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LOT 1097
Scarce U.S. Springfield/Sharps Model 1870 Second Type Infantry Trials Rifle - Serial no. 67, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 35 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 300 of these rifles were manufactured around 1870-71 at the Springfield Armory using Sharps supplied Model 1874 actions, serialized in their own range of 1-300. They were used in U.S. military field trials in the search for a new standard issue breech loading rifle. The action has the Sharps patent marking on the left and serial number “67” on the upper tang. The barrel has a standard military front sight/bayonet lug, notch and folding ladder rear sight, no Sharps markings, and serial number “67” on the left at the breech. The forend is held by two barrel bands marked “U” on the right. Single letter inspection marks on some of the small parts, “US” on the buttplate, and a faint oval script “ESA” (Erskine S. Allin) inspector cartouche on the left side of the wrist. The lock is the Model 1874 pattern and has no external markings.
CONDITION: Very good, with strong case colors visible in protected areas, scattered light freckling, and sharp markings in the metal. The re-oiled wood is also very good with some light wear and scattered dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1098
U.S. Marked Remington-Lee Model 1882/85 Improved Magazine Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 22950, 45-70 Government cal., 32 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Rifles based on James Paris Lee’s designs were most famously used by the British Empire in both World Wars, but they also played a role in the U.S. military in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with these rifles considered the very first to utilize the spring-loaded detachable box magazine. The Model 1882 was very short lived, and in 1885, the design was modified to have larger extractor and cocking knob, with this example one of a small amount factory converted from its Model 1882 configuration to the improved Model 1885 specifications circa 1885-1887, with known examples in the 22900-23100 serial range. This modification was done in response to a defect found when testing with the Chinese contract Model 1882 Remington-Lee rifles. It consisted of milling away the receiver hood, partially filling in the rear locking lug recess in the bottom of the receiver with a curved triangular piece, fitting a bolt with separate bolt head and firing pin that enters from the front and is held by a firing pin nut in order to prevent the firing pin from coming out of the rear in case of a burst bolt head, and milling the back ledge on the right side of the receiver to clear the new bolt
head and extractor. The top left receiver rail is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A./SOLE MANUFACTURERS AND AGENTS” along with the serial number, and the left side of the receiver is marked “PATENTED NOV. 4TH 1879”, with “US” deeply stamped on top of the receiver at the breech. Another Model 1882/85, serial number 22972, originally in the Remington factory museum collection is known to have U.S. inspection markings. This is possibly a trials example used for demonstration purposes. Reference pages 35-37 of the book “The Remington-Lee Rifle” by Eugene Myszkowski for relevant information. CONDITION: Fine, retains half of the factory refurbished blue finish with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance, scattered freckling and a few patches of light pitting. Stock is also fine with scattered dents and scratches, areas of discoloration, and defined edges. Absent cleaning rod. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1099
Fine Indian Wars Era U.S. Sharps New Model 1859 Metallic Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 68985, 50-70 U.S. Govt cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps was
originally manufactured in 1863-1865 as a percussion carbine for use in the Civil War, and was one of 31,098 carbines returned by the U.S. Government to Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Co. in 1867, who received a contract for refurbishment and alteration of their rifles for use with metallic
cartridges. This example features a sleeved barrel with three-groove rifling done at the time of alteration. Script “DFC” (David F. Clark) ribbon inspection cartouche stamped on the left center of the buttstock and absent primer feed mechanism (does not affect function of the gun), as typical on these metallic
cartridge conversion carbines. It has a blade front sight and Lawrence patent notch/folding ladder rear sight. CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% arsenal refurbished blue finish on the barrel, and strong patterns of arsenal refurbished case colors visible mostly in protected areas with smooth brown and gray patina on the balance and some scattered light freckling. Wood is also fine as re-oiled, with defined edges, some scattered light scratches, and a visible cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1100 Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 459907, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Left breech end of barrel marked with “V/P/eagle head” proofmarks, “US/MODEL/1884” marked low arch breechblock, American eagle with shield next to “U. S./ SPRINGFIELD” on the lock plate, boxed script “SWP/1889” final inspection cartouche of Samuel W. Porter stamped on the left stock wrist, circled script “P” proof stamp behind the lower tang, blade front and Buffington ladder rear sight, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly,
serrated trigger, iron cleaning rod, and smooth buttplate marked “US” on the heel.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% original blue finish with some scattered light handling marks and a few areas thinning to a smooth gray and brown patina, and 85% plus vivid original case colors on the breech block and barrel tang. Stock is very fine with rich original oil finish, scattered light dents and handling marks, cracks visible on either side of the barrel tang, some small chips ahead of the trigger guard and toe, and defined edges overall. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle will proudly fill a necessary hole in any U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1101
Very Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 361813, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Left side breech end of barrel marked with “V/P” and eagle head proofmarks. Low arch breech block marked “U.S/MODEL/1884”. The lock plate is marked with the American eagle next to “U.S./SPRINGFIELD”. The oil finished walnut stock is stamped with the boxed script “SWP/1886” final nspection cartouche of Samuel W. Porter on the left wrist. Blade front and Buffington ladder rear sight, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly, serrated trigger, iron cleaning rod, and smooth buttplate marked “US” on the heel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish and 90% vivid original case colors with scattered light to mild freckling/oxidation, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is also very fine with rich original oil finish, some scattered light scratches and dents, a small chip ahead of the lock, distinct edges, and a crisp cartouche and firing proof. Mechanically excellent. 83
SERIAL NUMBER 67
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Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800