Page 90 - 4092-BOOK1-FLIPBOOK

LOT 73
Extraordinary Factory Panel Scene Exhibition Engraved Francis Bannerman Spencer Patent Model 1890 Slide Action Shotgun - Serial no. 5973, 12
gauge, 30 inch round bbl., brown/
casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured c. 1890-1895 by Francis
Bannerman of New York. By the 1890s, the Bannerman firm
had become known as the world leader in resale of military surplus equipment and firearms
and acquired the failing Spencer Arms Co. in 1890 through a less than peaceful takeover,
quickly moving the production equipment to New York to resume manufacturing. Bannerman’s
would go on to sell this basic shotgun design in a few different variations until around 1904, with
approximately 9,000 of the Model 1890 variation produced in around five years. This specific example is a high grade deluxe
variation of the Model 1890 featuring factory engraving. The receiver shows about 50% coverage, masterfully executed floral scroll engraving with vignettes on both sides, the right being engraved with the Bannerman maker’s mark, and the left side having a buck in a mountain scene (writer believes this to be
the work of Louis D. Nimschke). There are also flourishes of floral scroll on the slide arms and trigger guard. The serial number is marked on the lower tang. The top of the barrel is marked “SPENCER RPTG.SHOT GUN PAT.APL.1882.” The Damascus patterned barrel is fitted with a brass bead sight. The slide handle on this example is the early, multi-point checkered gutta percha style which was utilized from about 1890 to 1895. It is mounted with a deluxe, multi-point checkered pistol grip stock with a serrated hard rubber buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains traces of the original brown finish in sheltered areas, faint Damascus twist patterns on the barrel and magazine tube, and 50% of the original case colors on the receiver with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and the engraving crisp overall. The
wood is also fine with some scattered minor handling marks, a minor chip at the toe of the buttplate, and mostly well-defined checkering. Mechanically excellent. A rare high grade, factory engraved example of the Spencer patent Model 1890 shotgun! Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 74
Rare Factory Patriotic/Game Panel Scene Exhibition Engraved and Gold Inlaid
Remington Rolling Block Shotgun - Serial no. 37, 16 gauge, 31 1/2 inch round bbl.,
brown/casehardened/gold finish, walnut stock. This early production Remington No.
1 Rolling Block sporting shotgun, bearing serial number 37, was factory made and
embellished for exhibition, most likely for the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876.
We have previously cataloged number 11 and 15 which featured similar engraving and
inlays. This attractively shotgun features engraved scrollwork along with scenes with a
pair of dogs on each side of the action with the right depicting them pursuing a rabbit
and the left pursuing a pheasant, a motif based on the Great Seal of the U.S. elaborately
gold inlaid on top of the frame, and a scene with a buck is featured on the trigger guard. The animals and seal are
executed in gold inlay. The Damascus barrel has a bead front sight and “E. REMINGTON & SONS ILION NEW-YORK. U.S.A.” gold-
inlaid on top of the raised rib. A “C” in a circle is marked on top at the junction of the barrel rib and frame (also noted on number
11 and 15). The barrel also has a variety of Liege proofs including a “17.0” marking (17 mm = 16 gauge) and “5” and “54” on the underside, and “37” is marked on front of the frame and back of the forearm. The wedge and inside of the trigger guard are marked “1”. The stock could not be removed to check the tangs for additional numbers. “REMINGTON’S ILION. N.Y. U.S.A./PAT. MAY 3D. NOV.
15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH 1866” is marked on the upper tang, and a small “crown/V” stamp is just behind the hammer. The length of pull is 14 3/8 inches. Cleaning rod absent. After the Civil War era, E. Remington & Sons had outside salesmen in Europe, including Samuel Remington himself, to perform demonstrations to officials in a variety of different countries and promote the adoption of Remington’s Rolling Block Rifles as countries increasingly
shifted towards breech loading rifles. Very few of these high end Remington Rolling Block Shotguns are known today. R.L. Wilson described one of them as
manufactured in Liege for Samuel Remington (1819-1882) as a showpiece and for his personal use while in Europe. He became president of E. Remington & Sons in 1866 and was in Paris for the World’s Fair in 1867 (Exposition Universelle d’Art et d’Industrie de 1867) where the company received a silver medal for firearms and lived mainly in Paris in 1866-1877 while successfully promoting the sales of Remington products abroad. Remington’s promotional efforts paid off, and Remington rolling block rifles in various configurations were used in large quantities across
the globe.
CONDITION: Very good with bright gold inlays, dark brown patina under a
coat of varnish, minor oxidation, and general mild wear. The refinished wood
is also very good with some small flakes and chips at the edges. The ramrod is missing. The mainspring is broken or absent; otherwise, the shotgun functions. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
88