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LOT 1115
Desirable E. Remington & Sons Thomas Patent
Percussion Cane Gun with
Rare “Ball and Claw” Handle -
Serial no. 200, 31 , 29 3/8 inch round bbl., black finish, gutta percha grips. Designed
by Remington master mechanic John F. Thomas these percussion cane guns were
patented in 1858 and produced as an effort to break into the burgeoning market of
gentleman’s defensive accessories. It is estimated that between 1858 and 1866 only 500 of the
percussion cane guns were manufactured, with production being significantly interrupted by the
Civil War. This example remains in its original percussion configuration making it even more scarce.
Along with that, this particular example has the desirable “ball and claw” handle, fashioned out of
the same brown gutta percha as the shaft. It is the writer’s experience that far fewer of these “ball
and claw” canes survived compared to the “dog’s head” or curved/”L” shaped canes, and renowned
Remington collector Elliot Burka lists them as the second most rare of the standard variations,
behind only the “bulbous” handle, in an article for the American Society of Arms Collectors. Examples of these various standard handle styles, including the “ball and claw”, can be seen on p. 188 of “Canes From the Seventeenth to the Twentieth Century” by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A similar example, serial number 17, incorrectly listed as .44 caliber, can be seen as item no. 322 in “The Karl F. Moldenhauer Collection of Remington Arms” as offered by the Richard
A. Bourne Co. There is a small silvered band where the handle meets the shaft and a serrated iron ferrule at the tip/ muzzle which is marked with the J.F. Thomas patent markings, Remington & Sons address, and “200”, which is also marked near the threads of the muzzle. It measures 35 1/2 inches overall.
CONDITION: Very fine, with the gutta percha generally showing an attractively aged chocolate tone and some scattered light handling marks throughout. The professionally restored muzzle ferrule retains most of the refinished blue finish and crisp, re-stamped markings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 1116
Scarce Early
Production Allen &
Thurber “Grafton
Dainty” Pepperbox
Pistol with Bolen
Merchant Marking,
Case and Accessories -
Serial no. 22, 30 cal., 2
3/4 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, antique ivory
grips. Manufactured
during 1841 and 1842,
the “Grafton Dainty”,
named for its small
size and the firm’s then
hometown of Grafton,
was Allen & Thurber’s
first double action
pepperbox pistol. At the time, the Dainty was a massive leap in portable firepower; John Bolen (one of Allen’s earliest sales agents known to create presentation sets for railroads) advertised them as useful for both men and women for repelling multiple attackers. Immediately recognizable as an Allen & Thurber, the pistol is marked “E.A.P.M. 1841” on one of the barrel ribs, “ALLEN’S PATENT” on top of the hammer, and “BOLEN NY” on the left
side. The number “22” is present on the barrel group, trigger guard, front strap and mainspring. Light engraving is present on the sides and rear of the frame. It comes with an orange velvet lined hardwood case containing a brass powder flask decorated with alternating star and bulls-eye designs, a nitre blue “L” shaped takedown tool, and a two-chamber bullet mold. Its believed that the lack of Pittman and ratchet setup and the “E.A.P.M.” marking indicate it was a very early experimental action. Less than 50 to 100 are thought to have been manufactured.
CONDITION: Fair as heavily cleaned with a mixed gray patina overall, darker on the hammer and barrels, and mild pitting around the nipples. A small crack is forming on the inside of the butt, and the period replacement grips are very good with an attractive antique color, mild grain and a few light age cracks. The relined case is fair with mild cracks and scuffs. Mechanically good.
96 Estimate: 3,000 - 4,000
LOT 1117
Manufacture Francaise d’Armes et Cycles de St. Etienne Gaulois No.
1 Palm Pistol with Rare Box - Serial
no. 6513, 8 mm cal., 2 1/4 inch solid
rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. “Manufrance” manufactured these distinctive “squeezer” pistols c. 1893- 1912. These pistols were initially called the Mitrailleuse (from “Grapeshot”) from 1893 to approximately 1895 before being re-branded as the Le Gaulois (native people of France as in the Gauls). This Gaulois has the manufacturer mark on the rear of the frame at the top, “Cal.” and “8m/m” at the front, and the Manufrance logo along with “GAULOIS” on the barrel. The left side of the action has the three position selector switch. Matching serial numbers are on the barrel, frame, and side plate. The trigger mechanism
has a mottled red and black pad with
checkering and “R/3362” marked on the left.
The barrel has a round post front sight, and the dust cover and front of the frame are serrated. It comes with a non-matching factory box with a fitted interior for the pistol, a cleaning brush (absent), and the bright green cartridge box white label for 25 cartridges (empty). The box has a reproduction lid with picture label. CONDITION: Very fine overall with 70% original finish, light oxidation, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 3,500 - 4,750
LOT 1118
Rare Engraved Lindsay
Two Shot Pocket Pistol -
Serial no. 142, 41 cal., 4 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This rare and unusual
pistol was invented by John P. Lindsay and manufactured in the early
1860s with only several hundred produced. The pistol has a single barrel
that holds two superposed loads. The pistol has two hammers and one
trigger enabling the user to fire each charge separately. The barrel is a
full octagon, oddly shaped with a stepped down contour with wide flat sides at the breech end half and contoured rounded top with a sighting groove. The left side of the rear portion of the barrel is engraved with a patriotic motif and the right side has scroll engraving around “LINDSAY’S/YOUNG-AMERICAN/MAN’F’D BY/J.P. LINDSAY-MAN’FG CO./NEW-YORK”. The bottom flat is marked “PATENT’D. FEB. 8. 1859/PATENT’D. OCT. 9. 1860”and the serial number just ahead of the frame. The brass frame and back strap are scroll and punch dot engraved. Fitted with smooth two piece walnut grips on a square butt.
CONDITION: Very good plus. The barrel retains 20% of the bright original blue finish mostly in the protected areas. The remaining metal surfaces have a smooth grayish patina. The frame has an attractive aged patina. The grips are very fine with 90% original varnish, some lower edge wear and a few minor dings and dents. The initials T.W have been lightly scratched into the frame on the butt. The engraving remains crisp. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,750