RARE CASED ENGRAVED WHITMORE BUGGY RIFLE ASSOCIATED WITH PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

RARE CASED ENGRAVED WHITMORE BUGGY RIFLE ASSOCIATED WITH PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY. Cal. 32 CF. SN-none visible. According to a letter of provenance (copy accompanies gun) from the Collins family of East Matunuck, RI, this pistol carbine was to have been presented to President William McKinley, who was assassinated before it was delivered. A family member purchased the gun after the assassination and it descended through the family. Very unusual tip-up pistol carbine with 24-3/4” stepped rnd bbl having a full-length rnd rib. The bbl at the chamber end is 7/8” diameter for 3-3/4” then steps down in a series of decorative turnings to approximately 5/8”, which is then 3/8” diameter. The chamber end of the bbl has a tapered quarter rib with peep sight attached, which is adjustable by means of a thumb wheel about the center. The frame is rounded with spur trigger and hand checkered opening latch on the bottom. The hammer has checkered vertical spur curved about 100 degrees. The grip is long and rounded with very highly figured burled walnut panels with horn escutcheons and an engraved silver-plated screw. It has an oval butt cap of horn, attached with an engraved silver-plated screw. The frame and large diameter portion of the bbl are beautifully engraved with about 85% coverage, very fine foliate arabesque and geometric patterns, incorporating a patriotic stars-and-stripes shield on the right side of the frame. The maker’s name “N. Whitmore” is engraved in a small rectangle on the left side of the bbl. The entire pistol, including the bbl, is very nicely nickel-plated. It ahs a tiny splintered forearms with an inlaid band of engraved silver, two inlaid horn diamonds and a horn screw escutcheon. It is accompanied by a detachable, nickel-plated iron shoulder stock that has a leather pad and captive thumbscrew. It is also accompanied by its original tapered, walnut, fitted case, which contains a hickory wiping rod with turned bone handle and its original key. The case has a brass handle, brass hinges, brass latches and a mortised brass lock with the original key. It has a 3-1/8” x 2” rectangular plate pinned to the top. CONDITION: Pistol retains virtually all of its strong and original, nickel-plating with a small-bubbled area on the front strap. Grips are fine and retain most of their original finish. Horn butt cap has a repaired chip at the back edge. Stock retains about 50% original nickel. Front sight pin is broken. Case is soiled, nicked and scratched with a sheet metal repair at the muzzle end and one loose hinge. Old wool lining is missing about 40% from moth damage. Wiping rod is fine. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few spots of scattered pitting. An extremely unusual and rare item that may research a little better. 4-53305 JR814 (6,000-10,000).

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1156	$23,000.00	RARE CASED ENGRAVED WHITMORE BUGGY RIFLE ASSOCIATED WITH PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY. Cal. 32 CF. SN-none visible. According to a letter of provenance (copy accompanies gun) from the Collins family of East Matunuck, RI, this pistol carbine was to have been presented to President William McKinley, who was assassinated before it was delivered. A family member purchased the gun after the assassination and it descended through the family. Very unusual tip-up pistol carbine with 24-3/4” stepped rnd bbl having a full-length rnd rib. The bbl at the chamber end is 7/8” diameter for 3-3/4” then steps down in a series of decorative turnings to approximately 5/8”, which is then 3/8” diameter. The chamber end of the bbl has a tapered quarter rib with peep sight attached, which is adjustable by means of a thumb wheel about the center. The frame is rounded with spur trigger and hand checkered opening latch on the bottom. The hammer has checkered vertical spur curved about 100 degrees. The grip is long and rounded with very highly figured burled walnut panels with horn escutcheons and an engraved silver-plated screw. It has an oval butt cap of horn, attached with an engraved silver-plated screw. The frame and large diameter portion of the bbl are beautifully engraved with about 85% coverage, very fine foliate arabesque and geometric patterns, incorporating a patriotic stars-and-stripes shield on the right side of the frame. The maker’s name “N. Whitmore” is engraved in a small rectangle on the left side of the bbl. The entire pistol, including the bbl, is very nicely nickel-plated. It ahs a tiny splintered forearms with an inlaid band of engraved silver, two inlaid horn diamonds and a horn screw escutcheon. It is accompanied by a detachable, nickel-plated iron shoulder stock that has a leather pad and captive thumbscrew. It is also accompanied by its original tapered, walnut, fitted case, which contains a hickory wiping rod with turned bone handle and its original key. The case has a brass handle, brass hinges, brass latches and a mortised brass lock with the original key. It has a 3-1/8” x 2” rectangular plate pinned to the top. CONDITION: Pistol retains virtually all of its strong and original, nickel-plating with a small-bubbled area on the front strap. Grips are fine and retain most of their original finish. Horn butt cap has a repaired chip at the back edge. Stock retains about 50% original nickel. Front sight pin is broken. Case is soiled, nicked and scratched with a sheet metal repair at the muzzle end and one loose hinge. Old wool lining is missing about 40% from moth damage. Wiping rod is fine. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a few spots of scattered pitting. An extremely unusual and rare item that may research a little better. 4-53305 JR814 (6,000-10,000). Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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.

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