Page 94 - 4095-BOOK1

92
LOT 80
Exceptional and Very
Scarce Civil War Era Butterfield Army Model Percussion Revolver - Serial
no. 378, 41 cal., 7 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver finish, walnut grips. Approximately 640 of these Butterfield Army
Model revolvers were manufactured in 1862 by Jesse Butterfield of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition,
7A-017, 7A-018). Offered here is a highly attractive and exceptional example of a Butterfield Army revolver, one of the finer examples we have ever
witnessed at Rock Island Auction Company. These are considered by collectors to be a secondary U.S. martial handgun since they were manufactured in
anticipation of an unrealized government contract that was believed to have been for 2,280 revolvers. With no contract awarded, production was limited to
approximately 640 revolvers, making them incredibly hard to acquire on the collectors market. It is equipped with a special disc priming device loaded by loosening a thumb-screw in front of
the trigger guard. The top strap is marked “BUTTERFIELD’S/PATENT DEC 11. 1855/PHILADA”. Matching visible serial number “378” on various components including stamped on the butts of the grips. Factory
blue finished barrel and cylinder, with a silver plated frame, casehardened loading lever and hammer, and varnished walnut grips.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, well above average with a very fresh appearance, retains 70% strong original bright blue finish on the
barrel and cylinder with brown freckling and smooth gray patina on the balance, 30% original silver plating with golden aged
patina on the brass, and absolutely distinct markings and edges in the metal overall. Grips are fine,
with tight fitment, scratches, dents, and defined edges and stamps in the grips. Occasionally requires
manual assistance, otherwise mechanically functions. These revolvers are seldom encountered in such
a high state of condition. This exceptional Butterfield Army revolver stands proud among the limited
surviving examples today, and would make a strong addition to any antique American
firearms collection!
Estimate: 9,500 - 15,000
LOT 81
Excellent E. Remington & Sons Model 1875 Single Action Army Revolver in Desirable .44-40 WCF
- Serial no. 957, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Approximately less than 30,000 Model
1875 Single Action Army Revolvers were manufactured c. 1875-1889, per “Flayderman’s Guide” (9th Edition, 5E-055). Many of these “Improved Army” or
“Frontier Army” revolvers saw hard use in the hands of Native Americans, settlers, and lawmen in the West making an extremely high condition example
such as this one very scarce and collectible. The Model 1875 was Remington’s answer to the Colt Single Action Army and is a solid firearm with fewer
main components than Colt’s revolver, but it simply suffered in the famous “Peacemaker’s” shadow. The top of the barrel has the one-line address “E.
REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A.” reading from the muzzle towards the breech. The left side of the trigger guard is marked “44” indicating .44-
40 WCF caliber. The serial number “957” is marked on the left side of the grip frame,
with faintly visible handwritten matching numbers on the interiors of
the grip panels.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original nickel finish with a few
very small patches of minor flaking, a light cylinder drag line, and a
crisp barrel address. Grips are very fine, with tight fitment, a few spots
of surface flaking and handling marks, and distinct edges. Mechanically
excellent. This is a rare opportunity to own an excellent example of one
of the best built revolvers of the American Frontier!
Provenance: The Howard “Skip” Quade Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000