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LOT 1047
Desirable “Frontier Issued” Spencer Repeating Sporting Rifle - Serial no. 27623, 56-46 cal., 28 inch octagon bbl., brown
finish, walnut stock. This Spencer started life as a Civil War carbine and was gunsmith converted into a sporting rifle in the immediate post-
Civil War era for use out West. It is chambered for the 56-46 Spencer cartridge (.44 rimfire) which was suitable for small to medium game. The
relatively weak cartridge is often said to have helped doom the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company during the lean early post-war years when the firearms
market was very tight due to large quantities of surplus arms. George Armstrong Custer and others are known to have taken Spencer sporters to the West,
and they are certainly rare and valuable artifacts. Blade front sight and V-notch elevator rear sight (absent elevator). No markings visible on the octagon barrel. The top
of the frame at the breech is marked “SPENCER REPEATING/RIFLE CO. BOSTON MASS./PAT’D MARCH. 6. 1860.”
CONDITION: Good with frontier character, showing period applied brown finish overall, some black painted finish at the top of the hammer, and a few patches of light pitting. The weathered, revarnished wood displays Western age darkened patina with a few cracks and scars to boot, and some surface cracking on the forend. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
and folding ladder rear sight, “CAL 45 2 1/10” on the left of the breech, serial number “8583” marked on the bottom
of the barrel, with “C,8583” on the upper tang area of the receiver (this area has been reattached to the action). Drilled and tapped for use with a tang peep sight with filler screws in place, double set triggers, smooth walnut forearm and straight grip stock with
smooth iron carbine buttplate.
CONDITION: Good, with artificially applied smooth brown patina, traces of old blue finish visible on the barrel and around the area of a repaired crack visible at the front of the receiver tang, and mostly clear markings in the metal. Wood is also good as sanded and re-oiled, with scattered scratches, dents and scuffs. Mechanically functions, the set trigger must be engaged before cocking.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1049
Antique Black Powder Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Money Belt Holster Rig - Serial no. 117304, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, antique ivory grips. The Colt Single Action Army was one of the most popular handguns in late 19th century that has become a true piece of Americana. This example will factory letter has having a 7 1/2 inch barrel in .45 caliber, blue finish, and hard rubber grips when shipped on September 1, 1886 to Schoverling, Daly & Gales of New York City. The barrel has the one-line Hartford address, the frame has the three-line patent date marking, and “45 CAL” marked on the trigger guard. Matching serial numbers are on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. With a leather holster rig script marked “Hercules” on the lightly border tooled open top holster and marked “4774/50” and “54” on the cartridge belt.
CONDITION: Very good plus, as a well traveled revolver with “a been there, done that appearance” with 20% of the original blue finish in the sheltered areas especially on and around the ejector rod housing. The grips have similar working gun character with a couple chips along the front edge and attractive mellow color. Mechanically functions, but is missing half cock notch. The holster rig is fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1048
Sharps Model 1874 Style Sporting Rifle -
Serial no. C,8583, 45-70 Government cal., 30 inch
octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps Model
1874 style sporting rifle appears to be assembled using a Civil War era New Model
1863 action with its pellet primer system on the lock filled in and deactivated, and rebarreled
for the .45-70 Government cartridge. The barrel has a brass blade front sight in a dovetailed base, “Old Reliable” in a boxed border and “SHARPS RIFLE CO. BRIDGEPORT, CONN.” marked on top ahead of the notch
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