Revised: 9/18/2015

Please Note: “One of the co-authors of the recent book, “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia” has graciously contacted us with this input on this gun. Our cataloger was not certain it was by Wiley Higgins so only had attributed it based on the similarities between our gun and the images in the book, “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia”. After reviewing detailed photographs of this gun, co-author Mr. Elliot, shared with me that in his opinion it was not by Wiley Higgins. He indicated that there were various makers that did similar work. In fact, some of them he mentioned were Higgin’s own relatives who emulated his style. In any case, while we do not know for certain who did do this gun, it appears it was not the work of Wiley Higgins. So we do not guarantee it as such.”

EXCEEDINGLY RARE GEORGIA MADE SILVER MOUNTED RIFLE WILEY HIGGINS.

SN NSN. Cal. .38. Overall length 46-1/2″, 3-3/4″ x 1″ buttplate. 31-1/2″ full oct unsigned rifled bbl. This attractive highly decorated percussion curly maple stocked rifle, made in the era of “Bowie knives, Derringers and River Boats”. Is obviously of Georgia manufacture and has been attributed to the famous gunsmith Wiley Higgins. The percussion lock is surrounded by silver facing, typical of Higgins’ guns, (Ref pg 60 of the book Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia). The intricate 10-1/4″ silver toe plate has 22 piercings while the striking 7-3/4″ saddle plate is masterfully scalloped. The 6-3/4″ silver comb inlay is gracefully designed with 2 piercings as is the silver pick plate underneath the cheek piece with its 3 piercings. The elegant 4-pc silver patchbox has 11 piercings. This rifle has a very unusual patchbox release mechanism, the obvious patchbox release button on the buttplate tang is a decoy, close examination shows a small hole in its center which when pressed hard to release the patchbox door, contains a needle that pierces the thumb. This cataloger has only ever seen this decoy devise on one other occasion on a rifle by David Cooley. The actual patchbox release is located in the rear flange of the trigger guard, the last 3/8″ portion of the trigger guard overlapping the toe plate is serrated and, if carefully pushed rearward with your fingernail, will open the patchbox. The 40 decorative silver inlays are very similar in design to those on Higgins’ pistols/rifles pictured in the Georgia book. Wiley Higgins was born in Laurens County, SC, after which he settled as a gunsmith in Monroe County, GA, and later in Macon County, GA, in about 1850. Higgins is the most celebrated of all the identified early Georgia gun makers. A signed rifle by Higgins pictured in Joe Kindig’s Thoughts On The Kentucky Rifle In Its Golden Age was described by Kindig as “By far the most artistic Kentucky rifle of its period that I have ever seen”. That rifle is presently on display in Louisville, KY, in the collection of the Frazer Gun Museum. In addition, a pistol attributed to Higgins is in the collection at Andrew Jackson’s home “The Hermitage” having been a family piece attributed to Higgins which was made for the Governor of Arkansas. Guns attributed to Higgins have done extremely well in past auctions, a pistol attributed to Higgins sold recently in our Fall 2013 auction lot #2331. CONDITION: Fine, the rear sight was moved rearward about 3″ in period as the shooter aged, the bbl has been shortened somewhat at the muzzle in period. The patchbox release mechanism is intricate and is sometimes difficult to operate properly after its pushed back to open the patchbox it has to be reset by manually pushing the release back toward the trigger guard. The mechanism does work and simply requires adjustment. 49613-4 RGG (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3425

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.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3425	$0.00	Revised: 9/18/2015 Please Note: “One of the co-authors of the recent book, “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia” has graciously contacted us with this input on this gun. Our cataloger was not certain it was by Wiley Higgins so only had attributed it based on the similarities between our gun and the images in the book, “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia”. After reviewing detailed photographs of this gun, co-author Mr. Elliot, shared with me that in his opinion it was not by Wiley Higgins. He indicated that there were various makers that did similar work. In fact, some of them he mentioned were Higgin’s own relatives who emulated his style. In any case, while we do not know for certain who did do this gun, it appears it was not the work of Wiley Higgins. So we do not guarantee it as such.” EXCEEDINGLY RARE GEORGIA MADE SILVER MOUNTED RIFLE WILEY HIGGINS. SN NSN. Cal. .38. Overall length 46-1/2″, 3-3/4″ x 1″ buttplate. 31-1/2″ full oct unsigned rifled bbl. This attractive highly decorated percussion curly maple stocked rifle, made in the era of “Bowie knives, Derringers and River Boats”. Is obviously of Georgia manufacture and has been attributed to the famous gunsmith Wiley Higgins. The percussion lock is surrounded by silver facing, typical of Higgins’ guns, (Ref pg 60 of the book Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia). The intricate 10-1/4″ silver toe plate has 22 piercings while the striking 7-3/4″ saddle plate is masterfully scalloped. The 6-3/4″ silver comb inlay is gracefully designed with 2 piercings as is the silver pick plate underneath the cheek piece with its 3 piercings. The elegant 4-pc silver patchbox has 11 piercings. This rifle has a very unusual patchbox release mechanism, the obvious patchbox release button on the buttplate tang is a decoy, close examination shows a small hole in its center which when pressed hard to release the patchbox door, contains a needle that pierces the thumb. This cataloger has only ever seen this decoy devise on one other occasion on a rifle by David Cooley. The actual patchbox release is located in the rear flange of the trigger guard, the last 3/8″ portion of the trigger guard overlapping the toe plate is serrated and, if carefully pushed rearward with your fingernail, will open the patchbox. The 40 decorative silver inlays are very similar in design to those on Higgins’ pistols/rifles pictured in the Georgia book. Wiley Higgins was born in Laurens County, SC, after which he settled as a gunsmith in Monroe County, GA, and later in Macon County, GA, in about 1850. Higgins is the most celebrated of all the identified early Georgia gun makers. A signed rifle by Higgins pictured in Joe Kindig’s Thoughts On The Kentucky Rifle In Its Golden Age was described by Kindig as “By far the most artistic Kentucky rifle of its period that I have ever seen”. That rifle is presently on display in Louisville, KY, in the collection of the Frazer Gun Museum. In addition, a pistol attributed to Higgins is in the collection at Andrew Jackson’s home “The Hermitage” having been a family piece attributed to Higgins which was made for the Governor of Arkansas. Guns attributed to Higgins have done extremely well in past auctions, a pistol attributed to Higgins sold recently in our Fall 2013 auction lot #2331. CONDITION: Fine, the rear sight was moved rearward about 3″ in period as the shooter aged, the bbl has been shortened somewhat at the muzzle in period. The patchbox release mechanism is intricate and is sometimes difficult to operate properly after its pushed back to open the patchbox it has to be reset by manually pushing the release back toward the trigger guard. The mechanism does work and simply requires adjustment. 49613-4 RGG (7,500-12,500) – Lot 3425 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.

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EXCEEDINGLY RARE GEORGIA MADE SILVER MOUNTED RIFLE WILEY HIGGINS.