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LOT 148
Civil War U.S. Spencer Model 1860 Army Repeating Rifle -
Serial no. 7851, 52 Spencer cal., 30 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. 11,470 of these innovative rifles were manufactured for the U.S government in 1863 and 1864. Rifles of this model were Colonel Wilder’s “Lightning Brigade” at Hoover’s Gap and General Custer’s Michigan “Wolverines” at Gettysburg. It has a period modified blade front sight and period modified rear sight with the ladder removed; both of which were probably modified in the post-Civil War era for use out on the frontier. Features six-groove rifling, three barrel bands, the three-line Spencer address and patent marking on top of the breech, and smooth buttstock with standard 7-round tubular magazine inserted through the buttplate. Matching serial number “7851” marked on the frame and bottom of the barrel. Single letter inspection initials on various components. Initials “MNR” carved in the left wrist of the buttstock, and “SLT” carved upside down in the right of the buttstock. CONDITION: Good, with brown patina and scattered mild corrosion/pitting on the metal surfaces. Replacement rear lock screw and period modified sights. The wood is also good with a darkened appearance, mild wear, numerous scattered scratches and chips, a few cracks behind the frame, and the carved initials as mentioned. The lock does not have a half cock, the lever is slightly bent downwards, otherwise mechanically functions fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 149
Indian Wars Era U.S. Sharps New Model 1863 Metallic Cartridge Conversion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. C,25904, 52 cal., 22
inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This Sharps was originally manufactured in 1863-1865 as a percussion carbine for use in the Civil War and was one of 31,098 carbines returned by the U.S. Government to Sharps Rifle
Manufacturing Co. in 1867, who received a contract for refurbishment and alteration of their rifles for use with metallic cartridges. This example retains its original six-groove rifling. “E.A.W” inspection initials marked on the left flat of the breech
end of the barrel. “H” stamped on the left of the buttstock. Absent primer feed mechanism (does not affect function of the gun), as
typical on these metallic cartridge conversion carbines.
CONDITION: Very good plus, retains 40% of the arsenal refurbished blue finish on the barrel with scattered brown freckling on the balance and half of
the barrel markings visible, and 20% vivid arsenal refurbished case colors visible in protected areas with darkened gray patina and scattered moderate brown
freckling on the balance of the casehardened surfaces. The wood is fine as arsenal refinished, with defined edges, resanded forend, some scattered light
scratches and handling marks, and a crisp stamp on the left. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 150
Fine Civil War Maynard Second Model Single Shot Breech Loading Carbine -
Serial no. 23957, 50 cal., 20 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. This is a nice example of a Second Model Maynard manufactured from 1860 to 1865, with
approximately 20,000 total production. Among the Union cavalry regiments armed with these Maynard’s were the 9th and
11th Indiana and the 11th Tennessee. Three line “MASS. ARMS CO.” address on the right front of the frame and four line “1851/1859” patent marking on
the left side. 3-3/4 inches of the breech end of the barrel are octagon and the left side flat is marked “S”. The barrel, hammer, trigger and buttplate are blue. The frame and lever are casehardened. It is equipped with a pinched front sight and a three leaf folding rear sight. Saddle ring and bar mounted on the left side of the receiver. The
stock is a straight grip with no forearm and the left side wrist is marked with the boxed “GWL” script cartouche running horizontally and a boxed script “JM” vertically.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel retains 60% faded original finish with the rear half having a plum patina. There is some scattered light spotting. The frame shows 40% of the faded original case colors
on the left side mixed with a smooth mottled gray patina. The remaining metal has a smooth mottled gray patina, darker on the buttplate. The stock is very fine with crisp cartouches a small gouge visible on the comb
and a few minor pressure dents and handling marks. The markings are clear. The action is excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 151 Civil War Merrill First Type Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 2563, 54 cal., 22 1/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Just under 14,500 Merrill carbines were manufactured in two variations during the Civil War. This example is the first type with slightly different stock contours, a patch box, and the early knurled latch. Merrill carbines were almost exclusively issued to cavalry units during the war, including units from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Delaware. The top of the loading lever is marked “J.H. MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY .1858.” at the breech and the serial number on the arm. The lock plate is marked “J.H.MERRILL BALTO./PAT. JULY. 1858./APL 9. MAY 21-28-61.” at the front and is marked with the serial number behind the hammer. The barrel has a three-leaf rear sight and a fixed front blade front sight. The left stock flat has a saddle ring bar. CONDITION: Good with mottled gray and brown patina, aged patina on the brass, and moderate overall wear, including some pitting. The heavily worn stock is fair and has moderate overall wear, including some chipping along the edges, some splits in the grains, and moderate erosion. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 152
U.S. Civil War Massachusetts Arms Co. Smith Breech Loading Percussion Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 486, 50 cal., 21 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. These Smith carbines were considered to be one of the most important Federal Cavalry carbines. This example was manufactured by Massachusetts Arms Company, Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. Designed by Gilbert Smith, the production of this breech loading percussion carbine was almost entirely consumed by government contracts, with only limited numbers going to the civilian market. A total of 30,362 Smith carbines were reportedly purchased by the United States during the Civil War. Matching serial number on the receiver and barrel. Dovetail blade front sight and folding leaf rear sight correctly absent of yard markings. Mounted with a smooth forearm and straight grip walnut stock with a steel buttplate. CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% original blue finish on the barrel as mostly faded to a smooth brown, 70% original niter blue finish on the breech locking spring with scattered mild freckling, and strong patterns of case colors with a silvered gray and brown patina on the balance of the casehardened surfaces. The wood is also very good with scattered scratches and dents. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250