EXCEPTIONALLY RARE REMINGTON 1873 WHITMORE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE.

SN 1401. Cal. 40-50. The Whitmore double rifle was listed in early catalogs as being available with decarbonized steel bbls for $65.00. Very few of these were made and Charles Semmer in REMINGTON DOUBLE SHOTGUNS states on page 77 “Double rifles are almost impossible to secure, and may have been made in just about any caliber available at the time. A known Model 1875 is in caliber 44-40. There is another double rifle reported to be in 40-50. I do not illustrate a double rifle as none were available, but they look like Whitmore combination guns with the same rifle sights.” This gun, most likely the 40-50 that Mr. Semmer alluded to, has 30″ heavy decarbonized steel bbls. It is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION” on top rib, remainder of address is under rear sight, which is of small semi-buckhorn type, front portion dovetailed and screwed through rib. Front sight is a German silver blade dovetailed through screwed-on base. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and “2”. Case hardened 1873 type Whitmore action is fitted with non-rebounding front action locks having tall serpentine hammers. Hammers are retracted to half cock by top slide when action is opened. Four line patent information is on slide. SN is on water table, along with “2” (Grade ?). Although this gun is marked as a grade “2”, it is not checkered. Stocks are of plain but dense American walnut; buttstock is of straight grip and fitted with steel buttplate. Uncheckered forend attaches to bbls with captive side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 3″, drop at comb: approx 1-7/8″. Weight: 14 lbs 5 oz. LOP: 13-15/16″. PROVENANCE: Voluminous correspondence between a previous owner and various people regarding the sale of this rifle, along with correspondence with the factory. A copy of a page from the GUN REPORT where this gun is listed for sale by Herb Glass April 1979 where he states that this gun won the award for “Best Remington Firearm” at the 1974 Las Vegas Mid Summer show. Other advertising of this rifle by Herb Glass, info on early Remington guns, and other correspondence regarding its sale. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 70% orig blue, thinning at muzzles and somewhat overall. Action retains 70 – 80% orig case hardening color under some brown flecking at bottom. Locks and hammers retain over 90% of their orig color. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig oil finish, grain slightly open, with light handling marks and scratches, with considerable chipping on sharp edges of forend. Bores are excellent with a few scattered light pits. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Not only is this rifle exceptionally rare, possibly the only Model 73 in existence, it is also in a fine state of preservation, worthy of a place in the finest collection. 4-54763 (17,500-27,500) – Lot 2540

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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.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2540	$23,000.00	EXCEPTIONALLY RARE REMINGTON 1873 WHITMORE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE. SN 1401. Cal. 40-50. The Whitmore double rifle was listed in early catalogs as being available with decarbonized steel bbls for $65.00. Very few of these were made and Charles Semmer in REMINGTON DOUBLE SHOTGUNS states on page 77 “Double rifles are almost impossible to secure, and may have been made in just about any caliber available at the time. A known Model 1875 is in caliber 44-40. There is another double rifle reported to be in 40-50. I do not illustrate a double rifle as none were available, but they look like Whitmore combination guns with the same rifle sights.” This gun, most likely the 40-50 that Mr. Semmer alluded to, has 30″ heavy decarbonized steel bbls. It is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION” on top rib, remainder of address is under rear sight, which is of small semi-buckhorn type, front portion dovetailed and screwed through rib. Front sight is a German silver blade dovetailed through screwed-on base. Bbl flats are stamped with SN and “2”. Case hardened 1873 type Whitmore action is fitted with non-rebounding front action locks having tall serpentine hammers. Hammers are retracted to half cock by top slide when action is opened. Four line patent information is on slide. SN is on water table, along with “2” (Grade ?). Although this gun is marked as a grade “2”, it is not checkered. Stocks are of plain but dense American walnut; buttstock is of straight grip and fitted with steel buttplate. Uncheckered forend attaches to bbls with captive side nail through oval steel escutcheons. Drop at heel: approx 3″, drop at comb: approx 1-7/8″. Weight: 14 lbs 5 oz. LOP: 13-15/16″. PROVENANCE: Voluminous correspondence between a previous owner and various people regarding the sale of this rifle, along with correspondence with the factory. A copy of a page from the GUN REPORT where this gun is listed for sale by Herb Glass April 1979 where he states that this gun won the award for “Best Remington Firearm” at the 1974 Las Vegas Mid Summer show. Other advertising of this rifle by Herb Glass, info on early Remington guns, and other correspondence regarding its sale. CONDITION: Excellent. Bbls retain approx 70% orig blue, thinning at muzzles and somewhat overall. Action retains 70 – 80% orig case hardening color under some brown flecking at bottom. Locks and hammers retain over 90% of their orig color. Stocks retain nearly all of their orig oil finish, grain slightly open, with light handling marks and scratches, with considerable chipping on sharp edges of forend. Bores are excellent with a few scattered light pits. Action is tight. Locks are crisp. Not only is this rifle exceptionally rare, possibly the only Model 73 in existence, it is also in a fine state of preservation, worthy of a place in the finest collection. 4-54763 (17,500-27,500) – Lot 2540 Click here to view provenance 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.

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EXCEPTIONALLY RARE REMINGTON 1873 WHITMORE HAMMER DOUBLE RIFLE.