RARE DELUXE BULLARD MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION RIFLE.

Revised: 3/9/2012

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: According to Scott Jamieson, noted Bullard scholar, the correct product number of these rare large frames was only 1700, not 12,000 as stated in the catalogue.

RARE DELUXE BULLARD MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 977. Cal. 45 (will accept 45-70). Beautiful deluxe Bullard with 28″ oct to rnd bbl, half magazine, Sheard-style, heavy, ivory bead front sight, missing the bead, no provision for a rear seat and a Lyman combination tang sight. Mounted with very nicely figured European walnut with 3-panel checkered forearm and hard rubber capped pistol grip buttstock with cheekpiece and an unusual, European-style smooth steel shotgun buttplate with widow-peak tang and a large oval trap. Buttstock, under the trap, is not relieved with a recess. Top left side of receiver has the company name, address & patent number with the caliber marking over the receiver ring and the SN on the top tang back of hammer slot. Top right side of receiver is marked “MODEL 1886”. Although the confirmation of the buttstock is not standard for a Bullard, comparison of the checkering patterns is consistent with that found on other deluxe Bullards. Bullard rifles are considered today as the smoothest operating and finest lever action rifles ever produced. They utilized a rack & pinion system to operate the bolt which was extremely smooth and strong. A patent was granted to James Bullard in 1881 with production not beginning until about 1883. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms there were only 10,000-12,000 of these fine rifles produced by the time they ceased production in 1890. Mr. Bullard, a consummate inventor, was known to have a short attention to business attitude once a product was perfected, then on to something more interesting. He had numerous patents in all sorts of machinery, steam production, steam engines, oil burners and firearms. The Bullard rifle was produced in both large frame & small frame versions along with a musket model and a carbine. Although the design of these rifles was far superior to either the Winchester or Marlin or any other lever action available at that time or since, the stiff competition from Winchester & Marlin with their advanced manufacturing & distribution systems ultimately forced the demise of the Bullard rifle with only these few, noted above, ever having been manufactured. Few are found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Wes Adams Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 96-98% strong orig finish with a dressed ding on the muzzle, fine sharp edge wear and a few small nicks on the bbl; magazine tube has some light, fine pinprick rust; receiver retains 88-90% glossy orig blue with a few spots of pitting on the top left side and some fine flaking on both sides; lever, hammer & breech block retain bright case colors on sides, turned dark on the outer edges; top tang is also moderately flaked; wood is sound with light nicks, dings & scratches showing light diamond point wear and retains most of its fine orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. 4-44536 JR465 (4,000-7,000)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012

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
	2148	$9,775.00	Revised: 3/9/2012 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: According to Scott Jamieson, noted Bullard scholar, the correct product number of these rare large frames was only 1700, not 12,000 as stated in the catalogue. RARE DELUXE BULLARD MODEL 1886 LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 977. Cal. 45 (will accept 45-70). Beautiful deluxe Bullard with 28″ oct to rnd bbl, half magazine, Sheard-style, heavy, ivory bead front sight, missing the bead, no provision for a rear seat and a Lyman combination tang sight. Mounted with very nicely figured European walnut with 3-panel checkered forearm and hard rubber capped pistol grip buttstock with cheekpiece and an unusual, European-style smooth steel shotgun buttplate with widow-peak tang and a large oval trap. Buttstock, under the trap, is not relieved with a recess. Top left side of receiver has the company name, address & patent number with the caliber marking over the receiver ring and the SN on the top tang back of hammer slot. Top right side of receiver is marked “MODEL 1886”. Although the confirmation of the buttstock is not standard for a Bullard, comparison of the checkering patterns is consistent with that found on other deluxe Bullards. Bullard rifles are considered today as the smoothest operating and finest lever action rifles ever produced. They utilized a rack & pinion system to operate the bolt which was extremely smooth and strong. A patent was granted to James Bullard in 1881 with production not beginning until about 1883. According to Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms there were only 10,000-12,000 of these fine rifles produced by the time they ceased production in 1890. Mr. Bullard, a consummate inventor, was known to have a short attention to business attitude once a product was perfected, then on to something more interesting. He had numerous patents in all sorts of machinery, steam production, steam engines, oil burners and firearms. The Bullard rifle was produced in both large frame & small frame versions along with a musket model and a carbine. Although the design of these rifles was far superior to either the Winchester or Marlin or any other lever action available at that time or since, the stiff competition from Winchester & Marlin with their advanced manufacturing & distribution systems ultimately forced the demise of the Bullard rifle with only these few, noted above, ever having been manufactured. Few are found today with high orig finish. PROVENANCE: Wes Adams Estate Collection. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl & magazine tube retain 96-98% strong orig finish with a dressed ding on the muzzle, fine sharp edge wear and a few small nicks on the bbl; magazine tube has some light, fine pinprick rust; receiver retains 88-90% glossy orig blue with a few spots of pitting on the top left side and some fine flaking on both sides; lever, hammer & breech block retain bright case colors on sides, turned dark on the outer edges; top tang is also moderately flaked; wood is sound with light nicks, dings & scratches showing light diamond point wear and retains most of its fine orig finish. Mechanics are crisp, very bright shiny bore. 4-44536 JR465 (4,000-7,000) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2012 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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