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

RARE POSSIBLY ONE OF A KIND G.W. MORSE LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 45-70. Serial number not visible. Extremely rare, important development in the progression of lever action rifles. This rifle has a 28″ oct bbl, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. It has the caliber marking behind the sight and in front of the sight, reading from receiver to muzzle “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 wood with straight stock and crescent buttplate with Winchester style sliding brass trap. The forearm cap is secured with a wedge and also has a small screw through steel escutcheons. The receiver, although very similar to the early Whitney with flat side with radiused, raised front and rear edges and it has 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 Winchester’s. 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. From the collection of the late Bruce McDowell. 4-54599 JR173 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2005

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
	1152	$7,475.00	RARE POSSIBLY ONE OF A KIND G.W. MORSE LEVER ACTION RIFLE. Cal. 45-70. Serial number not visible. Extremely rare, important development in the progression of lever action rifles. This rifle has a 28″ oct bbl, German silver Rocky Mountain front sight and semi-buckhorn rear sight. It has the caliber marking behind the sight and in front of the sight, reading from receiver to muzzle “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 wood with straight stock and crescent buttplate with Winchester style sliding brass trap. The forearm cap is secured with a wedge and also has a small screw through steel escutcheons. The receiver, although very similar to the early Whitney with flat side with radiused, raised front and rear edges and it has 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 Winchester’s. 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. From the collection of the late Bruce McDowell. 4-54599 JR173 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2005 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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