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LOT 117
Scarce Deluxe Winchester Second Model Hotchkiss Bolt Action Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 15354, 45-70 Government cal., 26 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1881 with a beaded round blade front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, the serial number on the upper left edge of the receiver over the three-line address and patent information, distinctive Second Model magazine cut-off and safety switches on the sides of the receiver, a fancy grade checkered pistol grip stock, Schnabel horn forend cap, and steel shotgun buttplate. These Second Models were only manufactured around 1880-1883 and are limited to around 16,117 pieces in various configurations. Around 13,000 were muskets which were primarily sold to the Chinese government. The remaining 3,117 were a mix of carbines and sporting rifles, making all of them very rare. CONDITION: Fine overall with 30% original blue finish blended with brown and gray patina, some slight spotting, and minor scratches. The stock has beautiful flame figure on the butt, crisp checkering, a repaired crack on the right, glossy refinished varnish, an added horn inlay/washer at the forend screw, and some light handling and storage type marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 118
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1888 Trapdoor Rifle with Ramrod Bayonet - Serial no. 528471, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Fitted with a blade front sight and “R” marked Buffington rear sight, and the Model 1888 sliding ramrod bayonet. Boxed script “SWP/1891” (Samuel W. Porter) inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist, circled “P” proof behind the lower tang, and “US” marked
buttplate tang. Fitted with a Rock Island Arsenal brown leather sling, contains a shell extractor tool, screw-on ramrod tip and combination tool in the
butt compartment, and includes a later M1902 pattern “US” embossed McKeever brown leather .30 caliber cartridge box containing a later pattern combination tool.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original blue finish, 95% vivid original case colors with some light fading on the top edge of the breech block. The stock is also excellent with rich oil finish and attractive original raised grains, a few scattered dings, distinct edges and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: Richard Peters, USMC, Reserves Law Enforcement, a Gentleman. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 119
Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1877 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 99998, 45-70 cal., 32 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1877 and 1878, this model was also known as the Transitional 1873/1879 with a total production of approximately 25,500. The lock is marked with the eagle, shield motif followed by “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” ahead of the hammer and the top of the low arch breechblock is marked “U.S./MODEL/1873”. The left rear of the barrel is marked with the “V/P/eagle head/P” proof marks. The barrel is fitted with a bayonet lug front sight and M1879 adjustable rear sight with ski slope base. Three click tumbler, sling swivel mounted on the front of the trigger guard and forward barrel band, and mounted with a smooth full length walnut
straight grip stock with a metal forend cap and “US” marked carbine style iron buttplate. The left wrist is marked with an oval “ESA/1878” cartouche. Comes with a slotted button head iron cleaning rod. CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 70% original blue finish with some areas thinning to a smooth plum and showing a few minor dings. The lock and hammer retain 20% original blue with a smooth mottled gray patina on the balance. The breechblock has a smooth mottled gray patina with much of the original casehardened pattern remaining on the breechblock and strong traces of original case colors in protected areas. The re-oiled stock is fine with a minor chip on the upper right side in the forearm area, and overall some scattered minor dents and dings. The cartouche is clear. The markings are clear. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900
LOT 120 Rare U.S. Model 1868 Trowel Bayonet with Scabbard - Measuring 13 inches overall, the trowel features a blade 8 7/8 inches long and 4 inches wide, slightly concave along the top and featuring a prominent spine on the underside. The joint and socket are very similar to the then-standard bayonet, with the addition of a metal bow on the front of the joint to create a finger loop. Includes a brass-tipped brown leather scabbard marked with faint “PAT DEC. 1, 1868” (in reference to Felix Chillingworth’s patent 84,612) and “US” on the reverse of the belt loop. In “The American Bayonet 1776-1964” by Albert N. Hardin Jr., the Model 1868 trowel bayonet is described on pages 197-199: “No patent disclosure is known to support the design configuration of this model. Further, no authority for its initial manufacture has been found, although at least three sources credit the National Armory with having made 200 during 1868 and 1869. Twenty-five of this pattern were submitted to the Board of Officers convened in accordance with General Orders No. 60, dated August 6, 1869, and No. 72, dated October 23, 1869. These bayonets were issued to the Battalion of Engineers for trial in the field; their favorable report undoubtedly did much to influence the Board’s subsequent adoption of the arm and its recommendation of further trials. From Willet’s Point, New York Harbor, on May 27th, 1870, a report was made to Brevet Maj. General A. A. Humphreys, Commander of the Corps of Engineers, on the performance of the 100 bayonets sent to that post for trial. Major Henry L. Abbott’s letter reports that they are unsuited for stacking arms, are unmilitary in appearance, and are impossible to use as digging implements for any length of
time because of their uncomfortable grip...” CONDITION: Very fine with mostly bright surfaces and scattered patches of light to mild pitting. The scabbard is also fine with some light flaking
at the edges and light cracking. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 121
Rare Early Production Iron Guard U.S. Springfield Model 1880 Hunting Knife Serial Number 113 with Sheath - Serial no. 113. Only 1,002
Model 1880 knives were manufactured in total, with this example constructed in the early style configuration with an iron guard. It measures 13 5/8 inches overall, with an 8 1/2 inch single edged blade set in an iron guard marked with “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” on the left and serial number “113” on the right.
The ribbed wood grip has “S.W.P./1881” stamped on the butt, the initials of Springfield Master Armorer Samuel W. Porter. Includes a brown
leather sheath with Watervliet Arsenal maker marking, fitted with a brass throat and a belt loop with hinged cartridge loop bar marked “R.I.A”
for Rock Island Arsenal.
CONDITION: Very good, blade and guard showing mostly a bright gray patina with some scattered patches of dark brown colored light
surface pitting. The wood grip is also very good with some scattered light handling marks, and well-defined serrations. The sheath is fine with
light wear, some light age cracking, and attractive golden aged patina on the brass.
106 Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750