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LOT 3083
Extremely Rare Documented BATFE Exempted
Smoothbore .44-40 Colt New Service Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no.
316627, 44-40 WCF cal., 5 1/2 inch round bbl., blue
finish, hard rubber grips. The accompanying factory
letter lists this revolver with a 5 1/2 inch smoothbore
barrel in .44-40 caliber, blue finish, and type of
stocks not listed when sold to Craft Hardware Co.
and shipped to Simmons Hardware Co. of St. Louis,
Missouri, on November 8, 1921. This was a single
gun shipment. This is one of five smoothbore .44-40
Colt New Service revolvers exempted and listed by
serial number by the BATFE in the Curio or Relics List out of around 356,000 total New Service revolvers. Thus,
they are true rarities and particularly desirable as examples of arms that would otherwise be restricted by the
National Firearms Act. The BATFE letter granting this revolver Curio or Relics status is included. Aside from
the special factory smoothbore barrel, it has the standard markings and features, including matching serial
numbers on the frame, crane, and grips. Smoothbore revolvers and lever action rifles/carbines were often employed
by trick shooters and Wild West shows. The latter had mostly ended by the 1920s, but exhibition shooters remained
popular, including marksmen and sharpshooting ladies sponsored by firearms companies like Colt and Winchester.
CONDITION: Fine overall with 60% original blue finish with holster and edge wear, thinning on the grip straps, a period
modified front sight blade, and some scattered pitting/spotting. The grips are also fine with softened checkering.
Mechanically excellent. Do not miss your chance to get your hands on this Colt rarity!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 3084
Collector’s Lot of Three Scarce and Attractive Bogardus Type Glass Target Balls - Invented
in the early to mid-1800s, the glass target ball was a popular aerial gunnery target, being
light enough for easy launching and coming apart quite impressively when struck. Though
displaced for general use by the invention of the clay pigeon, the glass ball held a niche
with exhibition shooters, sometimes being loaded with feathers or similar filler to make
the breaks even more eye catching. While produced in quantity, as a consumable asset
literally made to be broken, few have made it to the present day in one piece. Offered
here are three examples of this very attractive target, two in blue and one clear. The
lighter of the two blue examples is marked for N.B. Glass Works of Perth, Scotland. The
darker blue example and the clear one appear to be unmarked, but are similar to those
made by the Bogardus Glass Works.
CONDITION: All three are very fine with attractive color, minimal wear, and some typical light
chipping near the openings. These are scarce and desirable pieces which would be an attractive
addition to a gun room or antique shotgun collection!
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
As listed in the ATF Curios or Relics List
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