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LOT 243
Engraved “DH & GW Gibbs” Percussion Swivel Breech Combination Gun - NSN, 45 cal., 28 1/4 inch
octagon bbl., brown finish, curly maple stock. This rifle is very similar to other examples by Nicholas Hawk (1782-1844)
of Gilbert, Pennsylvania, and Charles Roth (1815-1903) of Wilkes-Barre, but has no visible maker’s markings on the barrel nor the shared
back action lock. The side plate is inscribed “•<DH & GW Gibbs”. Drial H. Gibbs and George W. Gibbs were partners in a gunsmithing business in
Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, until August 1840 when they announced the dissolution of the partnership and stated: “The business will
hereafter be conducted by D.H. Gibbs, who has now on hand a general assortment of fowling pieces from $5, to $85, and all other articles in his line.” There is
another percussion long rifle known with a “D.H. GIBBS” inscription on the sideplate. Gibbs and his family moved west from Honesdale in 1844 first working as a gunsmith in
Springsville, Kentucky, and then settling in Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1846 where he died in 1850. One of the barrels is approximately .50 caliber smoothbore, and the other is .45 caliber and rifled. Both
feature dovetailed blade and notch sights. The lock and brass mounts have scroll and border engraving. The curly maple stock also features a floral engraved silver oval cheekpiece inlay.
CONDITION: Good as partially restored with dark brown patina on the iron, aged patina on the brass, some replacement parts including the patchbox lid, repairs above the lock mortise, a chip on the lower
right corner of the wrist, and mild overall wear, including some vice marks and pitting. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 242
H.E. Dimick St. Louis Half-Stock Percussion Rifle - NSN, 48 cal., 25 7/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish,
walnut stock. Horace E. Dimick was a gunmaker and dealer in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1849 into the early 1870s and ran a
“Western Emporium” where he sold a variety of goods. Dimick furnished 150 rifles of his design and a variety of those made by many
other western gunsmiths to what became 66th Illinois Volunteer Infantry under Col. J.W. Birge during the Civil War. The unit was known as Birge’s Western
Sharpshooters and was composed of men from many states. General Fremont reportedly required all recruits for this unit to “fire a three-shot group, not exceeding three inches, at 200 yards with open
sights.” “H. E. DIMICK/ST. LOUIS” is marked ahead of the period replacement notch rear sight, and the rifle features a dovetailed base for a front sight (blade absent), double set triggers, spurred brass trigger guard, and
smooth stock with pewter cap, nickel-silver wedge escutcheons, and crescent brass buttplate.
CONDITION: Good with dark brown patina, mild oxidation/pitting, added tap with filler screw on the shortened barrel, aged patina on the mounts, some chips and cracks in the stock, and a repaired break in the wrist. Mechanically
needs work.
Provenance: The Gateway Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 241
Ornate German Silver Inlaid “SH” Marked Percussion American Long
Rifle - NSN, 40 cal., 38 3/8 inch octagon bbl., unknown/German silver/brass
finish, curly maple stock. This 19th century long rifle has no identifying markings aside
from “S.H.” marked on the side plate, possibly representing the original owner’s initials. The swamped
octagonal barrel has dovetailed blade and notch sights and wavy line “X” engraving. The lock has faint game
scene engraving. The mounts are primarily engraved brass, and the maple stock also has numerous engraved German
silver inlays.
CONDITION: Very good with gray and brown patina on the lock and barrel, patch of moderate pitting towards the center of the lock,
aged patina on the brass and German silver, and generally fairly minor overall wear. The stock is also very good and has strong finish, some nice
figure, and general mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 240
Highly Ornate Finely Engraved and German Silver Decorated Percussion Swivel Breech Combination Gun
- NSN, 42 gauge, 25 3/4 inch octagon bbl., brown/German silver finish, curly maple stock. This very attractive mid-19th
century combination gun features one .48 caliber (42 bore) smoothbore barrel and
one .45 caliber rifled barrel. Each barrel featured three bands inlaid at the muzzle, dovetailed blade and notch
sights, scroll engraving, and a breech plug with sculpted bolster. The rifled barrel also features a German silver inlay
with an “R” marked on it. The back action lock has scroll engraving and a stylized dolphin hammer. The mounts and most
of the inlays are German silver and feature additional scroll and floral engraving patterns, and there are also a few pearl inlays.
The stock is a beautifully figured piece of curly maple.
CONDITION: Fine with smooth dark brown on the barrels and lock, aged patina on the German silver mounts, some pins and inlays coming
loose, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has attractive figure, a small chip above the lock, some cracked pearl inlays, and mild
wear. The set triggers need work, but the lock functions otherwise.
Provenance: Norm Flayderman Inc.; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500