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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK GUNS OF THE NRA NATIONAL SPORTING ARMS MUSEUM BY SUPICA
SERIAL NUMBER 1
Rare Well-Documented Serial Number 1 Third Model P.W. Porter Percussion Turret Carbine Attributed as U.S. Ordnance Purchase - Serial no. 1, 50 cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. This distinctive turret carbine is
the design of Parry W. Porter with features of the standard Third Model, which are typically
seen numbered in the approximate 680-1225 serial number range, but has a few unusual features given the low serial number,
LOT 239
round barrel and the lack of Porter markings. It has offset blade and
notch sights on the barrel. Serial number “1” marked on the bottom of the barrel, frame, removable cylinder and on various components. Fitted in a smooth buttstock with a military
style flat buttplate. Includes a printed copy of email correspondence from George Moller that states, “You may want
to tell Jim that his Porter rifle is identical to one of mine. The serial number of his is ‘1’ and mine is ‘9’. I think these two are survivors of the ten Porter
rifles purchased by the Ordnance Department in the late 1850s. They were sent to the San Antonio Ordnance Depot, then disappeared from government records following the outbreak of the Civil War.” The serial “9” George Moller is referring to may have been sold by Rock Island Auction Company recently, although listed as serial number “6” (Lot 81, Auction 84). This rifle, serial number “1”, was previously on display at the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum between 2013-2022, was featured on “Serial Number One Guns” episode of Outdoor Channel’s “Gun Stories” season 4 episode 16, is pictured on page 196 of the book “Guns of the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum”, and pictured on page 64 of the book “The Illustrated History of Firearms From the NRA Museums, Second Edition”. Circular brass collection tag marked “101/SUPICA” hanging from the rear sling swivel. CONDITION: Good with dark brown and gray patina, scattered light to moderate pitting, and general mild wear overall indicative of period martial use. The turret cover and one screw on the rear of the door is absent. The stock is also good and has numerous scratches and dings. The hammer spring is broken, otherwise mechanically fine. Provenance: The Supica Collection.
According to correspondence from author George Moller, this rare P.W. Porter Turret Rifle, serial number 1, is likely one of only ten purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department in the late 1850s, which were shipped to the San Antonio Ordnance Depot.
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LOT 240 Scarce Unidentified Rotary Breech Percussion Rifle - Serial no. 2140, 44 cal., 30 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. The only marking found on this interesting breech loading rifle is “2140” stamped in the stock on the top of the wrist. The general profile has a New York style. The octagon to round barrel has a post front sight and a second post on the breech section. A rear sight groove is cut into the
rotating breech. The nipple is used to rotate the breech counter clockwise 1/4 turn for reloading. This brings the chamber opening to the left side of the frame and also keeps the nipple out of alignment with the hammer until the chamber is back in alignment with the barrel. The slab sided stock has a crescent steel buttplate. CONDITION: Very good with some patches of original blue finish on the frame and otherwise mainly smooth brown patina, some mild pitting, angled wear at the muzzle, and general mild overall wear. The re-oiled stock is also very good and has some minor chips at the edges of the wrist and general scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Collection of Joe M. Wanenmacher Jr. Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500