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LOT 3073
H.M. Pope/Winchester Deluxe Style Model 1885 High Wall Schuetzen Rifle Attributed to Brigadier General Frank Merrill of Merrill’s Marauders - Serial no. 69367, 32-40 cal., 29 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The included factory letter indicates that this Winchester Model 1885 High Wall rifle was received in the warehouse on January 30, 1896, and
shipped the same day with a no. 5 octagon barrel in .32-40 caliber and plain trigger. This rifle was subsequently upgraded by famed gunsmith H.M. Pope. These custom upgrades included the barrel, modified checkered lever, double set triggers, and deluxe stock. The no. 4 octagon barrel is marked “H.M. POPE HARTFORD CONN.” on the top flat, has provisions for a false muzzle and bullet starter (included), and is fitted with windage adjustable globe front sight with spirit level and J.W. Fecker scope. A folding peep sight is fitted on the upper tang. The checkered forearm and pistol grip stock are highly figured, highly attractive walnut. The forearm has an ebony tip insert and checkered walnut palm rest. The buttstock has a Winchester hard rubber pistol grip cap, right handed cheekpiece, and a Helm pattern buttplate. Includes a set of
reloading tools and an early 1900s handwritten journal documenting various caliber
loads. The rifle is attributed as once belonging to U.S. Army Brigadier General Frank Merrill per an accompanying typewritten note of provenance.
This note reads in part, “This Hi[gh] Wall belonged to Capt. [sic] Frank Merrill of Merrill’s Marauders sometimes called Merrill’s Raiders.” The note goes on to give a brief history of Merrill’s Marauders. General Merrill was the commander of the famed WWII special forces unit that beared his name, Merrill’s
Marauders, officially known as the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), which ran deep penetration missions behind Japanese lines. The Marauders gained fame for their capture of the village of Myitkyina, Burma, in 1944 and for their subsequent operations against superior Japanese forces.
CONDITION: Fine as upgraded by renowned gunsmith H.M. Pope. The barrel retains 70% thinned original blue finish. The receiver retains 90% original blue finish with the lower tang having been refinished. Both sides of the forearm has been inleted at the breech (splice repair on left side); otherwise, the wood is fine with a couple hairline cracks, some scattered minor handling marks, and
overall crisp checkering. The scope has slightly hazy optics. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3074
Winchester Deluxe Model 1885 High Wall Schuetzen Rifle with Steven-Pope Barrel, Fecker Scope, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 105460, 32 cal., 28 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut stock. The accompanying factory letter states that this
deluxe Winchester Model 1885 Schuetzen rifle was received in the warehouse on July 29, 1907, and shipped on August 21, 1907, with a No. 4 30 inch octagon barrel in .32-40 caliber, Schuetzen set trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, mid-range
and windgauge (no level) sights, and Swiss buttplate. The rifle subsequently received a Stevens-Pope barrel. The top barrel flat is marked “STEVENS-POPE/MANUFACTURED BY THE J. STEVENS ARMS & TOOL CO. CHICOPEE FALLS MASS U.S.A” and is drilled and tapped ahead of the front scope block. The rifle is fitted with a windgauge adjustable globe front sight (no level), J.W. Fecker scope, and folding tang peep sight with eye disk. The casehardened action is fitted with double set triggers. The lower tang has the serial number. The inside of the lever is hand marked with the number “69816.” The nicely figured deluxe walnut forearm and pistol grip stock are checkered. The forearm has an ebony tip insert and a ball palm rest, and the buttstock has a hard rubber Winchester grip cap, cheekpiece, and Swiss buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “3780 X SP.” The butt of the stock is stamped and hand marked in pencil with the number “7984.” “7984” is also stamped on the buttplate. CONDITION: Fine as rebarreled with a period Stevens-Pope barrel. The barrel retains 70% blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The receiver retains 60% original case colors. The lower tang is a mix of original blue finish and smooth gray patina with minor pitting. The buttplate retains 97% original nickel plating. The wood is also fine with a slight stress line at the upper tang, minor dings and scratches, and some worn checkering. The scope has slightly hazy optics. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500