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LOT 1069
Very Scarce Factory Engraved Perry Patent Arms Co. Breech Loading Percussion Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 333, 44 cal., 26 3/8 inch octagon bbl., brown/blue finish, walnut stock. The Perry breech loaders were designed by Alonzo D. Perry and manufactured by the Perry Patent Arms Co. around the mid-1850s in limited numbers (estimated under
1,500) in multiple variations, including pistols, carbines,
sporting rifles, and double rifles. The company was incorporated on July 15, 1853, and the
rifles were still being advertised in Alabama by C. Suter at least as late as December of 1861.
The barrels for the rifles have been seen with different barrel maker’s marks. This one has a partial “REMINGTON/CAST-STEEL” marking on the bottom left and “60” at the muzzle. It has a
primer tube inserted through the stock that feeds primers through the back of the frame. This classic
sporting rifle features attractive scroll and border engraving on the frame, breechblock, buttplate and lever and also has a dovetailed blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, German silver wedge escutcheons and pewter forend cap on the forend, “A.D. PERRY/PATENTED” and “PERRY PATENT ARM Co/NEWARK N.J./1855” on
the breechblock, matching serial numbers on top at the breech and also repeated in concealed areas on several other components. CONDITION: Very fine overall. The extra coverage engraving is very finely executed and remains crisp. The action has 60% plus of the bright high polish original blue finish remaining, concentrated most heavily on the left side and breechblock, and smooth gray and brown patina on the balance. The buttplate retains 50% of the original bright blue. The barrel has an original smooth “tobacco” brown finish on the visible portions and remains in the white on the muzzle and under the forearm. The sights also retain strong original niter blue finish. The refinished wood has some attractive figure on the left side of the butt, minor edge wear, and a few scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Very few of these rifles were made, and this rifle with its attractive engraving and is quite exceptional. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
the Weed Sewing Machine Company after the Civil War. He and Christopher Spencer of Spencer repeating rifle fame created the short lived Roper Repeating Arms Company which then became Billings & Spencer Co. in Hartford in 1873.
The latter manufactured a wide variety of metal goods, including Billings’s rifles and tools of his design. This rifle pattern was patented on November 2, 1875. He was the president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the mid- 1890s. Billings & Spencer Co. was still manufacturing rifle barrels during World War I and was a leading tool manufacturer
in the 20th century. The rifle has a combination blade globe front sight, a Spencer rifle style notch and ladder rear sight, “538” on the bottom at the breech, and the serial number repeated inside the walnut forearm which has a pewter cap. The casehardened breechblock is stamped “C.E. BILLINGS,” and the nickel frame has “C.E. Billings/Patd. Nov. 2d. 1875.” in ornate jeweler script. The upper tang has taps for mounting a peep sight. The shotgun style buttstock has a smooth steel buttplate and is nicely figured, fancy grade walnut.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel retains 85% of the original bright blue finish. The action retains 95% of the original nickel
finish which has an attractive age “frosted” appearance and some casting flaws underneath. The inscription remains crisp. The trapdoor has mottled gray and brown casehardened patterns. There are some general minor
dings and scratches on the metal. The wood retains nearly all of the glossy original varnish, displays stunning figure, and has only minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. You will very rarely get the chance to see one of these scarce rifles, let alone an opportunity to get your hands on one as fine as this. Do not miss this incredible opportunity!
LOT 1070
Very Scarce and Fine C.E. Billing Patent “Reverse Trapdoor” Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 538, 40 cal., 27 7/8 inch octagon bbl., blue/
nickel/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Charles E. Billings (1834-1920) was an innovative mechanic influential in drop forging and worked for Colt in the 1850s, Remington in the 1860s, and then
62 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000