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LOT 294
Rare Panel Scene Exhibition Quality Engraved and Gold Inlaid Marston Breech Loading Percussion Rifle - NSN, 44 cal., 28 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, maple stock. This rifle is one of less than 300 breech loading percussion long guns
manufactured by W.W. Marston of New York City, circa mid-1850s. Marston is best known for
his pepperboxes, single and multi-barreled percussion and cartridge handguns. This is a unique example of an already rare gun
featuring exhibition quality embellishments. The breech end of the barrel has engraved wedges of scrollwork that extend to the rear sight and two wide gold inlaid bands. The left side of the receiver is marked “Wm W. MARSTON’s/PATENT/NEW YORK/1850” followed by an engraved bison surrounded in scrollwork.
The right side of the receiver has a large engraved eagle motif. Scrollwork extends to the fish sculpted hammer. The front underside of the receiver has a raised sculpted acorn surrounded by sculpted oak leaves. The sculpted lever is a serpent-like creature swallowing a bird. The buttplate tangs are also scroll engraved. The barrel sights are fixed, two drilled and tapped holes for possible sight mounting are featured on top of the receiver, the tang has a peep sight, and the action has a set trigger. Mounted with a checkered straight grip stock featuring a star overlay on the cheekpiece.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel has a smooth dark gray patina, and the remaining surfaces have a mottled gray patina. There is some minor spotting. The stock is very good with a small hairline crack on the wrist, a couple of
minor gouges, some minor handling marks and smooth checkering.
Mechanically fine. Overall a very attractive and scarce Marston breech
loading percussion rifle. Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
a scene of a leaping buck on the lid, nickel-silver floral inlay on the cheekpiece, and checkering on the wrist. Included notes indicate the target barrel has a .371 bore with a 1:23 1/4 twist, while the hunting barrel has a slightly smaller .369 bore and a faster 1:21 twist. Within the modern custom case are a pair of Hoch bullet molds with a shared handle set, a Remington pattern powder flask with multiple spout options, the noted false muzzle and starter, an antique pair of shooting glasses, a martial pattern button, and an 1863 penny. CONDITION: Very good plus with 30% of the original blue finish concentrated on the left side of the frame and the forearm of the shorter barrel and otherwise smooth gray and brown patina, crisp engraving and markings, and minor overall wear. The stock is fine and has distinct checkering, a few small cracks and repairs, and minor marks and scratches. Mechanically fine. The custom case is fine.
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Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 295
Engraved Nelson Lewis Boxlock Percussion Target Rifle with Extra Barrel, Case, and Accessories - NSN, 37 cal., 30 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, checkered walnut stock. This
c. 1850-1870s rifle from Nelson Lewis’s shop in Troy, New York, features two barrels marked “N. LEWIS TROY”. The installed 30 1/4 inch barrel includes a false muzzle and brass bullet starter and is equipped
with a globe front sight, and the 24 1/4 inch octagonal barrel has a plain muzzle, a dovetailed blade front sight, and an adjustable sporting rear sight. The 1 inch breech plugs have very nicely sculpted bolsters and scroll engraving. Each
barrel also features an iron “forearm” with border and scroll engraving. The action features a running buck scene on top, a peep sight, adjustable double set triggers, a spurred trigger guard, and scroll engraving. The buttstock has a
blued buttplate and toe plate with coordinating scroll engraving, nickel-silver patchbox with scroll engraving and