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LOT 90
Documented
Walter Cooper
Bozeman,
Montana Territory Retailer Marked Sharps Sporting Conversion Buffalo Rifle in .40-90
Sharps Necked with Accessories - Serial no. C,33066, 40-90 Sharps cal., 30 1/4 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This heavy barrel Sharps rifle shows all the spirit of the American West and many of the features normally associated with the “buffalo
rifles” used by the commercial hunters of the period. These rifles were highly valued on the frontier for their reliability and long range accuracy. The frame was
originally manufactured during the Civil War as a military pattern New Model 1863 carbine, and in the post-war timeframe it was converted into a heavy barrel
buffalo rifle with a replacement heavy octagon barrel chambered in .40-90 Sharps necked (2 5/8 inch case), with retailer marking “WALTER COOPER/BOZEMAN,M.T.” on top ahead of the rear
sight. This rifle would have likely been used for hunting or defense purposes on the western plains, and the .40-90 Sharps necked cartridge provides plenty of stopping power. Walter Cooper, located
in Bozeman, Montana Territory, was at one time the biggest Sharps dealer in Montana and ended up in some financial distress with the company. The bottom of the barrel is marked “DAVENPORT. ARMS CO”
along with “W.C.D.” and an eagle motif. Information provided in a Sharps factory letter witnessed with a previous Sharps rifle sold by Rock Island Auction Company (Auction 66, Lot 1106) states, “There is no evidence
in the records of my possession that Davenport Arms ever sold barrels to the Sharps Rifle Company. There is, however, ample evidence of Sharps disposing of machinery, tools, parts and raw materials in
the year or so following the cessation of production in October 1880. J.W. Coffin, Treasurer of Davenport Arms Co. bought barrels and/or barrel steel in July 1881 as evidenced by the copies of two letters
enclosed herewith. It must be assumed that these barrels were stamped with the Davenport name and sold to the gun trade, including (or perhaps exclusively?) to Walter Cooper.” and the letter further
states that the W.C.D. may stand for Walter Cooper Davenport. This exact rifle is pictured on page 324 of the book “Sharps Firearms: Model 1874, 1875 & 1877 Target Rifles and Model Variations, Volume
III” by Roy Marcot. Features a German silver blade front sight mounted in a dovetailed base, modified Lawrence patent ladder rear sight, double set triggers, Sharps 1848 patent marking on the left of the
frame, serial number “C,33066” marked on the upper receiver tang, and walnut forearm and shotgun style buttstock with no provisions for a buttplate. Includes a modern metal box containing a period
Ideal Mfg. Co. New Haven, CT reloading tool marked “40 90 BOT”, some .40-90 shell casings and a few lead rounds.
CONDITION: Very good as period retailer re-barreled/converted/upgraded, with a fresh appearance showing signs of light frontier use, retains 60% original dull blue finish on the barrel with smooth
brown patina on the balance and a sharp retailer marking, strong traces of refurbished case colors visible on the protected areas of the lock and hammer with the remainder of
the casehardened surfaces showing smooth silvery gray and brown patina, with charming scattered surface freckling. Wood is fine, with some scattered light dents and scratches,
and defined edges. Mechanically fine. This Walter Cooper retailer marked .40-90 Sharps buffalo rifle is a desirable item for the western arms collector!
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
LOT 92
Scarce Documented
Colt Model 1871-1872 Open Top
Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial
no. 2296, 44 RF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. This revolver is one of approximately only 7,000 manufactured
circa 1872-1873. The included factory letter confirms this revolver as
.44 RF caliber with a 7 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, iron back strap and
trigger guard, and grip not listed when originally shipped to Spies
Kissam & Company of New York City on April 1, 1873 in a 50 gun
shipment. The Model 1871-1872 Open Top was a direct predecessor
of the hugely successful Colt Single Action Army Revolver, and these
were some of the first Colt cartridge revolvers available in the West.
These revolvers often saw hard use on the western frontier, remaining in use as working guns
well into the period of dominance of the Single Action Army. The top of the barrel is marked
“-ADDRESS COL. SAML COLT NEW-YORK U.S. AMERICA-”. The left side of the frame is marked with
the two-line 1871 and 1872 patent markings, and the cylinder is roll engraved with the Naval
Battle of Campeche scene and “COLTS PATENT No 296”. The matching serial number “2296” is
marked on the barrel, frame, trigger guard, and back strap, with matching assembly number
“1510” on the cylinder pin and loading gate, and an unnumbered replacement wedge.
CONDITION: Very good, retains strong traces of original blue finish concentrated around some
of the edges of the trigger guard and rear grip strap. Grip is also very good as re-oiled, slightly
undersized, with light wear and a few small dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 93
Attractive and
Desirable Set of
Buffalo Skinning
Knives with Buffalo
Hide Wrapped Knife
Block/Carrier - Likely
manufactured in
the mid to late 19th
century, this is a very
attractive set of buffalo skinning knives that have the look of being assembled and used
on the frontier of the American West. Sets such as these would have been carried in the
camps of the plethora of commercial hunters of the period for processing the thousands
of buffalo which were being killed for their desirable hides. The set includes nine knives
of various sizes, shapes, and uses, six of which have maker’s marks, mostly from Sheffield,
England. Also included is a sharpening steel and a pair of tongs. All of the tools have
hardwood handles apart from the tongs which are entirely iron. The set is contained within
a hardwood knife block with slots cut for the knives in the top and wrapped in buffalo hide
with a leather carrying handle.
CONDITION: Fine, the items show an attractively aged patina overall with the knives showing
moderate wear as would be expected on frontier used items. Some of the blades show some scattered
light pitting/spotting and some have some significant evidence of sharpening. The block/carrier is also fine with mild wear
overall. This would be a fantastic set to pair with a buffalo rifle for display!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 91
E. Remington & Sons Heavy Barrel No. 1 Rolling Block Single Shot Sporting
Rifle in Desirable .50-70 Government - Serial no. 3399, 50-70 cal., 32 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. This is one of around 12,000 of Remington’s No. 1 sporting rifles manufactured in 1868-1888 in a wide
variety of configurations. This particular example is in the desirable heavy octagon barrel configuration and chambered in
.50-70 Centerfire. The standard three-line Remingtons address and patent dates are marked on the upper tang. The caliber marking
“50 CTGE” is marked on the bottom of the barrel in front on the forearm. The matching serial number is on the lower tang, bottom of the barrel, front and
rear faces of the buttstock and forearm, and inside the buttplate. “27151” is marked on the upper and lower tang. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight
and elevation adjustable notch rear sight (elevator absent). It is mounted with a smooth, iron Schnabel tipped forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly grey patina with some patches of brown and some scattered patches of light and mild pitting. The wood is also very good with a few hairline cracks and scattered minor dings
and scratches. Mechanically excellent. This rifle has “Old West” buffalo hunting written all over it!
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
AS PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN THE
BOOK SHARPS VOL. III BY MARCOT
115