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LOT 1188
Impressive William Webster Bowie Knife with Sheath - This Bowie knife from William Webster’s Sycamore Works in Sheffield,
England, c. 1846-1866 features a 9 1/8 inch long clip point blade with “WILLIAM WEBSTER/SYCAMORE WORKS”
on the left ricasso. The cross guard and pommel are German silver, the latter with grapes and grapevine motifs,
and the knife has a stag grip. It comes with a fitted Moroccan leather sheath with embossed scrollwork and
German silver fittings. The consignor indicated this knife came out of Robert Berryman’s or Charles Schreiner III’s
collection c. 1992.
CONDITION: Fine with mostly bright blade with patches of light pitting and staining, minor nicks at the
edge, some flaked varnish on the grip, slightly bent crossguard, attractively aged patina on the silver
mounts for the knife and scabbard, and mild wear. Overall, a very attractive Webster Bowie.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1185
Very Scarce Factory
Engraved Springfield Arms Co.
Warner Patent Percussion Belt
Revolver with Acid Etched Cylinder - Serial no.
114, 31 cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/
silver finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1851, with
only about 100 of these Warner Patent Springfield Belt Model
revolvers produced, they are extremely rare on the collectors market in any
condition. This example was manufactured without a loading lever and in
the single trigger configuration. Both sides of the frame on this piece are
engraved with patriotic motifs featuring stands of arms and flags, as well as a
shield with stars and stripes on the left. The cylinder is factory acid etched with floral and martial
motifs. The top strap is marked “SPRINGFIELD ARMS CO.” and the right side of the frame is marked
“WARNER’S PATENT/JAN 1851” in banners amongst the engraving. The matching serial number
“114” is marked on the plate under the grips and stamped into the left grip panel. The assembly
number “23” is visible on various components. It is fitted with a German silver cone front sight and a
pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very good, showing mostly a grey patina overall with strong traces of the original
silver on the back strap, a few scattered patches of light pitting/oxidation, and crisp engraving and
acid etching. The grips are also very good with some minor chips, a crack (right panel), and dings.
Mechanically fine with one absent nipple.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1187
Factory Engraved Mass.
Arms Co. Maynard
Primed Belt Revolver
with Factory Acid
Etched Hand Revolved
Cylinder - Serial no. 291, 31 cal., 4 inch round bbl.,
blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. One of
approximately 1,000 manufactured c. 1851-1857, these “Belt
revolvers” were the altered version of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon
revolvers. A court ruling in favor of Samuel Colt in 1851 prevented Mass.
Arms Co. from making the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers. The company was
forced to find a work around to making revolvers without infringing on Colt’s patents, with their solution
being to make revolvers with hand turned cylinders. In an effort to make these more primitive firearms
more desirable, they fitted them with Maynard’s “advanced” tape priming system, but they remained fairly
unpopular, keeping production numbers low. This example shows beautiful factory embellishment, including
flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and hammer. The cylinder has acid etched floral and martial
motifs, and there is an American eagle and shield on the primer door. It is fitted with a small button ahead of the trigger which
releases the cylinder for manual rotation. The standard Mass. Arms. Co. address is on the top strap and the Maynard’s patent
markings on the primer door. The serial number “291” is on the front face of the frame. It is fitted with a
pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 50% plus of the original blue finish, 30% of the original case colors, and 60% of the original silver
finish with the balance having thinned to a grey or brown patina and some scattered patches of light pitting. The grips are also
fine with some minor dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1184
Scarce
and Desirable
Massachusetts Arms
Company Wesson & Leavitt
Patent Dragoon Percussion Revolver - NSN,
40 cal., 7 1/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured c. 1850-1851, this is one of approximately
770 standard production Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers made by the
Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. This example
does not have a loading lever, which was standard. The top strap is marked
with the two-line Chicopee Falls address. The lock plate is marked “WESSON’S & LEAVITT’S PATENT”,
the bevel gear has the 1849 Wesson patent date, and the rear cylinder face has the Leavitt 1837
patent date. The serial number is stamped on the front face of the recoil shield. The Wesson &
Leavitt Dragoon revolver was a well made revolver that was one of Colt’s first competitors. Samuel
Colt successfully sued Massachusetts Arms for patent infringement in 1851, which eventually led to
the abandonment of the Dragoon pattern and redesign of the Wesson & Leavitt revolvers.
CONDITION: Very good, retaining traces of the original blue and casehardened finishes with
the balance mostly a smooth grey patina and extensive scattered light pitting on the cylinder.
The refinished grip is good with a spot of filler, a couple hairline cracks, and some minor dings.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1186
Very Fine Factory Engraved Mass. Arms Co.
Maynard Primed Belt Revolver with Factory Acid
Etched Hand Revolved Cylinder - Serial no. 349, 31 cal., 6
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. One of
approximately 1,000 manufactured c. 1851-1857, these “Belt revolvers”
were the altered version of the earlier Wesson & Leavitt Dragoon revolvers.
A court ruling in favor of Samuel Colt in 1851 prevented Mass. Arms Co. from making the Wesson & Leavitt
revolvers. The company was forced to find a work around to making revolvers without infringing on Colt’s
patents, with their solution being to make revolvers with hand turned cylinders. In an effort to make these
more primitive firearms more desirable, they fitted them with Maynard’s “advanced” tape priming system,
but they remained fairly unpopular, keeping production numbers low. This example shows beautiful factory embellishment,
including flourishes of floral scroll engraving on the sides of the frame and hammer, including a Native American scene with
a torse and armoured arm above. The cylinder has acid etched floral and martial motifs, and there is an American eagle and
shield on the primer door. It is fitted with a small button ahead of the trigger which releases the cylinder for manual rotation.
The standard Mass. Arms. Co. address is on the top strap and the Maynard’s patent markings on the primer door. The serial
number “349” is on the front face of the frame. It is fitted with a pair of smooth walnut grips.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% of the original blue on the barrel, 50% of the original case colors, and 80% of the original
silver with the balance having thinned to mostly a grey-brown patina and some light pitting on and around the cylinder, well-
defined acid etching, and crisp engraving. The grips are fine with scattered minor dings. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500