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LOT 52
Documented Nickel-Plated Antique Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Ivory Grip and Factory Letter - Serial no. 40373, 45 Long Colt cal.,
7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured in 1877. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 45 LC caliber, nickel
plating and grip. The barrel is not listed, indicating a length of 7 1/2 inches. It was part of a 40 gun shipment that left the factory on October
31, 1877, and delivered to B. Kittredge & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address, and the frame has the three-
line, three patent dates marking. Matching numbers are found on the barrel, trigger guard, back strap, cylinder, grip and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine. The revolver retains 40% plus original nickel finish with the balance a smooth gray patina. There is some scattered
minor pitting. The slightly shrunken grip is very good with age cracking. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 51
Frontier Issued Sharps New Model 1863 Sporting Conversion Buffalo Rifle - Serial no. 94091,
40 cal., 28 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., brown/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured c. 1863-1865 during the Civil War as a New Model
1863, subsequently reconfigured for use out west. Converted for centerfire with a filled in pellet primer system on the lock, fitted with a period replacement
barrel chambered for an unidentified rifle length centerfire cartridge measuring approximately .40 caliber, with the only visible markings on the barrel being
“MT” and a “crown/P” proof at the upper left breech area and “48” on bottom. Double set triggers. Large “WS” deeply carved on the left of the buttstock.
CONDITION: Fair as frontier issued, with a separated split visible in the upper receiver tang around the front screw, some antiqued brown on the barrel, with spotting,
light pitting, typical western wear and gray patina on the balance of the iron. Wood is good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered dings, scratches, cracks and some chips along the edges of the
forearm. One empty hole in the bottom of the forearm ahead of the front screw. The front forearm screw loosely threads into the barrel. Absent trigger set screw, front trigger requires pulling all the way
back in order to release the hammer; otherwise, mechanically functions.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
LOT 49
Well-Documented Desirable “Frontier
Issued” A.J. Plate San Francisco Retailer Marked Burnside Rifle Co. Spencer Model
1865 Repeating Rifle with in Sporting Configuration Pictured in “Spencer Repeating
Firearms” by Marcot - Serial no. 2681, 45 cal., 32 inch heavy octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut
stock. Manufactured c. 1865, the action of this rifle was originally produced by the Burnside Rifle Co. as one of
34,000 intended for purchase by the U.S. government, 30,500 of which were
actually purchased. Flayderman notes that the remaining 3,500 not purchased by the government were likely either destroyed as
rejects or possibly sold commercially, which presents a viable explanation for this rifle in its current configuration. This specific rifle
is pictured on p. 149 of “Spencer Repeating Firearms” by Roy Marcot. The top flat of the barrel is marked “A.J. PLATE SAN FRANCISCO
CAL” indicating that this was converted to this sporting configuration by the prolific California retailer for commercial sale. During the
late 1860s and 1870s, a repeating rifle such as this would have been highly valued in California or anywhere else in the West, most of
which remained decidedly “untamed”. At the time, these Spencer carbines and rifles had just recently proven themselves incredibly effective during the Civil War, and they would have
been an easy sell when converted to a “sporting” configuration like this example, appearing very similar to the Sharps sporting rifles which were also highly regarded in the American
West. This particular example appears to have been originally produced as a military pattern saddle ring carbine before being fitted with a heavy 32 inch octagon barrel by the A.J. Plate
& Co. firm, as well as a sporting type forearm with a unique brass band holding the upper sling swivel and a matching brass forearm cap which has had a previous ramrod hole filled with
a conical bullet. The top of the breech has the standard Model 1865, Spencer patent, and Burnside Rifle Co. markings and the serial number is on the upper rear of the receiver. The barrel
has an empty front sight dovetail, a elevation adjustable notch rear sight similar to the Winchester No. 22 (elevator absent). It is fitted with a Stabler cutoff device and sling swivels on the
bottom of the stock and the previously mentioned brass band on the forearm. The forearm and stock are both smooth and the stock is fitted with the military pattern buttplate.
CONDITION: Good as period reconfigured by frontier California retailer A.J. Plate, showing a mix of brown and grey patina, some scattered minor dings, and some scattered patches of
light pitting, typical of a rifle that was used in the American West. The wood is also good showing the wear, chips, cracks, and scars of many years of use in the harsh environment of the
West. Mechanically functions. A desirable example of a California retailer Spencer sporting rifle from when the West remained wild!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 50
Antique Early Production Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Money Belt/”Slim Jim” Holster Rig - Serial no. 37803, 45 Long Colt cal., 7 1/2
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1877, this is a very solid, early production example of an iconic piece of Americana, Colt’s
Single Action Army revolver, also known as “the peacemaker”. These revolvers are truly embedded within the ethos of the American frontier and represent a tangible piece of the history of
the West. In many ways, these revolvers have come to represent the same determination, grit, and bravery shown by those who carried them as they headed westward, facing the trials and
dangers of the American West. This particular revolver was manufactured when much of the frontier remained a wild unknown and was very much unsettled, and it certainly has the look of having
been a trusted, well-cared for sidearm for many years in that harsh and unforgiving environment. The top of the barrel is marked with the one-line address and the three-line patent dates are on the
left of the frame. The caliber marking is on the left rear of the trigger guard. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap, and the assembly number “1572” is
marked inside the loading gate. It is fitted with the correct, early production “bullseye” ejector rod, blade front sight, frame top groove rear sight, and a one-piece smooth walnut grip. Includes an attractive leather “slim
Jim” California pattern holster, which were popular during the period this revolver was manufactured, that has a brass flower decoration on the body and a leather cartridge/money belt with a single row of cartridge
loops. The belt measures approximately 46 inches overall including the replacement billet. Also includes a brass tag that appears to be from the Stagecoach Museum Collection
CONDITION: Good, showing mostly a grey patina with a few scattered patches of light surface spotting and some mild holster wear on the muzzle, all typical of a trusted frontier sidearm that saw many years of use.
The grips is also good, showing mild wear and some minor dings, a common sight on revolvers that spent time in the West. Mechanically excellent. The holster and the money belt are good with some moderate wear, age-related
cracking, and the holster having a torn belt loop. A solid representative example of an early production Colt Single Action Army and holster rig that all certainly have the look of spending time in the American West!
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
As pictured & described in Spencer
Repeating Firearms by Marcot
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