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LOT 1249
Rare Savage & North “Figure 8” First
Model Second Variation Brass Frame
Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 36, 36 cal., 7 1/8 inch octagon
bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. This is an example of a rare
early Savage & North, Second Variation of the First Model, “Figure 8”
percussion revolver that was one of approximately 250 manufactured
like it between 1856-1859 (per Flayderman’s Guide). This early Savage & North
revolver has a brass frame, chamfered gas-seal chamber mouths, and early type ramming
lever that identify it as
a Second Variation First
Model Figure 8 revolver.
The revolver has the
distinctive Figure 8
shaped trigger guard and cocking lever. Using the operator’s middle finger, the cocking lever is pulled between each shot to advance the six-shot cylinder, automatically cocking the hammer. A truly historic engineering marvel for the time, with surviving examples few and far between. It is fitted with a brass cone front sight, a dovetail mounted rear sight is located on the top strap. The top barrel flat is marked “E SAVAGE. MIDDLETOWN.CONN.” above “S. NORTH” and the patent date (faint). “36” marked on the frame, barrel, loading lever, back of the cylinder, trigger guard, hammer, sideplate and very faintly written on
the underside of both grip panels. “66” or “16” marked on the frame, loading lever, back of the cylinder, cylinder indexing mechanism, and trigger guard. What appears to say “J.V.” and “JAY” is carved on top of the frame.
CONDITION: Good, with a mix of gray and brown patinas on the iron surfaces with scattered light pitting, and golden aged patina on the brass with some scratches and handling marks. The grips are also good
as re-oiled, with numerous scattered dents and scratches, a few chips, general wear, and a replacement spliced section on the front lower edge of the left grip panel. The cylinder occasionally requires manual assistance for rotating, otherwise mechanically functions.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 1250
Rare Savage & North “Figure
8” Second Model Iron Frame Percussion Revolver - Serial no.
287, 36 cal., 7 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured between 1856-1859, this Second Model reportedly
had a total production of only approximately 100 (per Flayderman’s
Guide). The Savage & North Second Model “Figure 8” revolver is
distinguished by the round shape iron frame and creeping type loading
lever. However, the loading lever housing lacks the H.S. North April 1856 patent date as
typically observed on the limited surviving Second Models. The top of the frame is marked
“E. SAVAGE MIDDLETOWN, CT.
/H.S.NORTH.PATENTED.JUNE.17th
1856”. The six-shot revolver features
the unusual ring-trigger action in
which the ring trigger revolves the
cylinder and cocks the hammer. It is
fired with a second trigger which fits in the curved arm of the lower trigger. Features a brass cone front sight and a notched lug rear sight dovetailed into the top of the frame. No numbers are externally visible on any of the components on this example. “287” struck twice under the barrel and frame breech, also on the rammer and on the back of the grips. These early Savage revolvers were redesigned and became the more widely used Savage Navy model manufactured during the Civil War and purchased by the U.S. government.
CONDITION: Good, with an old applied brown finish, the top frame markings slightly faded at the edges, and smooth gray patina on the balance with scattered patches of light pitting. Grips are also good as lightly sanded and refinished, with a few patches of dings. Mechanically fine.
194 Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1251
Scarce Civil War Era Butterfield Army Model Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 267, 41 cal., 7 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. The
Butterfield Revolvers were manufactured by Jesse Butterfield
of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
in 1862. They
are considered
by collectors to be secondary U.S. martial handgun
since they were manufactured in anticipation of an unrealized
government contract. Because no contract was awarded, production was limited
to only about 640 revolvers. It is equipped with a special disc priming device
loaded by loosening a thumb-screw in front of the trigger guard. The top strap is marked “BUTTERFIELD’S/ PATENT DEC 11. 1855/PHILADA”. The matching serial number “267” is visible on various components. CONDITION: Good with the brass showing an attractive golden aged patina, well defined original top strap maker/patent markings and scattered light to mild
pitting on the iron surfaces with gray and brown patina.
The refinished grips are also good, with scattered scratches
and dents, and mild cracks visible on the right panel with
some reglued sections. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1252
Very Fine Civil
War Era Rogers &
Spencer Army Percussion
Revolver - Serial no. 4053, 44 cal., 7 1/2 inch octagon
bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Rogers & Spencer of Utica,
New York manufactured an estimated 5,800 of these revolvers in 1865. The
Rogers & Spencer Co., was awarded a contract by the Ordnance Department for
5,000 .44 caliber revolvers in November, 1864. When the Civil War ended in April,
1865, 1,500 revolvers had been delivered; the remaining 3,500 were delivered by
September 1865. The revolvers were apparently never issued and were subsequently sold by military surplus dealer Francis Bannerman. Matching serial number “4053” marked on the barrel, cylinder,
frame, and butt, and “3347” on the loading lever. Various components have “B” inspection marks.
Boxed script “RPB” inspection cartouche stamped on the left grip panel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% plus original blue finish with scattered areas of light flaking
with smooth brown patina on the balance, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall.
Grips are also very fine with some minor nicks visible along the otherwise defined bottom
edges, some light handling marks, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Phillip Otto Clark Collection.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1253
Scarce and Desirable
Civil War U.S. Martially Inspected Massachusetts
Arms Co. Adams Patent Navy Model Double Action
Percussion Revolver Serial Number 24 - Serial no. 24, 36 cal., 6
inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is a fine example of an
early production two-digit serialized example of one of the approximately
600 purchased by the U.S. government of the 1,000 Adams Navy Model
revolvers manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in the late 1850s and
early 1860s. This example, serial number 24, is bearing oval script inspection
cartouches stamped on both sides of the grip. The revolver has the Kerr patent rammer on the left side of the six-inch octagon barrel, .36 caliber five-shot cylinder, safety bar on the right side of the frame, hammer with coarse knurled spur and one-piece, checkered walnut grip with a provision in center of grips presumably for a lanyard. Matching serial number “24” marked on the cylinder and left of the frame, “ADAMS.PATENT/MAY 3D 1853” roll-stamped on the left of the frame, “PATENT/JUNE 3.1856” stamped
on the right of the frame, and “1485” stamped on both sides of the grip. Small “A” and “T” Ordnance sub- inspection marks stamped on the major components.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish with smooth brown patina and
scattered freckling on the balance, with sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The
grip is also fine with defined checkering, some scattered scratches and nicked checkered
panels, a faint cartouche on the left and a crisp cartouche on the right. Mechanically
excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
According to author Norm Flayderman, approximately 250 Savage & North Figure 8 First Model Second Variation revolvers were produced.
Approximately 640 Butterfield Army Model revolvers were produced.
According to author Norm Flayderman, approximately 100 Savage & North Figure 8 Second Model revolvers were produced.