*WONDERFUL EXHIBITION GRADE 20 GAUGE BROWNING SUPERPOSED WITH THREE COLOR FLUSH GOLD INLAY BY ANDRE WATRIN AND RELIEF GOLD INLAY BY LOUIS VRANCKEN WITH BOX.

SN 55444V9. Cal. 20 ga. 3” Chambers. This exceptional Browning embellished by two of the best engravers in Belgium, has 26-3/8″ bbls, marked for IC and mod. Bbls are gold inlaid with Browning Arms St. Louis and Montreal addresses, and “MADE IN BELGIUM” on left, and steel, chamber, and patent info on right. Bbls have narrow, matted, ventilated rib with white front, and silver mid, beads. Blued standard Browning OU action with gold-plated sgl selective trigger, is masterfully flush inlaid with gold and yellow gold in sweeping open scroll surrounding hunting scenes in western U. S. background; semi-relief gold inlaid hunter shoots at departing covey of quail while his hunting dog breaks point at the flush on left side of action. A white gold boulder is in foreground. Right side portrays what is undoubtedly the same hunter and dog with flushing pheasant in flush gold inlaid brush land. Portrait of dog retrieving grouse is on bottom of action. Trigger guard has matching scroll. This unique inlay is signed by “A. Watrin” on left who is an acknowledged master of carefully conceived and executed flush gold inlay, and by “L. Vrancken” on right rear, who is known for his exceptionally well detailed relief gold work. Nicely stump figured claro walnut short tang round knob buttstock measures 14-3/8” over Browning open sided white line pad. Checkering has carved beaded borders and relief carved acanthus finials, and wraps over top of grip. Matching forend is of 1-pc field type. Bore diameter: top -.618, bottom -.618. Bore restrictions: top. .011 (mod), bottom: .005 (IC). Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-3/8″. Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8″. Black and gold Browning box has no end label, but does have small label inked in “Browning Exhibition” “3 color blue” “20 ga IC/M”. Box contains wrapping tissue and instruction manual. PROVENANCE: Copy of invoice for this particular gun showing that it was shipped to Laredo Texas dated Aug 26, 1970, at a cost of $3760.00, with a suggested retail of $4700.00. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only a few minor handling marks on wood and metal. Checkering remains bright and clean. Mechanically crisp. Box has some light chips. 49498-1 MGM251 (30,000-40,000) – Lot 2074

| Click here to view provenance

*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE BROWNING EXHIBITION GRADE TRAP SUPERPOSED WITH THREE COLOR FLUSH AND RELIEF GOLD INLAY BY ANDRE WATRIN AND LOUIS VRANCKEN.

SN 1044S2. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4” Chambers. This very fine Browning is embellished by FN’s two top engravers. It has 32″ bbls, marked for full and full, are gold inlaid with “BROWNING ARMS COMPANY ST LOUIS Mo. & MONTREAL P.Q.” on left, and right with “MADE IN BELGIUM” and chamber info. Bbls are fitted with “broadway” trap ventilated rib with two “certifiable pre-ban ivory” beads. Blued standard Browning OU action with gold-plated sgl selective trigger, is masterfully relief gold inlaid with two color attenuated scroll morphing into stylized griffins on sides and bottom of action. There is flush inlaid gold banding at edges. This unique treatment surrounds relief gold inlaid birds with flush gold inlaid backgrounds in three colors; each side depicts a pair of relief male black grouse in combat with background of foliage and mountains in flush inlaid yellow gold, offset by flush inlaid white gold birch trees, all to very fine effect. Bottom of action depicts an auerhahn displaying on a branch in relief, with flush gold rising sun in background. Portrait of black grouse is on trigger guard bow. Engravers signatures, “A Watrin” is on bottom rear of left side of action, and “L. Vrancken” is at bottom rear of left game scene. Nicely feather crotch figured claro walnut long tang flat knob buttstock measures 14-3/8” over Browning open sided white line pad. Checkering at grip is flanked by relief carving which continues the griffin theme, with head and tongue of griffin running up along side bottom tang, and wings around top. Flat of knob is relief carved with smaller scroll and griffin heads. More of this fine carving is on matching straight beavertail type forend. Bore diameter: top -.723, bottom -.724. Bore restrictions: top. .037 (full), bottom: .038 (full). Drop at heel: 1-5/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″. Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz. LOP: 14-3/8″. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Robert Burg. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only the slightest of light assembly and handling marks in wood and metal. Checkering has a hint of darkening. Mechanically excellent. A truly exceptional work of art. 49100-15 MGM253 IVORY (20,000-30,000) – Lot 2076

*BEAUTIFULLY APPOINTED PAIR OF AUGUSTE FRANCOTTE .410 SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUNS WITH CASE.

SN 1044/1045. Cal. .410. 3″ Chambers. 28″ Chopper lump bbls with narrow game ribs gold inlaid “1” and “2” (also gold inlaid on top levers and forend tips) on rear portions are engraved “Aug. Francotte a Liege” on tops of left bbls. There are 3/4″ sprays of large scroll at breech ends. Bbl flats are stamped with 2010 London nitro proofs for 3″ chambers, along with what appears to be Belgian proofs and AF logos. Bottoms of right bbls are engraved with SNs, and splinters are engraved with importers name and address (BSA Millbrook, N.Y.). Diminutive, case hardened, sidelock actions are fitted with non-automatic safeties (S inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and dbl triggers. Actions are engraved with full coverage large, open, shaded acanthus scroll surrounding well done portrait of squirrel on branch gnawing on pine cone, under makers name, on the bottom of each action. Lockplates have matching scroll at front portions, rear portions are engraved with game scenes; coveys of quail flushing from fence row on left side of gun “1”, and from open woodlands on gun no. “2”. Right locks depict scenes reminiscent of “WATERSHIP DOWN” with three rabbits running through woodlands on gun “1”, and with two rabbits, one surveying the distance from hillside, while another crouches behind a big tree, on gun “2”. Case hardened trigger guards are engraved with matching relief acanthus and have SNs gold inlaid at grips. Master engravers signature “J. M. Smetts” is on trigger plates. Exceptionally well matched, strikingly marbled, and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstocks measure 15-1/2″ over checkered wood butts. Fluted drop points are behind lockplates, and well cut point pattern checkering with line borders is at grips. Matching splinter ejector forends have Anson releases. Gun no. “1”: Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.385, right -.386. Drop at heel: 2-1/2″, drop at comb: 1-3/8″. Weight: 5 lbs 7 oz. LOP: 15-1/2″. Gun no. “2”: Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.389, right -.388. Drop at heel: 2-7/16″, drop at comb: 1-3/8″. Weight: 5 lbs 8 oz. LOP: 15-1/2″. High quality leather case with stitched leather corners has brown canvas outer cover with stitched tan leather trim. Case is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Francotte label in lid. Case contains 2-pc walnut and brass cleaning rod with brush and jag, two pairs of snap caps, and a square oil bottle. PROVENANCE: Consignor states: “These guns are the last to be made by Auguste Francotte of Liege, and it is doubtful that they will ever be replicated.” CONDITION: Essentially as new, with only scant evidence of having been fired since proof, and a few light handling marks on wood and metal. Mechanically crisp. Case leather is excellent as protected by its outer cover, which has some light marks. Interior cloth shows some very light compressions. Accessories are excellent. 49574-1 MGM351 (50,000-70,000) – Lot 2104

*EXQUISITE HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION PRUSSIAN CHARLES DALY REGENT DIAMOND GRADE.

SN 14504. Cal. 12 ga. This fine, top of the Daly line, lightweight shotgun has 28″ Witten Excelsior steel bbls fitted with concave, matted rib gold inlaid “Charles Daly Regent Diamond Quality” on unmatted portion. Breech ends of bbls are engraved with exceptionally well cut and beautifully shaded full relief oak leaves, acorns, and ferns, terminating in various sized shaded acanthus scroll behind “Witten Steel” logos. Bbl flats are stamped with German nitro proofs with a proof date of 11/25. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with steel information, and bottom of left bbl with SN. Scallop-backed, case hardened, boxlock action with water table marked “PRUSSIA” features automatic safety (SAFE gold inlaid), pin type cocking indicators on top, square crossbolt third fastener, side clips, and nickel-plated double triggers with finely checkered blades. Fences are beautifully carved in shell motif with flutes engraved with scales. Remainder of action is nearly fully scroll engraved with semi-relief open shaded acanthus scroll surrounding exceptional relief gold inlaid vignettes of game scenes; a well rendered setter is on left side, and a group of grouse, two perched and three flying, are on right. Bottom of action depicts the classic in-your-face relief gold inlaid flying mallard surmounted by a sovereigns crown. “CHARLES DALY” is in small banner at bottom rear of each fence. Case hardened trigger guard with matching scroll has fine woodland scene of two gold inlaid woodcock flying through branches on bow. SN is at grip. Beautifully dark marbled and lightly figured European walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over orig ribbed horn buttplate. Fancy pattern borderless checkering with fleur-di-lis intrusions is at grip. Side panels are checkered with broad chip-carved borders. Bottom of grip has inlet horn oval with raised ridge. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching long splinter ejector forend has inlet schnabeled horn tip, and Deeley type release. Bore diameter: left -.724, right -.724. Bore restrictions: left -.049 (extra full), right -.047 (extra full). Wall thickness: left -.030, right -.024. Drop at heel: 3″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 6 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain nearly all of what appears to be their orig lustrous rust blue, with one or two cleaned spots toward muzzles on right bbl. Action retains approx 85 – 90% orig case hardening color. Depth of engraving is enhanced by hand worn silvering on beads and bottom of action. Thumbpiece of top lever is slightly silvered. Top tang of action and grip portion of trigger guard are also silvered. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig hand rubbed oil finish, with a few light marks, checkering lightly worn. Wood at head of stock is slightly away from action (normal shrinkage). Bores are excellent with a hint of frosting and one or two small pings in right bbl, toward muzzle. Action is very slightly loose with forend removed, feels tight with forend installed. Ejectors are strong and in time. 48990-2 MGM47 (17,500-27,500) – Lot 2111

*IVO FABBRI TITANIUM ACTION PINLESS SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER OVER-UNDER GAME OR PIGEON GUN WITH CASE.

SN E1010. Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. Finely struck 28-3/8″ demi-bloc bbls are fitted with medium width file cut flat solid rib gold inlaid “1” at rear. Gun is one of a pair with “1” engraved at rear of top tang and on forend tip. Left side of top bbl is engraved “IVO FABBRI – BRESCIA”. “FABBRI SS 2002 STEEL” is on right. Bottom bbl flat is stamped with makers name, gauge, importer, SN, and 2007 Italian nitro proofs. Dark anodized low profile OU action with pinless sidelocks, is made of titanium, noted for its extreme strength combined with light weight. Action features automatic safety (SAFE engraved) and single non-selective trigger. Action and lockplates are engraved with classic small scroll and rose bouquets in “British Best” tradition. “IVO FABBRI” is on both sides of action under lockplates, and on bottom. Engravers signature (Creative Art) is on trigger plate. Small bow trigger guard has SN at grip. Exhibition quality, beautifully flame/ fiddle figured, well streaked, European walnut extreme pistol grip buttstock measures 14-5/8″ over thin black Decelerator pad. Well cut point pattern checkering with line border is at grip. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching one piece full forend has gold pigeon sitting on branch inlet into wood at rear. Bore diameter: top -.733, bottom -.734. Bore restrictions: top -.011 (IC), bottom -.011 (IC). Drop at heel: 1-15/16″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Weight: 6 lbs 8 oz. LOP: 14-5/8″. High quality tan leather two gun motor case by Nizzoli has stitched leather corners. Case is lined in burgundy cloth and has Fabbri paper label in lid. PROVENANCE: Copy of letter from Tullio Fabbri stating that “they are the first pair of titaniums ever shipped to the U.S. These guns are the first choice of the King of Spain, and many other people that pride quality and performance above all.” He goes on to explain many of the special features and materials inherent in the making of Fabbri guns today, not only the titanium actions, but also including their special bbl steel, micro welded construction, and superior finishing, including a black colored diamond coating of the bbl surface. CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new with little evidence of firing since proof, with only one or two of the lightest marks in all finishes on wood and metal, most notably two or three light scratches on butt. Mechanically crisp. Case leather is excellent, with a few scuffs. Interior is excellent. Fabbri is the creator of some of the finest guns in the world. The Titanium model currently starts at 125,000 euros in Italy without engraving. The light weight action of the Titanium model yields a gun with exceptional dynamics. Gun no. “2” of the pair is also in this auction. 49335-1 MGM90 (100,000-150,000) – Lot 2139

| Click here to view provenance

HUMONGOUS HOLLAND & HOLLAND FOUR BORE DOUBLE ELEPHANT RIFLE.

SN 8336. Cal. 4 bore. (.955 Groove diameter, 11 groove Enfield type rifling) 4″ Chambers. 24″ Fine Damascus bbls, swamped at center with slight flare toward muzzles, are fitted with full length flat rib with dolls head extension. Rear portion behind single standing leaf express rear sight marked for 50 yards, is file cut. Central portion of rib is engraved “Presented to Mirza Toffal Ali Beg Khan Bahadur by Nawab Salar Jung Mukhtar-ul Mulk, Prime Minister of Hyderabad, Ootagamund, June 15, 1885”. Silver bead front sight is longitudinally dovetailed into rib. Top of right bbl is engraved with H&H New Bond street address. Top of left is engraved “Winners of All the “Field” Rifle Trials London 1883″. Breech ends are engraved with wide acanthus bands behind 2-3/8″ triangles of exceptionally well cut scrolling acanthus with floral centers. Matching bands are at muzzles. Gun is numbered “2” on top of dolls head extension, top tang, and on forend iron. Bbl flats are stamped with London black powder proofs for 6 bore. SNs are stamped on bottoms of bbls. A large sling eye is soldered to bottom rib. Massive case hardened Jones underlever round bar action (almost 3-1/2″ across breech face) has nicely filed fences, and is fitted with rebounding back action locks by Brazier sporting large, flat bodied, serpentine hammers with dolphin heads. Top tang extends over comb. Action and locks are engraved with 30% coverage well cut sprays of scroll, as background and accent to very well rendered scenes of big game animals, many for which this rifle would be suited. Right side of action depicts a rhinoceros with large deciduous and palm trees in background. Left side depicts an elephant strolling through open savannah with some trees and mountain in background. A bear in similar background is on left lockplate, and a well limned tiger burns bright from the right. A fine portrait of a lion is on top of action between hammers. SN and “2” are on trigger guard tang which extends to horn grip cap. Fiddle figured and lightly streaked dense European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over Silver type pad, and features right hand shadow line cheekpiece, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip, and a sling eye, matching but smaller than that on bottom of bbl, on toe line. Central portion of cheekpiece has inset gold circle engraved with complex monogram including the large letters “S” and “J” intertwined with smaller letters “M” and “K” and “JUS”. (This rifle is almost identical, except for some nuances of engraving, with four bore rifle no. 8333, made for the Nizam of Hyderabad, and pictured and described on pages 67-69 in HOLLAND & HOLLAND THE ROYAL GUNMAKER by Donald Dallas. Factory records indicate that both rifles were ordered through Rogers, Rock & Co., H&H’s Indian agents. This rifle was undoubtedly part of a large shipment of big bore rifles for various Indian princes.) Matching broad splinter forend has pivoting lever release. Drop at heel: approx 3-5/16″, drop at comb: approx 2-1/4″. Weight: 21 lbs 4 oz. LOP: 14-3/8”. PROVENANCE: Copy of factory ledger page, confirming specs and stating rifle was regulated with 14 drams of powder in a spherical ball. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbls retain over 80% orig Damascus brown with some areas of further browning and discoloration with a number of light marks and dings. Action and locks retain 60 – 70% orig case hardening color with some brown staining and high edges silvered. Top of action colors are vivid, fading and turning brown along grip strap. Trigger guard is essentially all gray to brown patina with traces of dark color hardening under opening lever. Stocks retain most of an old oil refinish over numerous marks and dings, both heavy and light. Sharp edges are slightly rounded. Wood is somewhat below metal at top of grip, which shows a number of well done repairs. Checkering nicely re-cut. Forend wood is fine, checkering re-cut, with a small chip at right front of bbl channel. Pad is an old replacement, fitted to orig curve, and factory specs state rifle was originally made with a “recoil buttplate”. Bores are excellent, very shiny with sharp rifling throughout, with one or two minor imperfections, most likely small flaws in Damascus. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Locks are crisp. An exceptionally cool big bore. 48568-1 MGM31 (60,000-90,000) – Lot 2211

| Click here to view provenance

*SUBLIME GOLDEN AGE HOLLAND & HOLLAND ROYAL DELUXE HAMMERLESS EJECTOR DOUBLE RIFLE IN .240 MAGNUM FLANGED NITRO EXPRESS MOST LIKELY MADE FOR HIS HIGHNESS SIR RANA RANJIT SINGHJI OF THE STATE OF BARWANI WITH CASE AND AMMUNITION.

SN 31040. Cal. .240 FM (Made in 1927) This svelte little rifle has beautifully struck 25″ chopper lump bbls fitted with file cut quarter rib with Holland’s classic cove molding transition to sunken mid rib, with front ramp mirroring transition. Quarter rib is fitted with one standing, one folding leaf express rear sight, having platinum lines. Standing leaf is marked for 50 and 200 yards, and folding leaf for 350 yards. Front ramp holds small silver bead with flip-up porcelain night bead. Tops of bbls are engraved “Holland & Holland” and “98. New Bond Street London.” Mid rib is engraved “.240 Bore”. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 31-1/2 grains cordite and 100 grain bullet. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and left bbl with “H&H”. A sling loop is soldered to bottom rib. Slim, case hardened, back action sidelock (Brazier locks), Holland Royal action with reinforcing bolsters features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, hidden third fastener, gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, detachable sidelocks, and dbl triggers. Engraving on Holland “Deluxe” guns is always unique, but follows a similar theme. Engraving on this gun is known as “Dragon Pattern” and depicts a panoply of mythical and actual scary beasts. Fences are wonderfully relief carved with stylized griffins with wings drooping toward bottoms. Lockplates each portray a griffin, newt, snake with forked tongue, and bear type animal with tongue extended. These beasties peer forth from a background of open shaded acanthus scroll. Bottom of action is engraved “ROYAL EJECTOR” which is flanked by a pair of sea monsters and has foliate scroll extending toward trigger plate with face of horned greenman. This engraving is well cut and nicely detailed. Blued top lever is engraved “Modele – de – Luxe”. Sgl beaded trigger guard has another sea monster on bow and SN engraved in high relief on tang, which extends to steel grip cap with trap, engraved with another greenman (a spare front sight is in trap). Dark and dense, nicely marbled and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered wood butt, and is styled in classic H&H manner with right hand shadow line cheekpiece having broad flaring transition to shadow, point pattern flat top checkering with mullered borders at grip, concave border at rear, and classic drop points. There is a sling loop on toe line matching that on bbl, along with a gold oval engraved with a tiger rampant over a banner inscribed in Indian script. Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Drop at heel: approx 3″, drop at comb: approx 1-7/8″ (Factory specs state 1-5/8″ and 2-5/8″. These are indeed the correct measurements without sights, as stocker measures bend from sight bases, not beads or blades). Weight: 8 lbs 2 oz. LOP: 14-1/8”. High quality leather case with brass corners is lined in scarlet cloth, and has gold embossed H&H black leather label in lid, as well as charge card for this rifle. It contains 3-pc aluminum and plastic Parker & Hale cleaning rod, with brush, mop, and jag, pair of “.240” marked snap caps, black morocco leather wallet with pull-through cleaner marked “.240”, square oil bottle, nicely made leather carrying sling, and two H&H marked horn handled turnscrews with a matching striker key. Covered compartment holds two keys. Also included with rifle are two boxes of Holland’s .240 Magnum Flanged cartridges with Holland marked reddish orange labels. PROVENANCE: Correspondence between Mr. West and H & H regarding this rifle, and purchase of accessories. Copy of ledger page where it states orig client was “Barwani” most likely Sir Rana Ranjit Singhji (1894-1930), K.C.I.E. Bahadur of the state of Barwani of south central India. Wm. West Estate Collection. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine. Bbls retain nearly all of a most likely factory re-black, all engraving remains sharp and clear. Action retains approx 90% orig case hardening colors, silvered on high points, giving fine definition to extensive engraving. Bottom of action is considerably silvered. Lockplates retain over 95% orig case hardening color. Lock takedown lever and thumbpiece of top lever are slightly silvered. Trigger guard is silvered on bead and at grip, retaining approx 80% orig blue. Stocks have received a light factory quality refinish with only a few exceptionally light handling marks, and some staining under finish on forend. Checkering lightly worn. Bores are excellent, rifling sharp throughout. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Rifle was originally fitted with bolted safety, bolt has been removed. Newer case is excellent, with only a few minor scuffs and rubs on exterior. Interior cloth has a few light compressions and soiling. Accessories are excellent, near new. Cartridge boxes are excellent, still sealed. Simply a wonderful rifle. 49479-2 MGM257 (40,000-70,000) – Lot 2216

| Click here to view provenance

*SUBLIME AND EXCEEDINGLY RARE .410 BOSS SIDELOCK EJECTOR SINGLE TRIGGER GAME GUN WITH CASE.

SN 9374. Cal. .410. 3″ Chambers. 26″ Bbls are fitted with raised, matted rib, and are engraved “Boss & Co” and “13/ 14 Cork Street. London. W.1.” on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 3″ chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN, and bottom rib under forend is engraved “Made in England”. Dainty, perfectly scaled, sidelock action is stocked to the fences and features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), gold band tumbler end cocking indicators, and Boss’ superb single trigger. Ronald S. Gabriel in his book AMERICAN & BRITISH .410 SHOTGUNS, relates: “In a conversation in 1982 with Boss’s ancient and retired barrel maker, Jack Rennie, he told me that the firm had made “perhaps” 13 .410s, ten side by sides with double triggers, and “3 or 4″ over under .410s with single triggers.” He also relates: “Abercrombie & Fitch had another side by side .410 made in 1967, SN 9374” (this gun). It obviously has a factory single trigger, as it has Boss’s “patent no 22894” (single trigger patent no) on trigger plate. Action is engraved in typical Boss house style with small scroll surrounding rose bouquets. The engraving on this gun incorporates 17 bouquets. “Boss & Co” is at the front of each lockplate. Small bow, single beaded, blued and scroll engraved trigger guard has SN on tang. Dark, finely veined, and lightly figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered wood butt. Classic drop points are behind lockplates. Standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders is at grip. Vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter forend fitted with Boss’ excellent ejector system lifting cartridges well away from ends of bbls when acting as extractors, has Anson release. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.398, right -.402. Wall thickness: left -.045, right -.046. Drop at heel: 2-5/16″, drop at comb: 1-7/16″. Weight: 5 lbs 1/3 oz. LOP: 14-3/8”. Abercrombie & Fitch marked VC leather case with stitched leather corners is embossed “E.M.F.” on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and contains 2-pc ebony and brass cleaning rod, square oil bottle, pair of snap caps, and a Boss marked bench cloth, along with two keys. PROVENANCE: Email from Griffin & Howe stating that this gun “was received in inventory on 6/2/69 with all specs matching; and was sold 10/22/69 to S. R. Sutphin. It was returned to inventory on 11/18/69. On 11/19/69 it was transferred to the San Francisco branch of A&F. On 1/9/70 it was returned to the NY store. On 3/19/70 it was transferred to G&H. There are no G&H records surviving before 1977. There is no other record of sale.” CONDITION: Excellent, near new, with only a few minor handling marks on wood and metal, mostly from assembly and disassembly, and only a hint of cartridge halos on breechface. There is 1-1/2″ stable check (which does not flex) running from left side of trigger, rearward and upward into point of checkering. There is also some lifted finish in this area. Bores are essentially mint. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are strong and in time. Trigger works well. Case leather is excellent with a few minor marks and scuffs. Interior cloth is excellent, with some slight soiling and compressions. Accessories are fine. A dainty, well proportioned, exquisite small bore. 48995-1 MGM30 (75,000-125,000) – Lot 2249

| Click here to view provenance

*SUBLIME MASTERPIECE OF FUNCTIONAL SPORTING ART, EXCEPTIONAL KEN HUNT RELIEF SCULPTED JAMES PURDEY .410 SIDELOCK EJECTOR GAME GUN WITH CASE.

SN 28483. Cal. .410. 3″ Chambers. 28″ Chopper lump bbls with slightly raised, matted, concave game rib, are engraved “J. Purdey & Sons.” “Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” on tops. Bbl flats are stamped with 1981 London nitro proofs for 3″ chambers. SNs are on bottoms of bbls. Bottom of left bbl is stamped “PURDEY” and with bbl makers initials “AH” (long time Purdey craftsman, Alf Harvey). Tube nos. 75353 and 75354 are on loop. Case hardened, Beesley patent, self-opening, sidelock action with rounded bar, is as small as this action is possible to make due to complex cocking and self-opening mechanism; strikers are .84″ apart, action bar is .98″ deep and 1.415″ wide. It has been estimated that fewer than 30 of these small actions have been made by Purdeys since they first rose to the challenge in the late ’20’s, with only 6 being built before WWII. Action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), bushed strikers, side clips, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and gold-plated double triggers (front articulated). Action and lockplates of this fine example, are fully relief sculpted with scrolled grape leaves and ferns with floral highlights. This exquisite work serves as background and counterpoint to game scenes with subjects carved in full relief; a covey of quail rise from thicket with fence line and trees in background on left lockplate, and a flock of white winged doves erupt from trees on right. The outline of distant mountains fades into the open background. Bottom of action depicts a pointing pointer in dense brush land. Leaf and floral motif extends to fences, top lever, and single beaded trigger guard, which has SN on tang. Fire blued hinge pin is relief engraved in floral motif. Both bird scenes are signed by revered master engraver, Ken Hunt, who was trained by Harry Kell, and worked exclusively for Purdeys through the middle ’50’s, and has been freelance since then, and is responsible for some of the finest firearms engraving extant. Trigger guard tang extends to horn grip cap with large inset vacant gold oval. Very fine dark, heavily marbled and nicely stump figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-7/8″ over skeleton steel buttplate, which is engraved to match action and other furniture. Typical drop points are behind lockplates, and standard point pattern checkering with mullered borders wraps over top of grip. Long beavertail ejector forend has Anson release, and interior is stamped with actioners initials “BD” (Ben Delay,Jr, (?) son of long time Purdey actioner, Ben Delay, Sr). Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.390, right -.393. Bore restrictions: left – (full), right – (mod). Wall thickness: left -.035, right -.042. Drop at heel: 2-1/16″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 5 lbs 14 oz. LOP: 14-7/8″. Makers orig oak and leather case with brass corners and brass central medallion is accompanied by its orig canvas outer cover with tan leather trim, and strap closure. Case is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, and paper charge label for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc brass and composition cleaning rod with brush, mop, jag and shell extractor, in brown leather wallet with Purdey address, Purdey marked large square oil bottle, pair of snap caps, Purdey marked striker key with walnut handle, and a pair of matching turnscrews. Covered compartment holds a striker case with spare strikers, and two keys. PROVENANCE: Consignor’s notes. This gun was made especially for Larry Sheerin, renowned sportsman, rancher, investor, Colt collector, adventurer, and publisher of the “American Gun” 1961-1962, and “Antique Arms Annual 1971”. Purdey ledgers support all specifications, and also states stocker was Bill O’Brien. With other notes on gun and Larry Sheerin by R. L. Wilson. Also a statement by Larry Sheerin stating “Purdey no. 28483 was ordered by me some 30 odd years ago as a gun I could use in the field for small upland birds, namely doves and quail. I contacted Ken Hunt and told him to simply do me a design that he would consider his finest work. As you can see, he complied with my wishes. The sculpted steel figures and the rest of the motif make this, in my opinion, one of Ken Hunt’s finest works.” Signed Larry Sheerin with a P.S. ” Because of the overall beauty of this piece, I never took it into the field, simply left it in my gun room and have admired it all these years.” CONDITION: Excellent, essentially as new, appears unfired since proof, with only some minor assembly and handling marks on wood and metal, and extractor wipe marks on breechface. Gold of triggers and oval on grip considerably darkened. Mechanically crisp. Case leather is excellent, near new, as protected by its outer cover, which only has some light stains. Interior is excellent with some minor rubs. Accessories are excellent. An opportunity to own one of the world’s finest guns, impossible to duplicate today. 49467-1 MGM204 (80,000-120,000) – Lot 2254

| Click here to view provenance

*EXQUISITE SMALL BORE JAMES PURDEY EXTRA FINISH GAME GUN WITH EXCEPTIONAL RELIEF ENGRAVING AND GOLD INLAY IN THISTLE PATTERN BY KEN HUNT WITH CASE.

SN 27546. (1968) Cal. 16 ga. 26″ Chopper lump bbls are engraved “J. Purdey & Son. Audley House. South Audley Street. London. England.” on narrow, swamped game rib. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 16 ga. 2-3/4″ chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs and bottom of left bbl is stamped with bbl makers initials “JA” (J. Aldous, long time bbl maker for Purdey). Coin finished, self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE inlaid in gold), hidden third fastener, side clips, bushed strikers, raised rib tumbler end cocking indicators, and Purdey single selective trigger with broad finger blade, specially filed and curved. Action is engraved with exceptionally well done, dramatically shaded, large open scrolling thistles and acanthus, in a pattern designed by world renowned master engraver, Ken Hunt, based on classic Baroque style, with scroll terminations in the form of griffin and chimera heads. In this rendering, thistle leaves and semi-relief gold inlaid thistle blooms sprout from griffin’s mouth. Bottom of action is engraved with more thistle foliage and blooms under “J. Purdey & Sons” on riband. “J. Purdey & Sons London-England” is on both sides of action. Fences are relief engraved with more well cut scroll. Small bow single beaded trigger guard with matching scroll, has well done gold inlaid oval vignette of a woodcock flying through alders. SN is at grip. Ken Hunt’s signature is on right side of trigger plate. Well marbled and nicely fiddle figured European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14-3/8″ over checkered wood butt, and features classic drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders, and a gold oval on toe line engraved with monogram “FAS” (?). Matching splinter ejector forend has Anson release. Iron is stamped with actioners initials “TB”. Bore diameter: left -.662, right -.661. Bore restrictions: left -.021 (mod), right -.005 (IC). Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-3/8″. Makers oak and leather case with brass corners and central round brass medallion is embossed “Floyd S. Adams” on top. Interior is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid, along with charge card and info for this particular gun. Case contains 2-pc beech and brass cleaning rod with mop, brush, and jag in red morocco wallet, Purdey marked pair of snap caps and square oil bottle. Also included are ebonized handled striker key, and three turnscrews, also a plated striker case containing spare strikers. CONDITION: Excellent, nearly as new, with very little evidence of having been fired since proof, with only a few exceptionally light handling marks, mostly on buttstock, with one or two on forend. Case leather is excellent, with one or two minor scuffs and rubs. Straps and handle are fine. Interior cloth has some light compressions. Most accessories are still wrapped in their orig tissue. A fine handling small bore Purdey pleasingly embellished. 49627-1 MGM358 (50,000-70,000) – Lot 2260

VERY FINE PHILIPPE GRIFNEE ENGRAVED JAMES PURDEY SELF-OPENING SIDELOCK EJECTOR HEAVY GAME GUN WITH CASE.

SN 15757. (1897) Cal. 12 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. Starting with a fine antique heavy proof pigeon gun, this fine work of useful art has been created. 30″ Chopper lump bbls, fitted with matted, concave rib marked “MADE IN ENGLAND”. “J. Purdey & Sons London” are deeply engraved in Gothic script on top of left bbl. Bbl flats are stamped with London nitro proofs for 2-3/4″ chambers. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SNs, “CHOKE”, and bbl makers initials “WH” (William Hill). Tube nos “18564” and “18565” are on loop. Heavy Beesley patent self-opening sidelock action features automatic safety (SAFE gold inlaid), bushed strikers, side clips, hidden third fastener, engraved arrow tumbler end cocking indicators, and double triggers with blades heat blued. This fine action has recently been beautifully refinished, handsomely engraved, and gold inlaid by renowned engraver Philippe Grifnee, now deceased. Fences are relief carved with strawberry foliage, flowers, and berry. Remainder of action and lockplates are dramatically engraved with large scrolling acanthus having strapwork highlights and dark shading. This exquisite work is background for relief gold inlays of game birds; pair of Canada geese are flying over scroll on left lockplate, and a pair of mallards are taking wing on right. Bottom of action portrays a walking wild turkey. “James Purdey & Sons” is gold inlaid in Gothic script within rectangular devices on each side of action. Tips of lock pins are fire blued. Mr. Grifnee’s signature appears on trigger plate to the left of front trigger. Trigger guard with matching scroll has SN gold inlaid on tang. Exceptionally fine, newly made, dark marbled and flame figured European walnut round knob buttstock measures 14-5/8″ over reddish leather covered pad. Stock features classic drop points, point pattern checkering with mullered borders at grip, and a silver oval on toe line engraved “JPA”. Matching splinter ejector forend is stamped with actioners initials “S.P.” (Sol Prentice) and has Anson release. Bore diameter: left -.733, right -.732. Bore restrictions: left -.035 (full), right -.025 (Mod). Wall thickness: left -.026, right -.026. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-3/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 9 oz. LOP: 14-5/8”. Fine quality leather VC case with stitched leather corners is lined in burgundy cloth, and has gold embossed black leather Purdey label in lid. Case contains Purdey marked round oil bottle and snap caps, as well as unmarked horn handled striker key and chamber brush. Leather case contains brush, mop, and jag. CONDITION: Excellent, near new, as completely refurbished. Bbls retain essentially all of a best London black, with a few very light marks. Action retains nearly all of its blue finish under coin finished engraving, with no noticeable areas of darkening or wear. Stocks retain nearly all of their fine hand rubbed oil finish with a few light handling marks, mostly on left side of butt. Checkering slightly darkened. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Case leather is excellent with a few minor marks. Straps and handle are very fine. Interior cloth is excellent with a few minor rubs. Accessories are near new. Label has a dime sized scuff at upper left. Simply a lovely gun and a testament to Mr. Grifnee’s artistry. 49183-12 MGM20 (25,000-45,000) – Lot 2265

| Click here to view provenance

*EXCEEDINGLY RARE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH ORIGINAL CONDITION .410 GAUGE SPECIALTY GRADE L. C. SMITH EJECTOR GUN.

SN FWE193981. Cal. .410 GA. 3″ Chambers. This scarce gun, with Houchins estimating only a total production in this grade of approx 33, with just 13 recorded with 26″ bbls, has 26″ bbls fitted with flat, matted, single sighting plane rib. Tops of bbls are marked “L.C. SMITH Specialty GRADE” and “HUNTER ARMS CO. INC. M’F’R’S FULTON, N.Y. USA”. Bbl flats are stamped with SN, grade, Hunter proofs, and “NP”. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with nitro steel logos. Case hardened action features automatic safety and double triggers. Action is engraved in typical “Specialty” style with 40% coverage flourishes of scroll. Lockplates have 80% coverage large open scroll surrounding vignettes of game birds; a pair of quail standing in grass on left, and a duck flying over marsh on right. “L. C. Smith” in Old English script is on each lockplate. Blued trigger guard with scroll on bow has SN on tang. Nicely stump figured American walnut round knob pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/4″ over ribbed hard rubber buttplate. Point pattern checkering with beaded borders wraps over top of grip. Matching splinter ejector forend has inset ebony tip, and oval secondary release escutcheon. Bore diameter at muzzles: left -.391, right -.390. Drop at heel: 2-3/8″, drop at comb: 1-1/2″. Weight: 6 lbs 0 oz. LOP: 14-1/4”. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, essentially as new, retaining nearly all of what appears to be their orig factory finishes on wood and metal, with a hint of silvering at muzzles, and slight silvering on sharp edges of action. Trigger guard and forend escutcheon retain nearly all of their bright blue, slight loss on trigger guard tang due to flaking. Stocks are excellent with only a few minor marks and light scratches, with one mark at tail of left lockplate running down across lockplate to bottom. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. As fine an example of this rare little gun, as one could hope to find. 48780-1 MGM43 (30,000-45,000) – Lot 2324

*RARE AND DESIRABLE OPTIMUS GRADE LEFEVER.

SN 51044. Cal. 12 ga. This top of the advertised line Lefever has 30″ Whitworth steel bbls with flat, matted rib. Tops of bbls are engraved “Lefever Arms Co Optimus.” and “Whitworth Fluid Steel”. There are 1″ pyramids of geometric and scroll engraving, as well as gold bands, at breech ends which also have typical Lefever filed-in engraved bosses, as found on their high grade guns. There are also a band of geometric engraving at muzzles. Bottoms of bbls are stamped with SN and Whitworth sheaf of wheat trademarks. Typical late Lefever sideplated action has single piece cocking hook with tall arch extractor, and internal ejectors. Action also features automatic safety (SAFE engraved) visible through rectangular window through top of safety slide, which is gold inlaid with bands. Cocking indicators and triggers with checkered blades are gold-plated. Action is filed with fillets and beads along with rebated lock tails and relief shamrocks on fences. Engraving is of usual Lefever quality and style, far superior to that offered on most other American shotguns. Action has about full coverage of exceptionally well cut various sized shaded scroll with some geometric highlights, as well as geometric and acanthus borders. This fine engraving is background for gold inlaid game scenes; a gold inlaid duck flying across a marsh on bottom of action, and a flying grouse gold inlaid on opening lever, which also has nicely filed and checkered thumbpiece. Lockplates are also scroll engraved, and have a combination of geometric and knot-work borders surrounding well rendered gold inlaid dogs. Game birds are gold inlaid at front portions. A setter is at edge of field on left, and appears to be intently watching a flushing quail at front of lockplate, with a pointer in open uplands pointing a flushing woodcock on right. “LEFEVER ARMS CO” is in scroll terminated riband under a trio of blossoms on each lockplate. Trigger plate is engraved with patent dates, the latest being ’94. Scroll engraved trigger guard has oval vignette of gold inlaid pointing setter on bow, and SN on tang, which extends to horn grip cap with inset gold oval on top. Nicely veined and lightly figured European walnut capped pistol grip buttstock measures 14-1/8″ over checkered composition buttplate. Borderless fancy pattern checkering with ribbons through pattern and large extension into butt, is at grip. Drop points are inlet clock hand shaped horn with bone or ivory accent dots. A gold shield on top of comb is engraved “M G Schwind”. Matching splinter forend with fancy inlet horn tip and central escutcheon gold inlaid with head of a spaniel, has spring tension release. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (full), right -.037 (full). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.035. Drop at heel: 2-3/4″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 14-1/8”. CONDITION: Fine, as partially refinished. Bbls retain essentially all of a fine satin re-black, engraving sharp and clear. Action cleaned to coin finish over some light pitting. All engraving remains sharp and clear. Details of gold inlays are excellent. Cocking indicators and triggers have been re-plated and retain all of that gold. Stocks retain essentially all of a fine hand rubbed oil finish. There is evidence of some repaired cracks at wrist. Lower left horn of head of stock shows a repair and has moved slightly away from lockplate. Checkering is excellent and competently re-run. Newer buttplate is fine. Bores are excellent with slight frosting at breech ends, and there is evidence of a dent being raised, about 10″ back from muzzle on left bbl. Action is tight. Ejectors are in time. 47909-1 MGM46 (27,500-45,000) – Lot 2334

*ELEGANT AND RARE 16 GAUGE PARKER AAHE WITH 32″ BARRELS AND STRAIGHT GRIP STOCK.

SN 213794. Cal. 16 ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 1 Frame. 32″ Bbls with matted, concave rib mounted with two “certifiable pre-ban ivory” beads, is marked with Parker’s famous Meriden CT address and “PEERLESS STEEL”. There are 2″ triangles of very well cut open scrolling acanthus on breech ends of bbls, and geometric bands at muzzles. Bbl flats are stamped with grade, Peerless steel logos, and weight. Left side of lump is stamped with SN. Typical Parker action is filed in “AA” grade style with three beads at bottoms of fences, two of these beads extend to top, and one runs along engine turned water table. All correct numbers are on water table. Action features non-automatic safety and single non-selective Jurjevic trigger. (These highly regarded, reliable triggers were installed by master gunsmith Josef Jurjevic, who worked in NY during the 1970’s and ’80’s.) Action is engraved with near full coverage deeply cut, open, attenuated scroll with floral terminations and highlights. This classic high grade Parker engraving melds into semi-relief engraved vignettes of ducks and quail. Two mallards erupt from marsh on left side of action, while a pair of pintails settle into marsh on right. Trigger plate is engraved with covey of quail sitting around a rock in tall grass. “PARKER BROS” is in riband at bottom front of action. Top lever has filed in chevron, and top tang is engraved with pigeon sitting on branch. (It appears this gun was originally made with no safety, as present safety button covers engraving and “S” is newly stamped.) Trigger guard bow is engraved in same style as action. SN is at grip. Beautifully marbled and nicely figured flesh-toned Circassian walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14″ over skeleton steel buttplate. Engraving style on plate matches that found on action. Stock is embellished in typical “AA” grade style with inset checkered side panels, and deeply carved fleur-di-lis drop points. Checkering has shaped border with fleur-di-lis intrusions toward butt. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Splinter ejector forend is near fully checkered, has typical steel tip and Parker release. Ejector patent date is on engine turned iron. Accompanied by a Parker records letter which identifies the shotgun as having been found in Parker Bros. stock book no. 75 as an AAHE hammerless, 16 ga, it had 32″ Peerless steel bbls, with capped pistol grip stock with optional single trigger placed in the front position. The letter states that it weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz., had an LOP of 14-1/4″, drop at comb: 1-1/4″, drop at heel: 2-1/2″ and 2-7/8″ chambers. The letter states that production of this shotgun began in Aug 1925. Bore diameter: left -.669, right -.667. Bore restrictions: left -.032 (full), right -.029 (full). Wall thickness: left -.029, right -.022. Drop at heel: 2-9/16″, drop at comb: 1-5/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz. LOP: 14″. PROVENANCE: The James Parker Collection. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Excellent, as partially refurbished. Bbls retain approx 95% of what appears to be orig blue, but is possibly an older exceptionally fine re-black, having a few minor marks, some spots, and high edge wear. Action retains a considerable amount, maybe as much as 60% orig case hardening color, actual percentage difficult to ascertain due to extensive engraving. Trigger guard retains nearly all of a re-blue. Replacement buttstock (? listed in ledger as “capped pistol grip”) retains nearly all of what appears to be orig finish with some added oil, and loss during excellent repair of crack completely through wrist. This repair appears very solid, and action and trigger guard tang have been glass bedded. SN is not visible on wood under trigger guard tang, and there is no SN stamped on underneath of tang. Checkering competently re-cut. Bores are excellent. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Ejectors are in time. Trigger works. THE PARKER STORY relates that a total of 238 Peerless steel bbl AAH guns were made, only one 16 ga. with 32″ bbls. A wonderful high grade Parker. 49450-24 MGM385 IVORY (40,000-60,000) – Lot 2349

| Click here to view provenance

*EXCEPTIONALLY FINE PARKER BHE SPECIAL ORDER TRAP GUN WITH CASE.

SN 159799. Cal. 12 ga. 2-5/8″ Chambers. 2 Frame. 32″ bbls have matted, concave rib engraved with Parker’s Meriden CT address and “ACME STEEL”. Bbl flats are stamped with grade, steel type, and weight. Left side of lump is stamped with SN. Typical Parker action is filed in “B” grade style with single bead around fences. All correct numbers and marks are on water table. Action features automatic safety and nickel-plated dbl triggers. Action is engraved with 70 – 80% coverage deeply cut varying sized scroll with scrolling and geometric borders, surrounding vignettes of dogs and game; A pair of setters pointing on left and a pair of pointers one pointing on right side. “Parker Bros” is engraved on rectangle on rear of both sides. A pair of deer (buck and doe) look intently from mountainside on trigger plate. Trigger guard bow is scroll engraved. SN is at grip. Strikingly fiddle figured and nicely streaked European walnut straight grip buttstock measures 14″ over skeleton steel buttplate. Butt is unusually bowed outward, and stock perfectly matches gun as ordered, with LOP 13-7/8″ at heel, 14″ mid, and 14-1/8″ at toe. Stock is embellished in typical “B” grade style with inset checkered side panels, and deeply carved fleur-di-lis drop points. Checkering has fancy shaped border with fleur-di-lis intrusions toward butt. A vacant gold oval is on toe line. Matching splinter ejector forend has nicely filed steel tip and typical Parker release. Ejector patent date is on iron. Bore diameter: left -.729, right -.729. Bore restrictions: left -.038 (full), right -.038 (full). Wall thickness: left -.027, right -.025. Drop at heel: 2″, drop at comb: 1-3/8″. Weight: 7 lbs 15 oz. LOP: 14″. High quality oak and deeply patterned leather case by Huey (no. 1481) has stitched leather corners and central oval brass medallion. It has burgundy colored canvas outer cover with tan leather trim. Interior is lined in bluish gray suede, and has gold embossed Parker label in lid, set inside wooden surround. Partitioned tops have wood accents and six covered compartments of turned ebony and brass knobs. Case is semi french fitted for action, bbls, and forend, and contains 2-pc brass and ebony cleaning rod, pair of brass snap caps, and a brass striker case. PROVENANCE: PGCA letter stating this shotgun was ordered on June 17, 1912 by E. I. Dupont, and sent to W. C. Howard at Central Savings Bank in Denver, CO. It was shipped on Oct 10 1912. All specifications are stated, and match this gun perfectly. Copies of the ledger are included, with further info that W. C. Howard was Dupont’s agent in Colorado, with some pictures of the bank. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, as found. Bbls retain approx 95% orig blue with some high edge wear, and silvering at muzzles and breech ends where blue is also thinned a bit. Action retains approx 90-95% fine and vivid orig case hardening color, most loss due to flaking at front left and onto bottom, other loss being high edge wear and silvering on fences. Trigger guard retains over 90% of its blue, silvering on edges of bow, and thinning at grip. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig finish with some areas lightly darkened, with some minor marks and possibly some oil rubbed into marks on butt. Skeleton buttplate retains approx 70% of its orig blue, most loss due to flaking. Checkering is very lightly worn, slightly darkened. Case hardening colors on forend latch are silvered. Bores are excellent, bright and shiny throughout, with no visible imperfections. Orig strike marks still present on breech ends. Action is tight. Bbls are on face. Left ejector will not fire, undoubtedly a bit dirty. Case leather is excellent, as protected by its outer cover which has a few scuffs and marks. Interior shows compressions from accessories and compartment knobs, with slight soiling from contact with gun. A truly wonderful Parker BHE that would be virtually impossible to improve upon in terms of condition and originality. THE PARKER STORY relates that a total of 512 BH doubles were made with Acme steel bbls, 99 in 12 ga with 32″ bbls. 49402-5 MGM304 (27,500-42,500) – Lot 2357

| Click here to view provenance

EXCEEDINGLY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL REMINGTON 1894 EE GRADE.

SN 101278. Cal. 12 Ga. 2-3/4″ Chambers. 30″ Herring-bone Damascus pattern bbls. Double trigger and automatic ejectors. Striking Damascus pattern with standard matted rib showing orig “certifiable antique ivory”, front and mid-bead. Bbl flats marked with SN. Left tube with “E.J.N.” marking and small “WH” in front of bbl flat. Beautiful plain steel rib having turned a lovely plum/brown color. Orig forend with Curtis forend button finely checkered at top with exterior forend metal showing beautiful scroll engraving and chain pattern border on forend tip. Both forend screws beautifully engraved in star pattern. Forend wood shows 3 different checkering patterns with approximately 95% coverage. Outer edges on right and left side finely checkered with an extremely fine panel running straight down the middle of the forend at approximately 32 lines per inch in that panel. Where forend wood and forend metal meet on right and left side there is also a finely cut panel. Inside forend metal with matching SN and engraved screwhead. Frame shows SN on water table and last 4 digits on interior of frame. Frame is beautifully engraved, probably by Joseph Loy, with left side showing a very detailed scene of two quail surrounded by scroll on front of left receive. Left side of frame also marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO.”. Top of frame finely scroll engraved with both breech balls showing two bursts. Top lever also shows approximately 95% coverage of light and well executed scroll coverage. Right side of frame shows two ducks in a marsh scene surrounded by scroll in front, and a flying goose toward the rear of the frame all surrounded by beautiful and well cut scroll engraving. Right side of frame also marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO.”. Bottom of frame finely scroll engraved with flying woodcock engraved a head of floorplate screws and surrounded by finely cut scroll. Center of trigger plate engraved with a beautiful bust of a Retriever and Woodcock that is virtually identical to a very famous painting painted by Sir Edwin Landseer R.A. titled “Retriever and Woodcock” circa 1845. Given the nearly identical nature of the painting and the floorplate engraving one would almost have to agree that the floorplate is based on Landseer’s painting. Trigger guard bow shows approximately 75% scroll engraved coverage and trigger guard tang with SN enclosed by crescent wave engraving. Beautiful French walnut butt with striking grain pattern. LOP is 13-9/16″. Stock cheeks are extremely finely checkered with both right and left side, showing an intricate wave pattern near the frame. Grip area also checkered in a fine 4-point style with a very fine panel of checkering behind the grip towards the nose of the comb. This panel is also approximately 32-lines per inch. Orig Remington Arms Company buttplate with buttplate screws also nicely engraved. Buffalo horn grip cap with shallow scallops and finely engraved grip cap screw. Stock with gold shield without any initials present. This beautiful gun represents amongst the finest workmanship to come out of the Remington factory for the Model 1894. Bore diameter: left – .743 choke .035; right – .743 choke .037. Wall thickness: left -.040, right -.038. Drop at heel: 3-3/16″, drop at comb: 1-3/4″. Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz. LOP: 13-9/16″. PROVENANCE: This exact gun featured in Charles G. Semmer’s book “Remington Double Shotguns” pgs 186 – 189. being noted as the second E grade produced. At the time of Semmer’s book, the gun was owned by the famous late gun dealer Jack Puglisi. Also included is a packet of information with detailed photos of the Landseer painting and detailed information on Landseer. Landseer “Retriever and Woodcock” painting was also used for the September/October 2013 Sporting Classics magazine cover. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Excellent overall. Bbl show approximately 85-90% strong herring-bone pattern with light muzzle wear and light carry wear, but the pattern is bold, striking and captivating. Bores are excellent with couple of minor pings in left tube near muzzle. Lockup is tight, mechanically excellent, bbls ever so slightly off-face. Inside of forearm retains most of orig case color. Exterior of forend shows excellent orig checkering pattern with 80-85% wood finish present. Curtis forend tip (only the tip/push button having been orig blued) shows maybe 30% orig high polish blue. Frame shows around 40%-50% orig visible light case hardening, some of which is hidden due to the extremely fine, delicate nature of the engraving. Triggers show high polish blue. Trigger guard bow with approximately 20% orig blue; trigger guard tang having toned to a pleasing silver. Buttstock shows a couple of minor bumps and scratches with approximately 90% finish with some finish having been added to preserve the wood through the years. Buttplate in very good to excellent condition. Truly a stunning and gorgeous work of art for the American sporting gun collector! 49102-2 JSL4 IVORY (25,000-45,000) – Lot 2391

| Click here to view provenance

*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE, ONE OF A KIND ENGRAVED AND GOLD INLAID MARLIN MODEL 39A SERIAL NUMBER 2,000,000 DONATED TO THE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION.

SN 2,000,000. Cal. 22. Spectacular little Marlin with 24″ tapered oct bbl, full magazine, gold washed Rocky Mountain front sight, Lyman 6A, 2-leaf folding rear sight and a locking Lyman tang sight. Mounted with spectacular, center crotch, flame grain American walnut with C-style checkered forearm and capped pistol grip buttstock that has full checkered Niedner steel buttplate. Checkering on the buttplate is about 34-lines per inch. Rifle is engraved and gold inlaid by renowned master engraver Alvin A. White. Receiver has full coverage, foliate arabesque patterns with a deep relief, raised gold squirrel on the left side along with “MARLIN GOLDEN 39A / No. 2,000,000” in gold in a ribbon below. The lever boss on the left side has a hidden screw which is engraved with the vignette of a running cottontail. The bottom left side and upper right side have inlaid gold foliate arabesque patterns and is half outlined in gold wire. Right side of receiver is inlaid with the incredible raised gold Marlin cowboy logo/trademark. Upper left of the right side is inlaid in gold “No. 2,000,000”. Bottom center and front right are also inlaid with gold foliate arabesque patterns. Outside face of the bolt is inlaid in gold leaf and vine patterns. Matching foliate arabesque patterns cover the remainder of the right side which extend over the top of the receiver, top and bottom tangs and about 2″ on top 3 flats of the bbl over the chamber area, around the rear sight, around the muzzle, forend cap and magazine band. The tall leaf on the rear sight is also engraved to match and the bbl address is inlaid in gold. Muzzle and breech ends of the bbl each have one wide and one narrow gold band inlay. Screws are all engraved as are the ends of the tang sight base. Both sides and face of the lever are engraved to match with inlaid gold leaf and vine patterns. Outer face of the finger loop, hammer spur and trigger are beautifully checkered. Tip of the finger loop is engraved in matching foliate arabesque patterns. Buttstock has a skeleton grip cap that is also engraved with gold wire inlay and has the incredibly detailed bust of John Mahlon Marlin (1836-1901). This is one of, if not the, most spectacular engraved Marlin rifles to ever come to market. This rifle appeared on the cover of the January 1984 issue of AMERICAN RIFLEMAN magazine. It was pictured, right side, along with a photograph of the grip cap and titled “Marlin’s Model 39 / Hits Two Million”. The right side of this rifle was also pictured on the cover of the Marlin Firearms Company catalog of 1984. Accompanied by reprints of two articles regarding Master Engraver Alvin White. Accompanied by its orig burgundy velvet lined walnut casing, donated at the same time as the rifle. Case is 44-1/4″ l x 12-1/8″ w x 3-1/2″ d with a full center brown leather inlay in the top, gold embossed with the Marlin name and Marlin rider logo/trademark. Interior is recessed for the rifle and has a covered compartment in the front which contains an integral velvet covered display stand. Front center of the interior has a silver plaque engraved “Marlin Model 39A / Serial No. 2,000,000 / Donated to the National Shooting / Sports Foundation by the / Marlin Firearms Co. / Auction January 14, 1984 / Dallas, Texas”. Right front of the case has another small plaque engraved “Engraving and gold inlay / by Alvin A. White / stock by the / Reinhart / Fajen / Co. / Warsaw, MO / Presentation Case by / Rosborg, Inc. / Newtown / CT”. Also accompanied by the orig green canvas zippered cover for the case and a functioning key. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, new and unfired. Retains all of its crisp, orig, special, high luster finish on the metal and fine oil finish on the wood. Display case is equally new. 49505-3 JR (45,000-65,000) – Lot 2473

| Click here to view provenance

*EXTRAORDINARILY RARE IDENTIFIED #10 ENGRAVED DELUXE SPECIAL ORDER MARLIN MODEL 1897 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 331602. Cal. 22. Spectacular and rare, probably one of a kind Marlin rifle with 24″ oct to rnd bbl, half magazine, Lyman “certifiable antique ivory” bead front sight, semi-buckhorn rear sight & Lyman combination tang sight. Mounted with very highly figured burl and shell grain #10 checkered American walnut with serpentine grip on the buttstock & Marlin hard rubber buttplate. Buttstock is slightly cast-off, probably to accommodate a very large person. Left side of upper tang, under the wood, is marked with last 3 digits of matching SN & buttstock has matching number in top tang channel. Receiver is masterfully engraved by Conrad Ulrich in special #10 pattern which consists of full coverage leaf and vine patterns on both sides. Left side has a large oval vignette with extremely well executed forest scene depicting a feeding whitetail buck & doe. Right side is engraved with the intertwined initials “FEV”. Right side of receiver also has a small squirrel incorporated within the leaf patterns. Lever & hammer have fine line borders. Bottom & top of receiver forend cap & top tang are also engraved. The large vignette on the left side is outlined in platinum and gold with platinum and gold surrounding the small rnd vignette on the right side which shows the “V” also in platinum. The exposed 5 flats of the bbl over the chamber area have a narrow band of latch-hook patterns with 2 platinum bands and platinum and gold designs above that. Forend cap also has a platinum line around the top & rear edges. Accompanied by a notarized letter dated Dec 12, 2003 over the signature of John A. Veness. Mr. Veness states that he received this rifle, identified by SN, from his grandfather Fred Eugene Veness and that it had remained in his family descending down to him from the date it was received by his grandfather from the factory in 1906. He states that his family has been the owner of a lumber company and a holding company for lumber companies in the Winlock, WA area since about 1890. Descendants of the family retained ownership of the Winlock-Toledo Railroad & Logging Company and the Winlock-Toledo Lumber Company until about 1931. He further states that he sold this rifle to Bennett Auslaender on Sept 21, 2000. Additionally accompanying is a signed letter from Mr. Auslaender dated Aug 12, 2004. apparently informing cosigner that this rifle was for sale. Also accompanying is a hand written bill of sale dated “10/27/05” to consignor for this rifle, identified by SN over the signature of Mr. Auslaender. Also accompanying is a notarized letter from Mr. Auslaender dated Aug 2006 detailing the provenance on this rifle from the Veness family. He states that this rifle was delivered to him at the 1997 NRA meeting in Seattle, WA where it was placed on display in the Marlin Firearms Collectors Association booth. It was awarded a NRA silver medal as one of 10 best firearms in that show. Additionally accompanied by a 131 page paperback booklet The Timber Baron of Winlock, Galvin. This booklet details the rise and fall of the timber industry in Winlock, WA., principally about John Allen Veness the orig owner of this rifle. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 99% strong orig blue with rear sight showing wear. Receiver retains most of its orig case colors, lightly faded and turning dark, bright in sheltered areas. Lever & hammer retain bright case colors, turned silver on outer faces of lever. Forend cap case colors have turned silver. Wood is sound with a few, very light nicks & scratches with the buttstock retaining about 98% strong orig varnish and the forearm 96-98%, showing light diamond-point wear. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bright bore with some scattered roughness. A truly rare and exceptional rifle and certainly one of Conrad Ulrich’s most inspired and prideful works – Perhaps the finest extant! 49121-10 JR C&R; IVORY (50,000-70,000) – Lot 2489

SCARCE VOLCANIC ARMS #2 NAVY SIZE LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

SN 1611. 41 Cal. Usual configurations with 8” oct bbl that has integral magazine tube & full ribs on the sides. Front sight is a large rnd bead, probably a replacement and fixed rear sight in top flat of frame. Top flat of bbl has a crisp 3-line address. Mounted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips matching numbered to this pistol. SN was observed on right side of buttstrap, under the grip, right side of lever & inside each grip. Lever has assembly # “1” on the left side with corresponding assembly # on left side of buttstrap. No additional disassembly was affected to check for other matching numbers. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms there were only about 1,500 of these pistols produced in the period 1855-1857. At that time Volcanic Arms was purchased by Oliver Winchester and became New Haven Arms which evolved into the Henry rifle and then Winchester Arms and, as the saying goes “the rest is history”. Left rear side of frame has a couple of small dents. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Condition: Very fine, all matching. Bbl and magazine tube retain about 75-80% strong orig blue with a couple of small nicks on right side of loading sleeve. Frame and side plates have crisp sharp edges with a few minor nicks and the aforementioned dents, & overall retain a beautiful dark mustard patina. Grips are sound showing light to moderate edge wear with minor battering on bottom right edge. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore, may be unfired. 49059-4 JR (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3001

SCARCE ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 4522. Cal. 44 RF Fine, high condition Hoggson engraved Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine tube, late style square back nickel silver front sight and 900 yd. Henry ladder rear sight. It is mounted with exceptional, highly figured, uncheckered, American walnut with straight stock and 1st type brass buttplate with rnd heel & trap with small hole for 4-pc cleaning rod(not present). Left side of buttstock & left side of bbl have factory sling loops. Buttplate screws are matching numbered while 2 of the tang screws are properly unnumbered. The bottom tang wood screw is a replacement, numbered “1947″. Receiver & buttplate tang are engraved by Samuel J. Hoggson in his typical style consisting of a running buck deer surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns on the left side with line & chip pattern borders. Right side of the receiver is engraved in his beautiful matching foliate arabesque patterns with both front side flats engraved in his very identifiable large flower blossoms. Matching foliate arabesque patterns are engraved on top 3 flats of receiver, around rear edges of receiver, on the top tang and buttplate tang. All matching serial numbers are found on the top bbl flat between rear sight & receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Round part of bbl, under loading sleeve is marked with the assembly number “630″, which number is also found on rear face of loading sleeve. This rifle was produced in 1864 during the height of the Civil War when virtually all Henry rifles were purchased for use in the war. It is very likely that this rifle would have served during the war and almost certainly on the American frontier after the war. PROVENANCE: Woody Frey Collection. CONDITION: Very fine, all orig and all matching, except 1 tang screw as noted. Bbl & magazine tube retain a silver brown patina with a couple of minor nicks & scratches. Receiver retains 70-75% strong orig silver-plating that has turned black with oxidation. Buttplate retains about 20% silver-plating with all the exposed gun metal a dark brass patina. Stock has a hairline back of the top tang, otherwise is sound with light nicks, dings & scratches and retains about all of a fine overcoating of light varnish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with light to moderate pitting. Cleaning rod is very fine. 49570-1 JR (55,000-85,000) – Lot 3004

RARE HENRY MODEL 1860 ENGRAVED LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH HISTORY TO AMERICAN CIVIL WAR GENERAL EDWARD MCCOOK AND THE KING KALAKAUA OF HAWAII AND LATER TO PRINCESS KAWANANAKOA.

SN 8850. Cal. 44 RF Henry. The rifle is usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral mag, nickel silver front sight and fixed rear sight with no second dovetail in receiver. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut buttstock with straight grip and late style silver plated brass buttplate with pointed heel and small trap. Left side of buttstock has a factory sling swivel with corresponding sling loop on left side of bbl. Receiver is engraved by Samuel Hoggson in his typical patterns with the vignette of a deer jumping a rail fence on the left sideplate, surrounded by foliate arabesque pattern that have fine pearled background are surrounded by double border patterns. Right side is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns which extend over all three flats on the top of receiver, around the rear edges, and top tang. Buttplate tang is engraved to match. Front side flats are engraved with Mr. Hoggson’s typical large flower blossoms. Top flat of receiver is engraved “Genl. McCook” in a ribbon. Right side of buttstock has an attached 3″ x 1-3/4″ silver plated brass plaque which in engraved “KING KALAKAUA’S / FAVORITE RIFLE / TO / PRINCESS KAWANANAKOA / FROM COL. JERRY BRANT”. No disassembly was effected to check for matching numbers. This rifle was produced in 1865, late in the Civil War, possibly one of the type II martial Henrys purchased in 1865 by the Union Army. It is recorded that the Henry Rifle Company was scrambling to fill government contracts along with numerous other orders and on more than one occasion, in order to quickly complete the contract, they simply took rifles from civilian production, some of which were engraved & plated, and shipped them to the military. It is also recorded that on more than one occasion when an engraved rifle showed up in a military shipment it was seized by senior officers for themselves. This may or may not be the case with this rifle. Regardless of how it became the property of General McCook, whether through the military, gift or private purchase, it will never be known. What is known is that after the war was over General McCook was appointed to be the U.S. Minister to the Kingdom of Hawaii by President Andrew Johnson and served from March 1866 to April 1869. One of his primary duties was to negotiate a reciprocity treaty between the U.S. and Hawaii, which was then known as the Kingdom of Hawaii. He apparently worked closely with King Kamehameha V and successfully negotiated a treaty, but for political reasons it was not ratified by the U.S. Senate until some 8 years later. King Kamehameha named General McCook a Knight’s Commander of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. Apparently while in Hawaii General McCook worked and socialized with many of the Royal Family and the King’s staff, one being David Kalakaua (1836-1891). Mr. Kalakaua was elected King of Hawaii in 1874 and was the last King of Hawaii. It was under his reign that the U.S./Hawaii reciprocity treaty was negotiated which eliminated tariffs on Hawaiian products. It is unclear how the McCook Henry came into the possession of King Kalakaua but there is no doubt that he did own it as it is recorded as having been in the possession of the Royal Family in 1932. Towards the end of King Kalakaua’s reign his cabinet was overthrown and a new constitution was adopted which stripped him of much of his power. With his health failing the King traveled to the U.S. and died suddenly in San Francisco in 1891. The McCook rifle than passed to Queen Kapi’olani and on her death in 1899 was passed to her son Prince Kuhio Kalaniana’ole and was in his gun cabinet when he died in 1922. Prince Kuhio was born in 1871 and in 1895, after the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, he participated in an unsuccessful rebellion against the Republic of Hawaii for which he spent a year in jail. After his release from prison he traveled throughout Europe and South Africa and fought in the second Boer War. He returned to Hawaii and was elected to the U.S. Congress for 10 successive terms. He died in 1922. After his death his widow Elizabeth K. Woods donated the contents of his rifle cabinet to the Bishop Museum. The museum is believed to have put this rifle up for auction in 1932 and is listed in the probate inventory in the First Circuit Court, Territory of Hawaii which was filed August 13, 1932 and appears on a list entitled “Property of Elizabeth K. Woods to go to Bishop Museum”. A letter addressed to the late John A. Bell dated May 17, 1993 on The Friends of ‘Iolani Palace letterhead, over the signature of H.J. Bartells, Curator, details the information about the Woods Estate. Mr. Bartells provided an inventory of the gun cabinet which lists item #A-83T as “Gen’l. McCook” #8850. He also states that the auction of the Woods Estate required many separate auctions in August, September and December 1932 and again in 1935. He further states that the August 16, 1932 issue of the Honolulu Advertiser notes that “rifles, shotguns, revolvers will be sold, along with other things, on the next day’s sale”. Mr. Bartells further states that Princess Abigail Kawananakoa was an active bidder at many of these sales and that her friends were known to have purchased objects for her. Mr. Bartells speculates that “it is highly likely that Col. Jerry Brant purchased the McCook rifle at the August 16 auction and sometime later presented it to the Princess”. The Princess passed away in April 1945 and her will left “—also the King’s pipes, guns and swords belonging to the King and Prince Kawananakoa —” to her son David Kalakaua Kawananakoa. Gerald Clark Brant, a graduate of West Point in 1904, retired as Major General in 1944. He was the Commander of the 18th Bombardment Wing in Hawaii in 1931 until August 1934 at Hickham Field, Territory of Hawaii. Apparently Col. Brant had long standing connections in Hawaii to a family named Robinson, a member of which stated that Col. Brant had visited the Robinson family in the 1920s and again in 1933 and had predicted that the Japanese might be planning an attack on Hawaii. The McCook rifle was eventually purchased by noted firearms collector and Hawaii firearms historian the late John A. Bell (1931-2008). And so is the provenance of this wonderful rifle from a famous and courageous Civil War General to Hawaiian Royalty to a well-known collector whose estate has consigned it to this auction. PROVENANCE: General Edward McCook; King David Kalakaua, Hawaii; Queen Kapi’Olani, Hawaii; Prince Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, Hawaii; Elizabeth Woods, Hawaii; Col. Gerald C. Brant; Princess Abigail Kawananakoa, Hawaii; David Kalakaua Kawananakoa, Hawaii; Bishop Museum, Hawaii; John A. Bell. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains about 15% restored blue with the balance a mottled silver brown patina with fine surface etching. Receiver retains traces of orig silver, shows light sharp edge wear and a dark mustard patina. Buttplate retains about 60% orig silver. Buttstock has a repaired chip left side of wrist with a few gouges with nicks and scratches and retains 80-85% of a very old refinish. It appears that at one time the bbl, lever, hammer and screws were refinished with the hammer, trigger and screws retaining bright high polished blue, with moderate to heavy rust on rear edge of hammer. Plaque on the buttstock is a silver patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. Shows very little use. 49501-1 JRL (150,000-250,000) – Lot 3006

| Click here to view provenance

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE ONE OF A KIND ENGRAVED DELUXE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 CARBINE MADE FOR KING ALPHONSO XII OF SPAIN.

SN 118292. Cal. 44RF Henry. Extremely rare deluxe carbine, gold & nickel finish with 20″ bbl, full magazine, integral front band/front sight & 2 position carbine rear sight graduated 100,300 & 500 yards. Top of bbl is roll marked with the Winchester & King’s Patents. Receiver never had the carbine staple & ring installed, being a rifle receiver with carbine parts. Mounted with exceptional, about 3X, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock and rifle crescent buttplate with trap which contains 1-pc of a brass & steel wiping rod. Bottom of buttstock & bbl band have factory swing swivels. Receiver has full coverage, foliate arabesque pattern engraving from the hand of renowned Master Engraver L. D. Nimschke. Engraving consists of multiple intertwined, extremely well executed foliate arabesque patterns with incredible shading and pearled background. Left side plate is engraved with an oval vignette with the head of an English Pointer bird dog, reportedly the favorite hunting dog breed of King Alfonso XII. Right side plate is engraved with a major fan pattern and foliate arabesque scroll that terminates in a flower blossom. Front side panels are virtually identically engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns. The transition flats from the side plates to the front side panels are engraved in diamond patterns with very fine stippled background. Top of the receiver & around the hammer slot are engraved in matching patterns with kidney shaped patterns incorporated into the engraving on the top side flats. Edges of the ejection port are engraved in feather patterns and top of the receiver ring is engraved with a very detailed half flower blossom. Bottom of the carrier is engraved with light arabesque patterns. The top tang of the buttplate is engraved to match with Mr. Nimschke trademark flower blossom rosette around the screw hole. Additional deluxe features are the engraved on sides of the hammer & lever and bbl bands, a feature rarely found on engraved Winchesters. The receiver, bbl bands & buttplate are gold-washed, probably over silver, while the lever, hammer, trigger, bbl & magazine tube are nickel finished. The sling swivel, base & loop in the buttstock are also gold-washed. Left side of lower tang is marked “VXX”. It is unknown the meaning of the “V”, however the “XX” signifies higher quality of wood. Top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate are marked with matching SNs to this carbine. The wrist of the buttstock has had a minor crack repaired which necessitated restoration of finish. The repaired crack is undetectable. Accompanied by 2 small inventory tags that were formerly attached to the buttstock and were removed prior to refinishing the stock (see image). One tag is dated 1943 and the other 1961. The 1961 tag is apparently dealing with royalty having a crown at top center over “PATRIMONIO NACIONAL” (the public agency of the Ministry of the Presidency who administers the palace). The bottom line states “Palacio de (hand written) Oriente” (the Oriental Palace and the official residence of the Spanish royal family in Madrid). The last monarch who had full time residence in the palace was King Alfonso XIII. Also accompanied by a 28 page letter from renowned historian, researcher & author, R.L. Wilson wherein he waxes eloquently about the features of this carbine and its history. He states that this carbine was made for King Alphonso XII of Spain (1857-1885) who passed it to his son, the famed sportsman & marksman King Alphonso XIII (1886-1941) where it descended down the royal line until it was sold in 2014. Mr. Wilson unequivocally identifies the work as that of Mr. Nimschke himself. He lists numerous illustrations of identical features of Mr. Nimschke’s work as found on this carbine as illustrated in Mr. Wilson’s book L.D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver along with numerous other engraving features identified to Mr. Nimschke in many other publications. Mr. Wilson relates that King Alphonso XII was an avid & accomplished hunter and outdoorsman who was an regular participant in the Calpe Hunt, an historic outing held on Gibraltar, dating back to 1812. His son, King Alphonso XIII, along with King Edward VII of England in 1906 became the joint patrons of this famed hunt which continued until 1939, the beginning of WWII. In 1906 under the patronage of these 2 kings, the hunt became known as the “Royal Calpe Hunt”. There is another Winchester rifle, a Model 1873 1 of 1000 documented to King Alphonso XII which has nickel finish and there are numerous other recorded documentation of firearms owned by both King Alphonso XII & King Alphonso XIII, most of which are elaborately engraved and of royal presentation quality. PROVENANCE: King Alfonso XII; King Alfonso XIII; Spanish Royal Family. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 97-98% strong orig nickel with a few small freckles & a couple of small scratches. Bbl bands retain traces of gold-wash being mostly grey metal patina. Receiver & sideplates retain virtually all of their orig gold-wash. Lever, hammer, trigger & loading gate retain virtually all of their orig nickel finish with a few scattered freckles. Buttplate retains virtually all of its orig gold-wash, moderately thin, with a series of small nicks on the face at the heel. The buttstock, with the aforementioned repair has a few minor nicks & scratches and retains about all of its fine custom restored finish. Forearm has a series of small scratches around the center, probably from an old gun rack and retains about all of its orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore, appears to be unfired. Bolt face retains virtually all of it orig factory blue. Wiping rod section also appears to be new. 49154-1 JR (200,000-300,000) – Lot 3012

| Click here to view provenance

EXTRAORDINARILY RARE AND IMPORTANT WINCHESTER MODEL 1865 “WINCHESTER PATENT CARBINE” SERIAL NUMBER 3 MANUFACTURED BY THE WINCHESTER ARMS CO., BRIDGEPORT, CT., IN LATE 1865 OR EARLY 1866. “THE FIRST TRUE PRODUCTION WINCHESTER FIRE ARM”, TOTAL PRODUCTION OF ABOUT 700. N.R.A. SILVER MEDAL NUMBER 473.

SN 3. Cal. .44 Henry RF. 19″ bbl. Finished in the white without a bbl address. Late Henry style gunmetal receiver and gunmetal forend. Magazine plunger retainer clip is damaged. Bbl band front sight with a dovetail cut underneath on the bbl. Front bbl band is a professional restoration. Experimental rear sight. Varnished burl grain walnut stock with rifle buttplate. SN 3 is stamped on the receiver tang, bbl, forend slide, buttplate and in the tang mortise of the stock. No assembly numbers are present on the side plates or lower tang. One toggle is missing from the action. Late Henry type lever with locking stud. Winchester patent carbines and rifles were an enigma for collectors until 1994 when Herbert G. Houze, former Curator of the Cody Firearms Museum, published his landmark book Winchester Repeating Arms Company Its History And Development from 1865 – 1981. In chapter 1 of his book Mr. Houze clearly defines this extremely rare Winchester fire arm (ref: plate 36, pg 38, plate 37, pg 39). According to Mr. Houze, in December of 1865, Oliver Winchester filed a patent in England for this design, through his agent William Clark. (English patent number 3284 issued December 19th, 1865). Winchester intended to sell most of the production overseas so he only sought European patent protection. In November of 1865, Winchester went to Paris where he met with M. de Suzanne. de Suzanne authorized the purchase of 1000 carbines having Winchesters improvement to the magazine and a fixed price of $34.00 per arm with 50% of the price to be paid immediately and the balance to be paid upon their shipment from New York to Havana, Cuba. The “Improved Henry Carbines” were intended for Maximilian I of Mexico. The carbines were unmarked and shipped by way of Cuba so that Winchester would not be directly associated with their intended use. Paid for in gold, 700 of these Winchester patent carbines were delivered to Cuba beginning with 150 that were shipped by Winchester from New York to Cuba on January 12th, 1866. An export receipt from J.P. Moore & Son, confirms this shipment. Some were also sold commercially despite the lack of patent protection. On March 5th, 1865, an “Improved carbine” and an “Improved rifle” were both sold to Philip Wilson & Co., and William Golcher, for a total of $72.00 ($40.00 for the carbine, $50.00 for the rifle, less a 20% discount). (Ref: Houze pg 41). To this date, only a total of 7 of these rare Winchesters are known to collectors, #3 being the lowest number. Others are SN 5, formerly in the Flayderman collection, SN 8, in the Beneke collection, SN 18, in a private Swiss collection, SN 46, in the Bender collection, and SN 279, which a relic in the possession of the Mexican Federal Army Museum at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City. In addition the receiver for another example bearing the SN 691 is in the Winchester Arms Collection of the Cody Firearms Museum. Inventory number 242 of the Winchester Firearms Reference Collection describes one of these arms that has no SN. Of the preceding arms, with the exception of #8, all have 19″ carbine bbls, and none have exterior markings. Survival rate was very low as most of the production was sent to Mexico. SN 3 Winchester Patent Carbine surfaced in Michigan in the late 1980’s. It is possible that it was brought there by Lafayette Baker who was a sales representative for Winchester after the Civil War and moved to Lansing, Michigan in 1865. The carbine was at first mis-identified as a Briggs Patent Model. Briggs Patent Arms were not regular production firearms only prototypes. Subsequent research with the help of Mr. Herb Houze has now properly identified this extremely rare first production Winchester firearm. In 2009 Winchester Patent Carbine #3 was displayed, along with the evidence herein presented, and was awarded N.R.A. Silver Medal #473 along with the “Most Educational Award” at the N.R.A. Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ. The N.R.A. Silver medal and certificate are included with this sale. PROVENANCE: Accompanying this carbine is a comprehensive article featuring this carbine in the Spring 2009 edition of The Texas Gun Collector, pgs 28-32. Also included is correspondence between Mr. Houze and the first owner and also correspondence between Mr. Houze and the present consignor. Also included is a loan contract with the National Firearms Museum, dated March 17th, 2003, between the consignor and the N.F.M., involving the loan of the carbine for display, and a 3 page handwritten letter from George Madis, noted Winchester authority discussing the authenticity and originality of this carbine is included. CONDITION: Very fine, bbl and magazine tube were finished in the white and show a blending of that finish with an even aged patina with some slight stains at the left breech end of the bbl. Bore is uncleaned but with very sharp rifling. Gunmetal sliding forend/magazine cover shows an even mustard patina. Gunmetal receiver also shows an even mustard patina with some rubbing on the high points and a few scratch marks overall. A few small casting flaws. Elevator has a slight dent. Side plates fit very well. Lever, hammer and trigger show an even gray/brown patina. Figured stock retains nearly all of the varnish finish with numerous scratches, dents and handling marks on the high point of each side. Gunmetal buttplate also shows an even mustard patina with high point wear on the heel and toe. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to obtain the earliest “true production Winchester arm” presently known to collectors. 49546-1 TEP C&R (125,000-175,000) – Lot 3013

| Click here to view provenance

RARE AND UNUSUAL CASED CUSTOM ENGRAVED CONVERSION HENRY LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 8068. Cal. .44 American. Wonderful engraved conversion Henry rifle from Peruvian gunsmith Adolfo Birnn of Lima. The conversion consists of shortening the bbl to 19-1/4″ which eliminated the loading sleeve & rnd section of the bbl exactly at the junction of the bbl and loading sleeve. The follower slot in the bottom of the integral magazine was cleverly closed with the addition of a 1-pc metal cover and the installation of a magazine plug at the magazine end which is secured with a screw. The muzzle was machined similar to the orig shape of the Henry muzzle and has had the addition of a custom dovetailed, thin blade, blued steel front sight. The carbine ladder rear sight in the orig dovetail appears have originated with an American Civil War era carbine with alterations. Mounted with very nicely figured custom English walnut straight stock that has a deep cheekpiece and an orig brass crescent buttplate with trap containing an orig 3-pc brass & steel cleaning rod. And additional alteration to the Henry receiver is the addition of a Winchester Model 1866-style loading gate in the right sideplate. Receiver is nicely engraved with full coverage foliate arabesque patterns that has pearled background. Left sideplate is engraved with the large oval vignette of two stags in a forest scene, one running and the other apparently wounded. Left front side flat has a large shield engraved with the initials that appear to be “PJR” or a combination thereof, apparently the person for whom this rifle was customized. Top flat of receiver is engraved “ADOLFO BIRNN en LIMA”. Matching engraving patterns extend over the top and bottom with diamond & dot borders. Engraving further extends over the top & bottom tangs, on the lever & hammer. Buttplate tang is also engraved to match with a well executed flower blossom on the trap door. Magazine cap is also engraved with a matching flower blossom. Tang & buttplate screw heads are nicely engraved. Receiver & buttplate are very nicely gold-washed. SN is only found on left side of bottom tang, under the wood. Lever latch is a custom replacement with larger head, checkered on both sides. Accompanied by an incredible custom, form-fitting, angled, blue velvet lined mahogany casing with the same combination of initials “PJR” inlaid in multi-colored wood on the lid with the prefix “de” and suffix “M”. Exterior of the case is beautifully finished with multi-colored lamination, a diamond shaped, bone lock escutcheon & swinging latches. Interior is form-fitted for the rifle and has three lidded compartments in the front, one of which contains three loose rnds of 44 Webley and the other two are cartridge blocks with holes for 72 cartridges containing 68 rnds of 44 American cartridges. Lids of all three compartments each have two turned wooden pulls. Inside the lid has an attached black leather label embossed in gold “AMERIA / de la M aestranza Geral. / en LIMA 1886 / Adolfo Birnn”. In discussions with other knowledgeable dealers and collectors, this cataloger learned that Mr. Birnn apparently converted only a few of these rifles, possibly only 2 or 3. Once the rim fire cartridge of the orig Henry was supplanted by the advent of the more efficient and re-loadable center fire cartridges there were a few gunsmiths around the world who performed these conversions, although few are known today. It was reported that Mr. Birnn hired European engravers to do the engraving on his conversions. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain virtually all of their strong, custom brown finish. Receiver & buttplate retain virtually all of their bright, gold finish. Lever & hammer are dark patina. Stock is sound with a few light handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its fine custom finish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. Case is also fine with numerous, small handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately faded on the upper surfaces and inside the lid. Bottom is moderately soiled with some light damage from the sights and hammer. Altogether, a beautiful custom package. 49132-1 JR (40,000-70,000) – Lot 3014

RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1873 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 101100. Cal. 44 WCF (44-40). Rare special order semi-deluxe 2nd Model ’73 with 26″ oct bbl, full magazine, nickel silver Rocky Mountain front sight, orig, short semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges, with thick base sporting tang sight that has 4″ staff. Receiver is 2nd type with attached dust cover rail and 3rd type dust cover. Mounted with exceptional 3 to 4-X, center crotch, flame grain American walnut with matching figured, uncheckered forearm and straight stock that has smooth steel shotgun buttplate. Buttstock and forend cap have factory sling swivels. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked “XXX” and an “S” along with the assembly no. “882”. Matching assembly no. is found in top tang channel of buttstock. Although the buttplate is unnumbered, it is, unquestionably orig to this rifle. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum letter which identifies this rifle with oct bbl (length not mentioned), plain trigger, fancy stock, peep and knife-blade sights, shotgun butt, case hardened and sling & swivel, received in warehouse Dec 14, 1882 and shipped the next day order number not indicated. This rifle was manufactured in about 1882 in a time when the Indian Wars were still in full swing and hunting and defense arms were the norm for the time. Arms of that era were a daily use tool and were regularly exposed to the harsh elements, dust & dirt for extensive periods, often with little or no maintenance and are seldom found today with much orig finish. Given that this rifle was a “special order” which would have cost somewhat more then a standard, off the shelf rifle, which would have probably priced it out of the range of the ordinary working man or cowboy, it stands to reason that this rifle was the property of a more wealthy individual who obviously used it very little, if at all. PROVENANCE: Cody Firearms Museum Factory Letter. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching except buttplate as noted. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 99% crisp orig blue with only faint muzzle end wear and a couple of small dings. Receiver, sideplates, lever, hammer & forend cap retain virtually all of their brilliant, orig case colors with some very minor flaking on bottom front left side and very minor sharp edge wear. Buttplate retains about 92-93% glossy fire blue. Wood is sound with a couple of bruises in the buttstock and a very few, very minor nicks & scratches and retains virtually all of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore appears to have had very little use with little exposure to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight which rapidly fades case colors. 49184-1 JR (35,000-50,000) – Lot 3022

| Click here to view provenance

SCARCE SPECIAL ORDER WINCHESTER DELUXE MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 114616. Cal. 45-90. Fine Special Order ’86 with 26″ oct bbl, button mag, Lyman hunting front sight utilizes “certifiable antique ivory” bead and semi-buckhorn rear sight. Mounted with about 3X, center crotch, flame grain American walnut that includes H-style checkered forearm and capped pistol grip buttstock with smooth steel buttplate. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Museum records office research request which identifies this rifle in cal 45-90, with oct bbl, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, shotgun butt, oil finish and half mag, received in warehouse December 10,1898 and shipped same day to order #18311. This rifle was produced at a time when using a firearm for hunting and personal protection was commonplace. This rifle was probably someone’s hunting rifle that saw very little use in the outdoors. Extended exposure to the ultraviolet rays of sunshine rapidly fades case colors. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains about 98% strong orig blue with a couple of small nicks and slight muzzle end wear, beginning to turn a little plum. Receiver retains about all of its orig case colors, brilliant on the sides & upper and lower tangs, lightly faded on top and bottom edges. Hammer retains about all of its orig case colors turned dark on top edge. Lever retains bright case colors on sides, moderately faded on outer faces. Forend cap shows dark case colors turning a little brown. Buttplate is mostly a smooth light brown patina with rust on the heel. Stock is missing slivers around both upper and lower tangs on both sides, lower left is fairly large, otherwise wood is sound with a few light nicks and scratches and retain virtually all of its orig oil finish. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore shows very little use if any, receiver is still full of old grease. 49622-1 JR IVORY (15,000-25,000) – Lot 3056

| Click here to view provenance

*ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1894 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 891884. Cal. 30 WCF (30-30). Unusual ’94 rifle in that it is factory engraved but with standard grade uncheckered wood. It has 26″ oct bbl, full magazine, blued front sight with screw & flat top rear sight. Mounted with very highly figured, uncheckered American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate. Engraved by Angelo J. Stokes with #1 pattern vignette of a standing bull elk on left side & #12 pattern vignette of a standing ram on right side. Both panels have Stokes’ trademark “strap work” borders around vignettes which are both surrounded by fine, well-executed foliate arabesque patterns. Engraving patterns extend up over receiver ring & onto top three flats of bbl at receiver. It has a dbl wavy line border pattern around both sides with light arabesque patterns on top tang & bottom of receiver. Floorplate opening has a scallop & dot border pattern. Accompanied by a letter from renowned dealer Mike Clark of Collectors Firearms, Houston, TX, to Mr. Bleakney wherein Mr. Clark guarantees this rifle to be factory engraved. He states that it was produced in 1921. PROVENANCE: Goforth Collection; Mike Clark, Collectors Firearms; The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Very fine plus. Bbl & magazine tube retain 97-98% strong bright orig blue with light edge wear & a few minor scratches. Forend cap is flaked to about 70% blue. Receiver retains about 95% strong bright orig blue, thin on raised edges at front & rear of receiver. Top tang & lever retain generous amounts of orig blue mixed with light patina as does buttplate. Wood is sound with light handling & use marks and a bruise on forearm and overall retains most of its orig factory wood finish, slightly dulled on forearm. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 49059-44 JR102 C&R (12,500-17,500) – Lot 3088

| Click here to view provenance

EXTREMELY RARE CASED COLT EHLERS BABY PATERSON PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

SN 24. Cal. 31. All blue finish with 3″ oct bbl, brass pin front sight and 1-line script letter address which reads left hand “Patent Arms Patterson, N.J.-Colt’s Pt.” with dashes at each end. Bbl has the attached Ehlers rammer. Cyl has five chambers with rnd shoulder and ratchet rather than a slot for a rotating ring and measures 1-1/16″. Cyl has the centaur scene roll marking with the four-headed Paterson Colt logo. The tiny frame has folding trigger and is mounted with 1-pc varnished rosewood grip. Grip is made of two pieces of rosewood attached to two spacer blocks. Accompanied by an orig, burgundy velvet lined, mahogany casing with flat top & bottom. Front of case has a rectangular escutcheon for the mortised brass lock. Bottom inside is recessed for the revolver, a rare all brass plunger type powder measure and a tiny single ball mold with sprue cutter and three turned walnut handles with brass ferrules. The slot in the front, which ordinarily contains a turnscrew is filled with a pocket corkscrew. This cased set is listed as item number 5 and pictured on the back cover of Jackson Arms, Dallas, TX, Catalog #16. Bottom of the front cover states “The Ben Ames Williams Collection”. The corkscrew was present in the case at that time and is discussed as a loading tool “never previously seen” in a Paterson casing. Also accompanied by a signed letter from renowned collector & dealer, the late Bobby Smith of Tennessee. The letter identifies this pistol by SN and Mr. Smith states, “An extremely fine and rare specimen of a cased Colt Baby Paterson Revolver with the Ehlers attached loading lever”. Mr. Smith also mentions the strange “loading tool combination a rammer worm”, and further says that he had never seen a tool like this in a Paterson casing. He also mentions the Jackson Arms catalog and identifies it as July 1960. He states that the collection of Ben Ames Williams was sold at that time and that this cased set was part of his collection. He further states that, ” Ben Ames Willimas was an artist, editor & writer. Two of his best selling books were House Divided and The Unconquered. According to The Book of Colt Firearms , Wilson, there were only about 500 of these little revolvers produced in 1837-1838, which also included the Paterson No.2 Belt Revolver. These revolvers with attached rammers were late production made from parts that were semi-finished when Colt went bankrupt. John Ehlers was a major stock holder in the Patent Arms Manufacturing Co. and assumed ownership in the bankruptcy. He finished and assembled the parts and added the loading levers. He also deleted the “M’g Co.” from the bbl address roll die. In addition the capping cutout was added to the right recoil shield during this process. Few of these little revolvers survive today, especially those that are all matching and with high orig finish. Cased examples are extremely rare, especially those with the rare corkscrew loading tool. PROVENANCE: Ben Ames Willaims Collection; Jackson Arms; The Late Bobby Smith Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine, all matching including bbl, wedge, cyl, frame, hammer, backstrap and grip. No further disassembly was effected to check for other matching parts. Bbl retains about 95% glossy orig blue with light sharp edge wear; wedge retains about 80% fire blue, mostly on the body; frame & front strap retain about 70% glossy orig blue with light candy striping on both sides, flaking on the recoil shields and light sharp edge wear; hammer retains dark case colors with light pitting on the sides; cyl retains most of its orig blue, thin on the rear half, turning plum and shows about 95% centaur scene roll marking; backstrap & buttstrap retain 92-93% glossy orig blue with some light sharp edge wear and minor pinpoint flaking. Grip is sound and retains about 88-90% orig varnish with the loss areas flaked from the ears and light edge wear. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with scattered fine pitting. Case has a grain check in the lid, otherwise is sound with usual handling & storage nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig varnish. Interior is moderately faded with light soil in the lid lining and heavily faded in the bottom, darker in the recesses with light soil. Flask retains about 70% bright gold wash with the exposed areas a dark patina, mechanics are fine. Mold is extremely fine showing about 95% bright blue on the body and about 60% on the sprue cutter with losses from flaking. Mold handles are solid and the rare corkscrew loading tool is very fine, certainly capable of opening the finest bottle of wine. 49402-6 JR (150,000-250,000) – Lot 3127

| Click here to view provenance

RARE MARTIAL COLT THIRD MODEL DRAGOON PERCUSSION REVOLVER WITH SHOULDER STOCK.

SN 17173. Cal. .44. Usual configuration with 7-1/2″ oct to rnd bbl, slightly altered nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York City address. Top flat has a 1-standing, 2-folding leaf sight. Frame has small “COLTS PATENT” over a tiny U.S. Frame is 4 screw type cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw and extended stock screws. Cyl has the Ormsby Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking and “MODEL U.S.M.R.” and “COLT’S PATENT” cartouches around the SN. The brass trigger guard and iron backstrap contain a 1-pc walnut grip with last 4 digits of matching SN in backstrap channel. Right side of grip has a thin but legible “WAT” (William A. Thornton) sub-inspector cartouche. Left side has the outline of a cartouche and there are small inspector initials on the various parts. Accompanied by an orig 3rd type Dragoon stock with iron mounts and walnut buttstock that has a crisp “MM” cartouche on the left side and “WAT” on the right side. Bottom tang of the iron yoke has the SNs 17433 & 17434 with identical SNs on buttplate tang. Bottom tang also has a stud and ring. There was a total production of about 10,500 of this model revolver produced 1851 – 1861 of which only 946 were ordered as “Pistol Carbines”. As the SNs on the buttstock indicate they were intended to be issued in pairs to mounted Dragoons. They are rarely found today with their numbered pair and matching stocks are very rare. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. CONDITION: Fine, all matching except buttstock, as noted. Frame retains traces of dark case colors in the most sheltered areas otherwise the metal is a smooth, even gray/brown patina. Cyl is matching patina and shows 50-60% Dragoon/Indian Fight Scene roll marking. Cartouches surrounding SN on the cyl are completely legible. Trigger guard has a series of dents on the frontstrap and shows a medium to dark mustard patina. Top of backstrap also has some small dents and the buttstrap & bottom edges of grip are somewhat battered. Grip has a chipped right toe & shows a smooth hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with scattered pitting. Stock yoke & buttplate are matching patina to the revolver. Buttstock is sound with a hand worn patina. 49059-56 JR (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3135

RARE MARTIALLY MARKED COLT MODEL 1860 FLUTED ARMY 3-SCREW VARIATION PERCUSSION REVOLVER.

SN 1444. Cal. 44. Blue & color case hardened with 7-15/16″ rnd bbl, nickel silver front sight and 1-line New York U.S. America address. Frame has “COLTS PATENT” over a small “U.S.” and the cal is marked on left shoulder of trigger guard. Frame is the rare 3-screw version cut for shoulder stock with flat head hammer screw. There are only about 4,000 fluted Army revolvers produced and of that number consignor states that there were only about 400 of the 3-screw variation. Cyl is full fluted with patent date in one flute and SN in another. The brass trigger guard and blued steel backstrap contain a replacement 1-pc varnished walnut grip with matching SN in backstrap channel. Left side of grip has a “JT” (John Taylor) inspector cartouche and right side has a “WHR” (William H. Roberts) sub-inspector cartouche. Trigger guard, backstrap, cyl & bbl all have small “D” inspector initials. Bbl has a slightly trimmed muzzle. Frame, hammer, rammer, cyl & backstrap are Tommy Haas quality restorations, as is the grip. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching as noted above. Bbl, as noted has a slightly angled, flat crown and retains about 60-70% glossy orig factory blue with the loss area flaked to a medium patina; rammer & handle retain bright Colt-style case colors; frame & hammer also retain bright Colt-style restored case colors; cyl retains bright blue in the flutes, thin on the outer diameter and show all 6 safety pins crisp and serviceable; trigger guard is a medium mustard patina. Backstrap retains about 60% glossy Colt-style blue with center of backstrap bare metal. The replacement grip shows edge wear with a few nicks and retains about 75% varnish. Mechanics are fine, strong bore, frosty & pitted in the grooves. 49151-1 JR (5,000-8,000) – Lot 3148

Revised: 10/7/2015

Please Note: As cataloged this beautiful Colt is factory engraved and is certainly Nimschke shop engraving. Please note, L.D. Nimschke was an extraordinary, gifted engraver but Colts that were engraved in his shop were not all personally engraved by him. The gifted engravers that worked for him executed a large quantity of engraved Colts that came out of his shop. Some Colt collectors have stated that they felt this Nimschke Colt was not engraved by Nimschke personally and we do not disagree. None the less it was produced in his shop.

EXCEPTIONAL EARLY NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER.

SN 103901. Cal. 45. Nickel finish with 4-3/4″ bbl, full front sight & 2-line address. Frame has 3-line patent dates & left front web of trigger guard is marked with Cal. Mounted with distributor supplied 1-pc “certifiable antique ivory” grip that has an extraordinary, very deep, raised carved ox head on right side. Grip is constructed in early style consisting of 2 slabs of ivory attached to 2 wooden spacer blocks and has the matching SN in the backstrap channel. Ejector housing is third type with half-moon ejector head & bottom of bbl has last 4 digits of matching SN under ejector housing. Revolver is beautifully engraved by L.D. Nimschke with nearly full coverage foliate arabesque patterns on the frame. Left recoil shield and loading gate have Mr. Nimschke’s distinctive sunburst patterns. Topstrap is engraved in his snake & dot patterns with fine snake & dot patterns in the bottom front gullets. Base pin boss & ejector boss are engraved with hunter’s stars. Matching engraving extends about 3/4s up the sides of the bbl with snake & dot patterns continuing to the muzzle. The address has fine snake & dot & geometric patterns around the address, extending nearly to the front sight. Cylinder is engraved with matching foliate arabesque patterns on lands between flutes with sunburst patterns back of the flutes. Rear face of cylinder is marked with last 4 digits of of matching SN. Top gullet of ejector housing is engraved with very fine zig-zag & dot patterns. Outer radius of ejector housing is engraved in geometric patterns. top of backstrap & backstrap ears are engraved in distinctive Nimschke patterns with foliate arabesque & geometric patterns down the backstrap, on the buttstrap & trigger bow. Screw heads are all fire blued and all engraving patterns have pearled background. Cylinder pin is a later replacement. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter which identifies this revolver in Cal. 45 Colt with 4-3/4″ bbl, nickel finish, type stocks not listed, factory engraved & shipped to Schoverling, Daly & Gales, NY, NY on Oct 1, 1884 in a 3-gun shipment. Additionally accompanied by a modern custom made, red velvet lined oak casing that is compartmented for the revolver with a covered compartment containing a functioning key with a cartridge block containing 18 rounds of modern ammunition. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Phil A. Bleakney, Jr. Special Note: This item contains or is made of ivory. Do not bid on this lot unless you have read and agreed to our "Ivory Position Statement" and the "Waiver of Legal and Financial Risk to James D. Julia in regards to your Purchase of an Ivory Object." This information is located in the front section of our catalog. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching including bbl, cylinder and grip. Overall retains 98-99% crisp orig nickel showing only minor dulling near the muzzle. Screws retain about all of their orig fire blue. Grip is sound & has minor age lines on the bottom edges & overall shows a wonderful, mellow ivory patina. Hammer is not solid & safety notch, otherwise mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a couple scattered spots of pitting. Box is extremely fine. 49059-86 JR IVORY (40,000-60,000) – Lot 3207

| Click here to view provenance

EXTREMELY RARE FACTORY ENGRAVED COLT MODEL 1877 THUNDERER DA REVOLVER.

SN 6751. Cal. 41 Colt. Nickel finish with 6″ bbl, full front sight, 2-line Hartford address and crisp “COLT D.A. 41″ etched panel on left side. All the screws, base pin, trigger & edges of hammer are bright fire blued. Mounted with orig, factory, smooth pearl grips that are matching numbered on the inside. Frame is beautifully engraved in flowing foliate arabesque patterns with about 80% coverage. Top strap is engraved with leaf & vine patterns. Foliate arabesque patterns extend up both sides of bbl with a geometric pattern forward of the address on top. Top gullet of the ejector housing is engraved in a snake & dot pattern. Back of the hammer slot on the backstrap and down the backstrap are engraved in geometric patterns. Cyl is engraved on lands between the flutes with foliate arabesque patterns and a snake pattern in the flutes with a chip & dot pattern border around rear edge. Left rear web of trigger guard is stamped with the caliber marking. Accompanied by a Colt factory letter identifying this revolver in caliber 41 with 6” bbl, nickel finish, pearl stocks and factory engraved, shipped to B. Kittredge Arms Co., Cincinnati, OH on June 10, 1878 in a 2-gun shipment. Model 1877 revolvers are rarely found with high orig finish as they were very popular in their day and usually saw very hard service on the American frontier with infrequent or no maintenance. History records numerous individuals on both sides of the law carrying this model of revolver including Billy the Kid and others. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching. Overall retains virtually all of its crisp, orig nickel finish with no evidence of ever having been fired; all the screws, base pin, trigger & hammer retain most of their orig bright fire blue, somewhat thinned on the trigger. Grips have one tiny chip in left rear edge, otherwise are completely sound with a yellowed stain near the top edges and otherwise retain great fire & iridescent colors. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 49450-15 JR (37,500-57,500) – Lot 3240

| Click here to view provenance

EXTRAORDINARY SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1875 TYPE III OFFICER’S SPORTING RIFLE.

SN NSN. Cal. 45-70 Outstanding Type III rifle with 26″ rnd bbl, gold-washed Beach’s configuration front sight, 1200-yd, ski-jump rifle rear right and tang sight with 3-1/2″ staff inletted into the top of the wrist. Bottom of bbl has a single iron guide containing an orig brass-tipped hickory ramrod. Mounted in a nicely figured, straight grain American walnut half stock with checkered forestock & wrist with an orig Model 1873 buttplate without trap. Left side of wrist is marked with the rectangular “SWP / 1885” cartouche. It has 2-pc trigger guard with serrated single set trigger. Bottom of wrist has an attached checkered rnd knob grip adapter/finger rest. Tip of the forestock is inletted with an engraved foliate shaped pewter nosecap. Breechblock has 1873 markings and bbl standard Springfield inspector markings. Lockplate is marked “U S / SPRINGFIELD” and a small eagle. Interior parts are unmarked except for one small “H” on the gun hammer tumbler and a small “8” on the sear. Bottom of bbl is stamped “25” with a small serpentine mark and a tiny hammer-shaped mark. Bottom of receiver is marked with a small “B”. Inside trigger bow is stamped with a “1” and another indecipherable mark. Lockplate, hammer shank, breechblock, top front of receiver, top tang, trigger bow & buttplate tang are all very nicely engraved in foliate arabesque patterns without background shading. According to various publications there were about 477 of these scarce rifles produced 1875 to 1885 at the Springfield Arsenal in 3 variations. There were about 100 Type III rifles produced in 1885. These rifles were intended for purchase by military officers but were not overly enthusiastically received and by 1885 sales were lagging with many going unsold. In the late 1880’s the remaining stocks were used as prizes for shooting contests or gifts to high ranking officials. Regardless of their popularity, they remain a rare item to be found today with the majority showing heavy wear and little orig finish. CONDITION: Extremely fine+. Overall retains 98-99% crisp orig finish with strong bright blue on bbl, brilliant case colors on lockplate, hammer, breechblock, top tang & trigger guard. Trigger bow is moderately faded. Buttplate retains about 80% orig blue and the forend cap about all of its bright orig polish. Tang sight retains most of its orig fire blue. Wiping rod is crisp and near new. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore appears to be new and unfired. Museum quality specimen! 49403-7 JR (27,500-37,500) – Lot 3260

RARE CONFEDERATE DANCE DRAGOON REVOLVER, SN 46.

SN 46. Cal. 44. Of the approximate 100 Dance pistols that survive, about 85 are 44 Cal. Of these 85 guns, this is the only gun noted with inset “Texas Star” decoration. SN 46 is found on most major parts including bbl, plunger, arbor, cylinder, frame, hammer, trigger-guard, and backstrap. Overall edges are fairly sharp though this gun has seen use and there is edge wear to flats of bbl housing. Action is functional. This gun by NRA standards grades good. By Confederate standards this gun is an above average example with great aesthetics including the star inset. This gun is featured on three full pages, 42-44, of Gary Wiggins Dance & Brothers Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy. Dance revolvers saw hard Confederate use, mostly in the Western and Trans-Mississippi theaters of the way. Any Texas Confederate soldier would be proud to carry a Texas made revolver of the highest quality. This is a unique Dance revolver and as stated by Wiggins in his text on Dances “The star emblem on the grip is unique to this specimen and has not been observed on any other Dance handguns.” PROVENANCE: Ron Bridges Collection, pictured in North South Trader article, Volume I, No. 5, pgs. 30-31 (1973). Jackson Arms, Dallas, TX. Jan Reifenberg Collection. Listed by SN in Gun Report article, Nov. 1978, Sam Maxwell, the Dance Brothers Revolver, the Texas Dragoon. Gary Wiggins, Dance & Brothers Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy, 1986. CONDITION: Iron surfaces overall are smooth & grey/brown with scattered staining & pitting, muzzle wear. SNs are all discernible. Cylinder retains four safety pins. Arbor has old welded repair. Mechanically gun is functional with crisp rifling. Grips are very good & well fit with inset silver star which has been polished. Butt of stocks & buttstrap have several large dents & gouges. 49172-1 JS (45,000-60,000) – Lot 3360A

INCREDIBLE, NEAR MINT, PAIR OF LEPAGE PERCUSSION LARGE BORE HOLSTER PISTOLS WITH RAISED GOLD AND SILVER INLAY, HOUSED IN THEIR ORIGINAL CASE, WITH ACCESSORIES AND LEATHER OUTER COVER.

SN NSN. Cal. .638 Groove diameter. 12 Groove rifled 9″ Bernard twist bbls, with flat tapered integral top ribs, and soldered on bottom ribs, are gold inlaid “LePage Moutier a Paris” (working 1842 – 1868, gunmaker to the king and princes) on central portion of top ribs. These bbls are further embellished at breech and muzzles with gold and silver inlay in raised relief outlining other silver inlay of scrolls and foliage. Captive bridled steel ramrods mount through single pipes with silver band inlay. This fine raised gold and silver inlay extends to patent breeches and breech irons which are also embellished with crossed flags. Locks with rebated tails and tall serpentine round bodied hammers continue the theme of raised gold and silver inlay in scrolled foliate and floral motifs. Trigger guards have gold and silver inlay on bows; one gun has crossed flags with crescent moon finials on staffs, and central banner depicting a crescent moon. Other trigger guard has central staff festooned with tassels and hung with a spiked shield, top of staff with crescent moon. Steel grip caps also with silver inlay, have lanyard rings and hinged cap boxes. Dense, rosewood stocks are deeply relief carved with large scrolls and acanthus highlights. Fine shells are at rear portions of butts, and a burst of acanthus at tops. These extraordinary pistols are cased in their original rosewood box with shaped brass medallion inlet in lid engraved “FM”. Interior is lined in dark green velvet. Bottom portion is french fitted for pistols and accessories, including rosewood handled nipple wrench, high quality case hardened nutcracker type ball mold with sprue cutter, brass tipped walnut cleaning rod with round horn knob, and exceptional quality copper bodied German silver topped powder flask marked “Boche a Paris” on spout. There are two covered compartments with horn knobs, one of which contains a small green and brown pasteboard box housing a pair of replacement nipples. A matching larger box (possibly for patches), marked with makers name (LePage Moutier a Paris”) is in another compartment. This excellent quality case is housed in its calfskin leather, felt lined, outer cover. CONDITION: Pistols are exceptionally fine, possibly unfired since proof, and exceptionally well preserved as to orig finish, with only the slightest of light handling marks visible, mostly on bbls, with one or two light marks in wood. Bores are brilliant with one or two flecks of rust visible about 3″ back from muzzle of one pistol. Locks are crisp. Nipples retain nearly all of their orig blue. Stocks are still light in color, as is all carving. These pistols appear to have not even been wiped down since their manufacture. Exterior of case is exceptionally fine, as protected by its outer cover, which shows considerable scuffing, rubbing, and has a few tears. Accessories are excellent, appear unused. Interior cloth is excellent, but with many compressions, as expected from guns and accessories. Pasteboard containers are clean and bright. Large container has some considerable chipping, and partially detached top. A wonderful highest quality pair of pistols in an unbelievable state of preservation, worthy of the finest collection. 49538-1 MGM412 (35,000-50,000) – Lot 3467

*◊ SCARCE MAUSER C96 FLATSIDE CARBINE WITH 12″ BARREL AND GLOBE FRONT SIGHT.

SN 242. Caliber 7.63mm. Mauser made approximately 200 Large Ring Flatside carbines. This example has a 12″ bbl with a hooded, drift adjustable bead front sight and a slip-in 50-500 rear sight. The elongated chamber is marked with the Mauser address while the SN “242” is on the left chamber flat. Right side of the frame is import marked while the serial number is repeated on the left side of the frame and on the left side of the stock iron at their juncture. The #242 is additionally marked under the rear sight bar, on the back of the cursor, and the back of the hammer. Limited disassembly shows the matching SN on the follower, floorplate, bolt and firing pin. The extractor has been repaired, the firing pin retainer is an unnumbered replacement, the firing pin has a repaired tip, and the bolt stop is an unnumbered, altered replacement. The rear sight components, including the sight bar, are fire blued as is the safety while the trigger and attendant housing are in-the-white. Standard smooth forearm. Buttstock has an attached, rotating sling swivel on the left side. The buttplate is an original Mauser with an intertwined “MW”. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Original blue estimated at 85-90% with early toning. Faded blue on floorplate and under trigger guard. Repaired extractor is in-the-white. Fire blue on bolt stop, sight bar/cursor and firing pin retainer are in keeping with the balance of the pistol. Most of the fire blue from the stock lug has faded to a pleasing grey. Forearm and buttstock retain most of their orig varnish with numerous but light handling dings. No discernible splits or significant losses. Near excellent condition buttplate. Bright bore with strong rifling and only mild oxidation in grooves. Perfect manual mechanics. 43475-92 LMA C&R (15,000-22,500) – Lot 3556

*◊ MAUSER M1912/14, LATE PRODUCTION, CUT FOR SHOULDER STOCK.

SN 147. Cal. 9mm. Mauser made fewer than 200 M1912/14 pistol on an experimental basis, none being factory proofed for commercial sale. A number of later guns with SN over 100 were cut for a shoulder stock. This delayed blowback pistol, with horizontally moving retarding flaps, has a fixed front sight attached to a screwed-in knurled muzzle and a drift adjustable rear sight. “MADE IN GERMANY”, struck in 1/8″ letters, is on the top of the bbl. The left side of the slide is marked with a single line legend “WAFFENFABRIK MAUSER A.-G. OBERNDORF A.N. MAUSER’S PATENT.” and the sideplate with ownership “C. ERSKINE GRAY”. The gun is completely matched with the SN appearing behind the rear sight, back of the frame, takedown lever, sideplate, trigger, each of the 2 horizontally moving locking flaps, firing pin, and on a variety of other small parts including the magazine. Wood grips with bordered panel checkering with provision for a shoulder stock. Major components are rust blued; trigger, recoil spring guide and grip screws are fire blued; serrated slide release is in-the-white. The unnumbered shoulder stock is one of 20 made by Mauser in the late 1960s on behalf of Henk Visser through the cooperation of Joseph Schroeder who lent one of his original stocks to Mauser for copying. These later stocks were blonde but otherwise indistinguishable from those of earlier production. Retracting the lug button allows the stock to easily connect and lock onto the backstrap with only minimal wobble. The body of the hollowed stock is sound with a coarsely checkered lid as is correct for this accessory. Although included with the gun, remember that this is a new stock and some fitting will be necessary. Currently, the stock will not fully enter the slot not will the pistol seat within the stock to allow lid closure. PROVENANCE: Ex Henk Visser Collection. Pictured in the reference text “Handguns of the World” by Ezell. Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Over 99% of very professional restoration. All surface planes are flat and lettering is sharp. Only giveaway relates to the rust blued extractor (that should be fire blued), covered ownership denomination (that would otherwise appear in-the-white) and a few pinprick surface irregularities that are now under the blue. Fire blued parts with 80-95% orig finish. Near excellent original grip, sharply checkered, with repaired crack that extends from top of stock slot insert to top of grip panel. Orig finish magazine with superficial oxidative discoloration that extends onto the floorplate. Bright bore with strong rifling, minimal oxidation. Perfect manual mechanics. The more recently manufactured stock is virtually new with nearly 100% of the fire blue on the lug and hinge. The body is unflawed as is the checkering on the lid. A very charismatic ensemble when coupled to the pistol! 43475-792 LMA C&R (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3632

*◊ IMPRESSIVE UNIQUELY CASED GABBET-FAIRFAX MARS M1901, CALIBER .45.

SN 39. Cal. .45 Long. At the turn of the last century, Hugh Gabbet-Fairfax patented and made a small number of big bore pistols, the most powerful semi-automatic pistols of their time, all produced with military trials in mind. Those made by him prior to his bankruptcy in 1903 bear serial numbers up to 41 or 42 and have checkered grips. This example, one of the last made by Gabbet-Fairfax personally, has a bbl length of 9-1/2″, though at least 5/8″ of that length houses the bolt. Fixed front & rear sights. Lightly hand engraved on the rib is “MARS PISTOL 0.” 450″. On the left side of the receiver, scribed upside down are the numbers “93/646” that, according to the consignor, was a Kynoch inventory number. On the right side of the receiver at the rear, is a shield containing initials “EBL/L”, the Eley trademark and the number “195”, the Eley inventory number. SN “39” appears on the bottom of the frame as do the initials “T.J.S.”. As true for most Gabbet-Fairfax pistols, this one is rust blued except for a few small parts, including the magazine, numbered “8” on the front spine, that were left in-the-white. Walnut grip panels are checkered with a border around the screw escutcheons. To open the action, the hammer is cocked and the carrier knob twisted 45 degrees counterclockwise, which unlocks the bolt from the bbl. As the bolt is withdrawn, a cartridge from the top of the magazine is drawn backwards onto a carrier which lifts the cartridge up, above the upper magazine extension, for chambering. There is no holdopen. Releasing the carrier knob allows the bolt to fly forward and lock into place, though sometimes the carrier ears need to be nudged clockwise to lock into place. The magazine is loaded with the nose of the top bullet bearing against the elevated extension. Complete with unmarked leather carrying case, lined in green felt and internally compartmentalized for ammo/accessories, with a flap lid that may be locked, no key supplied. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Bright orig blue with 95% coverage, with sharp edge wear and thinning of the front & backstrap. Comparable condition in-the-white parts that show minor age appropriate staining & minimal oxidation. The same considerations hold true for the magazine. Grips have most orig varnish and only a few surface dings. Near mirror bore. Perfect manual mechanics, with congealed grease making the mechanism sluggish. Carrying case in VG-excellent condition with cracking of the lid and moderate losses of felt interior in areas of contact. 43475-237 LMA C&R (40,000-60,000) – Lot 3633

EXTREMELY RARE SWISS SIG MONDRAGON MODEL 1894 “MARCHING FIRE” RIFLE.

SN 98. Cal. 5.22mm. 29-1/2″ round bbl, blue finish, walnut stocks. The Type IIA Mondragon is an extremely rare rifle with a straight pull bolt that was made by SIG of Switzerland to the advanced concepts of Gen. Manuel Mondragon of the Mexican Army. It was developed to fire a unique small caliber high velocity cartridge using an “en bloc” clip loading type magazine as later implemented in the Garand. The unique “piston” cartridge for this rifle incorporated a cartridge case with internal case diameter washer (piston) attached to the base of the small (5.2 mm dia) bullet which was used to transmit the initial gas impulse to the bullet over the initial bullet/piston travel of ca. 20 mm before the piston/bullet assembly separated as the piston washer impacted the inside of the shoulder of the cartridge case. The bolt has three separate sets of locking lugs: one set is around front of the bolt body, a second set is at the rear of the bolt body, the third set is around the cocking knob assembly. More interesting is the 3-position selector switch mounted on the right side, just above the trigger, marked “A” (safe), “L” (normal fire position),”R” (rapid fire). The idea was to be able to fire the gun by pulling the trigger normally or fire by simply driving the bolt forward (not touching the trigger). Most of the quick firing was to be done while advancing, hence the “marching fire” appellation for this rifle. The rifle has a 2-pc stock with a machined receiver and a very intricately designed bolt. The fore-end is a single piece of wood that wraps around the bbl, much in the manner of a Mannlicher M1897/03 Carbine. The forward bbl band & lug are reminiscent of a Swiss K31. In the center of the forend is a rotating sling swivel. The rear sight is graduated from 6-20 and has a flip-up option for 400 meters. SN “98” appears at the rear of the bbl, left side of the receiver, on the follower and on the bolt handle. On the rear tang is the manufacturer identification: “FAB.D’ARMES/NEUHAUSEN”. The buttstock is fitted with a single sling swivel and a metal buttplate. Although very few of these rifles were made, the prospect of marching rapid fire was a novel consideration and laid the groundwork to explore automatic loading selective fire. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Geoffrey Sturgess. CONDITION: Near excellent with approx 95% orig rust blue finish showing speckling and fine patina as one would expect in an experimental/military gun of this vintage. The sides of the rifle present extremely well with much of the patina confined to the in-the-white bolt assembly and the bottom of the magazine well. Wood retains a commensurate amount of orig varnish with some flaking near bottom of buttstock and scattering of handling dings as one might expect after over 100 years. Bore is dark with seemingly sharp rifling. Perfect manual mechanics. An extraordinarily rare rifle by any standard and one that could easily be the centerpiece of an advanced collection. 43475-922 LMA (20,000-30,000) – Lot 3705