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LOT 3299 Finely Engraved B. Bigelow California Percussion Target Rifle with False Muzzle - NSN, 42 cal., 30 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This rifle is equipped with a false muzzle, adjustable globe front sight, long
range rear peep sight, adjustable double set triggers, engraved back action lock and furniture including a spurred trigger guard. The barrel is marked “B. BIGELOW. MARYSVILLE. CAL.” on the upper left and right flats along with “W. A. SUTFIN” below the maker’s mark on the upper right. Benjamin Bigelow of 95 D Street, Marysville, California, listed himself in 1871 as “Having been engaged 12 years as a practical gun maker, in the celebrated Rifle Manufactory of Wm. Billinghurst, at Rochester, New York, and having obtained a duplicate of the Rifle machinery used by Mr. Billinghurst in his shop...” and indicated that among his products were target rifles and Billinghurst repeating rifles. Willis Arthur Sutfin (1859-1937) was a mechanical engineer and noted marksman that lived near Marysville. He won the state championship in 1895 as a member of C Company of the 8th Regiment of the California National Guard using a Springfield Trapdoor. In the 1930s, he was still active and bested the Marysville National Guard Company using his trusted Springfield Trapdoor. This rifle was previously sold by N. Flayderman & Co., Inc. (catalog pages included). CONDITION: Fine with fading original blue finish mixed with smooth brown patina along the barrel, strong original case colors on the breech plug, dark brown patina on the balance, and general mild overall wear including some light oxidation. The stock is also fine and has some mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. Provenance: Willis A. Sutfin; N. Flayderman & Co., Inc.; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,500 - 4,750
LOT 3300
Lewis Devendorf New York Half-Stock Percussion Target Rifle with Scope, False Muzzle, and Starter - NSN, 48 cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This mid-19th century New York target rifle was built by gunmaker Lewis Devendorf of Cedarville. The barrel is cut and drilled for the included false muzzle and starter and is fitted with an “G.H. FERRISS./UTICA/N.Y.” marked scope. The top flat has “L. DEVENDORF/CEDARVILLE/PATENT”. The lock has a hunting scene on the tail and scroll patterns. The forend cap is pewter. The rifle is equipped with a single set trigger and brass furniture that includes a spurred trigger guard, small side plate/lock bolt inlay, crescent buttplate, and toe plate. Research information about Lewis Devendorf (1809-1887) and George H. Ferris by Holman Swinney accompany the rifle. Ferriss apprenticed with “telescope rifle” maker Morgan James. CONDITION: Very good with mottled light brown patina on the barrel and scope, gray and brown patina on the lock, some mild pitting, age patina on the furniture, and mild overall wear. The re-oiled stock is very good and has minor marks and scratches. The optics could use some cleaning but are otherwise good. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500 LOT 3301 Exceptional Documented Cased American Boy’s/Lady’s Percussion Rifle by G. H. Ferriss of Utica, New York with Flayderman Letter - NSN, 36 cal., 15 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. George H. Ferriss was a gunmaker in Utica, New York, in the mid to late 19th century and worked at times with Morgan James. The installed barrel is 15 3/4 inches long and is turned round for the front 2 inches and is noted as .38 caliber and is equipped with a globe front sight and dovetailed U-notch rear sight and marked “G.H. FERRISS/ UTICA/NY”. The second barrel measures 26 inches from muzzle to the breech plug, has a short round section at the muzzle, and is noted as .36 caliber. It is equipped with a dovetailed blade front sight and an adjustable sporting rear sight and has the same marking along with a partially visible barrel maker’s mark (likely Remington) that includes “CAST-STEEL”. The back action lock and furniture are casehardened. A peep sight is fitted to the upper tang. The included 1994 dated letter from Norm Flayderman describes the set, and he notes “The interior of the case is quite remarkable; likely among the finest examples of American casing. The entire bottom, as well as the top, are each fully recessed lined to the exact contours of the rifle and the various accessories.”The accessories included a brass bullet starter, iron .315 marked bullet mold, large powder flask, all powder flask, Hawksley powder measure, pin punch, wood container with a spare nipple and balls (container smaller than the compartment), U.M.C. Co. “UNITED STATES ARMY CAPS” tin, “38” marked punch, oiler, mallet, screwdriver, nipple wrenches, “lollipop” tang sight, German silver blade front sight, and rods (antique but not the originals). CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 80% original brown finish mixed with patina on the barrels, 75% plus original case colors, some flash pitting at the nipple, and generally light age and storage related wear. The stock is very fine and has minor edge wear, light scratches and dings, and the vast majority of the original varnish. Mechanically fine. The case is fine with moderate age related deterioration. The accessories are mostly very good with light age and storage related wear. Provenance: N. Flayderman & Co., Inc.; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500