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LOT 92 Exceptional and Rare Engraved Springfield Arms Co. Open Frame Warner Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 13, 40 cal., 24 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Only a small number of these revolving rifles were reportedly manufactured between 1840 to the early 1850s based on similar designs as the Springfield Arms Co.’s revolving handguns. This particular example is the automatically revolving version with a brass top strap/breech frame. Fewer than 25 of this variation are estimated to have been manufactured, and this is certainly one of the finest examples. Like the Warner revolvers, production was limited thanks to Samuel Colt receiving an extension of his revolver patent. It has a browned, part-round, part-octagon barrel with a blade front sight on a triangular base and a casehardened loading lever. A notch rear sight is
fitted on the brass top strap. The blued cylinder has etched scroll and classical martial patterns and is the same as the Wesson & Leavitt revolver designs.
The browned action has a detachable side lock with some scroll engraving and the “WARNER’S PATENT/JAN 1851.”
marking. “13/...” is marked on the inside of the lock and on the frame under the lock. The left side of the frame has patriotic design with an American flag, colors, and Columbia’s shield. The stock has a very nicely shaped oval cheekrest and a casehardened rifle buttplate.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine with 85% plus of the bright original blue finish and crisp etching on
the cylinder, 85% plus original brown finish on the barrel, 75% plus original case colors on the loading lever, attractive aged patina on the excellent brass, 75% plus original brown on the action, 50% original case colors on the hammer and buttplate, some very minor oxidation, and smooth gray patina on the faded
areas. The stock is also very fine and has smooth oiled finish, light marks and scratches, and minor edge
wear. Mechanically excellent. This is a stunning example of a very scarce early American revolving rifle design. Had Colt not received a patent
extension, these rifles would have been key competitors to Colt’s revolving rifles in the antebellum era. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
cylinder with the deep groove running around the cylinder between the nipples. There is a small release ahead of the
main trigger to allow the cylinder to rotate. The cylinder has etched
scroll, floral, and martial patterns as well as bands. The barrel has a dovetailed blade front
sight and “79” stamped on the bottom. The iron top strap has a dovetailed notch rear sight ahead of a “WARNER’S/PATENT” marking. The same marking is also on the left side of the frame. The side plate has “JAMES WARNER/SPRINGFIELD. MASS.” along with
some faint prior miss-stamps. The stock has a brass capbox on the right side.
CONDITION: Very good with distinct markings and etching, 20% original finish, mix of gray and brown patina on the balance, some mild oxidation, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has some chips and filler near the heel, loss around the trigger guard tang, minor scratches and dings, and a nice oiled finish. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
77
LOT 93
Very Scarce James Warner Grooved
Cylinder Open Frame Percussion Revolving Rifle - Serial no. 75, 40 cal., 20 3/4 inch octagon bbl., blue
finish, walnut stock. This scarce James Warner revolving rifle is one of around 50-100 estimated to have been
manufactured c. 1849 with a manually revolved