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LOT 56
Antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe
Model 1885 High Wall Single Shot Rifle - Serial no. 62501, 32-40 cal., 30 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish,
deluxe checkered walnut stock. Manufactured in 1893, as a special order deluxe Winchester Model 1885 High Wall rifle. The top flat of the no. 3 weight barrel is
marked with the two-line address and the caliber marking at the breech. The barrel is fitted with a Windgauge adjustable front sight and no rear sight provisions.
The casehardened receiver has a folding Vernier tang sight and a single set trigger. The serial number is on the lower tang. It is mounted with a very finely figured,
H-pattern checkered forearm and pistol grip stock with a cheek piece and nickel plated Schuetzen buttplate. The left side of the lower tang is marked “1239 XXX SBC.” The
assembly number “1239” is repeated on the stock inlet and buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good. The barrel retains 40% faded original blue finish with a smooth brown patina on the balance. The receiver has faded to an attractive silver gray with
patterns of original case colors remaining. 90% original nickel plating remains on the buttplate. The wood is fine with some minor dings and scratches and some softened
checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 54
Exceptional Antique Winchester Model 1885 High Wall Musket with
Casehardened Frame in .45-70 - Serial no. 66173, 45-70 Government cal., 32 1/8
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This incredible Winchester
was manufactured in 1894 in the military musket pattern. Per Madis in “The
Winchester Book,” only an estimated 1 of each 230 Model 1885 produced before
serial number 90,000 was a musket. It features a pinned blade front sight, the rear
“Military Wind Gauge Sight” similar to the rear sights on Springfield Trapdoors,
“MANUFACTURED BY THE/-WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. NEW HAVEN. CONN.
U.S.A.-” marked on top ahead of the rear sight, “45-70” marked on top at the breech
end, a blued forend cap and two blued barrel bands, a casehardened high wall frame with plain trigger
followed by the patent marking and serial number on the lower tang, smooth musket length forearm and straight
grip stock, sling swivels on the upper barrel band and butt, and a casehardened military style buttplate.
CONDITION: Excellent with 95% plus original blue finish, 85% plus vivid original case colors, and generally minor overall
wear, including slight handling and storage marks. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Felix Bedlan Collection.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,500
LOT 55
Scarce Factory Panel Scene Engraved
Marlin Ballard No. 6 1/2 Rigby Off-Hand
Mid-Range Single Shot Rifle with Pope Rifled
Barrel and Pope Tang Peep Sight - Serial no. 25854, 32
cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured from 1880 to 1882, these No. 6 1/2 Rigby rifles were
one of the top of the line, most refined target rifles offered by
Marlin before the turn of the century. These rifles were not only highly tuned, accurate
target rifles, but also extensively embellished works of firearms art. This example is no
exception, with engraved panel scenes on the left and right of the receiver featuring running
deer, surrounded by floral scroll and decorative borders. The engraving extends to the distinctive
“Rigby” barrel ribs on the top and sides of the barrel, which are a signature of this variation. The
top rib is engraved with a double ended arrow and “BALLARD” in a banner and there is a ring of
fine floral engraving at the muzzle. Not only is this rifle highly embellished, but it is marked on top
“RIFLED BY H.M. POPE”, who was arguably the finest target rifle barrel maker of the period. The bottom of
the barrel is marked “19152”, “672”, and “25/141”. The barrel is fitted with a windgauge globe front sight, no provision for a rear
sight, and a Pope windgauge elevation peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is mounted with a finely figured, checkered
forearm with a horn Schnabel tip and a checkered pistol grip stock with a prominent cheek piece and a nickeled Swiss buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine as upgraded by Pope, retains 70% of the blue finish and some faint case color patterns in sheltered areas with the
balance mostly a smooth grey patina and the engraving crisp overall. The wood is very
good with the forearm re-varnished, a few hairline cracks near the buttplate, some
scattered minor handling marks, and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
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