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LOT 3228
Rare Civil War Era Lee Fire Arms Co. Single Shot Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 1474, 42 cal., 21 1/2 inch
round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. These carbines were designed by James Paris Lee and manufactured by the Lee Fire Arms Company of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Though Lee is most famous for his bolt action and detachable box magazine design, the first production arms manufactured based on Lee’s designs were these single shot carbines. The barrels were subcontracted to Remington, but an error in communication
and/or the U.S. Ordnance Department’s desire to not pay for the arms after the conclusion of the war led to the government rejecting
the whole batch of carbines due to the carbines being bored out to .42 caliber like the trial arms instead of the .44 caliber mentioned
in communications from Chief of Ordnance Brigadier General A.B. Dyer. Only 255 carbines were completed by November 1866, and approximately 200 more were nearly complete. Other components were also outsourced, but they were assembled in Milwaukee. A
very detailed history of these firearms is laid out in the article “James Lee, Wisconsin Arms Inventor, 1860-1874” by Herb Uphoff available through the American Society of Arms Collectors. With the hammer at half cock, the side swing barrel opens for loading from the right. It has a “pinched” blade front sight, two leaf 500 yard rear sight, “LEE’S FIRE ARMS CO. MILWAUKEE, WIS./PATD JULY 22D 1862.” marked on the left of the barrel, a saddle ring bar and ring mounted on the left of the action, matching serial numbers on the barrel and action, and smooth buttstock.
CONDITION: Very good, exhibits a smooth gray patina on the iron surfaces with some scattered light pitting, and otherwise defined markings. Stock is fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled with some scattered light scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
Collector’s Fact
Only 255 Lee Fire Arms Co. carbines were completed by November, 1866.
adopted by the U.S. Ordnance Department. The bolt does not contain a firing pin and is simply used to seat the cartridge and seal the breech. It fires with a traditional side lock. Approximately 1,001 of these carbines were ordered on contract by the U.S. government late in the Civil War but were delivered too late to see action. It has small “M.M” (Miles Moulton) inspector initials on the left of the breech, left stock flat and top of the stock ahead of
the buttplate tang, and a circled script “MM” inspection cartouche
on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% plus original plum blue finish on the
barrel with a few minor handling marks and one small patch of minor surface
corrosion on the underside of the barrel. 99% plus vibrant original case colors
remain on the lock, hammer and buttplate, with the bolt handle showing a few
areas faded to a smooth gray patina with some light pitting, and strong case
colors visible on the trigger guard with some slight fading. Stock is very fine
with attractive original raised grain, defined edges, a patch of moderate gouges
concentrated on the right of the wrist, a small chip on the left edge below the barrel
line, some light handling marks, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional example of a scarce Civil War era Palmer carbine, a significant piece in the development of military arms as well as firearms in general, would make an excellent addition to any U.S. Martial collection!
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
165
LOT 3229
Excellent and Scarce Civil War Era E. G. Lamson & Co. Palmer Bolt Action
Saddle Ring Carbine - NSN, 50 RF cal., 20 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock.
The Palmer carbine holds the distinction of being the first metallic cartridge bolt action firearm ever