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LOT 468
Cased Melbourne Retailer James
W. Rosier Marked Tranter .577 Double
Action “Manstopper” Revolver -
Serial no. 14985, 577 cal., 3 7/8 inch
octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured c. 1854-80. This impressive
revolver represents the pinnacle of Victorian
large caliber revolvers. Such enormous
“manstopper” revolvers are rare and were
destined for far flung corners of the British Empire
such as this example, which made it to Australia.
The top strap is signed by a well-known Australian retailer: “JAMES W. ROSIER
MELBOURNE.” The revolver has British proofs on the right side of the frame, upper
left barrel flat, and each cylinder chamber. The octagon barrel has a half moon blade
front sight, and there is a “V” notched rear sight at the rear of the frame. The front of
the frame is marked with small “JR”, serial number, and “60.” The cylinder has a detachable
cartridge retaining shield and loading is facilitated by removing the cylinder from the frame,
the shield locking the cartridges into the chambers. The shield locking the cartridges, cylinder pin,
trigger, and hammer are bright, and the remaining surfaces have a high polish blue finish. The walnut grip is
checkered and is fitted with a buttcap with a lanyard ring. The period partitioned oak case contains an oiler,
screwdriver, and brass cleaning rod. The brass inscription lid plaque has the name “Thomas J. Laroche.”
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 97% plus of the period refinished high polish blue finish. The grips are excellent
with overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is fine with handing/storage marks.
Estimate: 8,500 - 14,000
LOT 469
Desirable Mauser Model 1878 “Zig-Zag”
Single Action Revolver - Serial no. 247, 10.6 mm cal., 5 1/2 inch
solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips. Developed in 1878, the Zig-
Zag revolver was the first handgun designed and developed by Paul Mauser and
his firm, while still operating in partnership with Wilhelm Mauser as the Mauser Brothers (prior to 1884). A competitor
to be the first centerfire cartridge-fed handgun adopted by the German military, the 1878 scored high marks in overall
performance, though concerns about the complexity of the design led them to choose the 1879 Reichsrevolver instead.
A number are believed to have seen service as privately purchased military sidearms, though. At the heart of the mechanism
is the combination of an angular track (the titular ‘Zig-Zag’) machined into the side of the cylinder and a toothed reciprocating bar
linked to the hammer, which serves to both advance and lock the cylinder, in contrast to the more commonly seen pawl/sprocket and
stop arrangement. Additionally, the spring responsible for resetting the cocking bar also powers the hammer, replacing the grip frame mounted leaf
spring commonly seen in that era. For loading, the barrel assembly is hinged at the rear of the top strap, automatically pushing the hammer back to the safety
notch when opened, with the closure latch doubling as the lever for a star-pattern extractor assembly. Sights are fixed, with “GEBR. MAUSER & Cie OBERNDORF a/N. WURTTEMBERG.1878.PATENT.” on top of
the barrel rib, “crown/crown/U” on the left side of the barrel shroud, and matching partial serial number “47” on multiple components. With a pair of finely decorated hard rubber grip panels with foliate scroll
border around checkered panels.
CONDITION: Fine, with 60% plus original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, scattered spotting and handling marks, edge wear, and some takedown lines on the left side of the frame. Bright
case colors are present on the hammer, with the break lever turning silver, and the cylinder, safety, and other small parts showing 60% of the original niter blue. Grips are also fine, with some overhang at the
bottom of both panels, warping of the right panel near the top, and chipping at the corners. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 7,500