Hawkens, Dimick is probably the most famous of the St. Louis Gun makers.

164

H.E. Dimick Percussion Plains Rifle .50 caliber. 36.5” single-key octagonal barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron, German silver and pewter mountings, walnut half-stock. Plain, single screw, externally unmarked commercial percussion lock is maker marked “T GIBBONS” on the interior. Top flat of barrel marked “H.E. DIMICK & CO/ST. LOUIS”. Heavy barrel measures 1.1” across the flats at the muzzle with extended double screw iron tang. Double set triggers, dovetailed buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade with steel base. Extended double finger spur triggerguard, steel buttplate, oval German silver escutcheon at barrel key, pewter forend cap. Brass tipped wooden ramrod secured by two plain steel pipes. Good. Barrel with an oxidized plum patina showing scattered light surface roughness and some pitting, particularly around the breech and bolster area. Lock with a streaky gray patina. Lock functional, bore very good, partly bright with fine rifling and scattered oxidation and light pitting. Stock with wear, sanded, rounding the edges and with added finish. Some wood loss around the lock mortise, making the lock a little loose in the stock. Wrist cracked from the mortise back to the comb with an old repair. Toe chipped. Wood with scattered bumps and dings. Wedge loose and held in place with tape. $6,000 - 10,000

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165

H.E. Dimick Percussion Plains Sporting Rifle .42 caliber. 34” double-key octagonal barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron, German silver and pewter mountings, walnut half-stock. Plain, single screw, externally unmarked commercial percussion lock is maker marked “T GIBBONS” on the interior. Top flat of barrel marked “H.E. DIMICK & CO/ST. LOUIS”. Heavy barrel measures 1.08” across the flats at the muzzle with extended double screw iron tang. Double set triggers, dovetailed fixed leaf rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade with steel base. Extended double finger spur triggerguard, steel buttplate, oval German silver escutcheons at barrel keys, pewter forend cap. Wooden ramrod secured by a plain steel pipe. Good. Barrel with a moderately oxidized plum brown patina with scattered pitting, primarily around the breech and bolster area with lock and hammer showing light pitting as well. Mechanically functional, but double-set triggers need adjustment to work correctly. Bore dark, dirty and pitted with strong rifling. Stock lightly sanded, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars as well as an old crack on the reverse through the rear wedge. $6,000 - 10,000

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166

H.E. Dimick Plains Rifle .50 caliber. 36” double-keyed hook breech octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, iron furniture, German silver escutcheons, walnut half-stock with pewter nose cap. Unmarked single screw percussion lock with double set triggers, barrel marked “H.E. DIMICK/ST LOUIS”. Heavy barrel measures 1” across the flats at the muzzle with an exaggerated snail shaped bolster and a long wasp-waisted two-screw tang. Plain iron oval patchbox, scroll shaped triggerguard with finger extension, crescent iron buttplate and plain toe plate. Buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver Rocky Mountain front sight blade. Ramrod an old wood replacement. A wonderful and essentially untouched example of a prototypical Plains Rifle by one of the most notable of the St. Louis makers. Good. Iron with a mostly smooth, grayish-brown patina with some scattered minor surface oxidation and some scattered light pitting. Furniture with a smooth rich brown patina. Lock needs mechanical attention as the double set triggers do not function correctly. Bore is fair, very dark, dirty and pitted with weak rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $8,000 - 12,000

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167

Fullstock Percussion Trade Rifle by Henry Albright .45 caliber. 43” pinned smoothbore octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, full-length stock with raised, grooved cheek rest. Pointed commercial single screw percussion lock is lightly engraved and marked “TRUITT BROS/& Co”. Top flat of barrel signed “H Albright” in script. Barrel with drum bolster, lock with single trigger. Mounted with brass four-piece Lancaster style brass patchbox which is lightly engraved and has a rudimentary horse head finial. Extended spurred brass triggerguard, flat two-screw side plate, brass nose cap and ramrod pipes which secure an old wood ramrod. Henry Albright (1772-1845) was born in Lititz, PA and was the son of Andrew Albright who was a German immigrant gunmaker who had worked at St. Blassien and relocated to Litiz in the late 1760s. Henry worked circa 1794-1845 in a variety of locations including Lancaster, Shippenburg and Nazareth, PA as well as Goshen, OH. Very good. Metal moderately oxidized with a mostly brown patina and showing scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Lock mechanically functional, smooth bore good and moderately oxidized. Brass with a nice, uncleaned patina. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, some wood loss around the pin holes and some old repaired cracks in the forend with added finish. Patchbox release not functional and box lid is stuck closed. $1,000 - 1,500

168

Heavy Barrel Sharps Model 1852 Sporting RIfle marked David Ridenour .52 caliber. 34.75” octagonal barrel secured by a single key. SN: 10706. Blued and color casehardened finish, brass furniture, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock and forend with pewter tip. Tang marked in three lines “SHARPS’/PATENT/1848” and with serial number. Barrel unmarked except for the name “DAVID RIDENOUR” stamped in it, about where the markings would be found on a factory Sharps’ barrel. Double set triggers, fixed buckhorn rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain German silver front sight blade with steel base. Research provided by some noted Sharps’ specialists suggests that David Ridenour was a LaCrosse, WI gunsmith working circa 1890s and the replacement heavy barrel and forend are his work. No readily available published reference lists the name as a gunsmith or hunter. Further research may prove fruitful. Good. Metal retains no finish and has been lightly cleaned, leaving a mostly dull pewter gray patina with some scattered oxidized discoloration, minor surface roughness and some scattered light pitting. Mechanically functional, but the set triggers need adjustment to be less finicky. Bore with strong rifling and moderate oxidation. Takedown pin lever is broken. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars from handling and use. $1,000 - 2,000

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169

Sharps Model 1852 Sporting Rifle 90-bore (.373 caliber). 27” octagonal barrel. SN: 3187. Browned and color casehardened finish, brass furniture, smooth, straight-gripped varnished walnut stock. Matching serial numbers on receiver tang, under barrel and in forend. Lock marked “C SHARPS’/PATENT/1852”. Tang marked “C SHARPS/PATENT/1848” and with the serial number. Barrel marked “SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG CO/HARTFORD, CONN”. The Model 1852 was the first series of Sharps arms equipped with the Lawrence patent pellet primer system, as is this one. This one appears to be incomplete and is missing the feed spring and arm. Rifle is equipped with adjustable double-set triggers, standard “squirrel ear” leaf rear sight and dovetailed German silver front sight blade in brass base. Standard brass buttplate and patchbox, forend tip appears to be German silver, rather than the typical pewter. Sharps factory records indicate that roughly 600 Model 1852 Sporting Rifles were produced circa 1852-1854 and of those only 98 were 90-bore octagonal barrel “plain” guns that were not engraved. An attractive and not particularly common Sharps Sporting Rifle. Very good. Retains some traces of brown on the barrel, particularly under the forend which has protected the finish. The balance of the barrel is a lightly oxidized and mottled brownish gray patina. Receiver with a mottled bluish-gray patina and possibly some old added finish. Markings mostly clear and legible, mechanically functional, very good bore with strong rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and handling marks and old added varnish. $2,000 - 4,000

170

Rare Sharps Model 1853 Shotgun 26-Bore (.57 caliber). 27” round barrel. SN: 20813. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, smooth walnut stock and forend. Matching serial numbers on tang, under barrel and in forend. Tang marked “SHARP’S/PATENT/1848”. Barrel marked “SHARP’S RIFLE/MANFG CO/HARTFORD, CONN”. Iron buttplate, no patchbox. Groove in receiver functions as a rear sight, remnants of screw-in brass front sight with bead missing and post flush with top of barrel. Recent research published in Sharps Firearms - The Percussion Era notes, only 220 Model 1853 Shotguns were produced circa July 1854 to December 1856. These guns fall in very specific serial number ranges of 9,3XXX, 12,4XX, 15,3XX, 16,9XX and 17,1XX. This gun falls outside that range. Frank Sellers’ book on Sharps’ firearms indicates that shotguns appear as high as the 22,XXX range, but the authors of the more recent work cannot substantiate that claim from surviving records. The gun presented here appears to be correct in most respects, although the pewter forend cap appears to be somewhat shorter than on other known examples and the receiver appears to have come from a carbine with the saddle bar hole filled. Despite these apparent inconsistencies consultation with one of the top Sharps collectors in the field suggests that this is an honest and correct example of an extremely scarce gun. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a brown patina, scattered surface roughness, some pitting and mostly legible markings. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Lever polished bright, forward action screw on the reverse replaced, hole in receiver for carbine sling bar plugged. Wood with wear, sanded and with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 1,500

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171

Extremely Rare Sharps Model 1855 Sporting Rifle - 1 of 3 Known to Exist 60-Bore (.427 caliber). 26” octagonal barrel. SN: 20824. Blued and color casehardened finish, brass furniture, smooth, straightgripped varnished walnut stock. Matching serial numbers on receiver tang, under barrel and in forend. Lock with no visible markings. Maynard tape primer door marked “EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE 1845”. Tang marked “C SHARPS/PATENT/1848” and with the serial number. Barrel marked “SHARPS RIFLE/MANUFG CO/HARTFORD, CONN”. The Model 1855 was the first series of Sharps arms equipped with the Maynard patent tape priming system, as is this one. This one appears to be complete and fully functional. The system was rather quickly abandoned by Sharps as the company returned to the Lawrence pellet priming system for future percussion arms. Rifle is equipped with a plain single trigger, standard folding leaf rear sight and a dovetailed brass front sight blade in a steel base that may be an old replacement. Standard brass buttplate and patchbox which is numbered “152” on the interior, forend tip is the typical pewter. Sharps factory records are fragmentary at best for this period and in his book on Sharps firearms Frank Sellers noted that only 12 Model 1855 Sporting Rifles were produced. More recent scholarship has suggested that this information may be in error as there was no source documented to support the claim. Surviving examples of the Model 1855 Sporting Rifle are, however, extremely rare. Seller’s notes in his book that only one Model 1855 Sporting Rifle was known to survive and this gun was sold as the only surviving example in May of 2011. Since then, more scholarly research recently published in Sharps Firearms - The Percussion Era 1848-1865 by Marcot, Paxton & Maron indicates that there are 3 known examples of these rare rifles, #20824, #20844 and #20962. All are plain configuration sporting rifles with the only difference being that #20962 includes the rarely observed Rollin White device in the priming system. This is one of the rarest of Sharps long arms and presents a wonderful opportunity for an advanced Sharps collector to fill a hole in their collection with a gun that is practically unobtainable. Good. The metal surfaces have been cleaned to gray leaving a mostly smooth and somewhat mottled pewter gray patina with minute traces of case colors on the receiver. Markings are mostly clear and legible but somewhat weak on the primer door. Brass with an uncleaned bronze patina. Mechanically functional, very good bore with moderate oxidation and strong rifling. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars, including some surface scratches and scuffs. $8,000 - 12,000

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172

Relic Condition Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun 10 Gauge. 34” barrels. NS: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, smooth hardwood stock. No markings, proofs under barrel illegible. Near relic condition, forend broken, wedge key missing and replaced with an old piece of wood. Double hammers and triggers. A hard used, possibly barn found mid-to-late 19th century percussion double likely of Belgian or possibly British origin. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that the barrels are loaded, thus this item cannot be shipped and can only be picked up in person. Relic condition. Heavily oxidized metal with a thick patina, scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Mechanically functional, heavily oxidized and pitted bores, missing ramrod. Stock damaged, very dry and showing numerous drying cracks. $200 - 400

173

Belgian 8 Bore Percussion Double Barrel Shotgun 8 Gauge. 36” double-keyed barrels. SN: NSN. Browned Damascus pattern finish, color casehardened locks and hammers, iron furniture, checkered walnut stock and forend. Barrel rib marked “REAL TWIST”. Belgian proof marks under barrels. Unmarked percussion locks are lightly engraved. Double hammers, double triggers, lightly engraved triggerguard, plain steel buttplate and two ramrod pipes with brass tipped wooden ramrod. German silver escutcheons around two barrel wedge keys. A nice example of a mid-19th century very large bore shotgun. Very good. Barrels retains some traces of finish and Damascus patterning, with scattered oxidation and some light pitting. Mechanically functional, good bores with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock with some wear to the sharp edges of the checkering, bump, dings and mars and some very minor chipping at the upper edge of the forend. $600 - 1,000

174

Brass Barreled Flintlock Trade Pistol Retailed by A.W. Spies with a Norfolk VA Capture Inscription .72 caliber. 8.5” pinned heavy octagonal brass barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single screw flint lock with fenced, waterproof, bridled pan and faceted flat cock is marked “A W SPIES” under the pan. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proofs. Engraved brass triggerguard with pineapple finial, small lozenge shaped German silver thumb piece on stock. Remnants of an old yellowish-gold painted label on the counterpane in a period hand appear to read “Norfolk Va/Captured May 10, 1862”. This was the day that Federal forces took that Virginia port city from the Confederacy. While any sort of commemorative writing or painting on an item has to be viewed with a somewhat jaundiced eye, the remnants of this mark appear completely period and authentic. Pistol includes a brass tipped wood ramrod that is a replacement. Very good. Barrel with a nice golden patina and some spots of more moderate oxidation. Lock mechanically functional and remains in original flint configuration. Bore moderately oxidized. Stock with some scattered bumps and dings and a small chip missing from the forened at the obverse muzzle. $1,500 - 2,500 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

175

Extremely Rare Leman Civil War Era Percussion Militia Rifle .58 caliber. 33” barrel secured by two flat, spring-retained iron bands. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, walnut stock. Flat military style percussion lock marked in two lines “LEMAN/LANCTR. PA” with nocksform of barrel marked similarly with lower line illegible due to pitting. Fixed notch rear sights, brass blade front sight, no provision for bayonet. Crudely made iron trumpet head ramrod appears to be a period of use replacement that is similar in appearance to the real Leman rod. Two-piece triggerguard, S-shaped side plate, buttplate and patchbox all of brass and US Model 1841 “Mississippi Rifle” style. These very scarce military pattern rifles were produced by Henry Leman of Lancaster and were really based on the US Model 1855 rifle, although as a simplified version. He hoped to acquire military contracts during the American Civil War to produce rifles and muskets for the US government. Less than 300 of these rifles were produced, and most references believe that the majority of the guns were re-sold to Pennsylvania arms makers J. Henry & Son and P.S. Justice, who then likely sold them to Pennsylvania militia units. In more than twenty years of collecting and dealing in Civil War long arms this is the only example this cataloger has handled with Mississippi Rifle style furniture and a Mississippi Rifle patchbox. A wonderful and very rare untouched Civil War militia rifle that may have been his original sample or prototype rifle for the run of militia rifles that he produced. Good to very good. Metal with a deep, dark, untouched brown patina and scattered pitting which is most prevalent at the breech. Markings on lock clear, weaker on barrel. Missing both sling swivels, clean out screw head damaged. Lock mechanically functional, good bore is moderately oxidized with some pitting and retains visible, shallow 3-groove military rifling. Brass with a rich, dark, uncleaned patina. Stock good to very good with strong edges and scattered bumps and dings. Stock with a couple of old chips missing around the tang and a 3.5” sliver of wood missing along the upper edge behind the rear barrel band on the reverse. $3,000 - 4,000

176

Attic Remington New Model Army Percussion Revolver with Relic Holster .44 caliber. 8” octagonal barrel. SN: 26625. Heavily oxidized brown patina, brass triggerguard, two-piece walnut grips. Barrel markings no longer visible, no other external markings visible other than the serial number under the barrel and the sub-inspection “P” on the triggerguard. Missing loading leaver and associated screw, front sight replaced with dovetailed period of use small brass blade. Frame cut for a period added rear sight that is now missing. Lower edge of grips decorated with small iron and brass brads. Includes a well worn period military flap holster with an old replaced belt loop. Mr. Ness’ notes mention that the revolver came from Dennis Darrington who supposedly acquired it Detroit Lakes, MN. His notes as a further reference Volume 4 #3 of the Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, but the magazine is not included and is not readily available to investigate the reference. A nice looking, untouched and near relic condition Remington that may be a leftover relic from the forces sent to quell the Sioux uprising in Minnesota during 1862 if the acquisition location is correct. Fair. Metal with a thick, heavily oxidized patina, showing surface roughness and pitting. Action needs mechanical attention and does not operate. Bore heavily pitted. Grips with heavy wear and chipped loss around the lower edges. Holster very worn with major finish loss, crudely restitched along the seam and with the beginnings of red rot. $800 - 1,200

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177

Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver & Holster Identified to James S. Huston with Documents & Image .44 caliber. 8” barrel length. SN: 60045. Heavily oxidized brown metal, brass triggerguard and grip frame, smooth one-piece walnut grip. Standard one-line New York barrel address. Visible numbers match except for cylinder which is #3134 and wedge which is an old replacement held in place with tape. Grip with weak shadows of cartouches on each side. Includes an old Slim Jim holster with moderate wear. A large format period image of the General is included as well. Revolver is identified to James S Hutton with an accompanying file of paperwork documenting that the gun was purchased at auction from the Redfield, SD Masonic Lodge #34 where the gun had been in the possession of the lodge since its donation to the lodge by the original owner, prior to his death in 1908. Various correspondence confirms this and further notes that the local Knights Templar Commandery #33 is named the Huston Commandery after him. James Stanley Huston was born on 22 May 1829 in Indiana County, PA. According to the records available in civilwardata.com, there are 41 James Hustons that saw Civil War service, but only one is listed with the middle initial “S”. None of the soldiers who lived in Pennsylvania in the records with his name appear to be the correct one. The one with the middle initial “S” joined the 30th Wisconsin Infantry on 15 August 1862 as a sergeant and was mustered out in Louisville, KY on 20 September 1865. As James S Huston would have been about 32 years old at the time of enlistment, entering as a sergeant would seem appropriate. During that period he rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant of Company I. It is not completely clear if this is the same Huston or not. Documents in the accompanying file note that James S Huston served as a the Adjutant General of the South Dakota militia (National Guard) in 1889 with the rank of Brigadier General. He died on 15 April 1908 and is buried in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield, SD. Good. Metal with a mottled brownish-gray patina. Most markings clear, cylinder scene about half visible. Mechanism is functional, but the cylinder does not time and index correctly. Bore pitted. Grips dry with moderate wear. Holster with moderate wear and finish loss, missing the belt loop with the rear of the holster slit to allow use on a belt. Some stitching replaced. Image good to very good. $2,500 - 4,000

178

Native Used and Shortened U.S. Model 1841 “Mississippi Rifle” by Harpers Ferry .54 caliber. 27.5” round barrel retained by single brass barrel band. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Rifle appears to have been shortened, decorated and modified by Native Americans. Lock with usual “{Spread-Winged Eagle}/US” forward of the hammer with three line “HARPERS/FERRY/1854” marking vertically at tail of lock. Breech with correct Harpers Ferry small “{Eagle Head}/V/P” proofs and small “WW/P” Harpers Ferry inspection. Gun shortened during the period of use, barrel shortened by 5.5”, forend shortened between 8” and 9”. Patchbox and buttplate have been removed, likely during the period of use as well. Rear sight modified during the period of use and a front sight was reinstalled. Stock was tacked during the period of use but the tacks are now missing. Fair to good, showing hard use and missing parts as noted. Metal with a dark, heavily oxidized patina and showing moderate amounts of surface oxidation and some pitting. Markings in metal remain mostly visible, none present in wood. Mechanically functional, bore good, with strong 7-groove rifling and moderate amounts of scattered pitting. Stock heavily worn, with the sharp edges rounded. Wood with numerous deep chips, dings, mars as well as loss along the forend. There is a long, longitudinal crack in the wrist as well. $500 - 1,000

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179

Native Decorated Shortened Composite Springfield Rifle Musket .58 caliber. 27.25” round barrel with single replacement barrel band. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. 1864-dated Springfield lock, 1858-dated Model 1855 barrel, cut to 27.25”. Added fixed notch rear sight and blade front sight. Original barrel bands missing with a single modified brass barrel band, possibly form a US Model 1841 Rifle. Stock decorated a number of brass tacks on the obverse butt and reverse butt. Wrist with an old ocher dyed leather wrapped repair. A salty and well used composite percussion muzzle loader that appears to have seen some real Native use. Fair. Well worn showing hard use with mottled and oxidized metal, as well as some scattered pitting. Lock functional but without a half cock. Moderately oxidized bore with strong rifling. Stock heavily worn, with the wood generally recontoured to create a slimmer and lighter gun. Otherswise with heavy wear, use and moderate damage. $400 - 600

180

Belgian Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun by Drisket & Waroux of Liege 10 gauge. 30” Damascus barrels secured by single wedge. SN: 21231. Browned finish, steel mountings, straight grip walnut stock with checkered grip. No external markings, bottom of barrels marked “Drisket & Waroux” who worked in Liege circa 1856-1872 (Stockel) and with Belgian proofs. Forward action percussion locks, hammers and tang all lightly engraved with simple floral motifs. Steel buttplate and triggerguard, German silver wedge escutcheons with old replaced wedge, iron ramrod pipes and brass tipped wooden ramrod. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that the gun was choked by V.M. Starr and is a “great shooter - ready to go.” A potential black powder gun for the field or for Frontiersman class in Single Action Shooting Society competition. Good. Metal cleaned at some point and toning down to a mottled brown and gray patina, showing moderate amounts of evenly distributed pitting. Right hammer screw replaced, locks functional, bores polished and very nice, smooth and bright. Stock with moderate wear, some chipped loss in the forend and showing numerous bumps, dings and mars. $400 - 800

181

Belgian Percussion Double Barrel Shotgun 10 gauge. 28” Damascus barrels secured by a single key. SN: NSN. No finish, steel mountings, straight grip hardwood stock with checkered wrist. No external markings, Belgian proofs under barrels. Percussion lock lightly engraved with game scenes, double triggers, platinum blow-outs in bolsters. Steel buttplate and ramrod pipes, brass tipped wood ramrod. This was a fairly high grade gun when it was new but has subsequently had a hard life. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that the gun was choked by V.M. Starr and they measure 10 modified. The tag further notes that the gun is a “great shooter - ready to go”. The bores are really very fine so this might make a good blackpowder wing gun or a Frontiersman class Single Action Shooting Society competition shotgun. Fair. Metal chemically cleaned to a dull gray patina with evenly distributed pitting, leaving some of the Damascus patterning present on the barrel. Locks similarly cleaned and pitted. Locks mechanically functional, bores about fine and mostly bright . Stock with wear, sanded and weak checkering. Some old chips of wood missing around the lock mortise with scattered bumps and dings present. $400 - 800 86

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182

Silver Mounted English 10 Bore Percussion Shotgun 10-Gauge. 36” round Damascus barrels secured by two wedges. SN: NSN. Browned Damascus patterned barrels, engraved sterling silver furniture, checkered walnut straight-grip stock. Unmarked back action percussion locks and barrel rib, other than with inlaid silver arrow at muzzle. Birmingham commercial proof marks under the barrels. Double triggers, double hammers. Buttplate, triggerguard, combination nose cap and entry pipe and two-piece patchbox all marked with Birmingham Assay House silver hallmarks, including the assay house anchor, the lion passant, Queen Victoria, the maker mark “TP” and what appears to be a Gothic “R” date code, which would indicate 1840. Most of the silver fittings are engraved with forest and game scenes. A lovely, high grade mid-19th century English shotgun with sterling mounts. No ramrod. Very good. Barrel with some brown finish, showing scattered surface oxidation and roughness. Mechanically functional, fair bore with moderate oxidation and pitting. Silver mountings with moderate tarnish, patchbox door will not latch closed. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 2,000

183

Double Barrel Percussion Shotgun Obtained on the Standing Rock Reservation 12 gauge. 32.5” barrels. SN: NSN. Browned barrels, iron furniture, straight-gripped walnut stock with checkered wrist and smooth splinter forend. Locks lightly engraved, right lock an old, likely period of use replacement, barrels unmarked, no visible proofs under barrel. Single barrel wedge with German silver escutcheons, breeches with gold bands, scroll triggerguard. Stock with numerous tack holes, with the tacks missing, showing empty holes as well as some with the square brass shanks still in the wood. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that the gun was acquired from a Native American family from the Standing Rock Reservation. Fair to good. Well worn and heavily used, metal heavily oxidized with surface roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional, poor bores. Stock heavily worn with only traces of checkering, cracks, splintering and wood loss in the forend and bumps, dings, and mars in the wood. $1,000 - 3,000

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184

Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Sheffield IXL Bowie Knife and Period Cartridge Belt Rig .44-40. 7.5” barrel length. SN: 56883. Manufactured in 1880. Blued and color casehardened finish, two piece bone grips. Weak one-line barrel address, three-date in three-line patent marking on lower left side of frame, “44” under barrel in front of cylinder pin. Matching numbers on frame, triggerguard, butt and barrel, no number visible on cylinder. Black powder frame, bullseye ejector rod head, firing pin missing from hammer. Grips apparently period of use replacements are two-piece bone secured with a single large head iron screw. Revolver is accompanied by a period assembled cartridge belt that has a 2.75” wide double-billet leather belt as its base, with a period modified civilian flap holster attached for the revolver, which has had the flap cut away. The belt includes 6 shotgun shell loops that contain 3 empty 12 gauge brass hulls, 10 .45 caliber loops that contain 6 copper cased .45-70 cartridges, a small, cap pouch style leather purse with brass button closure and a leather covered sheet tin knife sheath with fringe, which is secured to belt with iron rivets. The sheath contains a Sheffield Bowie knife marked IXL on the reverse ricasso and in three lines on the reverse of the blade at the spine: “G WOSTENHOLM & SON/WASHINGTON WORKS/SHEFFIELD”. Knife measures 14.75” in overall length, with a 10” semi-clip point single edged bowie blade with a 6” false edge. 4.625” hilt with 3.875” German silver cross guard and pinned horn scales. Please note that Cowan’s does not ship ammunition due to various legal restrictions and potential liability. The loaded cartridges in the belt will be removed for shipping and will only be delivered with an in-person pick up. Good. Revolver with a moderately oxidized brownish gray patina and a couple of minute traces of blue in protected areas. Metal cleaned in the past, barrel markings weak, other markings remain legible. Mechanically functional action, missing firing pin from hammer. Bore good with strong rifling and moderate oxidation with pitting. Grips with wear, some shrinkage, numerous drying and age cracks, chipped loss at the sharp leading and trailing edges and a more substantial chip missing from the front lower quarter of the right grip. Knife very good retaining some original polish on the blade with scattered surface oxidation and some surface roughness. Markings mostly clear and sharp, edge with some lightly chipped wear, showing moderate use. Belt and holster rig about good, showing hard use and wonderful age. Leather remains relatively strong and stable, but should be displayed flat and well cared for to prevent further deterioration from age and mishandling. $10,000 - 15,000

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185

Relic Spanish Patent Infringement Copy of a Colt Single Action Army - Found in Canada .44CF. 5.25” barrel. SN: 32. Relic condition with no finish. Barrel marked in a single line: “THE 44 CENTRAL CARTRIDGE FITS THIS REVOLVERS”. Revolver is missing most of the parts, retaining the frame, barrel and cylinder with an added hammer and hammer screw to enhance the appearance of the gun. The revolver has a handwritten tag from Mr. Ness saying that the gun was “found in Saskatchewan CA Indian Camp.” A cool looking relic revolver. Relic condition, non functional, heavily oxidized with even light pitting. $800 - 1,200

186

Relic Native Used Model 1874 Sharps Rifle .40-70. 26” round barrel. SN: NSN. Relic condition metal with no finish and heavily oxidized metal with areas of heavy pitting. No legible markings, including serial number, heavily worn and used. Stock decorated with old red ocher paint and brass tacks, some of which are missing. Adjustable leaf rear sight, dovetailed front sight blade. A great relic example of a Sharps sporting rifle with a fabulous honest, Native American used look. Relic condition with moderately pitted metal and no legible markings. Wood heavily worn with splintered loss in the forend. Wood with indication of having been wet for periods of time, with chips, dings and mars. Action functional, but not tight, fair bore with moderate pitting and visible rifling. Some of the old paint remains visible. $1,000 - 2,000

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187

Sharps 1874 Buffalo Rifle Shipped to H. Folsom & Co. of St. Louis .44-75. 28” octagonal barrel. SN: 157591. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, smooth walnut straight gripped stock with checkered steel shotgun buttplate, smooth Schnabel forend without cap. Unmarked lock, barrel marked “CALIBRE 44” near receiver, “SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” in front of the rear barrel sight and with the boxed “OLD RELIABLE” trademark as well. Reverse of receiver marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO/PAT APR 6th 1869”. Serial number stamped across top of tang. Double set triggers, folding ladder rear sight, dovetailed front sight with German silver blade in steel base. Forend with notched wear associated with the use of crossed shooting sticks by buffalo hunters. Rifle is accompanied by an October 7, 1992 dated “factory letter” from Dr. R.L. Moore Jr confirming the configuration and caliber of the gun, which additionally notes that it weighed in at 10 pounds, 10 ounces, was priced at $40 and was invoiced on August 2, 1876 to St. Louis, MO Sharps dealer H. Folsom & Co. An honest, well used Sharps Rifle that no doubt spent a significant amount of its working life on the plains and prairies of the west in search of game. Good. Retains some of blue on the barrel with much of the barrel showing a moderately oxidized and freckled patina of surface crust. Receiver and lever a mottled gray and brown patina with some minute traces of case color. Mechanically functional, good bore with scattered pitting that is more moderate near the chamber. Wood with moderate wear and numerous, bumps, dings, mars, scuffs and scrapes. $6,000 - 8,000

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188

Sharps Meacham Style Conversion Rifle .40 caliber. 30.3125” octagonal barrel. SN: 44677. Blued and color casehardened finish, walnut butt with crudely checkered wrist, smooth walnut, semi-Schnabel forend. E.C. Meacham of St. Louis, MO alteration of a Civil War era percussion Sharps to cartridge with modified lock plate and breechblock and extended hammer nose. Meacham performed this work during the 1880s. Weak original Sharps markings on the lock plate and tang, barrel unmarked externally and numbered “31” underneath. Lock equipped with adjustable double-set triggers, barrel equipped with a Winchester-style elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight and a dovetailed copper blade front sight. This gun falls outside the serial number range of typically encountered Meacham conversion rifles and may be a period attempt to replicate the Meacham work, as the hammer nose and some other small parts do not have the level of fit and finish normally associated with a Meacham altered rifle. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized brown patina with some traces of blue on the barrel, primarily under the forend where it was protected. Lock with some moderate surface roughness and pitting with weak markings. Mechanically functional, but the double set triggers need adjustment. Hammer nose is crude and possibly repaired or replaced. Bore good, with strong rifling and scattered pitting. Wood with moderate wear, bumps, dings and mars. Butt sanded with the checkering at the wrist very weak. $2,000 - 3,500

189

Sharps Meacham Conversion Rifle .45-70. 28” heavy round barrel. SN: C44881. Blued and color casehardened finish, steel furniture, checkered straight-gripped walnut stock with smooth, semi-Schnabel forend without forend cap. Matching serial numbers under barrel, on tang and in forend. Lock marked in two lines “SHARPS’ PAT./OCT 5th 1852”, reverse of receiver marked “C. SHAPRS’ PAT/SEPT 12th 1848” and left of chamber marked “45 CALIBRE 2 1/10”. Receiver is from a carbine and has had the sling bar hole filled. Rifle equipped with double set triggers, folding ladder barrel sight, Vernier tang sight and dovetailed globe front sight. E.C. Meacham of St. Louis, MO performed alterations of Civil War era percussion Sharps firearms to cartridge with modified lock plates and breechblocks and extended hammer noses. Meacham performed this work during the 1880s. Good. Metal with a mottled and oxidized gray patina with scattered surface roughness and some light pitting. Markings remain legible. Mechanically functional, bore good with strong rifling and scattered pitting with more moderate pitting closer to the chamber. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. Checkering at wrist with moderate wear. Lower buttplate screw hole stripped so buttplate does not seat flush. $5,000 - 7,000

190

Sharps Meacham Conversion “Black Hills Model” Rifle .45-70. 30” octagonal barrel. SN: 98266. Browned and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock with smooth semi-splinter forend without cap. An EC Meecham style conversion of a Civil War era New Model 1863 percussion carbine that was delivered to the US Government in December of 1864. Rifle with modified percussion lock marked “C SHARPS’ PATENT/OCT 5th 1852”, barrel marked “SHARPS RIFLE CO BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” forward of the rear sight and with the boxed “OLD RELIABLE” trademark. Equipped with double-set triggers, folding ladder carbine style rear sight and dovetailed copper blade front sight with steel base. Original carbine buttstock with sling bar plate cutout filled. Rifle is accompanied by a “factory letter” from Dr. Richard Lebowski documenting the original Civil War delivery of carbine #98266 and further discussing the fact that the Meacham company of St. Louis referred to this modified cartridge rifle as “Black Hills Rifles” and offered them for sale into the 1890s. Good to very good. Barrel retains some thinning brown with some oxidation and grayish mottling in the areas where the finish has worn. Receiver with a dull brownish-gray patina with some hints of blue. Mechanically functional, good bore with strong rifling, scattered pitting and more moderate pitting near the breech. Wood with moderate wear, numerous scuffs and light surface mars as well as bumps and dings. Wood retains some old varnish. $4,000 - 6,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

191

Heavy Barrel Sharps Cartridge Conversion Rifle .45-100. 29.5” heavy octagon barrel. SN: 411?0. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock and Schanbel forend. Heavy barreled cartridge target rifle alteration of a Civil War period Sharps percussion carbine action. Unlike Meecham alterations which altered the percussion lock plates by cutting them down and removing the pellet priming system, this lock retains the basis of that mechanism, although the feed arm and spring have been removed. Standard Civil War era lock and receiver markings, top flat of barrel marked “WHEN A FRIEND COULD TRUST A FRIEND”. Barrel measures 1.25” across the flats at the muzzle. Equipped with a Vernier tang sight, a globe front sight and double set triggers. Carbine sling bar recess in reverse stock filled with a blank plate. Triggerguard marked with the museum accession number “79.176.10”. Consignor’s notes indicate the gun was deaccessioned from the collection of the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, OH. The marking on the barrel could be a reference to the 1923 silent film The Covered Wagon which includes a scene where two drunk friends shoot tin cans from each other’s heads at 100 yards to celebrate “the days when a friend could trust a friend”. The film also includes a buffalo hunt scene, which would be appropriate for a heavy barreled Sharps. Fine. Retains most of the blue on the barrel and vivid case colors on the receiver. Crisp and legible markings, mechanically functional, fine bore. Wood with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $5,000 - 10,000

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192

Heavy Barreled Plains Rifle Built on a Model 1860 Spencer Carbine Action by William H. Soper .45 caliber (cartridge unknown). 31.25” double keyed heavy octagonal barrel. SN: 96492. Browned and color casehardened finish, German silver, pewter and iron mountings, smooth walnut stock and forend. Standard 3-line Spencer markings on top of receiver. Heavy barrel measures 1” across the flats at muzzle and is marked “W.H. SOPER/ RIFLE/MAKER”. Spencer magazine cut off on top of action, elevation adjustable buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed blade front sight, double barrel wedges secure the Hawken style forend with German silver escutcheons and pewter nose cap. Sling bar and ring removed, with mounting plate in place. Model 1865 magazine follower tube with grooved base plate. William H Soper (1814-1888) worked as a gunmaker in London, Ontario (Canada) from circa 1858-1875 before moving to California and working in San Francisco, San Luis Obispo and Eureka. He worked for Liddle & Reading in San Francisco circa 1876 before working on his own and in a partnership with George Remington in San Luis Obispo circa 1879-1882. While Soper’s conventional plains rifles are occasionally found for sale, a “Hawken-style” Spencer action Plains Rifle is a real rarity. Very good. Metal with a mottled and lightly oxidized brownish patina with some thin traces of brown. Metal shows some scattered minor oxidized roughness and some lightly scattered pitting. Markings remain clear and legible. Mechanically functional action, fine bore is mostly bright with fine rifling. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars. $10,000 - 20,000

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193

Rare Hawken Marked Spencer Carbine Alteration to Heavy Barreled Plains Rifle .52 caliber (56-56 Spencer). 29” double keyed heavy octagonal barrel. SN: 51569. Browned and color casehardened finish, iron mountings, smooth walnut stock with raised cheek rest and Hawken style crescent buttplate and smooth forend. Standard 3-line Spencer markings on top of receiver. Heavy barrel measures 1” across the flats at the muzzle is marked “S. HAWKEN ST. LOUIS”. Dovetailed fixed buckhorn rear sight, dovetailed German silver blade front sight, double barrel wedges secure the forend with iron escutcheons and an iron nose cap. Sling bar and ring removed, with mounting plate in place. Model 1860 magazine follower tube with smooth base plate. It is almost certain that these Hawken marked Spencer plains rifles we really assembled by J.P. Gemmer, after Gemmer bought Samuel Hawken’s shop circa 1862. Gemmer likely utilized left over parts in the shop inventory to create these scarce rifles. A solid and scarce example of a very desirable plains rifle built from a Spencer carbine action and marked by the famous Hawken gun shop in St. Louis. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown and gray patina, showing some surface oxidation and pitting. Markings remain legible, mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and strong rifling. Stock with moderate wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars with a chip missing from the obverse forend where it meets the receiver. $10,000 - 20,000

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194

Colt Model 1877 Thunderer With Native Beaded Holster .41 Colt. 3.5” barrel without ejector rod SN: 37551. Manufactured circa 1887. Blued and color casehardened finish, two-piece Rampant Colt hard rubber grips. Double action, 6-shot “sheriffs” or “storekeepers” model without ejector rod. Visible serial numbers match, no further disassembly was possible. Barrel address barely visible, frame markings equally weak. Revolver is contained in a period fully beaded Mexican loop style holster, which utilizes a combination of barrel cut and round seed beads. Patterns and colors suggest early 20th century production in the “plateau” region. A really lovely Native decorated holster with Colt revolver that shows all the signs of having been on the frontier for a long time. Good. Revolver with a thickly oxidized brown patina with even light pitting and weak markings. Not mechanically functional, poor bore. Grips with wear and a significant chip missing form the lower left grip. Beaded holster very good to fine with no substantial loss to the decorations, no major repairs and supple leather. $1,000 - 1,500

195

3rd Model Winchester 1876 Rifle Collected on the Standing Rock Reservation .45-60. 28” octagonal barrel with full-length magazine. SN: 16987. Manufactured in 1881. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock with old replacement lead buttplate, smooth forend. Two line barrel address reads “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING-ARMS. NEW HAVEN, CT/KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED MARCH 29, 1866 OCTOBER 16, 1860”. Folding ladder rear sight with broken ladder, dovetailed blade front sight may be a very old replacement. Stock dry with a few old, empty tack holes and crudely cast lead cresent buttplate. Reverse of forend with some empty tack holes as well and stylized lighting bolt carved into it. Mr. Ness’ tag say that this rifle was collected on the Standing Rock Hunkpapa Sioux reservation. Good. Well worn and dry, typical of frontier used and found rifles. Retains no finish with a heavily oxidized brown patina, scattered patches of surface roughness and some pitting. Markings remain mostly legible, screws with moderate slot wear. Action functional but tight and difficult to operate. Missing dust cover and rail from top of receiver. Bore poor, extremely dirty and rusted with only faint traces of rifling. Stock worn and very dry with several grain drying cracks, no finish remaining and numerous bumps, dings and mars. Forend with some chipped and slivered wood loss as well. $1,200 - 1,800

196

3rd Model Winchester 1873 Rifle Found in the “Sand Hills” Southern Saskatchewan .44-40. 24” octagonal barrel with full-length magazine. SN: not legible. Blued finish, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock and forend. Markings essentially illegible on barrel and tang due to wear, no visible serial number. Butt replaced with one from a Winchester 1866 with brass crescent buttplate and with wood showing some 50 empty tack holes with a few broken brass shanks remaining. Buttstock missing the original sling swivel and the trapdoor in the buttplate. Buckhorn rear sight a replacement, dovetailed blade front sight. Lever loop broken, firing mechanism not functional, rifle in about relic condition. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that this rifle was found in the “Sand Hills” of Saskatchewan, Canada along with a Northwest Trade Gun. Many of Hunkpapa Sioux under Sitting Bull as well as other Sioux and Cheyenne took refuge in Canada in the aftermath of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, in an attempt to avoid US military reprisals. It seems quite possible that this hard used and period composite Winchester was utilized by one of those Native Americans either at the battle or in the period immediately after it. An honest and real “Indian Gun” from the period. Fair. Metal heavily oxidized with a thick brown patina, weak markings, moderate surface roughness and some pitting. Not mechanically functional, bore poor, heavily rusted and oxidized with hints of rifling. Wood dry with some cracks, chips and loss and showing substantial wear. $800 - 1,200 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

197

Winchester 4th Model 1866 Rifle .44 Henry. 24” octagonal barrel with full-length magazine. SN: 152560. Manufactured circa 1880. Blued finish, color casehardened lever and hammer, brass receiver, smooth walnut straight gripped stock with crescent steel buttplate, smooth walnut forend with steel forend cap. Two line barrel address reads “WINCHESTER’S-REPEATING ARMS NEW HAVEN CT./KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29, 1866. OCTOBER 16, 1860”. Italics serial number on triggerguard tang. Buckhorn rear sight is an incorrect replacement, dovetailed German silver front sight blade on steel base. Stock with numerous old square shank tack holes around the periphery of the buttplate, two brass tacks still present in forend, behind steel cap. Butt trap void of cleaning rods. A well worn and salty example of an apparently real frontier and potentially Native American used “Yellow Boy”. Good. Retains no finish with a mottled gray, heavily oxidized barrel and magazine tube with significant amount of scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Receiver with a mellow ocher patina with sharp side plate edges that are free of pry marks. Screws with moderate slot wear. Brass with some scattered bumps and dings and two brass filled holes on the reverse near the stock that may have been intended for a saddle ring staple. Mechanically functional, bore fair, dark, heavily pitting and oxidized with visible rifling. Wood well worn with no original finish, numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars and the forend with some chipped and splintered loss. $1,500 - 2,500

198

Native Used and Period Shortened US Model 1822 (1816 Type II) Musket by Harpers Ferry .69 caliber. 25” round barrel secured by a single barrel band. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, shortened walnut military stock. Percussion altered lock marked “HARPERS/ FERRY/1827” in three vertical lines at the tail and with the spread-winged “{American Eagle}” over “US” forward of the hammer. Harpers Ferry proofs at breech, no visible date on tang. Weak Harpers Ferry block letter inspection at tail of counterpane along with a script Elizur Bates “EB/2” rating cartouche. Shortened during the period of use with forend cut back to the rear barrel band which is an old iron replacement held in place with a nail. Barrel shortened by 17” with a crude brass front sight added near the muzzle. Gun shows strong traces of very old, period of use green paint. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that the gun was acquired from an Indian on the Cheyenne-Sioux Reservation with no further comment as to which reservation that applies to. He further notes that the color green is associated with “death” among those Native Americans. A hard used and seemingly absolutely legitimate Native-used musket. Poor. Metal heavily oxidized, with pitting and roughness. Markings partly legible. Mechanically functional, poor bore. Hammer screw replaced, missing nipple. Stock heavily worn, broken through the wrist and unstable in that area. $800 - 1,200

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Tack Decorated U.S. Model 1842 Pistol by Aston .54 caliber. 8.5” round barrel retained by a flat brass barrel band. SN: NSN. Originally finished in the bright, now with a heavily oxidized brown patina on metal, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked “US/H ASTON” under bolster and in three vertical lines at the tail “MIDDTN/CONN/1846”. Breech of barrel marked “US/JCB/P”. Counterpane with two cartouches, the sub-inspection mark is not clear but a fine script “WAT” (William Anderson Thornton) final inspection is visible at the tail. Original loading lever missing with a very old, apparently period of use replacement with swivel arms replaced as well. Pistol decorated with brass tacks around the butt and one on the counterpane. Fixed rear sight added to tang during period of use. Mr. Ness notes that this item was acquired from Jim Aplan who purchased it from Charlie Hansen of the Museum of the Fur Trade. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with scattered surface oxidation, some roughness and some pitting. Lock functional but without a full cock notch. Bore dark, dirty and rusted. Brass with an untouched dark patina. Stock with moderate wear and use, a diagonal crack in the counterpane and scattered bumps and dings. Ex-Charlie Hanson (Museum of the Fur Trade) $1,200 - 1,600

200

Period Shortened U.S. Model 1841 Mississippi Rifle by Whitney with Harpers Ferry Barrel .58 caliber. 27.75” round barrel with single flat brass spring retained barrel band. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, period shortened walnut stock. Lock with two-line “E. WHITNEY/US marking forward of the hammer and marked N. HAVEN/1851 at the tail. Barrel with Harpers Ferry small “V/P/{Eagle Head}” proofs and “WW/P” inspection and no visible date on the tang. U.S. on buttplate tang, traces of illegible cartouches on the counterpane. A composite gun that seems to be all Whitney with the exception of the Harpers Ferry barrel which has been rebored and re-rifled to .58 caliber with 3 grooves and had a long range rear sight added that is now missing. A crude fixed notch rear sight has been added and a brass blade front sight has been dovetailed into the barrel 2” from the muzzle. Both appear to be period of use additions. The original brass triggerguard bow has been replaced with a crude iron one, again likely from the period of use. Stock shows indication of Native American use with numerous tack holes that are now missing the tacks leaving empty holes and some shanks in the wood. The forend also shows significant saddle wear between the barrel band and lock. The barrel has been shortened 5.25” with the forend cut back roughly 18” and the upper band removed. Many of early modified Harpers Ferry 1841 Rifles that were equipped with long range rear sights and bayonet lugs were sent to St. Louis Arsenal in the years prior to the Civil War, from which the were issued to see use against the Native Americans during that period. Thus, the barrel certainly makes sense to have been out west to be potentially acquired by Natives for use. A very cool, period composite rifle, clearly shortened for use on horseback and showing real world signs of heavy Native use. Fair to good. Well worn, heavily oxidized metal with a dark brown patina, scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Mostly visible markings, mechanically functional lock, fair bore with visible rifling and heavy pitting. Stock very worn, shortened with bumps, dings, mars and areas of chipped and slivered loss. $1,000 - 2,000

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Native Used US Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifle by Whitney .60 caliber smoothbore. 33” round barrel secured by two flat brass spring retained barrel bands. SN: NSN. Browned and color casehardened finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked “WHITNEY/US” forward of the hammer with two line vertical marking “N HAVEN/1853” at tail. Breech with US inspections and proof marks, no date visible on tang. “US” on buttplate tang. Dovetailed rear sight a very old period of use replacement, brass front sight blade. Sling swivel and lug removed from upper barrel band, swivel missing from triggerguard as well. An old leather thong is wrapped through the lower swivel lug and around the breech to help hold the barrel in place. Stock decorate with iron nails, brass tacks and iron tacks in the forend, with additional tacks in the reverse butt, some of which are missing. No ramrod present. An untouched and very legitimate example of a Native American used US military rifle. Good, nearly relic condition. Metal with a thickly oxidized brown patina with even surface roughness and pitting. Markings in metal remain mostly legible. No markings visible in wood. Mechanically functional, poor bore is extremely dirty, heavily pitted and shows no rifling. Stock heavily worn with some wood loss due to excessive wear on the forend and showing numerous dings, mars and scuffs. The wood has the feel of having spent a significant amount of time exposed to harsh weather. $2,000 - 4,000

202

Shortened and Tack Decorated U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol by Aston .54 caliber. 5.5” barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown metal, brass furniture, walnut stock. Lock markings no longer visible, breech with weak “US/JCB/P” markings. No cartouches visible. Barrel and stock shortened during the period of use, brass band and forward portion of side plate removed with crude iron barrel band added by friction fit. Shortened Enfield ramrod added for loading. Gun is profusely decorated with added tacks over much of grip, counterpane and bottom forend of the pistol. A salty and apparently authentic Native used pistol that is heavily decorated. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with moderate wear, showing surface roughness and pitting. Markings obliterated on lock, partly visible on barrel. Mechanically functional with weak mainspring that is probably replaced. Bore dirty and rusted. Barrel and stock shortened, brass with an uncleaned patina. Stock with moderate wear, wood loss around shortened forend and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,500

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Native Used Leman Trade Rifle Purportedly Taken At Wounded Knee .54 caliber. 34.25” pinned octagon barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, hard wood full-stock with raised cheek rest. Barrel with weak two-line “LEMAN” marking and marked “WARRANTED”. Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock marked “LEMAN/LANCTR, PA” is likely a period of use replacement and is ill-fitting. Mounted with an oval brass patchbox, brass buttplate and toe plate, brass ramrod thimbles and entry pipe and an oversized iron triggerguard that appears to be a period of use replacement. Wrist with a very old sheet copper repair, secured by screws. Barrel with dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass front sight blade. Barrel secured to the stock with pins and two old sewn and shrunken leather wraps that are identified as buffalo hide in Mr. Ness’ notes. Mr. Ness’ notes also say that this gun was previously part of the Rock Island Arsenal collection and was collected from Bigfoot’s people at the Wounded Knee massacre. A very old and damaged small descriptive card, now in two pieces, is included with this information. Mr. Ness obtained the gun from Marty Ingram circa 2012. If this is identification of the gun is correct, this gun was witness to one of the most horrific massacres in American history. On December 29, 1890 troops from the 7th Cavalry attempted to disarm a group of Miniconjou and Hunkpapa Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is not exactly clear what went wrong or how the first shot was fired but in the immediate aftermath between 250 and 300 Native American men, women and children were killed and many wounded and 25 soldiers killed and 39 wounded. This tragic event was the last major action of the Indian Wars period. An important piece of American history that needs to be preserved so that such disgraceful events of the past are never forgotten. Good. Gun with no finish, a thickly oxidized brown patina, scattered surface crust and pitting and heavy wear. Repairs to gun as noted above, lock replaced and not functional, bore poor. Wood with heavy wear, old sanding, scattered drying cracks, substantial slivering and wood along along the upper edge of the forend and numerous bumps, dings and mars. A well used and completely honest frontier gun that clearly had a hard working life. $1,500 - 2,500

204

1884 Dated Hudson’s Bay Company Percussion Trade Gun by Barnett .56 caliber. 36” three-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Enfield style percussion lock marked “BARNETT/LONDON/1884” in three lines forward of the hammer and with the Hudson Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” trademark at the tail. Brass dragon motif 3-screw serpent side plate, flat brass 5-screw buttplate, oversized iron triggerguard, corrugated brass ramrod pipes secure an old wood ramrod. Stock with simple raised carved aprons around the tang, at the tail of the lock and at the tail of the counterpane. The initials “A.D.” are weakly carved into the upper obverse corner of the butt. A solid example of a late production Barnett trade gun from the last days of freedom for Native American people on the Great Plains. Good. Metal with a mottled gray patina showing scattered oxidation and moderate pitting, especially around the breech and bolster area. Mechanically functional lock, with skirt of hammer nose damaged. Bore fair, and pitted. Stock lightly sanded with scattered bumps, dings and mars, as well as some chipped loss at the reverse forend tip. $2,000 - 3,000

205

Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Parker Field & Co. .58 caliber. 32” pinned three-state octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Round tailed percussion lock marked with the “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” Hudson’s Bay Company trademark forward of the hammer and in four lines at the tail “PARKER, FIELD/& Co/1875/LONDON” with the lower two lines encircling the center two. Traces of the “{Tombstone Fox/ EB}” mark appear on the top flat of the barrel. Traditional Northwest Trade Gun features include the three-screw brass serpentine side plate, raised carved moldings around the tang and at the tail of the lock mortise and counterpane, oversized iron triggerguard, plain brass buttplate and corrugated brass ramrod thimbles. Includes an old wood ramrod. A solid example of a latter day percussion trade gun produced the year before the Battle of the Little Bighorn. While folklore and Hollywood would tend to make the average person think the majority of the Sioux and Cheyenne at the battle were armed with repeating arms like the Henry, and Winchester models 1866 and 1873, trade guns like these were likely some of the most common guns to see use that day by the native combatants. Good. Metal with moderate surface oxidation and some pitting. Markings mostly legible, weak on barrel. Mechanically functional, fair bore with oxidation and pitting. Stock with wear, showing scattered bumps, dings and mars, some wood loss at the lock mortise as well as some minor grain cracks and some small chips. $1,000 - 1,500 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM

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Period Modified Percussion Northwest Trade Gun with Unfinished U.S. Model 1855 Lock .60 caliber. 42” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion lock is an old replacement using a re-profiled U.S. Model 1855 Rifle Musket lock and hammer. The lock was a never finished and shows the shadow of where the tape primer magazine recess would have been, but which was never milled. The lock is dated 1858 at the tail and the inside of the lock shows the crude beginning of the milling for the primer feed arm and the stirrup link is of the triangular pattern with the extra hole for the primer feed arm. The hammer has the tape cutter edge typical of an 1855 hammer. Typical trade gun features include the three-screw brass serpentine side plate, the raised carved aprons at the tang and around the tail of the counterpane and lock mortise, the large iron triggerguard and the flat brass buttplate. Two corrugated brass pipes secure the wood ramrod. A really interesting period re-work of a trade gun that uses an unfinished U.S. M1855 lock that is quite an intriguing study in period gunsmithing. Eli Whitney Jr. was known for acquiring parts from US arsenals that were condemned, unused and even unfinished. Other gunmakers likely availed themselves of this source of potentially inexpensive parts as well. Good. Metal heavily oxidized with surface roughness and some pitting. Lock mechanically functional, bore fair and heavily oxidized. Stock about good with numerous repaid cracks in the lock mortise area and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,500

207

Percussion Northwest Trade Gun by Barnett .58 caliber. 36” three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Lightly oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Percussion lock marked with the “{Tombstone-Fox/EB}” Hudson’s Bay Company trademark at the tail and in three lines forward of the hammer “BARNETT/LONDON/1887”. Barrel with London commercial proof marks and a “24” gauge mark, indicating .58 caliber. Three-screw brass serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard, flat brass buttplate, raised carved aprons at tang and rear of lock mortise and rear of counterpane. Corrugated brass thimbles retain an old brass tipped wood ramrod. A nice example of a late production trade gun from the closing days of the “old west” period. Good. Barrel with a lightly oxidized and mottled brownish-gray patina and some scattered minor roughness and pitting. Mechanically functional, head of forward lock screw broken off, good bore with moderate oxidation. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars, but solid and fairly crisp. $1,000 - 1,500

208

Shortened Springfield Model 1868 Rifle Purported to have Belonged to Chief Joseph .50-70. 20.875” barrel length. SN: 641. Bright finish, walnut stock. “1863” dated Springfield lock, breech block dated “1869” over “{Eagle Head}/{Crossed Arrows}/US”. Cut down during the period of use with nominally 11” of barrel removed, even more of the forend cut off, the upper band removed, the original front sight removed with a replacement added front sight. Retains rear sight base with added aperture leaf, rather than the original 1868 ladder, swivel swivel stud removed from triggerguard, buttplate removed. Gun heavily worn showing hard use with extreme wood wear, heavy saddle wear and the stock worn through to the point that the ramrod spoon is protruding from the forend. Some old tack holes, with the tacks missing, are present in the stock. The attached tag from Mr. Ness’ collection reads: “This 50 cal. Springfield belonged to Chief Joseph. Collected by Col. Nelson Miles, Oct. 5, 1877 Bear Paw 40 miles from Canadian Border, Montana.” No additional documentation is provided, although the tag notes that the gun was purchased on 2/24/2000. Relic condition. Metal heavily oxidized with surface roughness and pitting. Markings in metal remain mostly clear and legible, mechanically functional, fair bore is dark with even light pitting. Stock extremely worn and in relic condition. $3,000 - 5,000 1 0 0 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

209

Relic Sharps Model 1867 Carbine .50 RF. 22” barrel. SN: 73969. Blued and color casehardened, iron furniture, smooth walnut stock without patchbox. New Model 1859 Carbine altered from percussion to Model 1867 cartridge by Springfield Arsenal with Springfield 3-groove barrel liner. Most of the original markings are worn or obscured either by oxidation, wear or cleaning. Missing rear sight, front sight blade replaced, sling ring missing from sling bar, lever pin missing the spring loaded retainer. Heavily worn and used, with an honest frontierused look. Fair, relic condition. Shows heavy wear and use with most of the metal showing a thick brown, heavily oxidized patina, with some areas of aggressive cleaning and tool marks on the metal. Most markings worn or obscured. Lock needs mechanical attention to operate correctly. Bore fair, with pitting and wear and visible 3-groove rifling. Wood heavily worn and dry with large sections worn and missing, a major piece missing behind the lock and large slivers missing from the forend. A major crack is crudely repaired along the toe line. $1,000 - 2,000

210

Heavily Tacked US Model 1870 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle .50-70. 24” barrel secured by a single barrel band. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, smooth walnut stock. U.S. Model 1870 Rifle shortened to “carbine” with barrel cut from 32.5” to 24” and forend cut back as well with the upper barrel band removed. As with all Model 1870s the gun uses a recycled Civil War period Springfield lock plate, with this one dated 1864. Breech block marked “1870/{Eagle Head}/{Crossed Arrows}/US”. No other visible markings. Rifle retains the Model 1870 folding ladder rear sight and a dovetail notch was added near the muzzle for a replacement front sight that is now missing. Sling swivel missing from tirggerguard bow. The gun shows hard use and wear and is profusely decorated with brass tacks with a few missing and many damaged from years of handling and use. The tacks in the butt have a deep, uncleaned bronze patina while the ones in the forend which are touched and handled more often have a dull golden appearance with some green verdigris. The entire gun appears to have been painted gold at one time, a common practice for Civil War era items that were collected and displayed in GAR Halls, so this gun may have spent some time in the collection of a similar place. A substantial piece of wood is missing from the toe line of the stock and appears to be the result of a bullet strike or other catastrophic damage. The damage occurred at some point prior to or during the period is was in use by Native Americans, as this damaged areas is heavily tacked as well. With so many guns on the market purporting to be “Indian Used” most have to be looked at with a jaundiced eye. This gun is completely untouched and appears to be completely “right as rain” with a wonderful appearance and patina. Good. Gun with a thick, untouched and uncleaned rich brown patina with moderate surface oxidation and strong traces of old, period of collection gold paint. Gun shows heavy use and wear, consistent with a true frontier, Native used firearm. Mechanically functional, hammer screw replaced, poor bore is dark, heavily oxidized and pitted with weak rifling. Stock heavily worn and heavily decorated with tacks, as noted. A large piece of wood missing from the toe line from the period of use. Nailed repair to the wood behind the action, wood with numerous bumps, dings, marks, mars and associated hard wear. $5,000 - 8,000

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Early Production “Custer Era” U.S. Model 1873 Carbine without the 1877 Upgrades .45-70. 22” barrel length. SN: 15509. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut short-comb, long-wrist stock. Lock marked weakly with the “{US SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE}” and in three lines “US/SPRINGFIELD/1873”. Trapdoor marked “MODEL/1873/{EAGLE HEAD}/{CROSSED ARROWS}/US”. Serial number at rear of receiver. No barrel proofs as is correct. No visible inspection marks in wood due to wear. Narrow receiver, two-click tumbler, high-arch breech, spring-loaded steel firing pin, coarse checkered hammer without lip, smooth trigger, two-piece triggerguard, barrel band without stacking swivel. 1873 pattern rear sight numbered 1 to 5 on the side walls and 6 to 12 on the ladder, sight blade in original steel base is an old, period of use replacement. Correct solid buttplate marked “US” without implement hole in stock. Carbine has none of the 1877 upgrades and remains in its original “Custer Era” configuration. Sling bar cut from mounts, typical of Native used guns. While the Springfield Research Service Serial number books are a far from complete record of US military arms serial numbers, they can provide some helpful insight into where a gun may have been issued. This carbine is not listed specifically but several carbines close to this number are. The closest, #15506, only 3 numbers away, was issued to the 6th Infantry and was turned in damaged on February 14, 1877. Another gun tuned in damaged on that day from that regiment was #15238. The next closest gun is #15501 which is only 8 numbers away was in the possession of F troop of the 2nd US Cavalry on October 12, 1878. Other F troop, 2nd Cavalry carbines close to this one are #15552 (which was stolen on October 1, 1875) and #15620. Carbine #15537 was in the arms inventory at Fort Laramie on June 13, 1875 and #15590 was in use by F troop of the 5th Cavalry in April of 1879. Realistically it seems more likely that this gun was a 2nd cavalry gun than a 7th cavalry gun, but it falls in the coveted “Custer Range” and has none of the 1877 upgrades. The relic condition, missing sling bar and lack of modifications strongly suggest the gun was no longer in government service by sometime in 1877 and had either been lost or stolen, from which point it likely spent time in the hands of Native Americans. Fair, desert relic condition. Moderately oxidized brownish gray patina with scattered surface roughness and some light pitting. Markings in metal mostly clear, although weak on lock. Mechanically functional, poor bore is heavily pitted with weak rifling. Stock very dry and heavily worn. Wood with cracks in wrist, chipped loss along the forend, chipped loss at the toe, and moderate loss from chips, dings and bruises over the entire gun. $3,000 - 5,000

212

Cut Down Relic Native-Used U.S. Model 1873 Trapdoor Rifle .45-70. 12.75” barrel length. SN: 58147. Relic condition metal, cut down walnut stock. No lock, breech block marked in three lines “U.S./MODEL/1873”. Missing the rear sight and sling swivel from triggerguard. Cut to “blanket gun” length for easy use on horseback and potential concealment, measuring only 27.25” in overall length. Retains some traces of old ochre paint on the stock and barrel, indicative of Native American use. Balance of the gun in untouched relic condition. Untouched relic condition with heavily oxidized brown metal that is moderately rough, missing lock and other parts, shortened to 27.25” overall. Breech block frozen, not mechanically functional. Stock worn and dry with wood loss and scattered cracks, primarily from drying. $1,000 - 2,000

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Relic Condition 4-Digit “Custer Era” Springfield Model 1873 Carbine with Broken Stock .45-70. 22” barrel length. SN: 5261. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut stock broken at the wrist. Lock marked with the “{US SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE}” and in three lines “US/SPRINGFIELD/1873”. Trap door marked “MODEL/1873/{EAGLE HEAD}/{CROSSED ARROWS}/US”. Serial number at rear of receiver. No barrel proofs as is correct. No visible inspection marks in wood due to wear and loss. Narrow receiver, high-arch breech, spring-loaded steel firing pin, coarse checkered hammer without lip, smooth trigger, two-piece triggerguard. Rear sight missing, musket style front sight. Retains the thin sling bar and ring. Barrel band appears to be of the stacking swivel variety, suggesting the gun may have still been in US service circa 1877 when the Model 1877 upgrades took place. The gun is accompanied by a notarized affidavit dated February 12, 2004 regarding how the gun came into the collector community, a copy of which is included with the photos of the gun. The story is long and extensive, but the crux of it is that the gun in its current condition walked into a gun show in Sturgis, SD back in the 1950s or 60s, and was purchased from an approximately 60 year old rancher from the Bear Butte area of Montana. The rancher’s father had acquired the gun many years earlier from an elderly Indian who traded it in its current state, along with an 1885 Grover Cleveland Peace Medal for food. The detailed description of how the Indian fired the gun despite the lack of stock and it’s mechanical shortcomings is rather funny as well. While it is hard to estimate when this took place, based upon the time line as laid out in the letter it seems reasonable to assume the trade took place sometime in the first quarter of the 20th century. In the current relic state, which was apparently how the gun was at the time the rancher obtained it, based upon the letter, it is impossible to tell if the stock was broken while in Native hands or if it the damage was why the gun was discarded. This particular gun is not found in the Springfield Research Service serial number books, but two close numbers, #5257 and #5265, both 4 numbers away from this gun, were in the possession of K company of the 5th US Infantry on October 11, 1879. The 5th US Infantry constructed Fort Keogh, near modern day Miles City, MT, in the wake of the Little Bighorn massacre. They and other regiments utilized it as a base of operations from which the US military hunted down many of the “hostile” Indians involved in the battle. The 5th, under command of Nelson Miles, was instrumental in the campaign that resulted in the capture of Nez Perce and their leader Chief Joseph. This very interesting relic condition, 4-digit 1873 carbine was almost certainly a part of the major campaigns of the Indian Wars in Montana and was likely a silent witness the US government’s subjugation of the Native people of that region and may well have been present at Chief Jospeh’s “I will fight no more forever” speech. Relic condition, heavily oxidized metal with scattered surface roughness and pitting. Markings mostly visible, in metal, none present in wood. Not mechanically functional, poor bore is heavily pitted and has only traces of rifling. Stock dry, broken and heavily worn. $3,000 - 5,000

214

Relic Parts of a Custer Range US Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor Carbine .45-70. 22” barrel length. SN: 21783. Heavily oxidized metal exposed to the elements, potentially after a fire with no stock present. Lock marked with the “{US SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE}” and in three lines “U.S./SPRINGFIELD/1873”. Trapdoor marked “MODEL/1873/{EAGLE HEAD}/{CROSSED ARROWS}/US”. Serial number at rear of receiver. No barrel proofs as is correct, with no visible sub-inspection marks as gun could not be removed from the display case to examine it more closely. 1873 pattern rear sight, musket style front sight. Relic components include the complete barreled action with barrel band, complete lock, lock screws and sling bar, triggerguard with trigger and solid buttplate. The carbine is accompanied by a notarized letter starting that the grandfather of the letter’s writer, one Elisha L. Olmstead (1876-1942) found the gun in the Black Hills, a region he was familiar with due to living much of his life in Rapid City, SD and a region in which he trapped and hunted. The letter further notes that the gun had been through a forest fire. The 21,000 range of Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine serial numbers is a prime range for 7th Cavalry and Custer related guns. A search of the rather limited numbers available in the Springfield Research Service four volumes of serial number books reveals the following guns in close proximity to #21783. #21685 & #21841 were both turned in as damaged by H troop of the 7th Cavalry on June 25, 1876 the date of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Carbine #21725 was turned in by the native Left Handed Bear on September 5, 1876 indicating it was almost certainly a Custer captured gun. Additionally carbines #21811 and #21880 were both turned in at Tongue River by natives on April 25, 1877 and April 8, 1879 respectively. Given the proximity of these guns to this one and notarized letter it seems quite likely that this is what remains of a Model 1873 carbine that was captured at The Little Bighorn. Relic condition. Heavily oxidized and rusted with pitting and scale typical of arms that have been in a fire. Mostly legible marks in metal, condition could not be further assessed without dismantling the case. $2,000 - 5,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 0 3

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Indian Captured 7th Cavalry US Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine .45-70. 22” barrel length. SN: 21577. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut short-comb, long-wrist stock. Lock marked with the “{US SPREAD-WINGED EAGLE}” and in three lines “U.S./ SPRINGFIELD/1873”. Trapdoor marked “MODEL/1873/{EAGLE HEAD}/{CROSSED ARROWS}/US”. Serial number at rear of receiver. No barrel proofs as is correct, with only an “L” and “B” sub-inspection mark. No visible inspection marks in wood due to wear. Narrow receiver, two-click tumbler, high-arch breech, spring-loaded steel firing pin, coarse checkered hammer without lip, smooth trigger, two-piece triggerguard, barrel band without stacking swivel. 1873 pattern rear sight numbered 1 to 5 on the side walls and 6 to 12 on the ladder, German silver sight blade in steel base is an old, period of use replacement. Correct solid buttplate marked “US” without implement hole in stock. Carbine has none of the 1877 upgrades, remains in its original “Custer Era” configuration. Sling bar cut from mounts, typical of Native used guns with brass tacks filling the bar holes in the mounts. Butt decorated with a double line of brass tacks, some broken and damaged and one missing, showing an empty square shank hole. Research in the Springfield Research Serial Number books finds that US Model 1873 Carbine #21573, only four numbers from this one, was “Captured From Indians” on October 1, 1879. On that same day carbines #20498 and 21659 were also captured from Native Americans, suggesting these guns were lost at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Carbines #21551, #21553, #21561 and #21609, all quite close to this gun, are all listed as in the possession of H troop of the 7th Cavalry and as having been damaged on June 25, 1873, the day of the battle. These guns were subsequently returned to Springfield Arsenal for repairs on August 4 of 1877 and no doubt received the 1877 upgrades at that point, including the new stock with the shorter, thicker wrist and longer comb. These serial numbers strongly suggest that this gun was one of the Troop H guns on the battlefield that day. Troop H was part of the three troop group under Captain Benteen’s command during the battle, along with Troops D and K. Benteen’s command was charged with bringing the additional supplies and ammunition to the field after the fight commenced, with the famous note being delivered to him from Custer reading: “Benteen. Come on, Big Village, Be quick, Bring packs. P.S. Bring Packs.” When Benteen arrived on the field he first encountered Reno’s detached command of Troops A, G and M and the two commands joined forces and created an ersatz defensive position on a bluff that is now known as Reno Hill. Despite numerous attempts by the Native Americans to overrun and infiltrate Reno and Benteen’s defensive works, their forces managed to hold old out until nightfall, with the eventual withdrawal of the Indians finally bringing an end to the battle that had resulted in the complete inhalation of the troopers under Custer’s direct command from Troops C, E, F, I and L. The lack of upgrades and improvements on the gun, and the very obvious indications of Native American use suggest that this gun was almost certainly recovered from the battlefield by the Natives and subsequently saw use against the soldiers that originally carried it into battle. Legitimate Native used, likely 7th Cavalry carbines are extremely rare and this is wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the most historically desirable guns from the Indian War period. Good. Metal retains no finish with a mottled and oxidized gray patina showing scattered surface roughness and pitting. Markings remain legible in the metal, not in the wood. Mechanically functional, fair bore is heavily oxidized and moderately pitting along its entire length with weak rifling. Wood with moderate wear, scuffing, chipping and surface mars. A 3” piece of wood is missing from the obverse of the forend at the tip, and a few large dings and gouges are present in the wood as well. $25,000 - 35,000

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Relic US Model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor “Carbine” .45-70, 22” barrel, S/N 17994 (mfg. ca1874). Heavily oxidized relic condition metal with relic condition wood. Many of the parts are missing and essentially no markings are visible. Serial number is still present on rear of receiver and the {Crossed Arrows} are still present on the high arch breech block, which is secured to the receiver with an old nail. Other salient features are the correct single barrel band without stacking swivel, sling bar mounts with sling bar cut away, two click tumbler, two-piece triggergaurd with smooth trigger, solid buttplate, 1873 pattern rear sight, one-piece front sight base and blade and no proofs on the barrel. The stock appears to be as shortened early production short comb/long wrist rifle stock with an apparent ramrod channel present in the forend tip, suggesting that metal for this gun was moved to this stock during the period of use, before the gun was discarded due to an apparent broken wrist. The condition of the metal suggests long term exposure to the elements with the wood condition suggesting the gun was quite wet for at least some period of time, possibly in a ditch or wadi that filled with water from time to time. The overall appearance of the gun is that of an absolutely authentic early production Model 1873 Carbine that was restocked in a shortened Model 1873 rifle stock during the period of use. The serial number is very close to a number of 7th Cavalry issued carbines as well as a number of carbines turned in or captured from the Native Americans. A review of the relatively incomplete Springfield Research Service serial number records reveal that M1873 Carbine #17940 was “captured from Indians” on October 1, 1879, as were carbines #17483, #18137, 18141 and 18202, all presumed to have been 7th Cavalry guns. Carbines #17497, #17781 and #18006 were issued to the 7th Cavalry and #17895, #18232 and #18714 are in the Springfield Armory Museum and believed to have been Custer guns. #17914 was a Model 1873 Carbine surrendered by Crow King’s band of Indians on 24 February 1881 as were carbines #17675 and #18489. However, #17986 is listed as an 1873 Rifle in the Smithsonian’s collection and #17814 is also a rifle. Based upon serial number is seems almost certain that this receiver was from an 1873 carbine and barrel appears to be a correct carbine barrel measuring .725” in diameter at the muzzle, with correct carbine furniture that was at some point very long ago placed in a shortened rifle stock, almost certainly done by an armorer at a western post in the field. This is a great looking Custer range relic that will look wonderful in your Indian Wars display. Relic condition, with metal heavily oxidized with a thick, uncleaned brown patina leaving most markings illegible. Lock is mechanically functional but breech block is missing the hinge pin, locking latch and firing pin. Saddle bar cut off flush with mounts. Stock heavily worn with the appearance of having been under water for some period of time, broken through the wrist. A great looking relic of the Indian Wars period. $2,500 - 4,500

217

Cut Down US Model 1879 Springfield Trapdoor Rifle .45-70. 24” barrel secured by a single barrel band. SN: 276311. Manufactured circa 1885. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Lock marked with the usual “{Spread-Winged Eagle}” and “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”. Breechblock marked “US/MODEL/1873”. Standard “V/P/{Elate Head}” proof marks on barrel. Late production Model 1879 Rifle cut to “carbine” length with upper barrel band removed, forend cut back to 10.75” from the muzzle, “R” marked 1879 ladder rear sight and added musket-style front sight attached with old lead solder. Low arch breech, three-click tumbler, two-piece triggerguard, grooved trigger, solid buttplate without trap door. Triggerguard turned around with old replacement sling swivel facing backwards to serve as a carbine sling ring. Crack in wrist reinforced with bailing wire. Mr. Ness’ tag notes that this well used, but still functional cut-down rifle was “purchased from Indians at Mission SD” but no additional provenance or paperwork is present. A well used frontier frontier gun that could well have served Native American owners in the collection of game well into the 20th century. Good, hard used with heavy wear. Metal with a heavily oxidized brown and gray patina with large patches of surface roughness, pitting and age discoloration. Mechanically functional, bore heavily worn with weak rifling but only moderately oxidized and lightly pitted indicating the rifle was well cared from from a functionality standpoint during its useful life. Stock very worn, shortened and showing numerous chips and slivered loss, particularly in the forend with cracks there and around the lock as well. Wood heavily scuffed, marked and marred. $400 - 800

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Relic Colt US Model 1873 Single Action Army With Possible Reno 7th Cavalry Association .45 Colt. 7.5” barrel. SN: 5387. Manufactured in 1874. Relic condition with no finish, no grips and frozen action. No visible barrel address, weak serial numbers appear to match on frame and triggerguard, with no visible numbers on butt or cylinder. Ejector housing could not be removed for inspection of barrel due to relic condition. Frame with still legible, correct style two-date in two-line patent information and small “U.S.” marking. Revolver appears to be in its original, “as issued” configuration, with the exception of a period modified front sight that includes a small copper blade. Revolver’s action is frozen, chambers are fully loaded and the mainspring is broken. There are a significant number of pry and tool marks on the frame near the loading gate, as if someone had used a knife to try to pry the gate open. Possibly when the mainspring broke the user was hoping to retrieve the cartridges from the cylinder chambers and since the hammer was cocked, the loading gate would not open. This is pure conjecture, but the obvious damage makes it clear why the revolver was discarded to be found at some point in time many years later. According to research published by Kopec & Fenn, this revolver’s serial number falls in the range of Lot Five that was delivered to the U.S. military with guns numbered from #4500 to #5504. According to their research, 600 of those guns were issued to Custer’s 7th Cavalry, slightly more than half of the total delivery. Mr. Ness’ notes regarding the gun additionally mention that he feels the gun is associated with Troop M which was under Marcus Reno’s command at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He references Single Action #5337 which is in the range of Reno issued Model 1873 revolvers, and further notes indicate that at least 6 guns in the 5100 range have direct Little Bighorn association. Very few 7th Cavalry single action serial numbers are found in the Springfield Research Service serial number books, but they do list #5637 as having been lost by the 7th in November of 1875. Other guns close to this one listed in the books included #5360 issued to G troop of the 3rd Cavalry and #5542 which was stolen by a deserter from H troop of the 2nd Cavalry on April 5, 1878. A really interesting, untouched relic condition Colt single action in a prime serial number range to have seen use at the Little Bighorn, which was clearly discarded for a catastrophic failure in the heat of battle. Due to the fact that this gun is loaded with live ammunition it cannot be shipped and must be picked up in person. Relic condition, thickly rusted and heavily pitted with most marking obscured. Action frozen, fully loaded chamber, grips missing, ejector rod head missing, front sight with period modification performed prior to loss. $5,000 - 10,000

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U.S. Interior Department Remington-Keene Indian Police Rifle #109 .45-70. 24” round barrel with full length tubular magazine under barrel. SN: 109. Manufactured in 1880. Blued finish, smooth walnut stock and forend, carbine butt. Bolt action, tubular feed repeating rifle with exposed hammer. Adjustable ladder rear sight, front sight blade on carbine style barrel band. Standard three-line Remington address and patent markings on top rear of bolt. Top of chamber marked with an “{ARROW}” motif indicating Indian Police along with “WWK/P” inspection. William W Kimball was a civilian armory employee who primarily inspected U.S. Navy contract arms for the government during this period, including the Navy Rifle version of the Remington-Keene, Remington Model 1879 Navy Rifles and Hotchkiss 2nd Model Navy Rifles. The left barrel flat and receiver are also marked with the sub-inspection “HN” mark of Henry Nettleton, whose script cartouche was also applied to the wrists of these guns, although it is often worn away as it is on this one. Left side of receiver correctly marked in individual dies “U.S.I.D. 109”, for “U.S. Interior Department” and gun #109. The U.S. Interior Department administered the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this period, which controlled all aspects of Native American life, particularly on reservation land. In 1878 the Bureau of Indian Affairs established the Tribal Police to enforce the law on reservation land, hoping for better results than those obtained by using the military to enforce the law, as the army often operated as oppressors rather than lawmen. In 1880 the U.S. Department of the Interior contracted with Remington Arms to deliver 650 Model 1875 Revolvers and 600 Remington-Keene Frontier Rifles in .45-70 for the use of the Tribal Police. These are extremely rare firearms in their own right, but due to the fact that they saw heavy use, often in harsh conditions, their survival rate is rather low and extant examples tend to be well-worn and heavily used. Includes a leather Pattern 1887 leather sling for use on a Trapdoor or Krag rifle. Good to very good. Well worn and heavily used as it typical of these guns, however this one retains some strong traces of blue on the receiver and along the edges of the barrel and on the magazine tube. The balance of the metal is mostly a moderately oxidized pewter gray with scattered pitting and some impact marks on the metal and a dent in the magazine tube on the obverse near the muzzle. Markings all remain legible, with the exception of the Nettleton cartouche which is not visible. Mechanically functional, fair bore with strong rifling, is dark, dirty and pitted. Stock with wear, a nominally 5” diagonal crack through the reverse of the receiver area, with a small crack on the obverse, a roughly 2.5”x.5” piece of wood replaced forward of the cartridge lifter mechanism and numerous bumps, dings and mars scattered on the wood. Sling about good with moderate wear. $3,000 - 5,000

220

U.S. Interior Department Remington-Keene Indian Police Rifle #287 .45-70. 24” round barrel with full length tubular magazine under barrel. SN: 287. Manufactured circa 1880. Blued finish, smooth walnut stock and forend, carbine butt. Bolt action, tubular feed repeating rifle with exposed hammer. Adjustable ladder rear sight, front sight blade on carbine style barrel band. Standard three-line Remington address and patent markings on top rear of bolt. Top of chamber marked with an “{ARROW}” motif indicating Indian Police along with “WWK/P” inspection. William W Kimball was a civilian armory employee who primarily inspected US Navy contract arms for the government during this period, including the Navy Rifle version of the Remington-Keene, Remington Model 1879 Navy Rifles and Hotchkiss 2nd Model Navy Rifles. The left barrel flat and receiver are also marked with the sub-inspection “HN” mark of Henry Nettleton, whose script cartouche was also applied to the wrists of these guns, although it is often worn away as it is on this one. Left side of receiver correctly marked in individual dies “U.S.I.D. 287”, for “US Interior Department” and gun #287. The US Interior Department administered the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this period, which controlled all aspects of Native American life, particularly on reservation land. In 1878 the Bureau of Indian Affairs established the Tribal Police to enforce the law on reservation land, hoping for better results than those obtained by using the military to enforce the law, as the army often operated as oppressors rather than lawmen. In 1880 the US Department of the Interior contracted with Remington Arms to deliver 650 Model 1875 Revolvers and 600 Remington-Keene Frontier Rifles in .45-70 for the use of the Tribal Police. These are extremely rare firearms in their own right, but due to the fact that they saw heavy use, often in harsh conditions, their survival rate is rather low and extant examples tend to be well-worn and heavily used. A note on the collector’s tag for this gun says “Rosebud”, suggesting the gun was associated with that reservation, but no file was present to provide provenance for this particular gun. Good. Well worn and heavily used as it typical of these guns, this one retains no real finish, just a moderately oxidized brown and gray patina with scattered surface roughness, pitting and some impact marks on the metal. Markings all remain legible, with the exception of the Nettleton cartouche which is not visible. Mechanically functional, fair bore with strong rifling, the bore is moderately oxidized with some scattered pitting. Stock with heavy wear, showing repaired cracks through the receiver and wrist areas and missing wood behind the receiver at the tang. The stock has been sanded and refinished and still shows numerous bumps, dings and mars scattered over its entirety. $2,500 - 3,500 1 0 8 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

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U.S. Interior Department Remington-Keene Indian Police Rifle #313 .45-70. 24” round barrel with full length tubular magazine under barrel. SN: 313. Manufactured in 1880. Blued finish, smooth walnut stock and forend, carbine butt. Bolt action, tubular feed repeating rifle with exposed hammer. Adjustable ladder rear sight, front sight blade on carbine style barrel band. Standard three-line Remington address and patent markings on top rear of bolt. Top of chamber marked with an “{ARROW}” motif indicating Indian Police along with “WWK/P” inspection. William W Kimball was a civilian armory employee who primarily inspected U.S. Navy contract arms for the government during this period, including the Navy Rifle version of the Remington-Keene, Remington Model 1879 Navy Rifles and Hotchkiss 2nd Model Navy Rifles. The left barrel flat and receiver are also marked with the sub-inspection “HN” mark of Henry Nettleton, whose script cartouche was also applied to the wrists of these guns, although it is often worn. In this case the outline of the cartouche remains visible. Left side of receiver correctly marked in individual dies “U.S.I.D. 313”, for “U.S. Interior Department” and gun #313. The U.S. Interior Department administered the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this period, which controlled all aspects of Native American life, particularly on reservation land. In 1878 the Bureau of Indian Affairs established the Tribal Police to enforce the law on reservation land, hoping for better results than those obtained by using the military to enforce the law, as the army often operated as oppressors rather than lawmen. In 1880 the U.S. Department of the Interior contracted with Remington Arms to deliver 650 Model 1875 Revolvers and 600 RemingtonKeene Frontier Rifles in .45-70 for the use of the Tribal Police. These are extremely rare firearms in their own right, but due to the fact that they saw heavy use, often in harsh conditions, their survival rate is rather low and extant examples tend to be well-worn and heavily used. About very good. Showing moderate wear and use as it typical of these guns, this one retains some nice amounts of blue on the receiver and along the edges of the barrel and on the magazine tube. The balance of the metal is mostly a moderately oxidized brownish-gray with scattered pitting and some impact marks on the metal and a few small dents in the magazine tube. Markings all remain legible, with the exception of the Nettleton cartouche which is really only a weak outline. Mechanically functional, fair bore with strong rifling, is dark, dirty and pitted. Stock with expected wear, showing bumps, dings and mars but not the level of hard use often found on these guns. $3,000 - 5,000

222

U.S. Interior Department Remington-Keene Indian Police Rifle #401 .45-70. 24” round barrel with full length tubular magazine under barrel. SN: 401. Manufactured in 1880. Blued finish, smooth walnut stock and forend, carbine butt. Bolt action, tubular feed repeating rifle with exposed hammer. Adjustable ladder rear sight, front sight blade on carbine style barrel band. Standard three-line Remington address and patent markings on top rear of bolt. Top of chamber marked with an “{ARROW}” motif indicating Indian Police along with “WWK/P” inspection. William W Kimball was a civilian armory employee who primarily inspected U.S. Navy contract arms for the government during this period, including the Navy Rifle version of the Remington-Keene, Remington Model 1879 Navy Rifles and Hotchkiss 2nd Model Navy Rifles. The left barrel flat and receiver are also marked with the sub-inspection “HN” mark of Henry Nettleton, whose script cartouche was also applied to the wrists of these guns, although it is often worn away. It is visible on this gun but weak. Left side of receiver correctly marked in individual dies “U.S.I.D. 401”, for “U.S. Interior Department” and gun #401. The U.S. Interior Department administered the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this period, which controlled all aspects of Native American life, particularly on reservation land. In 1878 the Bureau of Indian Affairs established the Tribal Police to enforce the law on reservation land, hoping for better results than those obtained by using the military to enforce the law, as the army often operated as oppressors rather than lawmen. In 1880 the U.S. Department of the Interior contracted with Remington Arms to deliver 650 Model 1875 Revolvers and 600 Remington-Keene Frontier Rifles in .4570 for the use of the Tribal Police. These are extremely rare firearms in their own right, but due to the fact that they saw heavy use, often in harsh conditions, their survival rate is rather low and extant examples tend to be well-worn and heavily used. Near very good. Well worn and heavily used as it typical of these guns, this one retains some strong traces of blue on the receiver and along the edges of the barrel and on the magazine tube. The balance of the metal is mostly a moderately oxidized plum brown patina with some scattered surface oxidation and some light pitting. Markings all remain legible, including the Nettleton cartouche. Mechanically functional, poor bore has been rebored to smooth with no visible rifling left and measures about .47”. Stock with moderate wear, showing numerous bumps, dings and mars scattered on the wood. $3,000 - 5,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 0 9

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U.S. Interior Department Remington-Keene Indian Police Rifle #419 .45-70. 24” round barrel with full length tubular magazine under barrel. SN: 419. Manufactured in 1880. Blued finish, smooth walnut stock and forend, carbine butt. Bolt action, tubular feed repeating rifle with exposed hammer. Adjustable ladder rear sight, front sight blade on carbine style barrel band. Standard three-line Remington address and patent markings on top rear of bolt. Top of chamber marked with an “{ARROW}” motif indicating Indian Police along with “WWK/P” inspection. William W Kimball was a civilian armory employee who primarily inspected US Navy contract arms for the government during this period, including the Navy Rifle version of the Remington-Keene, Remington Model 1879 Navy Rifles and Hotchkiss 2nd Model Navy Rifles. The left barrel flat and receiver are also marked with the sub-inspection “HN” mark of Henry Nettleton, whose script cartouche was also applied to the wrists of these guns, although it is often worn away. It is barely visible on this gun and extremely weak. Left side of receiver correctly marked in individual dies “U.S.I.D. 419”, for “U.S. Interior Department” and gun #419. The U.S. Interior Department administered the Bureau of Indian Affairs during this period, which controlled all aspects of Native American life, particularly on reservation land. In 1878 the Bureau of Indian Affairs established the Tribal Police to enforce the law on reservation land, hoping for better results than those obtained by using the military to enforce the law, as the army often operated as oppressors rather than lawmen. In 1880 the U.S. Department of the Interior contracted with Remington Arms to deliver 650 Model 1875 Revolvers and 600 RemingtonKeene Frontier Rifles in .45-70 for the use of the Tribal Police. These are extremely rare firearms in their own right, but due to the fact that they saw heavy use, often in harsh conditions, their survival rate is rather low and extant examples tend to be well-worn and heavily used. Good to very good. Well worn and heavily used as it typical of these guns, this one retains some traces of blue on the receiver and along the edges of the barrel and on the magazine tube. The balance of the metal is mostly a moderately oxidized brownish gray color with scattered surface roughness and some light pitting, as well as seem lightly scattered impact marks on the metal. Markings all remain quite legible, with the exception of the Nettleton cartouche which very weak. Mechanically functional, good bore with strong rifling, is moderately oxidized with scattered pitting. Stock with heavy wear, showing numerous bumps, dings and mars scattered on the wood. A stylized, intertwined “TB” is carved into the reverse butt in a style that suggests a ranch brand. $3,000 - 5,000

224

Mixed Numbers U.S. Marked “DFC” Inspected Colt Model 1873 Revolver Altered to Belly Gun .45 Colt. 2” barrel length. SN: 84150. Nickel finish, smooth one-piece oil finished walnut grip. Nickel finish obscures most frame markings with traces of the “three date in three line” mark visible and part of the “U.S” surcharge visible as well. Frame serial number “84150”, triggerguard and butt numbered “110998”, cylinder with weak traces of a number that appears to read “?150”, possibly the last four digits of the frame serial number. Cylinder with weak “DFC” (David F Clark) inspection and traces of a very weak “DFC” appear to be present on the frame as well. No traces of sub-inspection marks could be found on the backstrap or barrel, which also shows no sign of a “P” proof. The one-piece walnut grip is carved with the initials “JR” and has two hash marks on the reverse, as well as with the profile of a man’s face. Two additional hash marks and traces of initials are present on the obverse grip and more weak markings are present on the butt. Mr. Ness notes that the revolver was purchased from a dealer who acquired it on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The presence of the nickel plating suggested to Mr. Ness that this may be a “Indian Scout Gun”, one of the theories proposed in Graham, Kopec & Moore’s A Study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, regarding the existence of some nickel plated U.S. marked Single Action Army revolvers. While the remaining nickel plating on this gun is very old and almost certainly from the period of use, it was clearly applied over the markings in such a way as to partially obscure them, indicating that it is not a factory nickel finish. The mixed numbers suggest a Colt “Artillery” Model, but the lack of sub-inspections on other parts indicate that this is unlikely. More likely the gun was built up from two or more Single Action Army Revolvers during the period of use, utilizing the DFC inspected frame and cylinder and parts from at least one other gun. The overall appearance suggests that this is a real, Old West period “belly gun” but when, how and by whom it was assembled is unclear. The fact that the gun was acquired on the Pine Ridge Reservation certainly makes it a very intriguing piece and suggests that it was used by Native Americans for at least part of its working life. Fair to good. Retains some of the period applied nickel finish with the balance of the nickel flaked leaving the exposed metal dark and heavily oxidized. Markings weak. Mechanically functional but needs attention as the hammer only clicks three times rather than four when being cocked and will not hold in the full cock notch. However, it will “fire” from the half-cock notch. Mainspring is replaced and cylinder will only index correctly if the hammer is pulled fully to the rear. The bore of the revolver is poor with visible rifling and moderate pitting. Grip with moderate wear, not numbered on the interior and missing some small chips and showing numerous bumps, dings and mars. $1,500 - 3,000 1 1 0 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

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Relic Remington Model 1875 Single Action Army Recovered from Rosebud Creek .44 Remington. 7.5” barrel length. SN: 902. Relic condition metal is heavily pitted and retains only a minute trace of nickel plating on the top of the frame. Barrel address almost illegible, grips missing. The revolver was recovered from the bottom of Rosebud Creek on the Rosebud Reservation on July 21, 1993 by Victor Young of Parmelee, SD an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. The revolver was subsequently sold to Chadicks, LTD of Terrell, TX on August 31, 1993. Letters documenting these facts are included with the revolver. It is well documented that 650 Remington Model 1875 revolvers were purchased by the United States Interior Department for the use of the Native American Tribal Police, along with 600 Remington-Keene Frontier Rifles in 1880. Mr. Young’s letter references an order of 1,300 guns and shipment to the Dakota Territory for use by the Tribal Police in 1885, but it is more likely that he conflated the order for both rifles and pistols with simply pistols. However it is quite possible the guns did not arrive at the Rosebud Reservation in 1885. The location of the gun’s recovery certainly suggests that it was quite likely one of the Indian Police revolvers from the Remington order. A wonderful, untouched example of a field recovered 1875 from an historic area. Relic condition, non-functional, action frozen, firing pin eroded, some metal eroded from frame, no grips. $3,000 - 5,000

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Winchester 1st Model 1876 Rifle #3536 Attributed to Having Been Taken from the Cabin of Sitting Bull on the Day of his Death .45-75. 28” octagonal barrel with full magazine. SN: 3536. Manufactured circa 1877. Blued finish, color casehardened hammer and lever, smooth straight-gripped walnut stock with crescent buttplate and smooth forend. Barrel marked in two lines forward of the rear sight: “WINCHESTERS-REPEATINGARMS NEW HAVEN, CT/KING’S-IMPROVEMENT-PATENTED-MARCH 29, 1866. OCTOBER 16, 1860”. Upper receiver tang marked “MODEL 1876”. Serial number on lower tang. Open top frame without dust cover or rail, with the serial number placing this gun at the very end of the 1st Model “open top” Model 1876 production. Barrel with folding leaf sight graduated to 1,000 yards is missing the elevator. Dovetailed front sight blade. Trapdoor in butt for cleaning rods, which are not present. Empty tack holes in the forend on both sides show where tacks were previously mounted, which are now missing. This Winchester comes with extensive documentation supporting the attribution to Sitting Bull (ca. 1831-1890). The rifle was supposedly recovered from Sitting Bull’s cabin on the day that he was killed (December 15, 1890) during a botched arrest attempt by US Indian Police. With other weapons recovered the same day it was turned in to Standing Rock Reservation Indian Agent Major James McLaughlin (1842-1923). Included with the rifle are original documents which trace the provenance of the gun and delineate research conducted to substantiate the Sitting Bull attribution.

Probable Line of Descent Winchester Repeating Arms Co., New Haven, CT- Gun shipped May 1, 1878, to an unknown buyer. Chief Sitting Bull – ? – Dec 1890. Indian Agent James McLaughlin, Standing Rock, South Dakota – Dec 1890 - ? William Parker Lyon, Pony Express Museum, San Marino, California – ca 1910-1920 to ca 1930. Bank of West Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California – ca 1930 -1932. Walter H. Robinson, Beverly Hills, California – 1932-1955. Mrs. Walter H. Robinson (Mrs. Edith Jones Robinson Roush) - 1955-1965. Parker Whedon, Charlotte, North Carolina – 1965-2000 2000 - Christie’s Fine Antique Firearms, Swords and Civil War Memorabilia, Lot 81. 2000 - Little John’s Auction Service, Inc., November 2000 Rare, Important & Fine Firearms for Auction, Lot 112. 2015 - Acquired by the present owner from Julia’s Auctions, Extraordinary Firearms October 2015, Lot 3255.

Sitting Bull A Brief Historical Biography When he was born, the future Native American leader was named “Jumping Badger,” but as he grew acquired the nickname “Slow” referring to his somewhat cautious and deliberate personality that kept him from rushing into things. At approximately age 14 he participated in his first war party, where he counted his first coup and was subsequently bestowed with a new name by his father, “Thathanka Iyotake,” literally meaning “Buffalo Who Sits Down” in Lakota. This name would be corrupted by the English language as “Sitting Bull.” The future leader’s first major combat action against the US military came in 1864, when an army retaliatory strike over the 1862 Dakota Uprising led to an attack on the village in which Sitting Bull lived. During that battle the defense of the camp was coordinated by Sitting Bull, Inkpaduta and Gall. Later that year Sitting Bull led a small band of about 100 warriors in a skirmish with US soldiers that resulted in the leader being shot through the hip, although the wound was not serious. Sitting Bull supported the Oglala leader Red Cloud during his war against the United States from 1866-1868, leading warriors and fighting in several engagements during that conflict. At the conclusion of the “war,” Red Cloud and several other leaders signed the treaty of Fort Laramie in 1868, but Sitting Bull refused to sign. This period began his adamant stand against the signing of treaties and the ceding of Native lands to the United States government. He was steadfastly opposed to the concept of reservation life and the reliance upon the government for the subsidies that would feed the Native people on the reservation. Sitting Bull soon became the titular leader of not only the Hunkpapa Lakota but of most of the Sioux and Cheyenne bands that refused to submit to life on the reservation, and essentially became the “poster child” for Native American resistance on the plains. His standing as a leader among the Native peoples of the plains, both politically and spiritually, continued to increase with rapidity during the first half of the 1870s. With the discovery of gold in the Black Hills and

Opposite: Cabinet Card of Sitting Bull. St. Paul, MN: Palmquist & Jurgens, 1884. F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 1 3

the subsequent US military expedition led by Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer in 1874 to further assess the mineral values in that region, the pressure for the Sioux and Cheyenne to resist these new incursions into territory that had been guaranteed to them by the Fort Laramie Treaty mounted. In 1875 many of these non-reservation bands gathered for a large Sun Dance at which Sitting Bull had his famous vision regarding a future major military victory over the US Army. This vision would come to fruition on June 25, 1876, when Sitting Bull’s camp of combined Sioux and Cheyenne were attacked by Lt. Col. Custer’s 7th Cavalry. The attack was authorized by a February 1, 1876, decree from the US Interior Department that classified all of the Natives Americans living off the various reservations on the plains as “hostiles” who were to be treated accordingly. Although Sitting Bull would not directly participate in the battle, leaving the leading of the men to younger war leaders like Crazy Horse, his overall leadership of the people prior to the event as well as his vision regarding the victory is often considered pivotal in the overall Native American success that day.

Sitting Bull in the Aftermath of the Little Bighorn In the wake of Custer’s defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Sitting Bull led a band of followers into Canada in an attempt to evade the onslaught of US retaliatory strikes that he knew would be coming. The situation in Canada was brutal for his people. In 1881, after many of his followers had already abandoned harsh conditions and near starvation, Sitting Bull led his remaining band of 186 family members and followers to surrender at Fort Buford, Dakota Territory. In 1883 Sitting Bull and his band were transferred to the Standing Rock Reservation and came under Federal supervision of James McLaughlin, Indian Agent. The following year western show promoter Alvarez Allen took Sitting Bull on a tour of some areas in Canada and the US, and during this time Sitting Bull met the famous trick shooter Annie Oakley. The two developed a friendship that was at least partially based on mutual respect. The following year, Sitting Bull joined “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s Wild West Show and toured for several months, earning large sums of money which he primarily gave away to the poor. As discontent with the corruption of the reservation system became more widespread among Native Americans, a new “religion” appeared that provided hope to the forlorn. The “Ghost Dance Movement” was steeped in the Christian concept of peace, universal love and the return of the Messiah, but more importantly preached the return of dead native ancestors, the return of the buffalo, and an end to the western push of the “white man.” The tenants of the belief also stated that the donning of special ceremonial clothing, most notably the “Ghost Shirt” would make the wearer proof against bullets. While a purely peaceful movement, the dances and rituals associated with the ceremonial part of the religion scared many US leaders, who conflated the ceremonies with “war dances.”

At Standing Rock, Indian Agent McLaughlin was especially worried. Fearing a general uprising, he ordered the arrest of Sitting Bull who he felt was in some way involved or behind the new religion. On December 15, 1890, at 5:30AM Indian Police Lt. Bullhead led a group of Indian Police to arrest Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull refused to comply with the order to come with the police and a group of his supporters gathered to help protect him. When the supporters indicated that they were willing to use force to prevent the arrest, Bullhead shot Sitting Bull in the chest causing a wound that would eventually lead to his death later that day. Following the shooting of the Sioux leader, a general melee ensued leaving several dead and wounded on both sides, including Lt. Bullhead. It was after this tragic event that McLaughlin purportedly removed a number of items from the Sitting Bull cabin, no doubt understanding their future value as souvenirs of the great leader.

Firearms Removed From Sitting Bull’s Cabin at His Death

Letter that Led Directly to the Death of

Historical records indicate several firearms were removed Sitting Bull from Sitting Bull’s cabin at the time of his death and were turned in to, or later acquired by, Standing Rock Agent McLaughlin. One of McLaughlin’s personal notebooks identifies “Guns turned in and captured by Indian Police subsequent to Dec. 15th 1890” including three identified directly to Sitting Bull (Major James McLaughlin papers, Roll 16, Notebook 12). Additional evidence corroborates the fact that after Sitting Bull’s death at least one gun, along with other items once belonging to him were sold or given by McLaughlin to individuals associated with collecting Native American ephemera and Western Americana. In a letter written by McLaughlin on April 30, 1891, to D.F. Barry, a 19-century photographer well known for his work with the Lakota people including portraits of Sitting Bull, McLaughlin indicates that he is presenting Barry a “Sharp’s” carbine for his collection of “Curios.” McLaughlin adds that the rifle “was one of five (5) Rifles found in Sitting Bulls house by the Police” on the morning of December 15, 1890. A June 14, 1897, letter published in Rudolf Cronau’s article My Visit Among the Hostile Indians and How They Became My Friends (South Dakota Historical Collections, Vol. XXII, 1946, pp. 410-425) offers evidence that a Mr. W.D. Campbell, owner of Campbell’s Curio Store in Los Angeles, California, had also obtained articles once owned by Sitting Bull “from the Indian agent at Standing Rock and he [agent James McLaughlin] got them when [Sitting] Bull was killed.”

Parker Lyons and Sitting Bull’s Winchester Accompanying this Winchester is a 2 ½ x 4 ½” typed and manuscript document, believed to be an original shipping note. Typescript on the front reads, “This gun was taken from Sitting Bull’s house upon the occasion of his arrest on Dec. 15/91 [sic]. / Jas. Mc Laughlin.” The back of the note has a penciled handwritten notation from an unknown hand, “Parker Lyon[‘]s / Pony Express.” In the early 1900s few men in America were more recognized for their collections of Western Americana than W. Parker Lyon (1865-1949). A successful businessman with a larger-than-life persona, Lyon was a multi-millionaire who amassed one of the most significant collections of Western Americana in the country. Accounts vary, but Lyon likely started seriously collecting ca 1910-1915 after his move to San Marino, California. By the 1930s, his collection is believed to have consisted of more than a million Western artifacts including a railroad depot, a Wells Fargo office, a western saloon, a sheriff’s office, stagecoaches, wagons, Pony Express ephemera, saddles, and an extensive firearms display. A December 1928 article from the Express Messenger detailing Lyon’s collection stated: “Then comes the collection of guns and rifles. It is almost impossible to do justice to them. There are all kinds and descriptions, and in great profusion….The exhibition of fire arms alone is worth making a pilgrimage to see.” Weapons included those once owned by “Billy the Kid,” “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and “Black Bart.”

Sitting Bull’s Cabin, Rare Cabinet Card by Scott 1 1 4 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Considering that Lyon’s Pony Express Museum housed one of the most extensive collections of Western Americana in the country, it is highly conceivable that at some point Lyon would have sought to acquire one of Sitting Bull’s rifles. However, the exact scenario for Lyon’s association with the gun remains unclear. Potentially Lyon acquired the rifle directly from McLaughlin sometime ca 1910-1923 during which time Lyon was beginning to grow his collection and McLaughlin was still in the Indian service.

Alternatively, the gun could have some connection with the Sitting Bull items that were originally part of W.D. Campbell’s collection. Campbell’s collection was in Southern California before he sold it in the late 1890s and, while portions of that collection including Sitting Bull relics are known to have gone to a San Francisco collector, it is possible that other parts remained in or near Los Angeles where they were acquired by Lyon.

Post Parker Lyon History of the Winchester The history of the rifle from 1932 to the present is well-documented. The rifle was acquired by attorney Walter H. Robinson in 1932 at the liquidation of the Bank of West Hollywood. Robinson writes in an undated typewritten letter to noted antique firearms dealer Mr. Robert Abels, “This rifle had been left at one of the banks as security for a loan which was never paid, and was purchased by me on closing up the bank’s affairs. / The item was enclosed in a box showing that it had been expressed from Sitting Bull’s neighborhood in Dakota in which box it is still enclosed.” Parker Whedon of Charlotte, North Carolina, purchased the rifle from Robinson’s widow, Mrs. Edith Jones [Robinson] Roush in 1965. In an affidavit of November 1965 provided by Robinson’s widow to Whedon, she testifies that the rifle was brought by her late husband to their home “packed in a wooden box [now lost] bearing the express marks and labels showing that it had been expressed from Dakota, and containing, in addition to the rifle itself, certain documentation identifying the rifle as having belonged to the Indian, Chief, Sitting Bull, including a small yellow piece of paper bearing the typewritten statement” from James McLaughlin. Whedon later conducted extensive research of his own into the provenance of the rifle, and portions of his correspondence are included with the documentation. Among those documents are a 1968 affidavit from Chief William Red Fox of the Oglala Tribe of the Sioux Nation who testifies that he was “well acquainted with Chief Sitting Bull of the Hunkpapa Tribe of the Sioux Nation.” Chief Red Fox’s affidavit further attested that after carefully examining the Model 1876 Winchester Serial Number 3536 it was in his opinion “an authentic ‘Indian’ rifle of the kind in general use[d] by the Sioux in the Dakotas during the 1880s and was owned and used by a master warrior or Chief of the Sioux Nation. I do not doubt that this was the rifle taken from Sitting Bull’s cabin at the time of his death.” Parker Whedon owned the gun for several more decades until it was auctioned by Christie’s in July of 2000. The rifle was sold again in November of 2000 by Little John’s Auction Services. The gun was sold to the present owner in 2015 by James D. Julia, Inc. Other documentation accompanying the rifle bolsters the attribution to Sitting Bull and authenticity of the McLaughlin shipping note. These documents include the following: a December 1962 letter from the Winchester Gun Museum indicating that the “Winchester 1876 serial number records list number 3536 as a rifle…shipped from the factory on May 1, 1878,” thereby in proper chronological order for it to have belonged to Sitting Bull; fiber analysis conducted in 2012 on the shipping note accompanying the rifle indicating that “It is possible for the paper to be from 1890…but the type of mix was not typical”; and a 1969 letter from McLaughlin biographer Father Louis Pfaller who writes that the typewritten shipping note was “very likely [from] the same typewriter” as used for other typewritten material identified to McLaughlin from the year 1895.

Original Shipping Note Accompanying the Winchester

Special thanks to Hindman’s American Historic Ephemera and Photography department for conducting research to delineate as accurately as possible the provenance and chain of custody for this important historical item. Good. Metal with a moderately oxidized plum patina mixed with gray, showing some evenly scattered surface roughness and some pitting. Barrel markings with some wear, other markings stronger. Mechanically functional, poor bore is dark, dirty and heavily oxidized with weak rifling. Wood lightly sanded with moderate wear, forend with chips and loss along the upper edge, somewhat loose on the frame and with a diagonal crack on the obverse running from the nose cap. Otherwise with scattered bumps, dings and mars as would be expected. $40,000 - 60,000

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US Model 1842 Springfield Musket Attributed to the Warrior “Good Lance” and Collected at Wounded Knee .69 caliber. 34.5” barrel length. SN: NSN. Relic condition metal, iron mountings, walnut stock. Altered from full-length 42” barrel to 34.5”, stock forend shortened to half-stock configuration roughly 3.5” in front of the rear barrel band, which is installed backwards. Lock markings mostly obscured by pitting but the three line marking at the tail can just barely be discerned reading “SPRING/FIELD/1847”. Musket decorated with numerous brass tacks in the obverse butt and forend. Obverse butt is rack numbered “2/16”. An animal hide lock cover with some of the hair still present, has been fashioned that surrounds the lock to protect it from the elements, which can slide forward to operate the lock. Mr. Ness’ notes indicate that this musket was one of the guns collected in the aftermath of the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. Many of those collected guns became part of the Rock Island Arsenal collection. In the auction catalog from Historical Collectible Auctions, where this gun was purchased in September of 2000, the description identifies the gun as having been surrendered at Wounded Knee by Good Lance with an accompanying tag that identified the gun as having been his property. However, that tag appears to be missing, although the auction catalog clearly pictures this gun. Eight of the Wounded Knee guns from the Rock Island Arsenal collection were deaccessioned to Professor James W Ellis on May 18, 1897. Copies of the various correspondence and notes relating to their release are included with the gun along with a copy of the auction catalog and documents related to other Wounded Knee provenance guns collected from and released by the Rock Island Arsenal. On December 29, 1890 at the height of the Ghost Dance movement, troops from the 7th Cavalry attempted to disarm a group of Miniconjou and Hunkpapa Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is not exactly clear what went wrong or how the first shot was fired but in the immediate aftermath between 250 and 300 Native American men, women and children were killed and many were wounded, with 25 soldiers killed and 39 wounded. This tragic event was the last major action of the Indian Wars period. An important piece of American history that needs to be preserved so that such disgraceful events of the past are never forgotten. A wonderful, untouched Native American used gun with good provenance and potential direct identification to the Sioux warrior who carried it. Relic condition. Metal with a thick brown, uncleaned and untouched patina and heavy pitting. Markings mostly obscured, lock functional, bore poor. Stock well worn with wood loss and cracks, with the appearance of having been quite wet and poorly stored from some period of time. Despite the condition issues the overall appearance is really fantastic and completely authentic as well as being a wonderful piece of history. $8,000 - 10,000

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Belgian Flintlock Trade Musket with Native Applied Red Paint .72 caliber. 51.5” pinned round barrel with baluster turned rings at the breech. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock with applied red paint. Unmarked except for a Liege “E/LG/*” in an oval proof on the barrel, the number “45” and initials “GC” at the left breech and a deep, indistinguishable touch mark on the lock under the pan. Crudely executed flint lock appears to be in original flint configuration. The massive trade gun is 87.25” in overall length and is a cheap, highly stylized gun that harkens back to the form of the Brown Bess with the similarly shaped lock, shield shaped thumb piece at the wrist and the baluster turned rings at the breech. Simple brass trade gun furniture includes a flat sideuplate, flat buttplate, simple flat triggerguard with rudimentary finials at its ends and two round ramrod thimbles and an entry pipe that also resemble India Pattern Brown Bess furniture. The overly heavy stock has an exaggerated perch belly profile with that makes the 1.5” wide butt look more like a paddle than a gun butt, reminiscent of some Dutch muskets from the 1600s. The strong resemblance to the India Pattern Bess in the furniture and features suggests the gun was destined for trade in an area where English traders would have been common 100 or more years earlier. While guns of this style are most often associated with the African trade of the late 19th and early 20th century, the consignor notes that trade guns painted red in a similar fashion have been noted in the camps of Alaskan Natives. An interesting, late production trade gun. Very good. Metal with a moderately oxidized gray patina with scattered surface roughness and evenly distributed pinpricking. Mechanically functional, oxidized and pitted bore, stock with much of the applied red paint, showing moderate amounts of loss and wear and scattered bumps, dings and mars. $1,000 - 1,500

229

Late 19th Century Belgian Made Flintlock African Trade Gun .60 caliber. 51.5” pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Moderately oxidized bright metal toning to brown, brass furniture, European hardwood stock likely of beech. Flat pointed lock in original flint with rounded iron fenced and bridled pan and rounded swan neck cock. The lock is unmarked. Barrel with “E/LG/*” in an oval Liege proof. The overall pattern is the classic “trade gun” of the late 18th and early 19th century, but likely produced closer to the turn of the 20th century with more simplified furniture. On this gun the classic “serpent side plate” was replaced with a simple flat brass side plate, but the oversized triggerguard was retained, although in brass rather than iron. The corrugated brass thimbles are retained, along with the rudimentary raised carved moldings behind the lock mortise, counterpane and around the breech plug tang were retained. In this case the barrel is extremely long, suggesting that the market this gun was intended for had particularly low quality powder and the extra length was necessary for complete burning. What appears to be the original button head iron ramrod is included. A very nice example of one of the last of the flintlock “trade guns” not intended for the use of North American Natives, but rather natives of some of the most remote regions of the world, probably for use as last as the early 20th century. Fine. Metal remains crisp with an untouched patina, mechanically functional, dark dirty bore with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock extremely crisp with sharp lines and some scattered bumps and dings. $1,500 - 2,500

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Belgian Made Percussion Trade Gun .60 caliber. 51” pinned two-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, full-length hardwood stock. Unmarked percussion lock, top barrel flat marked with an oval “E/LG/*” Liege proof mark and numbered “105”. Additional Belgian proofs are present near the bolster. Simple iron furniture includes a flat two-screw side plate, oversized triggergaurd, plain buttplate, nose cap and corrugated ramrod pipes which secure an iron button head ramrod. Stock with rudimentary raised, carved aprons around the tang and at the tails of both the lock and counterpane. While these long barreled, simple percussion trade guns saw use around the world from the latter part of the 19th century through the early 20th century, this form is most associated with the African trade. Good. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown and gray patina, some scattered surface roughness and some scattered pitting. Mechanically functional, good bore with moderate oxidation and some pitting. Stock with scathed bumps, dings and mars. $400 - 800

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Late 19th Century English Made Flintlock African Trade Musket .58 caliber. 51.375” pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized brown metal, iron furniture, European hardwood stock likely of beech. Flat pointed lock in original flint with rounded iron fenced and bridled pan and rounded reinforced cock. The lock is marked with an {Elephant} motif under the pan and WARRANTED in an arc at the tail. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proofs and a gauge mark that is so deeply stamped it is not fully legible. The overall pattern is the classic “trade gun” of the late 18th and early 19th century, but likely produced closer to the turn of the 20th century with more simplified furniture. The classic “serpent side plate” was replaced with a simple flat iron plate, but the oversized iron triggerguard was retained. The corrugated brass thimbles were replaced with more simple sheet iron pipes but the rudimentary raised carved moldings behind the lock mortise, counterpane and around the breech plug tang were retained. In this case the barrel is extremely long, suggesting that the market this gun was intended for had particularly low quality powder and the extra length was necessary for complete burning. What appears to be the original button head iron ramrod is included. A very nice example of one of the last of the flintlock “trade guns” not intended for the use of North American Natives, but rather natives of some of the most remote regions of the world, probably for use as late as the early 20th century. Very good. Gun remains in crisp, untouched condition with a thickly oxidized brown patina on the metal, crisp markings and fully functional lock. Bore is dark, dirty and heavily oxidized but may clean up significantly. Wood is crisp with some scattered handling marks, dings and mars. $1,500 - 2,000

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Contemporary Flintlock Flintlock Smooth Rifle by Ron Ehlert .58 caliber. 46” pinned two-stage octagon to round barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, highly figured hardwood stock. Unmarked flint lock, barrel signed “Ron Ehlert”. A really attractive “Buck & Ball” smoothbore gun by Duck River, TN master builder Ron Ehlert. Round German silver wrist plate engraved “WTN”. Graceful stock with approximately 2” wide butt, raised cheek rest on the reverse with simple raised Rococo carving. Raised carved floral boarder around the tang with carved aprons at the tail of the lock and counterpane. Incised lines along toe line and forend. Obverse stock with sliding wood patchbox. Very fine. Retains most of the brown on the barrel, lock with some surface oxidation and light pitting. Mechanically functional, very good bore. Wood with some scattered bumps, dings and handling marks. $3,000 - 5,000

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Contemporary Fullstock Flintlock Rifle by John Bivens .40 caliber. 44” pinned octagonal barrel. SN: 1. Browned finish, brass furniture, figured hardwood stock. Unmarked lock, left angled breech flat with “I-B” maker’s mark. German silver acorn wrist plate engraved “SD”. A truly stunning example of a modern recreated raised carved Golden Age Kentucky Rifle by one of the masters of the art, who studied under Walace Gussler. This gorgeous gun features a slightly more than 2” thick butt with engraved two-piece brass patch box with the release in the top of the buttplate. Raised cheek rest on reverse with Rococo carving and silver wire inlays, raised carve leaf motif apron around the tang, incised lines along toe line of stock and forend. A really lovely early rifle recreation. Very fine. Retains nearly all of the brown on the barrel and lock, showing little use. Crisp throughout, with some minor wear from handling. Mechanically functional, fine bore, crisp wood with some light handling marks and minor surface scuffs and mars from handling. $3,000 - 5,000

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Contemporary Flintlock Rifle By Allen Martin .50 caliber. 44” pinned octagonal swamped barrel. SN: NSN. Dull brownish-gray patina on barrel, brass furniture, raised carved maple stock with sliding wood patchbox. Unmarked stepped flint lock with faceted and fenced, bridled iron pan and faceted flat swan neck cock. Top flat of barrels signed “A + Martin” in script. Attractive, neatly executed raised carving around breech plug tang, at the front and rear of the raised cheek rest and around the entry pipe. Allen Martin became a full-time rifle maker in 1989 and is a well known maker in the Contemporary Longrifle Association. From Martin’s website, this appears to be what he refers to as a “Colonial Transitional SE PA Rifle”. Fine. Oxidized brownish-gray patina on the barrel with evenly distributed pinpricking. Clear markings, functional lock, very good bore with strong rifling and scattered oxidation and some pinpricking. Stock crisp with some scattered handling marks, minor dings and surface mars. $2,500 - 3,500

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Contemporary Flintlock Longrifle by Jack Brooks .50 caliber. 42” pinned, swamped octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, curly maple stock. Unmarked flint lock, barrel signed “J B Brooks” in script. A beautifully executed copy of a circa 1790s Lancaster Rifle by John Graeff. Rifle is mounted with a lovely engraved four-piece Daisy head patchbox, brass side plate, triggergurad, buttplate, nose cap and faceted ramrod thimbles and entry pipe. Stock with 2” wide butt, raised cheek rest and relief carved decorations at the front and rear, with raised carved aprons with finials at the tail of the counterpane and lock. Tang surrounded by a raised carved shell motif and dual incised lines are carved along the toe line and along the forend. A beautiful and well executed contemporary longrifle. Fine. Retains much of the finish with some thinning, loss and scattered light surface freckling. Lock a dull gray color with some mottling. Mechanically functional, fine 8-groove bore. Brass with a lovely golden color. Wood fine with some light handling marks. A really lovely rifle. $3,000 - 5,000

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Contemporary Flintlock Fowler by Ken Netting .62 caliber. 41” pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, hardwood stock. Single screw flint lock marked “NETTING”. No other markings. Produced in the from of a middle 18th century musket fowler with wide 2.25” butt and shield shaped wrist escutcheon but otherwise of with the furniture and appearance of a more traditional fowler. Barrel and stock with applied patina to recreate the use typical of these dual purpose guns, this is a very nicely executed example that could pass for an authentic period piece at more than a few feet of distance. Very good. Lovely applied patina with a lightly oxidized brownish gray patina and a few small areas of light surface rust. Mechanically functional, good bore is mostly bright with some pitting and discoloration in the last few inches nearest the muzzle. Stock with an attractive appearance, showing some wear and use with minor dings and mars. $2,000 - 4,000

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Hudson’s Bay Company Imperial No. 1 Percussion Fowler .56 caliber. 30.5” two-stage wedge retained octagon-to-round barrel with under rib. SN: NSN. Blued and color casehardened finish, iron mountings, checkered walnut pistol-grip half-stock with checkered forend and German silver nose cap. Lightly engraved lock mark “HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY” and “MADE IN ENGLAND”. Top flat of barrel engraved “IMPERIAL No 1”. The Imperial brand was a line of inexpensive shotguns and fowlers introduced by the Hudson’s Bay Company at the turn of the century, which was produced through the mid-1920s. Includes what appears to be an original brass tipped wood ramrod. Fine. Barrel retains much of the blue which is thinning and toning to plug, with substantial amount of vivid case color on the lock, hammer and bolster. Markings remain clear and crisp, mechanically functional, fine, bright bore. Stock crisp with sharp checkering and scattered light handling marks. $1,000 - 2,000

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* Wonderful Custom Ordered J.P. Lower Model 1877 Axtell Sharps .40-70 Sharps Straight. 30” heavy octagonal barrel. SN: 0931. Blued and color casehardened finish, checkered highly figured walnut pistol grip stock with shotgun butt and checkered Schnabel forend. Double set triggers, fully-adjustable Vernier tang sight, dovetailed globe front sight. A really outstanding custom Sharps by Axtell, one of the finest makers to ever recreate these guns. Excellent. Retains nearly all of the finish and shows little if any use. Crisp markings, vivid case colors, sharp wood. Mechanically functional, fine bore. Really fantastic. $3,000 - 5,000

239

* Ballard Rifle Company .22LR Rolling Block Rifle .22LR. 28” heavy octagon barrel. SN: R102. Blued and color casehardened finish, case colored steel furniture. highly figured stock and forend. Marked in two lines under the tang sight “BALLARD RIFLE LLC/CODY, WY”. Serial number on tang. Vernier tang sight, adjustable globe front sight. Heavy barrel measures 1.05” across the flats at the muzzle. Custom target rifle built on a Remington No 1 Rolling Block action. Small parts and screws fire blued. A really stunning custom target rifle in about “as new” condition that will no doubt be an outstanding shooter. Excellent. Retains nearly all of the blue and vivid case colors with the most minor fading and some minimal high edge thinning. Mechanically excellent, excellent bright bore. Wood with some minor handling marks. $2,000 - 3,000

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* Sharps Arms Co. 1874 Sporting Rifle .50-90 (.50 2.5” Sharps Straight). 30” heavy octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Blued and color casehardened finish, smooth walnut stock with shotgun butt and smooth forend with German silver forend cap. Combination buckhorn and ladder rear sight, German silver dovetailed front sight blade, Vernier tang sight, smooth steel shotgun butt. Produced by Sharps Arms Company of Big Timber Montana. Very fine. Retains most of the blue and vivid case colors with clear markings. Action crisp and mechanically fine. Bore fine and bright. Wood with some scattered light handling marks and minor marks. $2,000 - 3,000 F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 2 1

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* Dakota Arms Custom Sharps Rifle .22LR. 26” octagon to round barrel. SN: MO61877. Blued and color casehardened finish, steel furniture, highly figured straight grip walnut stock with shotgun butt, checked wrist and forend. Receiver marked “Dakota Arms/Sturgis, SD” on the reverse. Double set triggers, rebounding hammer, Vernier tang sight, globe front sight. Very fine. Retains nearly all of the finish with some very minor thinning along the high edges, case colors bright and vivid. Clear markings, mechanically fine, fine bore. Wood with a few very minor surface handling marks. $3,000 - 5,000

242

* Custom Engraved Sharps Arms Co. Creedmore Sharps .45-100 (.45 2.6”). 34” octagon to round barrel. SN: A74-165. Blued and color casehardened finish, checkered pistol-gripped figured walnut stock with checkered forend and checkered steel shotgun buttplate. Top flat of barrel marked with “OLD RELIABLE” trademark, as well as “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT. CONN.” and “CALIBER 45”. Receiver marked on reverse “SHARPS ARMS CO, INC/BIG TIMBER, MT USA” over the serial number and marked “K HURST”. Receiver and lock engraved by Ken Hurst with delicately executed flowing foliate Arabesque scrolls with the central panel of lock featuring a pronghorn and the central panels of the receiver featuring a buffalo on the obverse and an erect grizzly bear on the reverse. Long range vernier tang sight, fully adjustable globe front sight. A really lovely example of an embellished very high grade modern recreation of the classic Sharps target rifle. Very fine. Showing little if any use with some minute thinning of the blue along the high edges and contact points, receiver with most of the vibrant case color. Markings crisp, mechanically functional, fine bright bore. Wood very fine with crisp checkering and a couple of minute surface handling marks. $4,000 - 6,000

243

* Ballard Rifle & Cartridge Co. A1 Target Rifle .45-70. 34” octagon to round barrel. SN: C266. Blued and color casehardened finish, checkered, pistol-gripped figured walnut stock with checkered steel shotgun buttplate, checkered forend with contrasting Schnabel forend tip. Reverse of receiver marked in three lines “BALLARD RIFLE & CARTRIDGE/Co LLC Cody, Wyoming USA / BALLARD’S PATENT NOV. 5, 1861”. Receiver engraved with foliate scrolls and reading “Long Range” on the obverse and “Ballard A1” on the reverse. Long loop lever, adjustable vernier tang sight, adjustable spirit level globe front sight. A truly gorgeous modern recreation of the classic Ballard A1 Long Range rifle that would surely be a pleasure to use in long range target competition. Very fine. Retains nearly all of the blue with some minute thinning on the high edges and points of contact, receiver retains nearly all of the vivid color. Crisp markings and engraving, mechanically fine, fine bore shows little if any use. Stock very fine, with crisp checkering and some minute handling marks. $4,000 - 6,000 1 2 2 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

244

Framed Winchester Repeating Rifle Advertisement Frame dimensions 19.75” by 12.75”, document dimensions nominally 18.25” by 11.5”. Advertisement entitled “THE/Winchester Repeating Rifle” in two lines, followed by images of a Winchester Model 1866 Rifle and a Model 1866 Carbine, listing the calibers as “W 47-100” and “H 44-100”. The full page ad goes on to laud the fact that “This splendid weapon is a great improvement on the celebrated Henry Rifle.” The bottom of the ad provides the pricing for the guns and their accessories. On the rear of the frame, written in pencil it reads: “Received at Winchester / Gun Museum June 1942.” Good. Printing is clear and bold and fully legible. Paper has toned towards taupe and shows scattered discoloration form apparent mildew and mold. Frame somewhat loose and showing some alligatoring to the finish on the wood. $200 - 400.00

F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 2 3

Arms & Armor

TIM CAREY DIRECTOR, SPECIALIST 513.871.1670 TIMCAREY @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

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1 2 4 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

Inquiries LEADERSHIP JAY FREDERICK KREHBIEL CO-CHAIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER LESLIE HINDMAN CO-CHAIR WES COWAN VICE-CHAIR MARON HINDMAN VICE-CHAIR ALYSSA D. QUINLAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER ALYSSAQUINLAN @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM JIM SHARP EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER JIMSHARP @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM MOLLY MORSE LIMMER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT DEPUTY CHAIRMAN MOLLYLIMMER @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM AUCTION OPERATIONS, CLIENT SERVICES MAGGIE PORTER MAGGIEPORTER @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM AIMEE SCHNEIDER AIMEESCHNEIDER @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM RITA SWANBERG RITASWANBERG @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM DAWNIE KOMOTIOS DAWNIEKOMOTIOS @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM NICOLE JOY NICOLEJOY @HINDMANAUCTION.COM FINANCE MARCO GUSELLA DIRECTOR MARCOGUSELLA @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM ESTATES & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MIRANDA MAXFIELD BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MIRANDAMAXFIELD @HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

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PHOTOGRAPHY ZOË BARE DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID JACKSON PHOTOGRAPHY SUPERVISOR GABBY BOSHARA AVERY CAMPBELL CARMEN COLOME TYLER CHUMNEY* CHAD FEIERSTONE LIM HWOANG TYLER LEIBY DEOGRACIAS LERMA AMELIA MOORE LIBBY MOORE MIKE REINDERS BILL ROSS MADDIE SCARPONE* FIONA SCHADE RACHEL SMITH DALLAS TOLENTINO * LEAD PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR THIS AUCTION 4/8/22

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F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 2 5

Conditions of Sale FEDERAL FIREARMS LICENSE HANDLING POLICY All firearms not identified as antique will require compliance with federal and state regulations pertaining to the sale and transfer of modern firearms, as noted with asterisks in our printed and online catalogues. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer to know and comply with all state firearms regulations. Unless specified below, all transfers of modern handguns must take place at Cowans, LLC. There will be no exception made to these rules and regulations. All firearms not identified as antique, will require compliance with the following agencies, as noted with asterisks in our printed and online catalogues. There will be no exception to these rules and regulations. * Indicates the weapon is regulated by Federal Firearms laws. ** Indicates the weapon is regulated by Curio & Relic classification of the Federal Firearm laws *** Indicates the weapon is regulated by the National Firearms Act of 1934. 1. HAND GUNS: Non-Ohio resident buyers of handguns must first pay for their purchases before leaving the auction. All modern hand guns must be retained by an agent. All buyers must make arrangements with a local firearms dealer in their resident state to provide Cowan’s a copy of the FFL license holder to whom any modern handgun will be shipped. Upon receipt of the copy of this license, a purchase will be packaged and shipped (at the buyer’s expense) to the appropriate FFL holder. This is a federal law and must be complied with regardless of a buyer’s resident state. Please allow up to four weeks for delivery. Ohio residents may take possession of a modern handgun immediately after their purchase, provided they successfully complete a NICS background check which can occur on the auction premises or afterwards. Such transfer shall be made by Cowan’s.

The rights and obligations of the parties shall be governed by the laws of the state of Ohio. All Bidders submit to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in Hamilton County in the State of Ohio. 2) REGISTRATION All Bidders must register their name, permanent street address (no P.O. Boxes), and telephone number prior to the auction. Unless known to Cowan’s, all registrants are required to present two forms of identification, at least one of which must include a current photograph. Bidders may be required to present a valid credit card. By registering with Cowan’s or submitting an absentee bid form, registrant authorizes Cowan’s to obtain a copy of his or her consumer credit report and authorizes Cowan’s, at its sole discretion, to use the information contained therein to make business decisions regarding the registrant’s participation in the bidding process. 3) TERMS OF SALE Announcements made the day of auction take precedence over any previous communication. The auctioneer reserves the right to withdraw any lot at any time before its final sale and to reject any bid for any reason. The highest Bidder for each lot acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the “buyer”. If any dispute arises as to any bidding, or between two or more Bidders, at the sole discretion of the auctioneer, the successful Bidder will be determined or the disputed lot shall be put up again at the last undisputed bid and resold. 4) BUYER’S PREMIUM (a) Buyer’s Premium for “Historic Firearms and Militaria.” The Auctioneer will collect and retain from the Buyer, as additional commission, a premium equal to 20% of the Sale Price of each Lot up to and including $250,000, 15% on that part of the Sale Price exceeding $250,000, and 12% on that part of the Sale Price exceeding $3,000,000.

2. MODERN LONG GUNS: Both residents and non-residents may take possession of modern long arms by first paying, then filing an ATF form 4473 and completing the NICS background check.

(b) Buyer’s Premium for all other types of auctions: The Auctioneer will collect and retain from the Buyer, as additional commission, a premium equal to 25% of the Sale Price of each Lot up to and including $250,000, 20% on that part of the Sale Price exceeding $250,000, and 12% on that part of the Sale Price exceeding $3,000,000.

SPECIAL NOTE: In most cases, the NICS process can be approved or denied on the same day. Exceptions may take up to 3 business days. For further information, you may contact the NICS information line at 304.625.2750 or view the information on the website at: http://www.fbi.gov/program/nics/index.htm

(c) Lots purchased through any fee-based online bidding platform to which the Auctioneer might subscribe may be subject to additional Buyer’s Premium. Such additional fees will be collected by the subscriber and are not subject to negotiation from the Seller, nor is this additional commission due the Seller.

3. ANTIQUE GUNS: May be purchased and removed from the auction premises on the day of sale by anyone, resident or non-resident. Antique firearms are defined as 1898 and prior production.

5) ESTIMATES AND RESERVES Presale estimates are intended to be guides and may or may not reflect the ultimate hammer price of a lot. Cowan’s retains the right to change estimates on any lot up to time of sale. A reserve is a confidential minimum price agreed upon by the Seller of the lot and Cowan’s. In the case of reserved lots, the Seller has authorized Cowan’s to bid on Seller’s behalf until the reserve price is reached. In no case will the reserve be higher than the low presale estimate. Unless otherwise stated, Cowan’s standard house reserve on all property at auction is one-half of the low estimate.

DISCLAIMER: Neither Cowan’s LLC, their consignors, employees or agents warrant the safety or the shootability of any firearm sold. All firearms in this catalog are sold as collector items. Buyers wishing to fire ANY firearm purchased in this auction are strongly advised to have the weapon(s) examined by a competent gunsmith who will test the weapon for its shootability and also to ensure that the caliber of the breech is, in fact, the caliber that it is thought to be. COWAN’S LLC CLASS III LICENSE POLICY Hindman LLC, DBA Cowan’s Auctions, in Cincinnati, Ohio is a recognized dealer in Class III items and is recognized as a (63) NRA Firearms Dealer and will comply with all regulations. Buyers are expected to know their states laws and regulations on machine guns prior to bidding. The following states currently do not allow individuals to own machine guns: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. For more details and an up to date list of states, please visit the website for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives at www.atf.gov. The three forms necessary to fill out upon purchase of machine guns will be supplied by Cowan’s Auctions. These forms are: 1) ATF Form #4 (and possibly ATF Form #5) 2) Fingerprint Card, and 3) ATF form 5330.20 Certificate of Compliance. 1. Cowan’s Auction policy is that the buyer will assume all transfer fees relating to the purchase of Class III weapons. 2. All buyers are expected to promptly fill out paperwork and comply with all related laws and regulations. 3. Please allow up to three months, if necessary, for paperwork to be completed to transfer a machine gun. COWAN’S LLC TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE By registering and bidding in an auction conducted by Cowan’s LLC (“Cowan’s”), Bidders (whether present in person, by telephone, by agent, by written or telephone absentee bid instruction, or through a live internet connection) agree to be bound by these terms. These are the complete and only terms and conditions on which all property is offered for sale. Cowan’s retains the right to bar any Bidder from participating in any auction and to exclude or reject any bid. 1) ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS Bidding on any item, whether in person, by phone, by absentee bid or via a live internet auction indicates the Bidder’s agreement to be bound by these Terms and Conditions for Bidders. Any right of Bidder under this agreement shall not be assignable and shall only be enforceable by the original buyer.

1 2 6 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

6) WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS Cowan’s makes a limited warranty only to the original buyer of record concerning the authenticity of each lot for a period of 14 days after the close of the auction. If a buyer is not satisfied that the lot purchased is genuine, the buyer may, at his or her own expense, obtain the written opinion of two mutually agreed upon recognized experts in the field of the disputed lot. If these experts determine that the item is not genuine, the buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the rescission of the sale and refund of the amount paid for the item. It is specifically understood and agreed that the rescission of the sale and refund is exclusive and in lieu of any other remedy which might otherwise be available as a matter of law or in equity, and such remedy is conditioned upon the buyer returning the property in the same condition as at the time of sale. Cowan’s shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages. All sales are final, with no returns or refunds except as provided in this limited warranty. Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, EVERY LOT IS SOLD “AS IS”, without any representations or warranties by Cowan’s or the Seller as to merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, condition or value of the property, or the correctness or completeness of the catalog or other description of the property, and no statement, whether written or oral, shall be deemed such a representation, warranty or assumption of liability. Cowan’s makes no representation or warranty that the buyer of manuscript material, photographs, prints or works of art will acquire any copyright or reproduction rights. Cowan’s does not guarantee the working order of any clock, watch, electronic or mechanical device. Dimensions given in the catalog descriptions may be approximate. 7) INSPECTION Prospective buyers are advised to personally examine any lots in which they are interested prior to the auction. All lots are available for inspection prior to the auction. Condition reports for most items can be found online at Cowan’s website, www.cowans.com, and prospective Bidders are encouraged to contact Cowan’s directly for additional information regarding the condition of any lot. Cowan’s does not warrant the condition of any item. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Buyers interested in the condition of an item are encouraged to contact Cowan’s and, to the best of our ability, we will document for the prospective Bidder the condition status on any lot. Condition is always a subjective evaluation and final responsibility rests with the buyer to assess the condition of any item sold by Cowan’s.

8) DEFINITIONS OF AUTHORSHIP

AFTER THE AUCTION

“By” or “Maker/Artist” — in our opinion, the work is by the artist or maker stated “Attributed to” — in our opinion, the work is probably, but not definitely, by the artist or maker stated “Signed” or “Marked” — in our opinion, the signature or mark is that of the stated artist or maker “Bearing the signature (or mark) of” — in our opinion, the signature or mark is probably, but not definitely, that of the artist or maker stated “Circle of” — in our opinion, the work is of the period and by an artist or maker closely associated with the stated artist or maker “School of” — in our opinion, the work is by a pupil or follower of the stated artist or maker “Manner of” — in our opinion, the work is of the period and done in the style of the stated artist or maker “After” — in our opinion, the work is a copy of a work by the stated artist or maker

13) BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY Upon the fall of the hammer, title to the offered lot shall pass to the buyer and the buyer immediately (a) assumes full risk and responsibility for the lot, including liability for loss or damage and (b) is liable for payment of the Purchase Price (as defined below) to Cowan’s. It is the buyer’s responsibility to ask specific questions on condition related concerns prior to the auction. Cowan’s will not rescind sales with buyers that have disputes regarding firearm’s bore condition.

ABSENTEE, TELEPHONE AND INTERNET BIDDING Absentee and telephone bidding is offered as a free service to our customers and prospective Bidders. Cowan’s shall not be responsible for any errors or failures in executing bids, either absentee, telephone or via the internet. Cowan’s cannot warrant or guarantee any phone or absentee bids made or altered on the day of the auction. All bids must be placed in U.S. Dollars and reflect the bid increments as defined by the Auctioneer. 9) ABSENTEE BIDDING Absentee bids are accepted via phone, fax, email and on Cowan’s website. Such bids will be posted with the time and date of arrival, with ties being awarded to the earliest Bidder. Absentee bids that are faxed or emailed to Cowan’s need to be in the office at least 2 hours before the sale begins.

14) PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT The “Purchase Price” for each lot shall equal the hammer price, buyer’s premium, sales tax and, if applicable, all packing, handling, insurance and shipping costs. Buyers who are present at the auction must pay the full Purchase Price at the time of the sale. Buyers who bid by telephone, by internet, or who are absentee Bidders will be invoiced within 5 days after the close of the auction and must pay the full Purchase Price for each purchased lot within 14 days after the date of the auction. No property will be released by Cowan’s unless the Purchase Price has been paid in full and the payment has cleared. Payments must be made with cash, personal or traveler’s check or credit card or wire transfers. Bidders from outside the continental United States are required to pay via wire transfer unless previously known to Cowan’s. For Fine Jewelry, Coin and Currency, and Fine Silver auctions, Bidders previously unknown to Cowan’s may purchase up to $1,000 via credit card with the remaining balance settled via cash, personal or traveler’s check or credit card or wire transfers. Bidders without prior credit card approval who intend on making purchases in excess of $10,000 must provide credit information such as a bank letter of credit prior to bidding.

An absentee Bidder unknown to Cowan’s may be required to submit a bank letter of credit prior to the auction, or, using a credit card, deposit with Cowan’s a fee equaling 30% of the absentee bid.

PLEASE NOTE: A surcharge of 3% will be assessed to all credit card transactions. This surcharge is not greater than our cost of acceptance.

All absentee bids are executed competitively by a member of the auction staff. The auction staff will try to purchase the lot for the lowest price possible and will bid up to the amount designated by the absentee Bidder only if necessary. Cowan’s does not accept “buy bids,” or absentee bids which have no limit. In the event of a tie bid between a floor and an absentee Bidder, the floor bid will be honored.

Institutional billing may be available, and should be arranged prior to the auction.

10) TELEPHONE BIDDING Bidding live via the telephone is available on a first come, first served basis. In order for Cowan’s to efficiently serve the needs of those who wish to bid by phone, please note the following:

15) SALES TAX Buyers are required to pay any applicable state and local sales tax.

(a) To participate in the auction by telephone, potential Bidders must complete and sign the bid form and check “I WISH TO BID BY TELEPHONE” for the designated lots. Potential Bidders may also reserve a phone line on Cowan’s website. If faxing or emailing requests for phone bidding, they need to be in Cowan’s office 2 hours before the sale begins. Once the auction begins, bids left on Cowan’s website or emailed may not be retrieved by the staff. (b) As a registered telephone bidder, Bidders are aware the bidding begin at the minimum of one half of the low estimate. (c) Telephone Bidders are advised to indicate an “insurance bid”, which amount will become an absentee bid, pursuant to the absentee bidding process set forth above, if Cowan’s cannot reach the Bidder by telephone for a particular indicated lot. (d) Telephone Bidders must disable any caller ID or other call blocking mechanism. (e) Cowan’s sells about 100 lots per hour, so telephone Bidders should plan accordingly. Cowan’s will attempt to reach each telephone Bidder, but Cowan’s is in no way responsible for missed calls. 11) INTERNET BIDDING Internet bidding is available through our website; additionally, Cowan’s may post certain auctions on Bidsquare.com or Proxibid.com. There may be terms which apply solely to internet bids that should be reviewed online at the time of sale. Cowan’s is not responsible for any failure to execute a bid and shall have no liability to any Bidder for any technical or other failure associated with an internet auction. 12) BIDDING INCREMENTS The following increments are used at the auction. Absentee bids must fall within these increments. Cowan’s will automatically adjust any absentee bid to the closest increment if the bid falls outside the published range of increments. For Bids Falling Between $0 – $500 $501 – $1,000 $1,001 – $2,000 $2,001 – $5,000 $5,001 – $10,000 $10,001 – $20,000 $20,001 – $50,000 $50,001 – $100,000 $100,001 – $200,000 Above $200,000

Bidding Increment $25 $50 $100 $250 $500 $1,000 $2,500 $5,000 $10,000 at auctioneer’s discretion

Cowan’s may impose late charges of 1.5% per month (or the highest interest rate allowed) on any amount owed to Cowan’s that remains unpaid after 30 days. Buyer shall be liable for any collection costs or attorney’s fees incurred by Cowan’s to collect payment, to the extent permitted by law. 16) SHIPPING At the request of the buyer, Cowan’s will authorize the shipment of purchased items usually within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS or Fed-Ex Ground. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion Cowan’s Auctions. Cowan’s is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property. ADVICE TO INTERNATIONAL BUYERS Cowan’s will not ship any package containing a firearm to any location other than within the United States. Buyers outside the United States must make their own shipping arrangements taking full risk for the transportation of any firearm. Property made of or containing certain plant or animal materials, such as coral, crocodile, ivory, whalebone, baleen, tortoiseshell, etc., may require a license or certificate before exportation from the United States and importation to another country. If a purchase contains these materials, the Buyer must check the government wildlife import requirements in the countries from which and to which the item is being shipped prior to bidding. Since the export and import licenses are independently issued by the countries of origin and destination, obtaining one does not guarantee that you can obtain the other. Purchasers are responsible for making timely payments on items won at auction, even if a license is delayed or denied. 17) SHIPPING CHARGES Buyers are required to pay for all packing, shipping and insurance charges. Overseas duty charges are the responsibility of the successful Bidder. Be aware that for larger and/or valuable items, shipping charges can be substantial. 18) REMOVAL AND STORAGE OF PROPERTY AND CANCELLATION OF SALE It is the responsibility of the Buyer to remove purchased property. If purchased property has not been removed, or Cowan’s has not received shipping instructions within 90 days after the auction date, Cowan’s may, at its option, cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages any payments made by the buyer, and/or resell the property at auction or by any other commercially reasonable means, for the account and at the risk of the buyer, and in such event, buyer shall be liable for the payment of all deficiencies plus all of Cowan’s costs, including but not limited to storage and costs of both sales. This right of cancellation is in addition to any and all other remedies available to Cowan’s. Copyright © 2022 Cowan’s Auctions

Cowan’s reserves the right to modify increments at any time during the auction. F OR A DDI T I ONA L I M AGE S A ND L OT DE TA I L S V I S I T C OWA NS . C OM 1 2 7

DETAIL: LOT 160, J&S HAWKEN MARKED PERCUSSION PISTOL

SALE 1036 ANTIQUITIES & ANCIENT ART, SESSION II MAY 27 | CHICAGO | ONLINE

SALE 1053 NATIVE AMERICAN ART: THE LIFETIME COLLECTION OF FORREST FENN, PART I JUNE 9 | CINCINNATI | LIVE + ONLINE

SALE 1037 PALM BEACH COLLECTIONS MAY 31 | PALM BEACH | LIVE + ONLINE

SALE 1040 FINE ART & DESIGN SELECTIONS JUNE 10 | CHICAGO | ONLINE

SALE 1038 SUMMER FASHION & ACCESSORIES JUNE 2 | CHICAGO | ONLINE

SALE 1042 NATIVE AMERICAN ART ONLINE JUNE 15 | CINCINNATI | ONLINE

SALE 1056 THE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE COLLECTION, SOLD TO BENEFIT THE DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE JUNE 3 | DENVER | LIVE + ONLINE

SALE 1003 ETHNOGRAPHIC ART JUNE 16 | CHICAGO | ONLINE

SALE 1039 SPORTS MEMORABILIA JUNE 6-7 | CHICAGO | ONLINE

1 2 8 FRO N TIER F IR EARMS F ROM THE LIFETIM E COLLECTION OF LARRY N ESS

SALE 1046 AMERICAN HISTORICAL EPHEMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURING THE CIVIL WAR AND AMERICAN MILITARIA COLLECTION OF BRUCE B. HERMANN

JUNE 21-22 | CINCINNATI | LIVE + ONLINE

Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness June 8, 2022 Cincinnati | Live + Online TIM CAREY Director, Arms & Armor 513.871.1670 timcarey@hindmanauctions.com COWANS.COM

The Lifetime Collection of Forrest Fenn, Part I June 9, 2022 Cincinnati | Live + Online DANICA FARNAND Director, Native American Art 513.666.4935 danicafarnand@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

American Historical Ephemera & Photography Featuring the Civil War and American Militaria Collection of Bruce B. Hermann JUNE 22, 2022 LIVE + ONLINE | CINCINNATI KATIE HORSTMAN Senior Specialist, American Historical Ephemera and Photography 513.666.4958 katiehorstman@hindmanauctions.com HINDMANAUCTIONS.COM

FEATURED Civil War corps badge presented to Colonel Michael Cotter Murphy, 170th New York Infantry, Medal of Honor recipient for action at the Battle of North Anna River on 24 May 1864, and first New York City Police Commissioner. Presale Estimate: $7,000 -10,000

FRO N T I E R FI R E A R MS FRO M T HE LIFET IM E CO L LE CTIO N O F L AR RY NES S | 8 JUNE 20 22