RARE JENNINGS BREECHLOADING SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

SN 102. Cal 54. Standard rifle with 26″ rnd smooth bore bbl, ramrod tube under the bbl containing a brass & hickory cleaning rod that is probably a replacement. It has pin front sight on a dovetail and fixed rear sight on the frame over the chamber area. Left side of frame has the Robbins & Lawrence markings along with “C.P. DICKSON AGENT / NEW YORK / PATENTED 1849”. Receiver & rear end of the bbl are nicely engraved in foliate arabesque patterns. Hammer shank & buttplate tang are engraved to match. Breech cover & pellet priming receptacle are present. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has straight grip & crescent buttplate with an engraved 2-1/4″ by 3/4″ nickel silver oval inlaid in the left side. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms there were probably less than 1,000 of these rare rifles produced in 2 varieties 1848-1851. The first model was a repeater and the model described here was a factory conversion or one built at the factory from Jennings Repeater parts. This rifle used the “Rocket Ball” cartridge which was grossly underpowered and unsuitable for either military or sporting use which led to the demise of this design, but propelled the Chief Engineer, B. Tyler Henry into prominence. He later invented the Volcanic line of arms which evolved into the Model 1860 Henry Rifle, which then became the Winchester dynasty. Many of the existing Jennings rifles were converted to muzzle loader. Very few are found today in orig configuration. CONDITION: Fair to good. No orig finish remains with the metal an overall cleaned gray patina with areas of pitting over the bbl. Receiver is lightly pitted around the breech opening and nipple areas with the remainder a gray/brown patina. Buttplate & trigger guard are matching patina. Trigger guard has welded repairs. Stock has a repaired chip at the toe and another in right side of top tang with a gouge in the left wrist and shows a hand worn patina. Hammer is not solid at full cock, otherwise mechanics are a little loose but functional. Bore is moderately pitted. 51460-2 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 1000

NEW HAVEN ARMS VOLCANIC NUMBER ONE LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

SN 684. Cal 31. Standard number 1 pistol with 3-3/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine tube. Front sight is a pinched post and fixed rear sight is in a dove-tail in top flat of frame. Top flat of bbl is marked with standard New Haven roll marking and 1854 patent date. Mounted with matching numbered, smooth 2-pc walnut grips. SN was observed on left side of buttstrap, under the grip and inside each grip. No further disassembly was affected to check for matching numbers. CONDITION: Very good, all matching as noted above. Bbl & magazine retain a mottled blue gray patina with strong blue in the gullets. There are a few scattered spots of light pitting on both bbl & magazine. Frame & side plates are mostly a beautiful medium mustard patina with sharp edges and show about 10% orig silver finish. Grips show an old refinish with light nicks & dings. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore. 51494-1 (7,500-9,500) – Lot 1001

SCARCE NEW HAVEN ARMS NO. 1 VOLCANIC LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

SN 917. Cal. 31. Standard Volcanic pistol with 3-1/2″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, pinched post front sight and fixed rear sight in the top flat of receiver. Top flat of bbl has the 1-line New Haven address and 1854 Patent date. Mounted with smooth 2-pc walnut grips matching numbered to this pistol. The SN was observed on left side of buttstrap under the grip and inside both grips. No further disassembly was effected to check for other matching SNs. There were about 1,075 New Haven No. 1 Volcanic pistols produced 1857-1860 with only 850 having 3-1/2″ bbls. The Volcanic cartridge was problematic, being severely under powered and virtually impossible to extract a cartridge from the chamber without a cleaning rod. Consequently they were not popular and sales lagged. Few survive today with high orig finish in orig configuration. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain about 60% glossy orig blue with the losses flaked, not worn to a medium patina. Frame & side plates retain sharp, crisp edges and a wonderful medium mustard patina. Hammer retains faded case colors and the lever about 60-70% flaking glossy blue. Grips show high point sharp edge wear and retain about 90% strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, bright shiny bore with a couple small spots of pitting. 51605-1 JRL (6,000-10,000) – Lot 1002

RARE SMITH & WESSON NUMBER 1 VOLCANIC LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

SN 252H. Cal. 31. All steel construction with 4-1/8″ oct bbl, pinched pin front sight and fixed rear sight in top flat of frame. Top flat of bbl is marked “SMITH & WESSON / NORWICH, CT.” and left flat is marked with the patent date. Mounted with 2-pc bag-shaped smooth rosewood grips matching numbered to this pistol. Receiver and sideplates are nicely engraved in standard Volcanic foliate arabesque patterns. SN was observed on left side of frontstrap, under the grip, right side of lever and inside each grip. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms only about 1,200 of these rare pistols were produced 1854-1855. In 1855, the Smith & Wesson Manufacturing Company was reorganized as The Volcanic Repeating Arms Company and operated as such in 1857, at which time it was reorganized by Oliver F. Winchester in what was to become the New Haven Arms Company. About 1855 or 1856, Smith & Wesson left the company and Oliver Winchester assumed control. The New Haven Arms Company remained in business until about 1860 when B. Tyler Henry capitalized on the design of the Volcanic pistol and produced the very successful Model 1860 Henry rifle, which was succeeded by the Model 1866 Winchester, still using the same design which began the Winchester Dynasty as we know it today. The Volcanic cartridge was simply a hollow base lead bullet that contained the propellant and priming mixture. They were severely under-powered and nearly impossible to extract in the event of a mis-fire or or desire to unload a chambered rnd, without the use of a ramrod type tool. As such, they never gained strong popularity with the buying public resulting in the limited production and low survival rate. CONDITION: Very fine. No orig finish remains being an overall blue-grey patina with a few small dings on the left side of the rotating loading sleeve. Receiver and sideplates show lightly rounded edges with strong, clear engraving. Grips are sound showing high point wear with a few light nicks and scratches and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with very fine scattered spots of pitting. 51820-1 JRL (12,500-17,500) – Lot 1003

RARE NEW HAVEN ARMS NO. 1 VOLCANIC LEVER ACTION PISTOL WITH SPECIAL FACTORY ENGRAVING.

SN 1568. Cal. 31. Very rare pistol with 3-1/2″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, pinched post front sight and fixed rear sight in a dovetail in top flat of frame. Mounted with smooth, 2-pc, square butt walnut grips with last 3 digits of matching SN inside each grip. SN was also observed on left side of buttstrap under the grip. Receiver and sideplates are silver plated and very nicely factory engraved with a patriotic American shield on each sideplate surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns and a sunburst over the top. Matching patterns are lightly engraved on the front and rear sides of the frame, over the top and on the backstrap with feather patterns surrounding the hammer slot. The transition flats from the sideplates to the front flat panels are engraved in a wide border pattern, with fine border patterns completely around the sideplates. The New Haven Arms Company was the successor to the Volcanic Arms Company which had succeeded Smith & Wesson, the inventors of this design of action. Oliver Winchester, a shirt maker by trade, invested in the Volcanic Arms Company about 1855 and when Smith & Wesson dropped out in about 1856, he apparently assumed control and reorganized the company into the New Haven Arms Company in 1857. The company remained in production under that name until about 1860. The design of this pistol was incorporated into the very successful Henry Model 1860 lever action rifle of Civil War fame and later became the basis for the Winchester Model 1866, 1873 & 1876 series of firearms which established the Winchester Dynasty. The Volcanic cartridges were simply a hollow base lead bullet filled with propellant and priming mixture and were severely under powered. A misfired round or the desire to unload a chambered round was virtually impossible to remove from the chamber without aid of a ramrod type tool and as such the buying public did not readily accept this design which resulted in the very limited production. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique Firearms only about 850 of these rare pistols were produced 1857-1860. Those examples that were engraved from the factory generally followed a very standard pattern. Finding one of these pistols with patterns that deviate from the standard is extremely rare, especially a patriotic theme such as found here. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl and magazine retain about 15% bright blue in the most sheltered areas with the balance a blue/brown patina. Frame and sideplates retain about 85% orig silver showing edge wear and most of the losses to the right side. Hammer retains faint case colors and the lever a brown patina. Grips are sound showing sharp edge wear with a few nicks and scratches and retain most of their orig varnish. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore with a few scattered spots of light pitting. A very rare Volcanic pistol. 51820-2 (17,500-22,500) – Lot 1004

EXTRAORDINARY NEARLY NEW CASED NEW HAVEN ARMS COMPANY NUMBER 1 LEVER ACTION PISTOL.

SN 38. Cal. 31. 3-1/2″ bbl. Blue finish. Gun metal receiver. Case colored hammer. Blue lever. 2-pc varnished walnut grips. Bbl shows 2-line address that reads “New Haven Conn. over Patent Feb. 14. 1854”. Because of the pristine condition and tightness of front-sight, which holds the collar in place, the collar was not removed to check for an assembly no. but it is absolutely certain that both parts are totally matching. Flats line up perfectly. SN is stamped on lower left side of grip frame and on upper inside of each grip. No other nos. were observed. Case is mahogany with a purple felt lining and is made for this model of pistol. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains nearly all of orig deep-blue finish, with only very slight high point wear and muzzle wear. There is a hair line scratch across right side of bbl. Bbl mark is sharp. Bore appears unfired. Face of firing pin shows no evidence of firing. Receiver has a deep rich mottled mustard-brown patina with only the slightest handling marks overall. Sideplates fit perfectly. Rear-sight retains nearly all of fire-blue finish. Rear of firing pin retains nearly all of fire-blue finish. Elevator retains nearly all of fire-blue finish on sides of firing pin. Bottom of elevator also retains considerable fire-blue that has flaked slightly with 1 tiny scratch. Hammer shows most of its vivid trace color on either side, with a few small scratches on right side. Rear of hammer also shows vivid case color, as does the front face of hammer. Hammer face shows some use. Trigger has generous traces of case color and toned. Trigger spring shows nearly all of fire-blue finish. Lever retains most of its bright blue finish. Grips are fine with only a couple of small scratches and very slight high point wear. Case is exceptional. A truly excellent near mint condition example of New Haven Arms No. 1 Volcanic Lever Action pistol, 1 of only approximately 850 made. This is an opportunity for an advanced collector to add a specimen to his collection, that would be almost impossible to improve upon. 51096-3 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1005

EXTRAORDINARY CASED NEW HAVEN ARMS COMPANY VOLCANIC NO. 1 LEVER ACTION PISTOL WITH EXTREMELY RARE 6″ BARREL.

SN 1053. Cal. 31. 6″ bbl. Blue finish. Gun metal receiver. Case colored hammer. Blue lever. 2-pc varnished walnut grips. Bbl shows 1-line address that reads “New Haven Conn. Patent Feb. 14. 1854”. Assembly no. “151” is stamped on rnd portion of bbl, and on rear face of loading collar. SN is stamped on bottom left side of grip frame and on top inside of each grip. No other SN marks were observed. Case is mahogany with red felt lining and partitions. Case is very good. Top is slightly warped with an age crack. Felt lining is somewhat faded. Partitions are intact. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbl retains 95% of the nitre blue finish, with some flaking on left side, and bottom of collar. Right side of collar has a slight stain with a few scratch marks. Bbl address is sharp. Bore is bright and appears unfired. Receiver is a deep mottled mustard-brown patina with a few light scratches around lever screw. There are a few minuscule tap marks above the right sideplate. Rear sight retains nearly all the fire-blue Fire pin also retains most of the fire-blue finish. Bolt face shows no sign of being fired. Hammer shows nearly all of case color finish with some scratches on either side. Checkering is sharp. Receiver screws are not molested. Trigger is a silver-gray patina with traces of case color. Trigger spring retains nearly all the fire-blue finish. Elevator shows nearly all of fire-blue finish on either side of firing pin and on bottom surface. Lever shows generous traces of nitre blue in protected areas on inside of bow and at hinge. Grips retains most all of varnished finish with some light handling marks and high point wear, especially on right side. An opportunity for an advanced collector to purchase an extremely rare New Haven Arms Company No. 1 lever action pistol with a scarce 6″ bbl in a period case, one of only approx 225 made. 51096-2 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1006

Revised: 3/24/2017

Please Note: There is a typographical error. The Serial Number is 135, NOT 135S.

SCARCE NEW HAVEN ARMS VOLCANIC CARBINE WITH 16″ BARREL.

SN 135S. Cal. 41. Standard carbine with 16-5/8″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, nickel silver front sight and a replacement fixed rear sight in the top flat dovetail. Top flat of the bbl has faint standard New Haven markings and 1854 patent date. Rnd part of the bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with the assembly #21 with matching assembly number on rear face of loading sleeve. Loading sleeve screw is a replacement. Lever is also a replacement. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has straight grip and crescent brass buttplate. Left side lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly # 135 which number is also found inside top tang of buttplate and top tang area of buttstock, under the buttplate. Buttstock has a cleaned burn mark on the left side. The New Haven Arms Co. evolved from Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. which had been acquired by Oliver Winchester from Smith & Wesson in 1855. The New Haven Arms Co., in the period 1857-1860 produced about 1,000 Volcanic carbines in 3 bbl lengths. The Volcanic cartridge was not well received with the buying public due to its lack of stopping power and other problems. Fortunately the design of the Volcanic pistols & carbines evolved into the more famous Model 1860 Henry rifle, made famous during the Civil War. The Volcanic line of arms was the basis for the subsequent line of Winchester Repeating Firearms still being produced today. CONDITION: About good. No orig finish remains being an overall smooth, dark gray/brown patina with scattered light pitting on bbl & magazine tube along with small nicks & dings. Receiver and side plates show light edge wear with nicks & dings in top edges of side plates and overall shows a dark mustard patina. The replacement lever is a gray metal patina. Lever screw is replaced with a pin. Stock is sound with the aforementioned burn spot and light nicks & scratches in the varnish and overall retains about 95% orig finish. Carrier will not fully retract when lever is closed, otherwise mechanics are fine. Bright, shiny bore with a few scattered spots of pitting. 51137-6 JRL (4,000-8,000) – Lot 1007

VERY RARE HENRY MODEL 1860 IRON FRAME LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 101. Cal 44 RF Henry. Usual configuration with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, early style round nickel silver front sight, plugged rear sight dovetail in top flat of bbl with a replacement rear sight in a dovetail at the rear edge of top flat of receiver. There is a 2nd dovetail in top flat of receiver with a sight base installed. Frame, sideplates & buttplate are all made of steel. Magazine follower is a replacement later large type with a added cut-out in bottom front of the frame to accommodate the follower. Serial number was observed in the usual place on top flat of bbl at the receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside buttplate tang. All 5 of the stock & buttplate screws are also matching numbered. Buttplate is early type with rounded heel and large opening to accommodate a 4-pc hickory & iron cleaning rod (rod not present). The cleaning rod opening in the wood has a bevel cut-out at the bottom. This bevel is only found on iron frame Henry’s with no known reason for it to be there. Round section of the bbl is marked with the assembly number “86” with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. The 2-line Henry address utilizes the early small font style as do the serial numbers. There is considerable controversy regarding the production of iron frame Henry rifles as to whether they were produced at the Henry factory simultaneously with the brass frame guns or manufactured under separate contract. According to THE HENRY RIFLE, Quick, there were fewer than 400 iron frame Henry’s manufactured with the highest known SN being “355” at the time of printing. The serial listing of the first 400 guns on pages 54-55 of reference publication lists SN 101 as an iron frame and was known at the time of publication in 2008. This same serial listing shows only 90 iron frame Henry rifles known at the time of printing. Regardless iron frame Henry rifles are exceedingly rare and very desirable collector’s items. CONDITION: Very good, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain an artificially aged dark brown patina with several areas of what appears to be blood pitting and a series of small dings at the breech end of the bbl & magazine. Receiver & sideplates are a cleaned gray metal patina with scattered fine pitting. Hammer is matching patina with a few spots of pitting and the lever is a matching patina as is the buttplate. There is a repaired chip in the top right of the wrist otherwise stock is sound with light nicks & scratches showing a hand worn patina with about 25-30% orig finish showing. Mechanics are fine, strong sharp bore with moderate pitting. 51682-1 JRL (85,000-125,000) – Lot 1008

FINE HOGGSON ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 12181. Cal. 44RF Henry. Beautiful late Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine tube, late style, square back nickel silver front sight and 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight with slide stop screw. Top flat of the bbl has the later large font 2-line Henry’s Patent date and the New Haven Arms Co address. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut that has the finish of presentation quality Henry’s and the later Winchester Model 1866 rifles (most unusual on a Henry rifle). Left side of buttstock has a factory sling swivel with corresponding sling loop in the left gullet of the bbl. Receiver is silver plated and engraved by Samuel Hoggson with his trademark deer leaping a rail fence on the left sideplate surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns that have pearled background. Right side of the receiver and sideplate, both front side panels, rear edges of the receiver, top 3 flats of the receiver and buttplate tang are engraved to match. SN on the bbl was partially obliterated when the bbl was refinished, with only the last 4 digits visible. Full SN was observed on the left side of lower tang, under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Bottom tang also has the assembly number “68” which is also found on the side of the magazine follower. Left side of top tang is marked with the letter “F”. Rnd section of the bbl, under the rotating sleeve is marked with the assembly number “125” with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. Rifle has late features including a sloping radius on top rear of receiver, large magazine follower tab with milled rebated area for the tab in bottom front of frame, the late style front sight and pointed heel on the buttplate. Almost certainly this rifle belonged to someone who held it in great regard and cared for it to the best of their ability. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl and magazine retain 50-60% thinning, very old style restored blue with a wear spot from a sling near the front sling loop. Chamber area of the side flats have small wrench mark on each side. Receiver retains 88-90% strong orig silver, lightly oxidized showing very light edge wear, exposing the brass. Buttplate retains about 75% strong orig silver showing wear on the heel and toe. Hammer retains strong case colors and the lever is a light silver/brown patina. Stock is sound with a few light scratches and retains most of its fine varnish finish that resembles the later presentation Winchester Model 1866 rifles. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bore with sharp rifling and moderate pitting. 51772-2 JRL (35,000-45,000) – Lot 1009

RARE INSCRIBED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 6699. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, integral magazine, square back German silver front sight and 900 yd Henry ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl has crisp 2-line Henry patent date and company address. SN was observed on top flat of bbl between rear sight & receiver, left side of lower tang, under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Mounted with very nicely figured, uncheckered American walnut buttstock with pointed heel brass buttplate that has a trap. Left side of buttstock has a factory sling swivel with pronounced “Henry Bump” below. There is a corresponding sling loop in the left gullet of the bbl. Rnd section of bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with the assembly number “65” with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. Right side plate is engraved in period script “Walter Passavant / Pittsburgh, Penna.”. Walter Passavant appears to have been born 1852 in Pittsburgh,PA and died and is buried in Helena, MT. He was the son of William A. Passavant, a Lutheran minister who was a great philanthropist who founded numerous benevolent institutions, hospitals and orphanages throughout the late 19th century. He also founded an academy at Zelienople, PA which later became Thiel College, along with a seminary in Chicago. Rev. Passavant’s influence on American Lutheranism was so profound that this period was referred to as “The Passavant Era”. Walter was the direct descendant of Baron Detmarr Basse (1762-1836) who, in 1802 purchased 10,000 acres in the area now known as Zelienople-Harmony, PA. He planned the town and named it after his eldest daughter “Zelie”. She married Phillippe Louis Passavant in 1807 and immigrated to America that same year. They were the parents of Rev. Dr. William Alfred Passavant, Walter’s father. Very little more could be learned regarding Walter Passavant other than that he married Mary Passavant who died in 1906 in Helena, MT. This rifle is listed by SN on page 82 of The Historic Henry Rifle, Wiley Sword. PROVENANCE: Accompanied by a full genealogical history of the Passavant Family along with assorted supporting documents about the rifle and its provenance.. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain 25-30% thinning orig blue, stronger in the gullets and protected areas with the balance a pleasing blue/brown patina showing very light sharp edge wear. Receiver & side plates retain sharp edges showing only light wear with a few, scattered nicks & scratches and overall retain a smooth, even, medium mustard patina. Buttplate is matching patina. Hammer retains about 60% mottled, thin case colors. Lever is a medium brown patina. Buttstock is sound with a very few light nicks & scratches and retains most of its orig factory finish. The stock swivel base retains bright case colors. Mechanics are crisp. Strong, sharp bore with fine pitting. 51262-1 (35,000-60,000) – Lot 1010

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FINE ENGRAVED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 1293. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, early square back German silver front sight blade and 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight with slide retaining screw. Top flat of bbl has the early small font 2-line address forward of the rear sight and the SN between rear sight & frame. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has straight grip and early style brass buttplate with rnd heel & large trap to accommodate a 4-pc iron & hickory cleaning rod (rod not present). Receiver & buttplate are gun metal brass and are engraved, probably by Hoggson with bold foliate arabesque patterns that have pearled background and a plain line border with a chip border around the outer perimeter. Engraving extends over top 3 flats of receiver and around rear edge at the buttstock. Top tang & buttplate tang are engraved to match. Bottom tang has a small flourish of matching engraving by the tip. This rifle originally had a silver-plated receiver & buttplate. Buttstock has the initials “TL” carved below the lower tang. Matching serial numbers were observed on the bbl, left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock, inside top buttplate tang on all 3 receiver stock screws and on one of the buttplate screws. The other buttplate screw has the number “3763”. Accompanied by a letter from recognized Winchester authority David P. Bichrest who authenticates and describes this rifle. Also accompanied by a letter on Jackson Arms letterhead over the signature of Elsie W. Jackson who also authenticates and describes this rifle. Additionally accompanying is a letter from James M. Higbee who states that he purchased this rifle from Jackson Arms in August 1989. It goes on that it had been a consignment from Mr. Jackson’s attorney and had originally been in Red Jackson’s private collection. This rifle was produced in about 1862 at the height of the Civil War and undoubtedly would have seen service during that conflict and later on the American frontier. Firearms of that era are rarely found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Red Jackson Collection; Mr. Jackson’s attorney Collection; James M. Higbee Collection; David P. Bichrest; Consignor. CONDITION: About fine, all matching except 1 buttplate screw as noted above. Bbl & magazine retain traces of orig blue, being mostly a pleasing, fine, smooth blue/brown patina. Receiver shows minute traces of silver-plating on the outside with the tangs under the wood showing strong plating. Buttplate retains about 60% orig silver. Lever & hammer are dark patina. Buttstock is missing a sliver by the left lower tang at the receiver otherwise the stock is sound with nicks, dings & scratches and shows what is possibly a very old restored finish. 51079-13 (30,000-50,000) – Lot 1011

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SCARCE TYPE I MARTIAL HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE IDENTIFIED TO PRIVATE JAMES CURRAN, CO K THIRD U.S. VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

SN 3423. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, a replacement copper front sight blade & fixed rear sight in the bbl dovetail. Top flat of bbl has the early Henry Patent date & address in small lettering. Frame is 2nd type with milled recess for the magazine follower on the bottom front. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and first type brass buttplate with rounded heel & large trap which contains an orig 4-pc hickory & iron wiping rod. SN was observed on top flat of bbl between rear sight & receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Buttplate screws are matching numbered to the rifle while the 3 tang screws are properly un-numbered but are undoubtedly orig to this rifle. Rnd portion of the bbl under the loading sleeve is marked with the assembly number “868” with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. Right forward side of the frame is marked with the inspector initials “HC” with a corresponding “C” on the bbl at the frame along with the inspector initials “C.G.C” (Charles G. Chapman). Adjacent to the initials on the frame are 3 partial stamped initials that appear to be “H-R-“. Right side of the wrist has a faint, partially legible “CGC” cartouche. Right heel of the buttplate has a small “C” inspector initial with a corresponding “C” adjacent on the wood. Left side of the buttstock, near the buttplate has 4 stamped initials that are partially legible that are possibly “V–W”. Accompanied by a Springfield Research Service letter which identifies this rifle as having been issued to private James Curran of Company K, 3rd U.S. Veteran Volunteer Infantry which occurred in May 1865. This unit was organized in February and March of 1865 to be an elite corp of shock troops. They were recruited from seasoned veterans units and issued repeating rifles. As part of their enlistment, with honorable service at the time of discharge they were allowed to keep their issued arms & accoutrements. Apparently most of them availed themselves of this opportunity. General Lee’s surrender in April 1865 left the unit with little to do but garrison duty around Washington D.C. They were eventually transferred to Camp Butler, Illinois and mustered out of service July 20 1866. Also accompanying is Private Curran’s enlistment paper dated 1 March 1865, for a period of 1 year. Additionally accompanied by copies of 4 of Private Curran’s muster roll papers which shows that he was mustered out March 2, 1866 at Fort Snelling, MN. Also accompanying is a copy of a general order dated September 21,1865 entitled “The following method of loading the Henry Rifle is hereby published for the instruction and guidance for the officers of the 3rd REGT. U.S. Vet. Vol” which lists 8 steps in the process. According to The Henry Rifle, Quick there were a total of 1,731 Henry rifles purchased by the Union government between April 1863 and May 1865. There were approximately 800 Type Irifles delivered in that time frame. The remaining 900 or so rifles are divided between early deliveries which were not inspector marked and the approximately 600 Type II rifles delivered between 1864-1865 that are found in the 7000-9000 serial range. The majority of those 3rd Veteran Volunteer Infantry Henry rifles examined by this cataloger have generally been in rather poor condition having seen hard service after the war on the American frontier. Rarely are they found with visible cartouche or any orig finish. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain a fine smooth plummy brown patina over all the surfaces, stronger in the gullets and in protected areas. Receiver shows light to moderate sharp edge wear with a wonderful, even, medium mustard patina having only a few minor nicks & scratches. Stock has a hairline back of top tang with a small gouge on left side of wrist and another on right side of buttstock with small slivers missing from the toe, otherwise wood is sound showing a hand worn patina. Mechanics are fine, strong dark bore. 51633-1 JRL (25,000-35,000) – Lot 1012

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RARE HENRY 1860 2ND MODEL LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 428. Cal 44 RF HENRY. Standard Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl that has integral magazine, early style rounded German silver front sight, no provision for a rear sight on the bbl with a dovetail in top flat of receiver containing a 1st type 1,000 yard Henry ladder rear sight without slide retaining screw. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut with straight stock and 1st type buttplate with round heel and large trap to accommodate the accompanying 4-pc hickory & steel wiping rod. The 2 buttplate screws and 3 tang screws are all matching numbered to this rifle. Serial number was observed on top bbl flat at the receiver, left side of the lower tang under the wood, inside top tang channel of buttstock and inside buttplate tang. Round portion of the bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with the assembly # 20 with matching assembly number on rear face of loading sleeve. It should be noted that although the sideplate coloration is different from the receiver & buttplate this is not an unusual occurrence with Henry rifles. This cataloger has noted several such occurrence and one is even pictured with non-matching colors on page 50 of The Henry Rifle, Quick. In actuality the coloration of the receiver & sideplates on that rifle, SN 346 very closely matches the coloration on this rifle. Accompanied by a 3-page and another 2-page letter from Kurt Saxon authenticating this rifle and its original hickory cleaning rod, and stating most of the above information. Kurt is listed in the acknowledgements section as a contributing resource on page 14 of Les Quick’s Henry book. This rifle exhibits all the early features of a Henry rifle including the rounded front sight, small font address, 1,000 yard ladder rear sight, sharp radius at rear of receiver, small magazine follower tab with no rebate for the tab, slight perchbelly stock and buttplate with round heel & large trap with corresponding large hole in the wood. These early rifles produced at the very start of the Civil War almost undoubtedly saw hard service throughout the war and later on the American frontier. Rarely are they found today in orig configuration with any orig finish. This Henry is the gun that inspired the cover theme magazine article for the Fall 2012 The Winchester Collector, “What’s in a Number” and the article titled, “The Cube Root of ‘8’ Equals ‘2’, Why Numbers are Important to Gun Nuts,” which dealt with the Firearms fraternity’s fascination with firearms SN’s. On page 16 is the associated cover article discussing this serial number 428 and also showing a picture of the serial number and top of the barrel and receiver of this Henry on page 17. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain a dark brown patina with some thinning on the magazine tube about mid-point with possibly some old touch-up. Receiver & sideplates show light to moderate wear with receiver retaining a mottled dark mustard patina and the sideplates a smooth dark bronze patina. Buttplate is a matching mottled patina. Stock is sound with light nicks, dings & scratches and retains most finish. Mechanics are crisp, strong bright bore with good shine and scattered light pitting. 51742-1 (27,500-35,000) – Lot 1013

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SCARCE MARTIALLY MARKED HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 3462. Cal 44 RF Henry. Beautiful Martial Henry with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, integral magazine, square back German silver front sight and 3rd type 900 yd Henry ladder rear sight without slide stop screw. Top flat of bbl has the small Henry’s Patent and Company address 2-line marking. Mounted with uncheckered dark walnut buttstock with straight grip and brass buttplate that has rounded heel and large trap to accommodate the accompanying 4-pc hickory and steel cleaning rod. SN was observed on top flat of bbl, at the receiver, left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside toe of buttplate. Buttplate screws are matching numbered to rifle. The 3 tang screws are correct for this serial range and are un-numbered. Right front side of frame is marked with 2 small “H” inspector initials with corresponding “H” on the right bbl flat below the inspector initials “C.G.C”. Right wrist of buttstock has a clear “CGC” inspectors cartouche and right heel of buttstock has a small “H” inspector initial with corresponding “H” on the right heel of buttplate. This rifle is listed by SN in the inventory of the Third Regiment U.S. Veteran Volunteers of 1865 in the booklet The Historic Henry Rifle, Sword. This rifle was one of 60 rifles ordered by the government and filled on Oct 31, 1863. The referenced publication also reveals that there were 783 rifles issued to the 1st D.C. Cavalry which would have included this rifle. The 1st D.C. Cavalry was initially organized for provost duty around Washington D.C., but in the spring of 1864 they were transferred to the Virginia peninsula and rushed into active service in May. In August of that year about 250 of those Henry rifles had been lost in battle. They lost still more rifles at Stoney Creek and Sycamore Church VA in June & September of 1864. In August 1864 7 companies of 1st D.C. Cavalry were transferred to the 1st Maine Cavalry, taking their Henry rifles with them. In total there were 1100 Henry rifles procured specifically for the 1st D.C. Cavalry. At the end of the war 62 of these rifles were sold to discharged soldiers of the 1st Maine Cavalry and 65 rifles remained with the 1st D.C. Cavalry. Many of the remaining Henry rifles were then issued to Company F of the 97th Indiana Infantry Volunteers. In addition some of the turned-in or arsenal inventory rifles were used to help arm a regiment of veteran volunteers that had been organized in Feb and March of 1865. When the 3rd Veteran Volunteer Regiment was recruited part of their incentive was that upon completion of honorable service they would be allowed to retain their arms and accoutrements. Apparently most of those veterans availed themselves of the opportunity to obtain a Henry rifle. Undoubtedly those rifles lost in battle and those rifles purchased or retained by discharged Union veterans would have ordinarily seen very hard service on the American Frontier. Examples of these rifles are seldom encountered and almost never found with a visible cartouche on the stock. They usually show their extreme hard service. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain a dark brown patina with fine surface pitting. Receiver & side plates show crisp sharp edges and a dark carmel colored patina. Buttplate is a matching patina. Hammer retains mottled case colors on the sides, being dark patina on the edges. Lever is a dark brown patina with fine surface pitting. Trigger retains most of its orig blue finish with a few spots of rust. Buttstock has a nearly invisible hairline back of the top tang, otherwise is sound with a few light nicks & scratches and retains a dark finish. Screw heads retain generous amounts of orig blue. Mechanics are crisp, strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 51137-1 JRL (15,000-25,000) – Lot 1014

RARE EARLY HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH 3-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER.

SN 617. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard early Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, integral magazine, rounded German silver sight blade and early 1000 yd. Henry ladder rear sight in a dovetail in top flat of frame. Bbl has no provision for a rear sight. Top flat of bbl has the early style, small font, 2-line Henry’s patent & company address. The magazine follower is early style with small tab and no milled flat for the tab in the frame. Round portion of the bbl, under the loading sleeve is marked with the assembly number “110” with matching number on rear face of loading sleeve. SN was observed on top flat of bbl, at the frame, left side of lower tang under the wood, in top tang channel of buttstock and inside buttplate tang. Buttplate is early style with rounded heel and large trap to accommodate a 4-pc hickory cleaning rod. Frame is early style with sharp radius at the top rear. Mounted with uncheckered, nicely figured American walnut buttstock. All 3 tang screws are matching numbered to this rifle. The buttplate tang screw is a replacement from rifle number “1633” and the toe screw is un-numbered. This rifle was produced in 1862 at the height of the fighting in the Civil War. Is almost certainly would have seen service during the war and later on the American frontier. These early Henry rifles were extremely popular with both the military & civilians alike. They usually were hard used with little or no maintenance and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine retain a medium to dark brown patina showing light sharp edge wear. Receiver & side plates show light edge wear and a light mustard patina having been cleaned and polished a long time ago. Buttstock is sound with a few nicks & scratches and a couple of gouges and retains most of a restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong sharp bore with moderate pitting. 51460-1 (17,500-27,500) – Lot 1015

HENRY MODEL 1860 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 8611. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard Henry rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl. Integral magazine with German silver front sight blade and 900 yard Henry ladder rear sight. Top flat of bbl has standard 2-line Henry patent date and company address. Mounted with uncheckered straight grain American walnut buttstock that has straight grip and crescent brass buttplate with trap. Left side of buttstock has factory sling swivel with discernible “Henry Bump” below. Left side of bbl has a corresponding sling loop. This rifle was produced in 1865, probably about the culmination of hostilities of the Civil War. It may or may not have seen service during the war, but most certainly would have been used on the American frontier during the great westward expansion of Manifest Destiny. Arms of that era generally saw extensive hard service under extreme conditions, usually with little or no maintenance. CONDITION: About good, all matching. No orig finish remains with the bbl & magazine being a mottled gray/brown patina with scattered nicks & dings from hard service. Receiver & side plates show rounded edges with nicks, dings & scratches. Hammer is a mottled gray/brown patina and the lever is heavily pitted. Buttstock has a couple of hairlines in the right wrist, otherwise is sound with a couple of gouges and shows an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong sharp bore with moderate pitting. 51378-3 (9,000-12,000) – Lot 1016

MASTERFULLY ENGRAVED HIGH RELIEF SCENES WITH GOLD WINCHESTER MODEL 1866, SIGNED BY CONRAD ULRICH.

SN 84015. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Considered to be one of Conrad Ulrich’s masterpieces, this spectacular rifle has a 24-1/4″ oct bbl with Winchester and King’s improvement markings in 2-lines, half-nickel front sight and scarce 900-yard Henry-style ladder rear sight with tension spring mortise in top flat. Gold-plated receiver, buttplate and forend cap. Mounted with highly figured, deluxe burl and flame grain uncheckered straight stock and forearm with crescent buttplate with trap. It has been determined that this stock is indeed a superb a replacement from another high grade 1866. Has factory sling loops in the forend cap and stock. The receiver, forend cap and buttplate are masterfully engraved in Mr. Ulrich’s now-famous and well-known patterns. The receiver has deep relief vignettes of blind justice holding the sword and scales of justice in between 2 buildings. The front flat on the left side, also in deep relief, depicts a very detailed hunter holding a gun with his dog in the background in a Greek-style arch with a tiled roof building in the background. The right side, also in deep relief, has a vignette of a hunter with his dog holding a gun and directing the dog. The front flat on the right, also in deep relief, pictures a standing stag in foliate and floral setting. The left side vignettes are surrounded with beautifully executed foliate arabesque patterns and a Greek key motif, which divides the 2 panels. The front and rear edges of the receiver have Ulrich’s beautiful four-petal flowers in a chain completely around the circumference. The rear edge of the left flat has 2 small pinwheels. The right side vignettes are also surrounded by foliate arabesque patterns with a fox, a duck and a squirrel concealed within the engraving. The hunter and dog have foliate and floral foreground and the 2 pinwheels appear opposite the left side. The top of the receiver in back of the ejection port, is executed in three panels of fine foliate arabesque engraving with the center blank for effect or for an inscription. The bottom of the receiver is lightly engraved with a split foliate spray divided between the carrier and floorplate. A fine line is engraved around the lever and trigger openings with a spray of foliate engraving back of the trigger. The top tang has simple borders with a space in the middle. The bottom tang has a simple line border with foliate arabesque engraving around the rear screw hole. The buttplate tang is engraved with an outline of foliate arabesque patterns and a plain center. The forend cap has a circle of four-petal flowers that matches those on the receiver. All of the work has Mr. Ulrich’s fine, detailed wavy borders and extremely fine punch-dot background. The vignettes have a plain background which wonderfully offsets the relief decorative work on the figures. The lower tang has Ulrich’s stamped signature in 2 rectangular cartouches rear of SN. This rifle is pictured in full color, both sides, on page 113 of “Winchester Engraving”, 1975, by R. L. Wilson. This is among the handful of truly spectacular relief carved Winchesters known. PROVENANCE: William Sisney Collection; Norm Vegely Collection. CONDITION: Extremely fine. All matching. SN found in upper channel of buttstock and a script “6” on upper left tang. Bbl retains about 95% finish, turning plum on the top half with the sheltered areas having bright original blue. There are 2 or 3 small spots of moderate pinprick pitting with some scattered staining and light pitting on the right flat. The magazine tube is mostly a plum/blue with 3 spots of pitting. The receiver and forend cap retain about 96-97% of their beautiful bright gold plating with the exposed areas a dark mustard brass patina that blends very well. The buttplate retains about 75-80% original gold plating with the balance a dark mustard patina. The wood is sound and retains most of it’s high polish varnish. Mechanically excellent with crisp bright bore. 50412-12 (150,000-250,000) – Lot 1017

RARE AND ICONIC NIMSCHKE “BANK NOTE” ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 RIFLE WITH IMAGE OF “COLUMBIA – THE PERSONIFICATION OF AMERICA”.

SN 28737. Cal. 44. Maybe the most recognized engraved Winchester is this fabulous gun with the image of “Columbia” taken from Civil War 15 cent “bank note”, finely engraved L. D. Nimschke in 1869. Extremely rare rifle with 21-1/4″ oct bbl, standard fixed sights, mounted with highly polished, straight grain wood stock with matching SN found in lower buttstock channel, assembly letter “V” found on lower tang of frame, crescent shaped buttplate with trap contains orig 3-pc cleaning rod. Engraved designs in brass are among the most elaborate and beautiful with spectacular fine scrolls with large central panel on left side of “Columbia”, who is the personification of America with her eagle headed Liberty cap, starred tiara above a bundled fasces (representing the power or authority of the state). This exact engraved panel is shown in Nimschke’s pattern book, dated in his hand December 1869. This superb Winchester has fantastic collection history and is truly a piece of American patriotic art. PROVENANCE: Ex-Solis Goodman,1950; Engraving pictured on pg 58 of L. D. Nimschke Firearms Engraver, 1965; Ex-Elmer Taylor Collection; Pictured on pg 56, Antique Arms Annual, 1971; Ex-Doug Beneck Collection; Ex-Leroy Merz Collection. CONDITION: Very fine to extremely fine overall all matching and orig. Bbl and magazine tube retain about 90% thinning blue with staining and overall blue/plum. Loading arm retains strong traces of bright case colors with balance muted to a dark blue/brown. Hammer retains most of its orig case colors, thought partially muted and dark. Brass frame, nosecap and buttplate have a beautiful deep mustard colored patina with gold highlights in protected areas bringing the engraving to life. Stocks retain virtually all of their orig bright, highly polished varnish with small cosmetic dents and scratches. Mechanically the gun is fine with crisp shiny bore. 50412-15 (150,000-250,000) – Lot 1018

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INCREDIBLE C.F. ULRICH ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE WITH RARE AND HUMOROUS ENGRAVED PROMOTIONAL SCENE FOR WINCHESTER REPEATING RIFLE.

SN 80492. Cal. .44 CF. Marvelously engraved ’66 with 24-3/8″ octagon bbl, full magazine, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight, and Henry style 900 yard ladder rear sight. Mounted with very highly figured “XXX” fiddleback walnut with straight stock, and crescent brass butt-plate with trap door. It has factory mounted sling swivels. Assembly number “VXXX” is found on left side of lower tang and in top tang channel of buttstock. Butt-plate carries the SN on the inside toe. Receiver is spectacularly engraved, probably as a factory promotional item for the India Trade, with very unusual patterns consisting of a full side of very busy vignettes consisting of a tiger hunting scene on the left depicting a hunter kneeling and shooting a charging tiger with another tiger crouching over a supine human figure, a running hunter with a very distressed look on his face with another human figure running in the background, probably the gun bearer. There is a horse tied to a tree in foreground that is trying to escape, with another horse running away in the background, all of this is in great detail with flowers and trees. Top of vignette has a long arrow with a ribbon wound around it which bears the inscription, “HUNTING THE TIGER WITH A SINGLE SHOOTER.” Right side vignette has a similar ribbon draped arrow, which inscription reads, “WINCHESTER REPEATING RIFLES.” Vignette depicts a colonial style hunter in a frock coat looking through field glasses with his Indian gun bearer holding his lever action Winchester, with his faithful hunting dog in the foreground and a dead tiger with a wounded tiger in the left foreground. This vignette is also executed in superb detail with foliage and trees. The tree in the right foreground has a monkey hanging by his tail. Left front flat has a two standing stags, and a reclining hind in a mountain scene. Right side front flat is a stag and a hind watering in a mountain scene. The top edge of the receiver, top tang, and each side of the trigger have matching deep relief foliate arabesque patterns, with a very fine stippled background. Front flat vignettes have a similar border with front and rear edges of receiver having large scallops with Fleur De Lis border. Bottom of receiver and carrier have a split circle and mirror image filled with foliate arabesque patterns. Butt-plate tang and forend cap are engraved to match. This fabulous work has Mr. Ulrich’s tiny stamped signature in four places. Once behind the trigger, again behind the SN, and twice below the loading gate. It’s very rare to find even one signature, two is almost unheard of, and four signatures can only manifest to Mr. Ulrich’s pride and quality of this piece of work. This exact rifle has a full page devoted to it pg. 115 in Winchester Engraving by R.L. Wilson, and being from the Norm Flayderman Collection, also featured in Fladerman’s 8th Guide on pg 42. It was also featured and for sale in Flayderman’s cat #100, October 1976. This is without a doubt a one of a kind rifle without peer. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl retains 80-85% orig blue, strong and bright in sheltered areas, thinning and mixing to patina elsewhere. Edges are very sharp. Magazine tube has blue in sheltered areas with the balance a medium, smooth, blue/brown patina. Receiver retains traces of gold wash, being an overall medium mustard patina with sharp edges. Wood is sound with a few minor handling nicks & scratches and retains nearly all of a professional restored finish. Screw for toe of butt-plate is a proper replacement. Mechanics are crisp and bore is strong & bright with moderate pitting and a few spots of deep pitting. 16399-212 (75,000-125,000) – Lot 1019

RARE ENGRAVED WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 36078. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Fine ’66 with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, thinned half-nickel front sight and Henry-style 900 yard ladder rear sight. Receiver is beautifully engraved, probably by one of the Ulrichs with full coverage on sides of beautiful foliate arabesque patterns with very fine pearled background. Both sides have large blank panels with wonderful edges & shading and Ulrich’s alternating triangle borders. Top of receiver, top tang, bottom tang, forend cap & buttplate tang are engraved to match and have matching borders around most areas. Mounted with very highly figured, uncheckered, shell grain Claro walnut with straight stock and crescent brass buttplate. Forend cap has an orig sling loop and buttstock has a corresponding orig loop that is centered 5-1/4″ from toe. While no exact matches could be found for these patterns, serial numbers 36068 & 35969, pictured on p. 71 of Winchester Engraving, Wilson, are very similar, especially 35969, which has a similar flower around hammer screw. Left side of lower tang is stamped “S” and “XX”. Examination of top tang channel in buttstock disclosed no serial number markings and the number inside toe of buttplate is “6189”, indicating the buttstock is probably a period of use replacement. Inside the buttplate and upper & lower tangs, under the wood show silver-plating. Buttplate has a trap containing a 4-pc iron & brass wiping rod. It appears that this rifle was silver plated originally as there are traces of silver on tangs & inside of receiver. Carrier retains strong silver on inside. According to Mr. Wilson, these simple patterns and large open panels suggests that the company may have been considering having engraved rifles in stock for custom inscriptions. CONDITION: Fine to very fine. Bbl retains about 85% thin orig blue, stronger around front sight with a few scattered spots of fine pitting. Magazine tube retains about 90% stronger orig blue with some fine surface rust. Receiver with very lightly rounded edges and is a medium mustard patina with silver only as noted above. Wood is sound with minor nicks & scratches and forearm retaining about 60% orig piano varnish with balance a dark, hand-worn patina. Buttstock retains about 80% brilliant restored piano varnish finish with light nicks & scratches and some flaking on right side of wrist with oil stain around wrist and a couple of small chips around tangs. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore with a very few scattered spots of light surface erosion. Cleaning rod is fine. 51772-4 JRL (35,000-45,000) – Lot 1020

WINCHESTER FOURTH MODEL 1866 OCTAGON BARREL FULL MAGAZINE RIFLE.

SN 156257. Cal. 44RF. 24″ oct bbl. Full magazine. Straight grain American walnut stocks with steel crescent buttplate. Bbl shows 2-line Winchester address in front of rear-sight, silver blade front-sight and semi-buckhorn rear-sight. Bbl has no cal mark. Gun metal receiver has SN engraved on lower tang behind lever, with “O” inspector mark under lever. Assembly no. “2293” is stamped on lower tang left side under stock. Assembly no. “2293” is also stamped in upper tang mortise of buttstock and on inside toe of steel buttplate. CONDITION: Fine. Bbl retains 50% blue that is drifting to a plumb-brown patina, with some staining toward the muzzle. Magazine tube is a plumb-brown patina overall. Bbl address is sharp. Bore is dark with visible rifling. Receiver has an even mottled mustard-brown patina overall with sharp edges and only small scratches on sides. Loading gate shows traces of fire-blue. Elevator has no dents. Tang marking is sharp. Hammer shows slight traces of case color. Lever also shows light traces of case color. SN is clear and sharp. Stocks are very good and full-sized and retain much of orig varnish finish. Stocks have handling marks and bruises overall. Forestock shows scratches on both sides. Buttplate is a gray-brown patina overall with very slight traces of case color on tang. Heel and toe show some erosion. Forend cap is a smooth gray-brown patina. 51610-2 TEP (10,000-15,000) – Lot 1021

LATE FOURTH MODEL WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 164860. Cal. 44 RF Henry. Standard grade rifle with 24-1/4″ oct bbl, full magazine, slightly altered 1/2 nickel front sight and replacement semi-buckhorn rear sight with the ears filed flat and a replacement elevator. Mounted with uncheckered, very nicely figured American walnut with straight stock and crescent steel buttplate with trap. Left side of lower tang, under the wood is marked with the assembly no. “76” which also appears in top tang channel of buttstock & inside toe of buttplate. Top flat of the bbl has standard 2-line Winchester & Kings patent markings forward of the rear sight and “44 CAL.” over the chamber area. Bottom of the elevator is also caliber marked. Trigger return spring & screw are replacements. Accompanied by a Winchester Gun Museum letter which identifies this rifle with oct bbl, shipped Nov 14, 1884. No other information available. CONDITION: Very good to fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain a smooth, even brown patina possibly an old restoration. Receiver & side plates show evidence of cleaning & polishing with worn edges and a few light nicks & scratches. Left front flat of the receiver is scratched with a “W”. Lever, hammer, buttplate and forend cap are dark gray metal patina. Buttstock has a gouge by the lower tang, otherwise wood is sound showing an old restored finish. Mechanics are fine, worn dark bore. 51079-1 (7,000-10,000) – Lot 1022

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LATE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN 141875. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard rifle with 24-1/4″ rnd bbl, full magazine, half nickel front sight and short semi-buckhorn rear sight with checkered edges. Mounted with replacement, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight stock and crescent brass buttplate with a trap. Left side of lower tang is marked with the assembly number “67”. Buttstock is unnumbered and buttplate has the assembly number SN “870” inside the toe. Buttstock & steel forend cap have factory sling swivels. This rifle was produced after 1877 and was standard with steel forend cap & buttplate. Current brass buttplate is obviously a replacement. CONDITION: Very good. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 60% artificially aged restored finish. Receiver and side plates have been draw filed and polished and now show a light mustard patina. Lever & hammer are a artificially aged, mottled silver/brown patina. The replacement buttstock & forearm show light handling & storage nicks & scratches and retain virtually all of their custom oil finish. Mechanics are crisp. Strong bore with moderate to heavy pitting. 51460-3 (3,500-5,500) – Lot 1023

VERY RARE WINCHESTER MODEL 1866 THIRD MODEL LEVER ACTION MUSKET FROM THE BATTLE OF CANAL STREET NEW ORLEANS LOUISIANA IN 1874.

SN 33351. Cal 44 RF Henry. Standard ’66 musket with 27″ rnd bbl, 7/8 magazine, long forearm, 3 bands, square base front sight/bayonet lug and 900 yard Henry style ladder rear sight. Mounted with uncheckered, straight grain American walnut including straight stock with brass carbine/musket buttplate that has sliding trap. Top tang channel of buttstock has last 3 digits of matching SN and inside toe of buttplate has the last 4 digits of matching SN. Right side of buttstock has handcarved initials “BA”. Bottom tang of the receiver is marked “LSM” which stands for Louisiana State Militia, between the lever latch and hammer spring tension screw. Also between the lever latch and bottom tang wood screw is marked “9C3”,the Militia unit information. Buttstock & middle band have sling swivels. This rare musket was 1 of a shipment sold to the state of Louisiana to arm a regiment of local militia in New Orleans, mostly “colored” troops, known as the Metropolitans. The incidents that precipitated the Battle of Canal Street (Battle of Liberty Place) began with the elections of Nov 4, 1872 when Democrat John McEnery, Governor, and D.B. Penn, Lt Governor, had apparently received the majority of votes, but their Republican opponents William Pitt Kellogg, Governor, and C.C. Antoine, Lt. Governor, illegally had the votes “thrown out” and Kellogg’s ticket was declared elected. The McEnery ticket declared themselves as having been elected and set up a shadow government nearby and both McEnery and Kellogg tickets were inaugurated Jan 14, 1873. The two governments continued operating, constantly waging publicity & newspaper battles which ultimately reached a climax on Sept 14, 1874 with the Battle of Canal Street. The Kellogg faction was supported by the Louisiana State Militia, armed with Winchester muskets and the New Orleans police. The McEnery faction was supported by an organization known as the White League composed of former Civil War soldiers and local citizens. The White League attacked the State House and other buildings occupied by the Militia and police. Over the course of the day the “Leagers” were victorious and occupied the State House. During the Battle of Canal Street approximately 300 of the Winchester muskets were captured by the attacking Leagers when they defending Militia dropped their arms and fled. The McEnery faction occupied the state house for 3 days until President Grant threatened to send in the Army to restore order. Gov. Kellogg resumed his position as Gov. and served out his term. An advertisement that appeared in the newspaper, Picayune on Oct 31, 1874, over the signature of Gov. Kellogg advertised a reward for the return of a large number and variety of “Stolen State arms” ranging from Mountain Howitzers and including 301 Winchester rifles, SN’s ranging between 31,120 and 34,163 marked “LSM on butt-plates”. Very few of these rare muskets have ever surfaced making them a very scarce Winchester collectible. The book “THE BATTLE OF LIBERTY PLACE”, Landry reports on page 99 that 75 to 100 Winchester rifles were captured by insurgents. A copy of this publication is included with this rare and historical rifle. CONDITION: Fine, all matching including buttstock & buttplate. Bbl retains traces of blue in the most sheltered areas, being an overall blue/gray patina. Magazine tube retains about 75% orig blue with a few scattered spots of light pitting. Receiver & side plates show moderate edge wear with a few light nicks & scratches and overall retains a beautiful medium mustard patina. Buttplate is matching patina. Wood is sound and shows most of a very old restored finish. Mechanics are fine. Strong bright bore with fine pitting in the grooves. 51129-1 JRL (12,500-17,500) – Lot 1024

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