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LOT 1292 Highly Desirable H.E. Dimick St. Louis Percussion Rifle - NSN, 42 cal., 32 1/2 inch octagon bbl.,
brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle was manufactured by Horace E. Dimick’s firm in St. Louis, Missouri. He competed in sharpshooting contests to publicize the firearms produced
by himself and his employees. At one antebellum contest held in St. Louis, H.E. Dimick & Co. finished first in every event they competed in. The rifle has a blade front sight with a contrasting inlay, adjustable sporting rear sight (elevator absent), “H. E. DIMICK/ST.LOUIS” marked ahead of the rear sight, adjustable double set triggers, finger spur trigger guard, smooth half-stock with pewter tip, German silver wedge escutcheons, and a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina, mild pitting, broken hammer screw and nipple, and general moderate overall wear indicative of a rifle that saw serious period use. The stock is also very good and has some chips and cracks, a pinned repair above the lock, and scrapes and dings. Mechanically functions fine. Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
Exceptional 19th Century G.L. Wickline Percussion Heavy Barrel Full-Stock Target Rifle - NSN, 45 cal., 46 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, maple stock. This classic American percussion target rifle, a.k.a. “chunk gun” or “over-the-log rifle,” was built by George Lewis Wickline of Gallia County, Ohio. He was born in Virginia but moved to Cadmus, Ohio, and is known to have made quality match rifles in the mid to late 19th century. Aside from its heavy barrel and overall build, the flat rest built into the stock between the forend cap and front ramrod ferrule indicates this rifle was specifically meant for shooting in rifle matches from a rest. The massive barrel is 1.4 inches wide and has decorative designs on the muzzle, a deep crown, traditional blade and notch sights, “G.L. WICKLINE” stamped on top, “POSTLEY NELSON & CO.” (barrel makers in Pittsburgh c. 1850-1875) stamped on the upper left flat at the breech, and a long tang with four screws. The lock has “G. GOULCHER” stamped in a banner, a double line border, and scroll and bird engraving. The rifle has adjustable double set triggers and desirable iron furniture. The stock has a rounded cheekrest. CONDITION: Fine overall with an even brown patina overall, mild oxidation, and general mild wear. The stock is also fine and has attractive flame patterns, minor edge wear, scratches and dings, and dark finish. Mechanically fine. (setup full-cock only). You will look a long time to acquire a finer American target rifle of this configuration! Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1294 Fine 19th Century American Silver Inlaid Half-Stock Percussion .50 Caliber Rifle Signed “F.B” - NSN, 50 cal., 42 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The is unique 19th century percussion rifle features a blade front sight with flip up bead, unique one-of-a-kind adjustable notch rear sight with full-buckhorn, “F.B” signed in a silver inlay with floral engraved accents, coordinating accents down the tang, “JOSEPH GOLCHER” lock with scroll and bird engraving, pewter forend cap, brass wedge escutcheons, checkered forend with silver inlay on the bottom, silver inlaid brass trigger guard with spur, adjustable double set triggers, checkered pistol grip with bone cap, engraved brass cap box, nickel silver escutcheon, pieced toe plate, crescent buttplate, and silver roundels inlaid on the left flat and the cheekpiece. CONDITION: Fine overall with dark patina, mild oxidation/pitting, broken clean out screw, aged patina on the brass and silver, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has crisp checkering, minor scrapes and dings, and age lines in the cap. Mechanically fine (setup full-cock only). Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1293
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