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LOT 59
Documented J.P. Lower Retailer Marked and
Shipped Colt “Sheriff’s” Model 1878 Ejectorless
Double Action Revolver with Holster Rig and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 7454, 45 Long Colt cal., 4 inch round bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured in 1881, this Colt Model 1878 revolver is marked by the famous
Denver, Colorado, retailer J.P. Lower and factory documented as shipped
to them. The included factory letter confirms the current configuration as well as
shipment to Lower on 21 December 1881 in a six gun shipment. Lower was likely the
largest Colt, Sharps, and Winchester retailer west of the Mississippi in the mid to late
1800s and is also credited with ordering the first Colt Model 1878 with 4 inch barrels
without ejectors. The top of the barrel on this example is marked with the standard two-
line address. The left of the frame has the two-line J.P. Lower Denver, Colorado, marking,
and “45 CAL” is on the left of the trigger guard. The full serial number is on the butt and
matching last three digits are on the rear face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a blade front
sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of
checkered hard rubber grips with Rampant
Colts at the tops. Includes a leather holster with
extensive floral tooling and a leather cartridge
belt with a few .45 Long Colt cartridges.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the original
nickel finish with the balance having flaked to show a smooth grey patina,
primarily in the form of holster/handling wear. The grips are very fine with
a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically
excellent. The holster and belt are very good with moderate wear and age
related cracking. A western retailer marked Colt Model 1878 with the look
of a frontier survivor!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 61
Desirable United States Deputy Marshal Badge - Likely made in
the late 19th century, this desirable, circular, five-pointed star law
enforcement badge is marked “UNITED STATES DEPUTY MARSHAL”
around the outer edge and has a smaller five-pointed star stamped
at the bottom. Formed in 1789, the U.S. Marshals Service played a
pivotal roll in enforcement of the law during the settlement of the
American West in the late 19th century. Marshals were often the only
form of the law enforcement in frontier areas that had no organized
government. This badge is similar in style to other examples of the late
19th century and the consignor notes that it is similar to no. 184 in “Badges of
the United States Marshals” by Sherrard and Stumpf.
CONDITION: Very fine, the German silver is mostly bright and attractively aged with some scattered
light handling marks. The retention clasp for the pin on the back side is absent. A very attractive U.S.
Marshal badge that would enhance a frontier collection!
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 60
Two Pairs of Desirable Antique Handcuffs,
One by Tower and One by Froggatt - 1) Froggatt
handcuffs c. mid-late 19th century, “HARD” and
“52” marked on both wrist rings, “52” also marked
on included screw-type key. 2) Tower’s patent
handcuffs c. late 1800s, Tower’s patent marking and
dates on one shackle, includes correct key.
CONDITION: Both are fine showing the typical
patina and mild wear for their age.
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 500 - 750
LOT 58
Antique
Browning
Bros. Retailer Marked Winchester Model 1886 Lever Action Rifle - Serial no.
19656, 40-82 WCF cal., 26 inch octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1888, with this example having the desirable
“BROWNING BROS, OGDEN U.T” retailer marking on the top barrel flat. There are only 299 serial numbers between this rifle and LOT 1078, which is also
Browning Bros. marked, making it very possible they were in the same shipment. The Model 1886 was the first lever action repeating rifle designed by the
legendary John Moses Browning for Winchester and marked the beginning of a long and successful relationship between the two firearms icons. Browning
designed many of Winchester’s most famous models until 1902, making both incredibly wealthy, when a disagreement over royalties created a rift between the two. As a
Browning Brothers marked rifle, it is without a doubt that this Model 1886 made it to the western frontier. The rifle is fitted with a dovetail blade front sight and an elevation adjustable rear sight on
a barrel marked with the two-line Winchester address followed by the aforementioned Browning retailer marking ahead of the rear sight and “40-82 WCF” at the breech. The model marking is on the upper
tang, and the serial number is on the lower tang. It is mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good, showing typical western shipped working gun character, retaining 40% original blue finish, traces of original
case colors in the protected areas, and traces of original nitre blue on the loading gate. The wood is very fine with minor dings and
scratches. Mechanically functions fine, although hangs up intermittently.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 57
Documented Sharps Borchardt Model 1878 Rifle with George Schoyen Denver Barrel in .38-55 W.C.F. and
Factory Letter - Serial no. 16419, 38-55 WCF cal., 30 inch round bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1879, the included
factory letter lists this rifle being invoiced as a Model 1878 Military Rifle and shipped to Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in New York on 22 January 1879,
in a shipment of 1,000 military rifles. The factory letter theorizes that these rifles were destined for the Michigan State National Guard. Also included are
some notes from the consignor attributing the rifle to C.A. Ranney, a banker from Craig, Colorado. This exact rifle is pictured on page 355 of the book “Sharps
Firearms: Model 1878 ‘Borchardt Patent’ Rifles and other Sharps Models, Volume IV” by Roy Marcot. The rifle was subsequently fitted with a custom barrel marked
“GEO. C. SCHOYEN DENVER”, who likely also replaced the forearm and stock, indicating that this rifle likely spent most of its working life on the American frontier.
These rifles would have been highly prized in the West for their accuracy and dependability. The left side of the receiver is marked with the standard three-line
Borchardt patent and Sharps address. The serial number is marked on the bottom of the action just in front of the trigger. The barrel is fitted with a gold plated
combination front sight, no provisions for a rear sight on the barrel, and a mid-range peep sight mounted on the upper tang. It is fitted with a checkered Schnabel
tip forearm and pistol grip stock with a horn grip cap and checkered hard rubber shotgun buttplate.
CONDITION: Very good as period George Schoyen modified and re-barreled, retaining traces of the brown finish on the barrel and faint case color patterns with
some scattered patches of light pitting. The period replaced wood is good with some re-glued cracks visible in the wrist, moderate wear, and some scattered
minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
AS PICTURED & DESCRIBED IN THE
BOOK SHARPS VOL. IV BY MARCOT
79