Image Lot Price Description




1179
$8,050.00

SCARCE REMINGTON KEENE BOLT ACTION HUNTERS OR SPORTING RIFLE.

Cal. 45-70. Standard grade rifle with 24-1/2″ rnd bbl, full magazine, barleycorn front sight dovetailed into the front band. Rear sight is 1,000 yd Remington ladder style. Left rear side of receiver is marked with the caliber that was hand stamped with the “4″ perpendicular to the rest of the stamping. Mounted in an uncheckered, straight grain American walnut half stock with straight grip & smooth steel semi-crescent buttplate with rnd heel and trap containing a rare, orig 4-pc brass & steel cleaning rod. Right side of the stock, below the action, has a large screw through an escutcheon. It has a small curved arrow stamped in the wood front & back of the escutcheon. According to Flayderman’s Guide To Antique American Firearms, there were about 5,000 of these rifles produced in the period 1880-1883 in five different versions and three calibers. This was Remington’s first production bolt-action rifle in an attempt to compete with Winchester and Marlin for the Western and big game hunting market. Unfortunately, the buying public was not receptive and only a very few were bought by the military. Ordinarily these rifles are marked with the Remington name, address, and patent information. This one, however, is not, showing only the cal marking as previously described. This may indicate that it is a very early pre-production sample or possibly one of the few submitted to the Army for test trials. PROVENANCE: The Elliott Burka Estate Collection. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain most of their bright orig blue with only a couple of minor scratches and some light surface etching. Bbl bands retain most of their bright orig blue showing only light wear on the forearm band. Receiver retains about 80-85% blue mixed with a light patina. Trigger guard retains most of its bright orig blue. Stock is sound with a couple of small gouges, light nicks & scratches and retains most of its bright orig factory oil finish. Mechanics are fine, brilliant shiny bore. Cleaning rod is very fine. 4-54748 JR202 (4,000-6,000) – Lot 1179


Auction: Firearms - March 2015
Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.