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LOT 83
Attractive Griffin & Howe Upgraded Factory Engraved Marlin Ballard Deluxe No. 4 1/2 A-1 Mid-Range Target Rifle Inscribed to New York Socialite McClure Halley - Serial no. 1887, 22 LR cal., 25 1/2 inch round heavy bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Originally manufactured from 1878 to 1880, the core of this rifle is the very attractive and desirable Marlin-Ballard No. 4 1/2 A-1 Mid-Range Target rifle. The receiver features the very
attractive factory engraving on both sides showing “Ballard A1” on the left and “Mid Range” on the right, both surrounded by beautiful floral scroll. This particular example was masterfully upgraded by Griffin & Howe, likely in the early 1900s. The heavy barrel is inscribed on top “GRIFFIN & HOWE, INC. NEW
YORK.” and is inscribed to a previous owner, “McCLURE HALLEY, NEW YORK.”, an early 20th century New York socialite. Halley is mentioned regularly in New York newspapers in the early 20th
century, with him and his wife being noted as very active in horse racing and the show dog scene. His wife specifically was noted as the owner of a world champion Pekingese around 1915. McClure
himself is also noted as special ordering a very attractive Alfa Romeo sports car and being very active in the early racing/exotic automobile circles. It is said that Halley lived in a hotel in Italy for two months, not far
from the Alfa Romeo plant, just to make sure the car was built to his exact specifications. Apart from the markings noted above, the receiver has the two-line J. Marlin address and patent dates on the left of the receiver and the serial number on the bottom. The caliber marking is engraved on the left of the barrel at the breech. The Griffin & Howe barrel is fitted with a globe front sight, with two sets of drilled and tapped holes for scope
block, all of which have filler screws in place. The upper tang is fitted with a mid-range peep sight. The rifle has double set triggers and a serpentine lever with bulbous, wood-paneled grip area. It is mounted with a nicely figured, beautifully checkered, perch belly forearm with attaching point for a palm rest. The pistol grip stock is similarly figured and checkered, with a shadowline cheek piece and fitted with a nickeled Swiss/Schuetzen style buttplate. CONDITION: Exceptionally fine as Griffin & Howe custom upgraded to present configuration, retains 95% plus of the period blue finish with minimal handling marks and crisp markings and engraving overall. The wood is very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and a few scattered minor blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very attractive example of a unique Griffin & Howe custom Marlin-Ballard single shot rifle! Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 84
Desirable Factory Engraved Stevens Ideal No. 52 Schuetzen Junior Single Shot Target Rifle - Serial no. 4065, 22 LR cal., 29 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Manufactured from 1897 to 1916. The upper right of the barrel is marked with the two-line Stevens address followed by “EX”, and the caliber marking is on
the upper left. The serial number is marked on the lower tang, and the front of
the receiver is marked “T/52”. The sides and tip of the receiver feature very attractive flourishes of factory floral scroll engraving. The matching number barrel is fitted with a combination front sight and two scope blocks at the rear, and a peep
sight is on the upper tang. It is mounted with a very finely figured, deluxe fleur-de-lis checkered, Schnabel tip matching number forearm with palm rest, as well as a matching checkered pistol grip stock with high comb, cheek piece, and Swiss/Schuetzen style buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 90% of the period refinished blue and 75% original vibrant casehardened finishes with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a few scattered light handling marks. The wood is very fine with some scattered light handling marks, mostly crisp checkering, and retaining almost all of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 85 Very Scarce J. Stevens & Co. First Issue Conlin No. 38 Tip-Up Single Shot Target Pistol with Case - Serial no. 6822, 22 cal., 12 inch part round bbl., blue/nickel finish, walnut grips. Manufactured from 1880-1884, it is estimated that only about 500 of these First Issue variations were made. This model was named after the well-known New York shooting gallery operator James S. Conlin. The upper left flat of the barrel has the standard two-line Stevens Chicopee address and patent dates. The matching serial number is marked twice on the left of the grip frame and again on the left of the barrel. The right of the grip frame is marked “22”. It is fitted with blade and notch sights, a trigger guard with finger spur, the First Issue spur trigger and semi-circular sideplate, and a pair of checkered walnut grips. Includes a leather travel style case, vintage bottle of Marble’s solvent oil, glass bottle of Parker’s “Dead Black” for rifle sights, and a cleaning rod. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% of the original blue finish, 90% of the original nickel, and 75% of the original niter blue on small parts with the balance having thinned to mostly a smooth grey patina or attractively aged brass. The grips are also very fine with a few light blemishes in the otherwise crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The case is good with some moderate wear and some tearing. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection. Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
LOT 86 Attractive Gold Plated J. Stevens Arms Co. No. 37 Stevens-Gould Tip-Up Single Shot Pistol with Checkered Pearl Grips - Serial no. 11335, 22 RF cal., 10 inch part round bbl., blue/gold finish, pearl grips. Manufactured between 1889 and 1903. The barrel is marked on the left flat with the two-line Stevens Chicopee address and patent information. The matching serial number is on the left of the grip frame, inside the trigger guard, and on the left of the barrel. It is fitted with a blade front and elevation adjustable rear notch sights. The frame and trigger guard of this example have a gold plated finish which was likely special ordered. The hammer and trigger are checkered with a niter blue finish. It is fitted with a pair of attractive checkered pearl grips. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 75% of the original blue finish and 70% of the original gold with the balance having thinned to either a smooth grey patina or an attractively aged, mellow brass. The grips are very fine with a few scattered light handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Wayne Connor Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500 71