Image Lot Price Description






3113
$9,200.00
Revised: 9/26/2015 

Please Note: Title Should Read: RARE WHITNEY-MORSE LEVER ACTION RIFLE and there is a serial number “283”.

RARE POSSIBLY ONE OF A KIND G.W. MORSE LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

SN NSN. Cal. 45-70. Serial number not visible, if there is one. Extremely rare, important development in the progression of lever action rifles. This rifle has a 28″ oct bbl, nickel silver Rocky Mountain front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight and it has the caliber marking between rear sight and receiver. The bbl address, forward of rear sight, reads left-handed, “G.W. MORSE / PATENTED OCT 28TH 1856″. It has a full magazine with a magazine band dovetailed into the bottom flat near the muzzle. It has highly figured uncheckered American walnut with straight stock & crescent buttplate with Winchester style sliding brass trap. The forearm is secured with a wedge & also has a small screw through steel escutcheons. The receiver, although very similar to the early Whitney with flat side and raised front and rear edges with an S-shaped lever. It differs in that it has a right hand loading gate and the carrier stays in the up position until forced by forward pressure on the lever into the lower position to receive a fresh cartridge from the magazine. The top tang is marked “A. BURGESS” with patent dates of January 7 & October 19. The year is not complete having only the first two numbers “18″. The bolt is very unusual in that it has a locking block attached to the solid lever and employs a carrier similar to Winchesters. PROVENANCE: From the collection of the late Bruce McDowell. CONDITION: Extremely fine. Overall retains 96-98% strong bright orig blue with minor handling & storage marks and a few light scratches on the receiver. Wood is sound with a series of small gouges on the bottom along with other light handling & use marks and retains most of its orig varnish. Mechanics are fine, bright shiny bore. 49450-5 JR (6,500-8,500) – Lot 3113


Auction: Firearms - October 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.