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LOT 3158
Rare Ottoman Issued Snider-Poilvache Breech Loading Conversion U.S. Springfield Rifle-Musket -
NSN, 577 Snider cal., 36 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/blue finish, walnut stock. Originally a Civil War U.S. contract 1861
muzzleloading percussion rifle-musket, and subsequently sent overseas as surplus in the post-Civil War era and converted for use by the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) in the late 1860s to the Snider-Poilvache
breech loading system for use with .577 Snider type centerfire ammunition, utilizing a barrel assembly from a British Enfield Pattern 1853. The Ottoman “Snider-Poilvache” breech loading rifle-muskets differ from the standard British used Snider-Enfields in that they have a unique improved tip-up latching lever on the left, as designed by Belgian inventor Leonard Poilvache. These Ottoman Sniders are very rarely encountered stateside. The Snider system was originally designed and patented by American inventor Jacob Snider, who died in poverty in 1866 prior to recovering promised compensation from the British government who used his patented breech loading design. The top of the breech block is marked “SNIDER/PATENT” around an “S” in an arrow logo, with Arabic numerals on the underside of the breech block and breech lever, and the lock is marked “1864” at the rear with “U.S./ SPRINGFIELD” at the center. CONDITION: Good, with some scattered light to moderate pitting, freckling, and most of the arsenal blue finish on the rear sight. Stock is also good, with scattered dents and scratches. Absent firing pin, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
1866-1867 utilizing stocks of leftover Civil War era imported Pattern 1853 Enfield type rifle-muskets, in which they were transformed to the Berdan trapdoor breech loading system for use with the
.58 Roberts centerfire metallic cartridge. It is visually similar to the more commonly encountered Allin patent trapdoors made at Springfield Armory during the same time, but is slightly different. The left stock flat is stamped “PATENTED/FEB. 27, 1866” in reference to Hiram Berdan’s U.S. patent number 52,925 which depicts a different but similar jointed block trapdoor design. This is the same Hiram Berdan of Civil War fame with the U.S. Sharpshooter’s regiment; lesser known for his later successes in gun design, where he
profited handsomely. Berdan’s trapdoor design would be adopted by Russia, in which Colt built guns (not conversions) on contract for them, known as the “Type I” Berdan rifles by collectors today, with the subsequent “Type II” Berdan designed bolt action rifles adopted and used as the standard shoulder arm of the Russian military from 1870-1895. “BARNETT/LONDON” marked lock. Conversion serial number “418” stamped on the bottom of the breech block, breech securing piece and inside the cutout breech area. The trapdoor breech block is able to be easily removed from the gun by pressing the tip of a spring that protrudes ahead of the breech securing piece. Another example is pictured on page 476 of “The Book of Colt Firearms” by R.L. Wilson. CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% of the original blue finish on the barrel, strong patterns of muted case colors visible on the breech block, scattered heavy freckling/oxidation, a few patches of light pitting, and smooth brown and gray patina on the balance. Stock is fine with scattered scratches and dents, defined edges and crisp patent marking. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 3160
Fenian Brotherhood Inspected Needham Breech Loading Conversion U.S. Springfield Model 1863 Rifle-Musket with Bayonet - NSN, 58 CF cal., 37 1/2 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Originally a Civil War muzzleloading U.S. Springfield rifle-musket that was one of a reported 5,020 subsequently converted c. 1869 to a breech loader using the Needham side opening system for use with centerfire cartridges, as used by the Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish-American secret society. These rifle-muskets were famously used in the Fenian raids on Canada after the Civil War. “IN” stamped on the left stock flat, indicating ownership by the Fenian Brotherhood. “1862” dated “SPRINGFIELD” marked lock. Includes a “US” marked socket bayonet. CONDITION: Very good, retains patterns of darkened case colors on the breech area, scattered heavy freckling overall, gray and brown patina on the bright surfaces, and some areas of mild pitting. Stock is fine as arsenal refinished, with scattered scratches and dents, and a repaired spliced section on the right ahead of the breech. Mechanically fine. Bayonet is very good. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 3161
Meriden Manufacturing Co. Miller Breech Loading Rimfire Conversion Parkers, Snow & Co. Model 1861 Rifle-Musket -
Serial no. 929, 58 CF cal., 39 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Originally a Civil War U.S. contract 1861 muzzleloading percussion rifle-musket, this is one of approximately 2,000 converted by
the Meriden Manufacturing Co. circa 1865-1867 to the Miller patent breech loading system for use with .58 rimfire ammunition. Designed and patented by William H. and George W. Miller; reference U.S. patent 47,902 dated May 23, 1865. It utilizes a unique hinged breech block that tips upward for loading and releases with a spring-loaded latch, with an arm located on the left of the breech block that trips the spring-loaded extractor. “1864” dated lock with Parkers, Snow & Co. address, the breech block is marked with Miller patent marking and Meriden manufacturer address, and numbered “929” on bottom and on the breech latch. CONDITION: Fine, with scattered mild freckling and smooth gray and brown patina, strong traces of original case colors visible on the breech block, and metal overall. Stock is very fine, with some scattered dents and scratches, a small chip ahead of the trigger guard, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 3159
rce Colt Factory Berdan Breech Loading Trapdoor Conversion of a Barnett Pattern 1853 Enfield Rifle-Musket - Serial no. 418, 58 CF cal., 35 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These conversions were performed by the Colt factory c.
Sca
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500 159
sharp markings and edges in the