Page 200 - 4093-BOOK2

LOT 1195
Exceptional U.S. Civil War Contract Colt Model 1861 Special Percussion Rifle-Musket
- NSN, 58 cal., 40 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Though Colt’s revolvers are more
often associated with the company’s contributions to the Union war effort, the Model 1861
rifles would have been more important on the battlefields. Most of the fighting
during the Civil War was done by infantrymen with muzzleloading rifle-
muskets. Colt manufactured approximately 100,000 of these rifle-muskets
in 1861-1865. Colt’s “Model 1861 Special Muskets” were based largely on the
British Pattern 1853 rifle-muskets and were built with machinery previously
used by Robins & Lawrence to manufacture rifles for the British. The folding leaf rear sight
design used on Colt’s rifles-muskets were adopted for the Springfield Model 1861, and the U.S. Springfield Model 1863 also
adopted other aspects of the design. This high condition example has the standard markings and features and is dated “1863”
on the lock and barrel and crisp “DAP” and “JT” cartouches on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Excellent, nearly as issued, overall with a coat of dried oil/varnish over the otherwise bright metal, nearly all of the
original blue on the rear sight, casehardened replacement hammer, and generally only minor storage related wear on the metal and wood. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,500
LOT 1196
Excellent U.S. Civil
War American Machine Works Smith Breech Loading Percussion
Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 9669, 50 cal., 21 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut stock. Reportedly, 30,362 Smith carbines were purchased by the U.S. Government
throughout the Civil War. Some of these carbines were issued to the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, who
served as part of George Armstrong Custer’s 3rd Division and played a pivotal role in the Battle of
Moorefield in 1864. This Smith carbine was manufactured by American Machine Works in Springfield,
Massachusetts. It utilized a special .50 caliber percussion cartridge which sealed the break
action leading to higher pressure and thus velocity than the bullets fired from muzzle loading weapons. Blade front
and ladder rear sights, with a sling bar and ring mounted on the left of the receiver. Small inspection initials marked on
various components, and oval script “JH” inspection cartouche stamped on the left stock wrist.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, 90% plus original case colors on the frame and
hammer, 75% plus original bright niter blue finish with mottled gray/brown patina on the barrel band, sling bar/ring and
buttplate which has minor pitting near the top, some areas of light surface freckling, with sharp markings and edges in the
metal overall. Wood is very fine with defined edges, some light scratches, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
This exceptional example of an American Machine Works Smith carbine would make a fine addition to any Civil War or U.S. martial collection!
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1197
Exceptional Civil War U.S. Massachusetts Arms Co. Second
Model Maynard Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial
no. 18469, 50 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Maynard carbines were easily among the best cavalry weapons available
during the Civil War. Both sides used them and held them in high regard. Approximately
20,000 second model Maynard carbines were manufactured between 1864-1865. Some
were issued to the 6th, 9th, and 11th Indiana Cavalry as well as the 10th and 11th East Tennessee Union
Cavalry. Pinched blade front sight, three leaf rear sight graduated for 100, 300, and 500 yards, “S” single letter
inspection initial stamped on the left barrel flat at the breech, and two boxed script inspection cartouches
stamped on the left of the stock wrist.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% original blue finish on the barrel, 85% vibrant original case colors,
30% original niter blue finish on the hammer and trigger, with some scattered minor freckling, a few scattered patches of
light pitting, and sharp edges and markings in the metal overall. Stock is very fine with distinct edges, a few minor handling
marks, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional Maynard Second Model carbine would make a fine addition to any
Civil War arms collection!
Provenance: The 50 year Collection of Johnny Walker Birmingham Pistol Wholesale.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
198