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LOT 1093
Incredibly Scarce Well-
Documented L.D. Nimschke Signed Master Engraved Remington
Model 1865 Navy Rolling Block Pistol - Serial no. 84, 50 RF cal., 8 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut grips. This exceptional Remington Model 1865
Navy pistol was engraved by famed 19th
century Master Engraver Louis D. Nimschke of New York. The
right side of the frame under the engraving is signed with an “N”.
The right side of the frame is shown in Plate IX on page xxii of “L. D.
Nimschke Firearms Engraver” by R. L. Wilson, and the same engraving
patterns from the sides of the frame, the back strap, and a very
similar “Nimschke star” are all shown on page 24. Nimschke’s pulls of
the engraving are dated 1867. In the pull for the signature side, the “N”
appears above rather than below the engraving. Thus, this pistol was likely part of a matched
pair like the famous “Gold Dust Twins” (Model 1867 pistols) sold by our company on June
5, 2020, whose pulls also appear on pages 24-25. The engraving on this pistol consists of a
“Nimschke star” on the ring of the frame, panels of scroll engraving with smooth backgrounds
in the forward scrolls and beaded backgrounds in the center and rear scrolls along with a
central “port hole” design, crosshatch pattern on the sides of the trigger sheath along with a
double line border that matches the rear edge of the frame and back strap, scroll and crosshatch flourish by
the hammer, and a scroll and shell/fan design at the bottom of the back strap. The forearm and grip are checkered walnut and
have a smooth oil finish. The barrel has a “pinched” blade front sight, “REMINGTON’S ILION. N.Y. PATD OCT. 1. 1861 NOV. 15 1864” marked
along the top, and an anchor on top at the breech. The frame has “REMINGTONS ILION N.Y. U.S.A./PAT. MAY 3D NOV. 15TH 1864 APRIL 17TH
1866” on the left side. “84” is marked on the left side of the upper tang and the lower tang mortise of the grip.
CONDITION: Fine with exceptionally crisp engraving and signature, 60% of the bright original niter blue remaining on the hammer and breech block, 30%
original blue remaining on the barrel, 40% original case colors and color patterns on the frame, and smooth gray and brown patina on the balance along with some
minor marks and scratches and a few faint spots of light pitting. The wood is very good and
has minor wear on the otherwise crisp checkering, an “X” pattern of deeper later
recut checkering visible on the left side of the grip, smooth finish, and light marks.
Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Rober Lyles, Jr. Collection;
The Howard “Skip” Quade Collection.
Estimate: 8,500 - 12,000
LOT 1094
Exceptional U.S. Contract Remington Model 1871 Army Rolling Block Pistol - NSN, 50 CF cal., 8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened
finish, walnut grips. This is an outstanding example of a U.S. Remington Model 1871 Army Rolling Block single shot pistol that was
manufactured circa 1871 as part of a 5,000 pistol contract for the Ordnance Department. The pistol has a blued barrel, color casehardened
receiver, niter blue trigger and bright breechblock and hammer. The grip and forearm are oil-finished black walnut. The left side of the frame
is roll-stamped with the factory legend: “REMINGTON’S ILION. N.Y. U.S.A./PAT. MAY 3D. NOV. 15th1864 APRIL 17th 1866” in two lines. “P” and
“S” inspection marks are stamped on the left side of the frame. The Ordnance final inspection mark which consists of the script initials “CRS” within
a rectangle is stamped on the lower left side of the grip. Many of these pistols were subsequently altered for target shooting, and
examples in excellent original condition are scarce.
CONDITION: Excellent. The pistol retains 90% plus of the original blue and 95% casehardened finish. The blue finish on the barrel
has some edge wear at the muzzle and some minor handling marks. The receiver retains nearly all of the color casehardened finish with vivid case colors. The
breechblock has nearly all of the bright finish. The hammer has a dark patina. The trigger retains most of the niter blue finish. The grip and forearm are both very
fine overall with scattered minor handling and storage marks. The frame markings are crisp, and the Ordnance final inspection mark on the left side of the grip is
sharp. This is an excellent example of a desirable U.S. Contract Remington Model 1871 Rolling Block pistol.
Provenance: The Howard “Skip” Quade Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
As pictured & described in L.D.
Nimschke Firearms Engraver by Wilson
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