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LOT 3236
Exceptional U.S. Army Contract Remington-Lee Model 1882 Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet and Scabbard - Serial no.
Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately 770 Remington-Lee Model 1882 U.S. Army contract rifles produced.
9237, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is an exceptional example of a Remington-Lee Model 1882, one of approximately 770 manufactured on U.S. Army contract. The “RL” marked 1,200 yard buckhorn ladder rear sight, “US” marked buttplate and barrel bands were furnished by Springfield Armory. The top left receiver rail is marked “THE LEE ARMS Co. BRIDGEPORT, CONN. U.S.A./PATENTED NOV. 4TH 1879” along with the serial number, and the left side of the receiver is marked “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A./ SOLE MANUFACTURERS AND AGENTS/U.S.” The breech end of the barrel is marked “U.S.” and “V/P”. David F. Clark “D.F.C.” inspection marks are on the left breech end of the barrel, bolt, right receiver rail, behind the trigger guard, and a boxed script cartouche on the right rear of the stock. Mounted in a full straight grip walnut stock with two barrel bands, steel forend cap and curved buttplate. Complete with the correct cleaning rod. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes US socket bayonet, metal scabbard, leather frog, and Rock Island Arsenal leather sling. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus bright original blue finish with some light muzzle wear. Stock
is also excellent with attractive original raised wood grain and rich oil finish, some light handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet, scabbard, and frog are all very fine. This outstanding U.S. Army contract Remington-Lee Model 1882 rifle would make a fine addition to any advanced military collection and would be difficult to improve upon! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,750 - 5,500
LOT 3237
Scarce Remington-Lee Model 1879 Bolt Action Rifle with Bayonet Originally in the Remington Factory Museum - NSN, 45-70 Government
cal., 29 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This rifle appears similar to the 300 Model 1879 Lee
rifles that were part of the first U.S. Navy contract, but is not navy inspected. In
1880, the U.S. Navy contracted with James Paris Lee of Bridgeport, Connecticut for 300 full
stock .45-70 caliber rifles of the type patented in 1879 by Lee. The Lee Arms Company was formed, and handed the actual manufacturing
of the contract over to Sharps Rifle Company. Sharps went bankrupt in 1881 and handed all the
unfinished receivers, parts and tools over to Remington, who completed the guns for the Navy contract. Blade/stud front sight and 1,300 yard buckhorn folding ladder rear sight with an “R” marked on the left of the base and “N” marked on the ladder. The top of the left receiver rail is marked “THE LEE ARMS Co. BRIDGEPORT CONN. U.S.A./PATENTED NOV. 4th 1879” followed by a Henry Nettleton “HN” inspection mark. “HN” is also marked on the left of the breech end of the barrel, right of trigger, ahead of the magazine well, and underside of the extractor. Left wrist of the stock marked with a circled script “HN” cartouche. The magazine is an early flat sided version. Fitted with a slotted cleaning rod. This rifle was originally part of the Remington factory museum collection, with the underside of the buttstock wearing a brass tag marked with inventory number “411”. Includes a US socket bayonet, scabbard, frog, and period leather sling. CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 70% thinning original blue finish with some light muzzle wear, and some light nicks and scratches. Stock is also very fine with some areas of lightened finish, scattered light scratches, a chip ahead of the magazine well, two small chips at the left of the buttplate tang, a dent at the right of the buttplate, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. Included bayonet, scabbard, and frog are all fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500 LOT 3238 Michigan National Guard Remington-Lee Model 1899 Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 102168, 30 ARMY (30-40) cal., 29 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of a Michigan National Guard issued Remington-Lee Model 1899 bolt action rifle. These smokeless powder .30-40 caliber Michigan issued rifles are found in the 100,001 to 102,200 serial number range with 1,001 shipped in 1898 and 1,000 shipped in 1899. The rifles have an interesting history after the Michigan National Guard became unsatisfied with the rifles. It is known that the rifles remained in service during WWI as drill rifles for the Michigan Naval Militia. After the war, the rifles were given to veteran organizations with some being sold to dealers while others were used by guards for the White Pine Copper Co. during the labor strikes of the 1920s and 1930s. This rifle has standard Remington Arms receiver markings. The rear sight has a low base graduated from 200 to 700 yards and a leaf graduated to 1,900 yards with a 2,000 yard notch. The top of the barrel ahead of the handguard is marked “30 U.S.A.” The unmarked magazine has three grooves. Mounted on a smooth straight grip stock, with handguard and crescent buttplate. The top of the buttplate is marked with the number “32”. Information on these rifles can be found in Eugene Myszkowski’s book “THE REMINGTON-LEE RIFLE” pages 53-62 and 98. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the toe of the stock. Includes a Rock Island Arsenal leather sling. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% thinning original blue finish strongest in protected areas with the balance a brown patina, and scattered areas of light and mild pitting. Stock is also very good with scattered scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection.
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 143