EXTREMELY RARE C.B. HOLDEN SPUR TRIGGER TIP UP SINGLE SHOT RIFLE, 3-BBL SET.

EXTREMELY RARE C.B. HOLDEN SPUR TRIGGER TIP UP SINGLE SHOT RIFLE, 3-BBL SET. Cal. 22, 32 CF and 38 CF Shot. NSN. The center fire calibers are probably 32 Ballard Short and 38 Ballard Long, Shot. A most unusual and rare set, possibly the only one in existence. The bbls are all 19-7/8”. The 22 bbl has a narrow base, ivory bead combination front sight and has nine lands and grooves, conventional rifling, right hand twist. The 32 bbl has a narrow base blade front sight with six wide lands and narrow grooves, conventional rifling with right hand twist. The smoothbore bbl has a single brass bead. The 32 bbl has the number “1” stamped on the sight base and correspondingly on the bbl. All three are marked over the chamber area, “C.B. HOLDEN” and each one has a narrow knurled ring at the chamber end and at the muzzle end. All three bbls are stepped with a decorative knurled ring at the step. The receiver is nickeled iron with very well executed foliate arabesque patterns on each side, on the bottom of the receiver and profusely on the trigger guard bow with small flourishes behind the hammer and at the end of the lower tang. All the engraving has a very fine stippled background. It has Holden’s unique cast iron nickel-plated forearm with the removable panel for takedown. The forearm is also engraved with foliate arabesque patterns in two places on each side and again on the bottom. This rifle has an additional very unusual feature in that it is fitted with a trigger guard over the spur trigger. This rifle is most unusual in that it has the extractor built into the forearm instead of the bbl. The extractors are not interchangeable for the calibers so extractors for all three bbls accompany it. The top tang has an integral sight base that contains a 2-1/4” blade with eyecup. The tension spring is separate and screwed to the frame. It has a curious little screw through the tang behind the sight, which prevents the sight from touching the wood. The stock is very beautiful, highly figured shell grain American walnut with checkered long grip. The checkering is also in a criss-cross pattern on the front of the grip. The grip cap and buttplate are nickeled coarse checkered brass. It is accompanied by a tiny leather and wood case with blue velvet lining that is compartmented for the rifle and all three bbls. It has a separate storage compartment in the lid, which contains the other two extractors. The case has nickeled brass corners and a lock with leather handles and has a dust seal around the front edge. The top is decorated in geometric patterns. Also accompanied by a copy of a brief biography of C.B. Holden. CONDITION: Very fine, the bbls all retain a smooth even light blue-brown patina. The receiver retains about 95% strong original nickel with some flaked spots turning to patina. The forearm retains about 75% original nickel mixed with patina. The wood is sound with a couple of scrapes and a series of small nicks on the left side of the butt stock, otherwise it has only light handling and use marks and retains most of its bright original varnish. Mechanics are crisp. The 22 bore is moderately pitted with good shine, the 32 bore is brilliant and shiny and the 410 bore is brilliant and shiny with a spot or two of light pitting. The case is nicked and scratched and the handles are flaked with lightly soiled interior, otherwise it is very fine. 4-52723 JR652 (8,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004

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
	478	$9,200.00	EXTREMELY RARE C.B. HOLDEN SPUR TRIGGER TIP UP SINGLE SHOT RIFLE, 3-BBL SET. Cal. 22, 32 CF and 38 CF Shot. NSN. The center fire calibers are probably 32 Ballard Short and 38 Ballard Long, Shot. A most unusual and rare set, possibly the only one in existence. The bbls are all 19-7/8”. The 22 bbl has a narrow base, ivory bead combination front sight and has nine lands and grooves, conventional rifling, right hand twist. The 32 bbl has a narrow base blade front sight with six wide lands and narrow grooves, conventional rifling with right hand twist. The smoothbore bbl has a single brass bead. The 32 bbl has the number “1” stamped on the sight base and correspondingly on the bbl. All three are marked over the chamber area, “C.B. HOLDEN” and each one has a narrow knurled ring at the chamber end and at the muzzle end. All three bbls are stepped with a decorative knurled ring at the step. The receiver is nickeled iron with very well executed foliate arabesque patterns on each side, on the bottom of the receiver and profusely on the trigger guard bow with small flourishes behind the hammer and at the end of the lower tang. All the engraving has a very fine stippled background. It has Holden’s unique cast iron nickel-plated forearm with the removable panel for takedown. The forearm is also engraved with foliate arabesque patterns in two places on each side and again on the bottom. This rifle has an additional very unusual feature in that it is fitted with a trigger guard over the spur trigger. This rifle is most unusual in that it has the extractor built into the forearm instead of the bbl. The extractors are not interchangeable for the calibers so extractors for all three bbls accompany it. The top tang has an integral sight base that contains a 2-1/4” blade with eyecup. The tension spring is separate and screwed to the frame. It has a curious little screw through the tang behind the sight, which prevents the sight from touching the wood. The stock is very beautiful, highly figured shell grain American walnut with checkered long grip. The checkering is also in a criss-cross pattern on the front of the grip. The grip cap and buttplate are nickeled coarse checkered brass. It is accompanied by a tiny leather and wood case with blue velvet lining that is compartmented for the rifle and all three bbls. It has a separate storage compartment in the lid, which contains the other two extractors. The case has nickeled brass corners and a lock with leather handles and has a dust seal around the front edge. The top is decorated in geometric patterns. Also accompanied by a copy of a brief biography of C.B. Holden. CONDITION: Very fine, the bbls all retain a smooth even light blue-brown patina. The receiver retains about 95% strong original nickel with some flaked spots turning to patina. The forearm retains about 75% original nickel mixed with patina. The wood is sound with a couple of scrapes and a series of small nicks on the left side of the butt stock, otherwise it has only light handling and use marks and retains most of its bright original varnish. Mechanics are crisp. The 22 bore is moderately pitted with good shine, the 32 bore is brilliant and shiny and the 410 bore is brilliant and shiny with a spot or two of light pitting. The case is nicked and scratched and the handles are flaked with lightly soiled interior, otherwise it is very fine. 4-52723 JR652 (8,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2004 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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