Page 159 - 4094-BOOK2

157
LOT 1155
Fine U.S. Springfield
Model 1868 Trapdoor
Rifle with Bayonet - Serial
no. 40726, 50 CF cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., bright/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. This model was manufactured around 1868 to 1872 and is one
of the predecessors of the famous .45-70 Springfield trapdoors. It has the standard markings and
features, including one “HSH” cartouche and two sets of “ESA” and “FWS” cartouches on the left flat, “1863” dated lock, and an “1869” dated breech block. “G. Custer” is
hand carved in the left of the forearm. The E.S.A. is for Erskine S. Allin, the inventor of the Springfield trapdoor and master armorer at the armory. George D. Moller’s
“GDM” collection marking is on the toe. Includes a M1855 socket bayonet numbered “136” and a “US” marked black leather sling.
CONDITION: Fine, showing the armory bright finish and traces of the original case colors on the breech and lockplate with the balance of the frame and lock mostly a smooth grey patina, pitting, and mottled brown
on the buttplate. The wood is very fine with some scattered minor dings and scratches and a heavier chip/scratch on the right of the forearm. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The George Moller Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1154
U.S. Springfield Model 1865 First Model Allin Conversion Breech Loading Rifle with
Bayonet - NSN, 58 RF cal., 37 3/4 inch round bbl., bright/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Model 1865 First Type Allin Trapdoor design was invented
by Erskine S. Allin, Master Armorer at Springfield Armory, as a solution to converting the massive surplus of then outdated muzzle loading rifled-muskets
manufactured during the Civil War to a more modern breech loading design. Only 5,000 of these First Model Allins (also known as the Model 1865) were
manufactured by altering existing rifle-muskets to the Trapdoor system in order to allow loading from the breech end with a .58 rimfire metallic cartridge. After only one year of production, Springfield shifted
to manufacturing the simpler .50-70 centerfire Model 1866 rifles, making any surviving First Models rare and desirable. This example features an “1865” dated lock and “US” marked buttplate. Includes a US socket
bayonet.
CONDITION: Very good, scattered light brown surface patina overall, darkened traces of oil-quenched casehardened finish on the breechblock and hammer, and strong patterns of muted case colors visible on the lock with sharp
markings. Stock is very good with some handling marks and dents. One of the two extractor screws and the firing pin are absent; otherwise, mechanically fine. The bayonet is very good with brown patina and some light pitting.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1153
Very Fine Winchester-
Hotchkiss Model 1883 Bolt Action Musket with Bayonet - Serial no. 81499, 45-70
cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a Third Model
Winchester-Hotchkiss musket that was manufactured in 1895. The barrel has a block
mounted blade front sight that doubles as the lug for the included socket bayonet and a folding ladder rear sight. There are no visible
government inspection or acceptance marks, but the buttplate tang is numbered “237.” This is likely a rack number and suggests the rifle was
owned and used by a state or local National Guard/militia unit or police department. The bolt also has a turned down handle which is a modification
that has been noted on rifles purchased by the State of California in 1915. Some of the rifles in that order were originally manufactured in the mid-1890s. This example lacks the bayonet
rail seen on the California muskets, but it may have been purchased by another state.
CONDITION: Very fine with 90% original blue finish remaining on the barrel and 80% plus slightly darkened original case colors remaining on the action. The wood is excellent showing some minor
pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet remains bright overall.
Provenance: The Peter & Patty Murray Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1152
Very Fine Indian Wars Era U.S. Inspected
Spencer-Burnside Contract Model 1865 Repeating Saddle Ring
Carbine - Serial no. 3682, 50 Spencer cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Spencer Model 1865 carbines were serial numbered
in the approximate range 1-23000 and manufactured circa 1865-1866. The top of the
receiver has the four-line address/patent date and Burnside Rifle Co. marking along with “MODEL/1865”. The left of the stock has
two crisp boxed script inspection cartouches. It has a ladder rear sight graduated to 900 yards, and saddle ring
mounted on the left of the stock. Many of these late Spencer carbines were used during Reconstruction and in the
Indian Wars before the Springfield Trapdoors were widely issued, with plenty of others seeing use out West well into the
end of the 19th century.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% plus original blue finish on the barrel, 70% plus vivid original case colors remain on the frame and components
with some scattered light to moderate areas of freckling, light spotting and light pitting, with distinct markings and edges in the metal. Wood is
also very fine with defined edges, scattered dents and scratches, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000