FINE EARLY MODEL 1881 LARGE FRAME BULLARD 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.

FINE EARLY MODEL 1881 LARGE FRAME BULLARD LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 563. Cal. 45 (will accept a 45-70). Standard grade rifle with 26″ oct to rnd bbl, full magazine with half nickel front sight and Winchester Model 1886, 1,200 yard ladder rear sight. Receiver ring is marked “CAL 45” and the SN is stamped behind the hammer slot on the top tang. Left side of rcvr is marked “BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY / SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A.” and patent date. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight grip & crescent steel buttplate. Bullard rifles are considered to be 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: Extremely fine plus. Bbl & magazine tube retain virtually all of their strong orig factory finish with only the hint of sharp edge wear; forend cap retains about 99% glossy orig blue; receiver & dust cover retain about 98% glossy orig blue with a few tiny nicks and a scratch on the right side; hammer retains strong case colors with the lever showing bright case colors on the sides, moderately faded on outer faces; buttplate shows wear only on heel & toe, retaining about 95% glossy orig blue; wood is sound with a series of small scratches on left side of buttstock and light nicks & scratches elsewhere with some slight dulling on the forearm and overall retains most of its strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-44534 JR455 (3,000-5,000)

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
	2150	$12,650.00	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. FINE EARLY MODEL 1881 LARGE FRAME BULLARD LEVER ACTION RIFLE. SN 563. Cal. 45 (will accept a 45-70). Standard grade rifle with 26″ oct to rnd bbl, full magazine with half nickel front sight and Winchester Model 1886, 1,200 yard ladder rear sight. Receiver ring is marked “CAL 45” and the SN is stamped behind the hammer slot on the top tang. Left side of rcvr is marked “BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY / SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A.” and patent date. Mounted with nicely figured, uncheckered, straight grain American walnut with straight grip & crescent steel buttplate. Bullard rifles are considered to be 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: Extremely fine plus. Bbl & magazine tube retain virtually all of their strong orig factory finish with only the hint of sharp edge wear; forend cap retains about 99% glossy orig blue; receiver & dust cover retain about 98% glossy orig blue with a few tiny nicks and a scratch on the right side; hammer retains strong case colors with the lever showing bright case colors on the sides, moderately faded on outer faces; buttplate shows wear only on heel & toe, retaining about 95% glossy orig blue; wood is sound with a series of small scratches on left side of buttstock and light nicks & scratches elsewhere with some slight dulling on the forearm and overall retains most of its strong orig varnish. Mechanics are crisp, brilliant shiny bore. 4-44534 JR455 (3,000-5,000) 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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