Page 247 - 89-FLIPBOOK1

LOT 287 U.S. Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 3347, 45-70 Government cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Some of these Model 1873 carbines are known to have been used in the Battle of Little Bighorn in June 1876, with serial numbers undocumented, although any gun falling below the serial number of 43700 is generally accepted as a possible candidate, with this specific example being made well prior to the incident. Many other early trapdoor carbines were used extensively by the U.S. Cavalry throughout the Indian Wars. Blade front sight and correct ladder rear sight graduated to 1,200 yards, left mounted saddle bar and ring, field replacement stock with short comb, “J.C” inspection initials stamped behind the lower tang and a solid buttplate correctly without compartment inside the stock. CONDITION: Fine, retains 85% arsenal refurbished blue over darkened oil-quenched casehardened finishes, with a few areas of smooth brown patina showing through, and clear markings in the metal. The field replacement stock is very fine with some scattered light nicks and handling marks, a few gouges around the barrel band, and defined edges overall. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 288
Very Fine Winchester Third Model 1883 Hotchkiss Bolt Action Musket - Serial no. 82603, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. The Winchester Hotchkiss bolt actions are an interesting mix of old and new, and were designed by Benjamin B. Hotchkiss who sold the rights to the design to Winchester in 1877. They utilize a newer bolt action design, but feed through a fixed internal tubular magazine within the buttstock. This Third Model or Model 1883 was manufactured in 1895 and features a pinned blade front sight, the two-line Winchester address on top of the barrel, notch and ladder rear sight graduated from 1 to 4 on the base and 5 to 10 on the ladder, long forend secured by two barrel bands and fitted with a steel cap and cleaning rod, “{MODEL OF 1883}” on the upper tang, the serial number “82603” on bottom ahead of the trigger guard bow, the three-line patent marking on the lower tang, and “280” marked on the buttplate tang, which may be a rack number for a
police department or national guard unit. There are no U.S. proof or inspection markings. Absent upper receiver tang screw. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish with some light scratches and edge wear, and 70% plus vivid original case colors with smooth gray and brown patinas on the balance. The wood is fine
with defined edges, scattered mild scratches and dents on the buttstock, a 1 1/2 inch crack behind the left of the upper receiver tang, a small chipped section to the right rear of the trigger guard. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
Collector’s Fact
Only 753 U.S. Springfield Chaffee- Reece Model 1882 rifles were manufactured in 1884 for U.S. Trials.
LOT 289 Fine U.S. Springfield Chaffee-Reece Model 1882 Magazine Bolt Action Trials Rifle - NSN, 45-70 Government cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only 753 of these were manufactured at Springfield Armory in 1884, making this model one of the rarest manufactured by the armory. These rifles are based on designs by General J. N. Reece (often misspelled Reese) and Reuben Chaffee, and were approved for production and field
use by the Ordnance Department in 1882 for testing alongside the Lee and Hotchkiss bolt action magazine rifles. The rifles were sold as surplus after trials, with many being damaged and simply sold as scrap. Boxed script “SWP/1884” inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the butt. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 80% plus original blue finish with some light muzzle wear from bayonet mounting, traces of original case colors remaining on the receiver and bolt with mostly a smooth silver gray patina, some patches of light freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal. Stock is very fine, with defined edges, a re-glued crack behind the receiver, some scattered light scratches and dings, and a crisp cartouche. The magazine does not properly feed, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
Exceptional U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor Rifle - Serial no. 471141, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Blued barrel, receiver, hammer, trigger guard, buttplate, and barrel band. Casehardened breechblock and receiver tang. Left side breech end of barrel marked with “V/P/eagle head” proofmarks. Low arch breechblock marked “US/MODEL/1884”. The lock plate is marked with the American eagle next to “U. S./SPRINGFIELD”. The oil finished walnut stock is stamped with the boxed script “SWP/1889” final inspection cartouche of Samuel W. Porter on the left wrist. Blade front and Buffington ladder rear sight, two-piece trigger guard and trigger bar assembly, serrated trigger, iron cleaning rod, and smooth buttplate marked “US” on the heel. CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% plus original blue finish with some light wear marks around the muzzle, and 97% plus vivid original case colors on the breechblock and barrel tang. The stock is also excellent with sharp defined edges and attractive grains, a few scattered light pressure dents and scratches, and an exceptionally crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent. This is an outstanding example of a U.S. Springfield Model 1884 Trapdoor rifle that will proudly fill a necessary hole in any U.S. military firearms collection! Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 291
Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1888 Trapdoor Rifle with Ramrod Bayonet - Serial no. 559623, 45-70 Government cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1893, the last year of manufacture for trapdoors. Fitted with a blade front sight and “R” marked Buffington rear sight, and the Model 1888 sliding ramrod bayonet. Boxed script “SWP/1893” (Samuel W. Porter) inspection cartouche stamped on the left of the wrist, circled “P” proof behind the lower tang, and “US” marked buttplate tang. Includes shell extractor tool and screw-on ramrod tip in the butt compartment.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 70% original blue finish with areas fading to a smooth brown patina, 50% plus vivid case colors mixed with scattered heavy brown freckling, and sharp markings and edges in the metal overall. The stock is very fine with defined edges, some light nicks and handling marks, and a crisp cartouche. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 290
Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250 245