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LOT 1164
Prototype Percussion Gas Seal Revolving Rifle by Roswell F. Cook of West Potsdam, New York -
NSN, 38 cal., 22 7/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut stock. This gas seal
revolving rifle was manufactured by gunsmith Roswell F. Cook (c. 1825-1913) of
West Potsdam, New York sometime between the 1850s to early 1860s, and uses a novel
system of functioning. He is listed in both the 1850 and 1860 census as residing in Potsdam, New
York, as a Canadian born U.S. citizen. Cook is known to
have worked at Hoards Armory in Watertown, New York,
where there were contract rifle-muskets and Freeman
patent revolvers made during the Civil War and was
reportedly later listed in the 1865 census as located in Ilion,
New York and took out a number of patents assigned to Remington
over the next thirty years. The left of the frame of this rifle is marked “R.F. COOK/WEST POTSDAM”, with
some floral scroll pattern and border engraving, and the top of the octagon barrel is marked “CAST STEEL” with
dovetail mounted blade front and “V” notch rear sights, a peep sight mounted on top of the frame, five-shot
cylinder with gas sealing cylinder faces, bore measures at approximately .38 caliber, and a right side mounted lever that
advances the cylinder, pulling it rearward and pushing it back forward for gas sealing at the breech, and sets the hammer in half cock. Fitted with a walnut
forearm and buttstock. The forearm is retained by a spring catch and flips down by hand for loading at the front of the cylinder.
CONDITION: Very good with a smooth plum brown patina, half of the original nickel plated finish on the trigger guard and buttplate, scattered light freckling, a few patches of oxidation, one of the
cylinder faces cracked along the edge, and defined markings. Wood is also very good with some scattered flaking of the outer varnish, scattered dents and scratches, and defined edges. Mechanically
needs work, functions intermittently (functions best when the gun is held sideways). This is the only example of its kind witnessed by this writer!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 1163
Rare Engraved Whittier Nine-Shot Percussion
Revolving Rifle - NSN, 44 cal., 33 inch octagon
bbl., blue/German silver finish, maple stock. The
Whittier revolving rifles manufactured in the late 1830s under patent number 216 of 30 May 1837 are the original zig-zag
cylinder revolvers. The zig-zag grooves were cut on the external surface of the cylinder, and a pin fastened to the internal
hammer rode in these grooves and forced the cylinder to turn when the hammer was cocked. The rear “trigger” revolves and
cocks the internal hammer. Whittier made 6, 9, and 10 shot rifles and 6 shot shotguns in various calibers. All were handmade and
show individual differences, and less than 100 total were produced. They rarely become available. This example is a 9-shot rifle
with shields between each percussion nipple and features a blade front sight in a dovetailed base, dovetailed notch rear sight,
“WHITTIER/PATENT” marked ahead of the rear sight and “PATENT” marked behind the rear sight and again on the long upper
tang, “67” on the muzzle, “7” on various components, German silver furniture, scroll engraving, and a birdseye maple stock.
CONDITION: Very good with dark brown patina and mild oxidation/pitting on the iron, aged patina on the German silver, and
mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has some small cracks and attractive figure. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500