Page 188 - 4093-BOOK1

LOT 175
Scarce North & Savage Percussion Revolving Rifle - NSN,
44 cal., 24 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Although
often referred to as the North & Skinner revolving rifle based on the patent for
the design, these rifles were actually manufactured by North & Savage of Middletown,
Connecticut, around 1856 to 1859. It is estimated that only a total of 600-700 were manufactured. It has a rounded blade
front sight, ring pattern at the transition from round to octagon, “NORTH & SAVAGE MIDDLETOWN. CONN.” on top of the barrel with “PATENTED JUNE
1 1852” on the upper left barrel flat, “CAST-STEEL” on the upper right barrel flat, flat loading lever, the distinctive action that partially covers the cylinder, under-lever that
rotates the cylinder and cocks the hammer, number “178” on the bottom of the barrel, and a smooth stock with a brass patch box on the left side and an iron buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good with smooth mottled brown and gray patina, some scattered areas of light freckling, and defined markings and edges in the iron. Stock is fine as re-varnished, with some light
scratches, some cracking of the outer varnish finish at the right of the lower
tang and at the toe, and defined edges. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 174
Very Scarce Nichols & Childs Patent Percussion Revolving Rifle - NSN, 43 cal., 29 3/8 inch part
octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. This is a very scarce example of a percussion revolving rifle,
of the type invented by Rufus Nichols and Edward Childs of Conway, Massachusetts. It is estimated that only
100-150 of these rifles were manufactured. Nichols and Childs were issued U.S. patent number 20 dated April 24,
1838, for a firearm. The cylinder is rotated by an external ratchet linked to the hammer. A lever on the left side of the
frame locks the cylinder forward to create a gas seal with the breech end of the barrel. This rifle is a five-shot version.
“12” is marked on the top breech area of the barrel along with a “2”, what appears to be a faintly legible “12” is
repeated top strap, and “1” on the left side plate. It has a German silver blade
front sight, sporting style rear sight (absent elevator mechanism), two-stage barrel, and a nicely figured walnut stock with a German silver patchbox
and some furniture, with brass fittings at the forend, as well as an accent on the cheekpiece and a standing buck at the left of the butt.
CONDITION: Good with mostly brown patina on the iron, some blue finish visible on the hammer, scattered patches of light oxidation, attractive bright
patina on the fittings, and general mild wear. Stock is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with attractive figure, various cracks visible, and scattered dings and
scratches. Requires manual assistance intermittently, otherwise mechanically functions. These Nichols & Childs revolving rifles rarely surface for public sale!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 173
Rare Silver Plated Deluxe Engraved Springfield Arms Co.
Open Frame Warner Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no.
33, 40 cal., 22 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/silver/blue/casehardened finish, highly
figured walnut stock. Only a small number of these revolving rifles were reportedly manufactured
between 1840 to the early 1850s based on similar designs as the Springfield Arms Co.’s revolving
handguns. This particular example is the automatically revolving version with a brass top strap/breech frame. Fewer than 25 of
this variation are estimated to have been manufactured, and this is certainly one of the finest examples. Like the Warner revolvers, production
was limited thanks to Samuel Colt receiving an extension of his revolver patent. It has a browned octagon barrel with a dovetail mounted blade front sight, a
notch rear sight on the top strap, and a casehardened loading lever. The blued cylinder has etched scroll and classical martial patterns and is the same as the Wesson & Leavitt revolver
designs. Silver plated top strap with “SPRINGFIELD ARMS CO.” marked on top in a border, with scroll and border pattern engraving, and marked with number “20” on the underside. The silver
plated action has a detachable side lock, with floral scroll and border pattern engraving, and the number “33” is marked on the inside of the lock and on the frame under the lock. The stock has
a silver plated patchbox engraved with an upside down rabbit scene and border pattern engraving and a crescent buttplate with floral scroll and border pattern engraving.
CONDITION: Very good plus, with traces of original brown finish on the barrel, 60% of the original silver plating remaining on the frame and components with scattered flaking and some areas with
a tarnished appearance, smooth gray and brown patina on the balance of the exposed iron, scattered patches of light oxidation/pitting, and defined engraving. Stock is very good as sanded and revarnished, with a spliced
replacement section visible on the right of the wrist, some scattered light dents and scratches, and some areas of discoloration. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
186