Page 170 - 4094-BOOK1

168
LOT 160
A. Waters U.S. Contract Model
1836 Percussion Conversion Pistol with Experimental Maynard
Automatic Primer - NSN, 54 cal.,
8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright
finish, walnut stock. This pistol
is one a very limited number of
pistols manufactured in the mid-1840s using an early
version of the Maynard automatic tape primer system patented
in 1845. Automatic priming systems were attractive as the U.S.
military was moving fully to the
percussion system from flintlock
arms, but they ultimately proved
less reliable than regular percussion
caps and were phased out at the
beginning of the Civil War. The
only visible markings are “EDWARD
MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845” on the primer door and
the standard U.S. inspection marks, including “JCB” (Joseph C. Bragg)
and “WAT” (William Anderson Thornton) cartouches on the stock, but
the pistol was originally manufactured by Asa Waters in 1839 and has
original markings under the primer components.
CONDITION: Fine. The metal is mostly bright with some scattered small patches of mild pitting. The
stock is very good and has some small dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent with crisp markings,
including the cartouches. Very few of these pistols are found in museums, let alone private collections,
and this example would be difficult to improve upon.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500
LOT 159
Exceptional and Very Scarce U.S. Contract Maynard
Conversion D.S. Nippes Model 1840 Musket with Bayonet
- NSN, 69 cal., 42 inch round bbl., bright finish,
walnut stock. 2,000 of these muskets were
converted by D.S. Nippes of Philadelphia between
1848-1849 using Maynard’s patented tape primer,
according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition,
9A-267). These conversion muskets helped pave
the way in development of the subsequent Maynard
primed Model 1855 rifle-muskets. It has a bayonet stud on the bottom of the barrel,
brass blade front sight on the forward strap of the front barrel band, trumpet head ram
rod, “US/NWP/P” markings at the upper left breech area of the barrel, “1845” dated barrel
tang, “MILL/CREEK/PA/1845” marked vertically in three lines at the tail of the lock, “EDWARD MAYNARD/PATENTEE/1845”
marked on the primer door, and two oval script inspection cartouches stamped on the left stock flat including “JH” (either
Joseph Hannis or John Hawkins) and “WAT” (William A. Thornton), along with two smaller inspection initials. Includes a “U.S.”
marked socket bayonet. The consignor indicated this musket was purchased from J. W. Hullf on October 8, 1973.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains mostly bright iron surfaces, with some areas of old dried preservative grease, a few
patches of very minor surface pitting, and crisp lock and barrel markings. Stock is excellent with attractive raised grain and
rich oil finish, a few light dents and scratches, defined edges and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Bayonet is very fine.
Provenance: The J. W. Hullf Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 158
Documented U.S. Springfield
Model 1816 Type III Flintlock Musket Dated 1839 with
Bayonet - NSN, 69 cal., 42 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Springfield
Type III Model 1816 muskets were manufactured between 1831-1844. The
Model 1816 Musket was the primary infantry long arm during the Mexican-
American War, and many of these muskets were converted to percussion in
the 1850s. They were extensively issued by both the Federal and Confederate
armies during the first few years of the Civil War. Model 1816 Type III muskets
are described on pages 424-426 of George D. Moller’s book “American
Military Shoulder Arms Volume II” with this exact musket photographed
at the top of page 424. “P/eagle head/V” proofs at the left of the breech, “W/O” and “5” at the top of the breech, scrubbed
barrel tang, “SPRING/FIELD/1839” in three vertical lines marked at the tail of the lock and “eagle/U.S.” at the center of the
lock. Circled script “AH” (Asabel Hubbard) cartouche marked on the left stock flat, and circled script “J.A.J.B.” (James Andrew
Jackson Bradford) cartouche marked on top of the stock comb ahead of the buttplate tang indicating the stock is from a contractor assembled musket c.
1832-1835 along with “W” and “11” indicating conversion to percussion at the Watervliet Arsenal c. 1849-1851. The buttplate tang is “US” marked (faint).
George Moller’s “GDM” collection mark is at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet and a black leather sling.
CONDITION: Fine as assembled and reconverted to flintlock configuration (latter per Moller in Jonathan Peck’s study of U.S. lock markings which included this lock) with light pitting and sharp markings in the metal. Stock is
very fine with attractive original raised wood grain, defined edges, some light dents and scratches, small chips, a small crack below the lock, and crisp cartouches. The included bayonet is fine with some patches of light pitting.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
As pictured & described in American
Military Shoulder Arms, Vol. II by Moller
LOT 157
Exceptional Mexican-American War Era U.S.
Simeon North Model 1843 Side Lever Hall
Breech Loading Saddle Ring Percussion
Carbine Dated 1846 - NSN, 52 cal., 21 inch round
bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 10,500 of these Hall Model 1843 side lever carbines were
manufactured by Simeon North between 1844-1853, according to “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 9A-277). The 1st and 2nd U.S. Dragoons
were among the units issued these carbines during the Mexican-American War (April 25, 1846-February 2, 1848), and more than half are believed to have been rifled
for use in the Civil War, making original smoothbore examples like this scarce. Its western heritage certainly adds to its interest. It has a blade front and notch rear sight.
“U.S./S. NORTH/MIDLtn/CONN./1846” marked on top of the breech block, with “JH” (Joseph Hannis) inspection initials marked on the left of the breech. The consignor indicated
this carbine was purchased from J. W. Hullf on October 8, 1973.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as a Mexican-American War era example, retains 85% original brown finish, strong patterns of darkened original case colors concentrated on the protected
areas of the breech block with some scattered freckling and minor pitting on the exposed top surface, most of the original niter blue remaining on the lever assembly, and defined breech block markings. Stock is also fine
with attractive grain, a small filled in circular section visible on top of the wrist, a few scattered dings and light scratches, and distinct edges. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The J. W. Hullf Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500