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LOT 3094
Scarce Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Percussion Dragoon Revolver - Serial no. 364, 40 cal., 7 1/8 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Only around 1,000 of these revolvers were manufactured between 1850-1851 before production was halted due to a patent infringement suit won by Colt. The design was in part by Edwin Wesson, older brother of Daniel B. Wesson of later Smith & Wesson fame. The younger Wesson and Horace Smith were among the incorporators of the Massachusetts Arms Co. This nickel finished example has standard markings and features with a six-shot cylinder. “MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS” marked on the top strap, “WESSON’S & LEAVITT’S PATENT” marked on the lock, “LEAVITTS PATENT APRIL 29. 1837” on the back of the cylinder, “WESSON’S PATENT AUG. 28. 1849” on the bevel gear. “364” is marked on the recoil shield, rear of the frame, underside of the back strap, and front face of the grip. “709” is marked on the replacement top strap lug. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 90% period retailer applied nickel finish with some patches of flaking at the edges and around the nipples on the cylinder, and defined markings in the metal. Grip is fine with scattered light scratches and dings, and numerous minor chips at the bottom edges. Mechanically fine. This attractive high condition example of a scarce Wesson & Leavitt revolver would make a fine addition to any antique American arms collection! Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3097
Scarce Cased Massachusetts Arms Percussion Pocket Revolver with Accessories Including Extra Cylinder - Serial no. 539, 28 Percussion cal., 2 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1851 to 1860, this example is the earliest type with the manually revolved 6-shot cylinder and a button release mounted inside the trigger guard. Total production on this type was about 900. Marked “MASS. ARMS CO./CHICOPEE FALLS” on the top strap and “MAYNARD’S PATENT/SEP. 22. 1845” on the primer cover. Matching serial number on frame and back of both grips. The primer door and left side of the frame feature a scroll engraving with a floral type pattern engraving on the back strap and hammer and floral etched pattern on the cylinder. Casehardened hinged top strap and hammer, with the remaining surfaces blue. Brass pin front sight, notch rear sight on the top strap and smooth walnut grips. The partitioned walnut case is lined in green velvet. The following accessories are included: a Massachusetts Arms Co. double face powder flask, an extra floral etched pattern cylinder, container of Massachusetts Arms Co. primers (with primers), double cavity brass bullet mold, key and brass ramrod. CONDITION: Fine. The revolver has a smooth gray patina with the barrel retaining 60% original blue finish. The grips are very fine with a series of minor marks on the bottom of the right grip panel. The engraving and etching are crisp. Mechanically fine. The modern relined and refinished case is good. The accessories are all fine and original. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3095
Remington Model
1875 Single Action Revolver in Desirable
.44-40 W.C.F. - Serial no. 671, 44 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch
round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. While limited in production
to only approximately 25,000-30,000 revolvers between 1875-1889,
many of these “Improved Army” or “Frontier Army” revolvers saw
hard use in the hands of Native Americans, settlers, and lawmen in the West. 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. “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION.N.Y. U.S.A.” marked on top of the
barrel. The left grip is marked “44” near the bottom, and “27” is handwritten in pencil on the
inside of each grip. The serial number “671” is marked on the left of the grip frame and on the loading gate arm. Cylinder is unmarked. Initials “FP” lightly carved at the bottom of the left grip, and “H” carved into the butt of the left grip.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original nickel finish with scattered light frosting on the barrel, some areas of flaking, scattered light pitting on the cylinder, some patches of light pitting on the frame, and crisp barrel markings. Hammer retains 75% original case colors. Grips are very good, slightly undersized, with some light scratches, chips around the bottom edges, and carvings as mentioned above. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3096
Remington Model 1875
Army Single Action Revolver in Desirable .44-40
Caliber - Serial no. 236, 44-40 WCF cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl.,
nickel finish, walnut grips. The Model 1875 was manufactured from
1875 to 1889 and was Remington’s first main attempt to compete
with Colt and Smith & Wesson in the “Army” revolver market. This
example is chambered in the desirable .44-40 WCF caliber. The loading gate is numbered
to the gun. The left rear of the trigger guard is factory stamped “44”.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% of the original nickel finish with some scattered mild
flaking and pitting, most noticeably on the cylinder and left forward portion of the barrel. The slightly undersize grips are very good with some minor handling marks scattered throughout and mild wear. The half cock notch is weak, otherwise mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3098
Remington New Model
Army Percussion
Revolver with New Jersey Marking
- Serial no. 71207, 44 percussion cal., 8 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1863 to 1875. The top barrel flat is
stamped with the 1858 patent date over the New York address over “NEW MODEL” and
the left barrel flat at the breech is stamped with the New Jersey “N.J” militia marking.
The barrel is numbered to the gun. Most of the major components are stamped with
single letter sub-inspector marks including “E”, “K” and “B”. Blue finish with casehardened hammer and silver plated brass trigger guard. The revolver is fitted with
smooth unmarked grips.
CONDITION: Very fine. The revolver retains 80% original high polish
blue finish with the barrel mostly a smooth brown patina. The
hammer retains some faded original case colors. The trigger guard
retains 97% original silver plating. The grips are excellent with a few
minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 3099
U.S. Civil War Martially
Inspected Starr Model 1858 Army
Double Action Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 12679, 44 cal.,
6 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Approximately 23,000
manufactured in the late 1850s to early 1860s, with the U.S. government purchasing most of these Starr Army revolvers for use in the Civil War. The frame has the New York address on the left side and the 1856 patent date on the right side. Most of the components have single letter inspector marks. Matching serial number “12679” on the barrel lug, cylinder, hammer well, both
grip straps, hammer, and on top of the one-piece walnut grip,
which also has boxed script cartouches are on both sides. There is
a brass collection tag attached to the trigger guard marked “G.G.
WRIGHT/61”.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 40% of the original blue finish and 30%
of the original case colors on the hammer with the balance having
thinned to a mixture of brown and grey patinas. The grip is very good with numerous minor dings and scratches scattered throughout, and well-defined cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,500 - 2,500
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