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SERIAL NUMBER LISTED IN THE BOOK A STUDY OF THE COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER BY GRAHAM, KOPEC & MOORE
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LOT 34
Native American Style Tack Decorated Winchester Model 1876 Lever Action Rifle with Desirable “Thumbprint” Dust Cover - Serial no. 41959, 45-60 WCF cal., 20 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1884 as a second model with the dust cover rail retained with two screws and the dust cover having the desirable “thumbprint” grip checkering. These Model 1876 rifles were incredibly popular on the western frontier for their increased firepower over almost anything else available. This example shows extensive brass tack decoration on the stock, which is often associated with Native American use, and a period shortened barrel which would certainly make it the sort of rifle any Native American warrior would have been happy to carry into battle. The top barrel flat is marked with the two-line address/ King’s patent marking (partially obfuscated) in front of the rear sight dovetail and the caliber marking at the breech. The model designation is on the upper tang, faint serial number on the lower, and faint caliber marking repeated on the cartridge elevator. It is fitted with a brass blade front sight and an empty rear sight dovetail, with the rear sight appearing to have been absent for quite some time judging by the patina on the barrel. The loading gate is a modern replacement. It is mounted with a smooth rifle-length forearm and straight grip stock with a crescent buttplate. As previously stated, the wood has been extensively decorated with domed brass tacks in various patterns and lines. CONDITION: Fair, showing mostly a mixture of grey, brown, and artificial brown patinas and a patch of moderate pitting towards the center of the barrel and magazine. The barrel was shortened during the period of use, making a handier rifle for a more mobile fighter. The wood is also fair showing extensive tack decoration (see above), a moderate chip absent from the wrist along with four stabilized through holes, and the general wear and tear of a rifle that was heavily used on the frontier. Mechanically good. A Winchester 1876 that certainly has the look of having been used in the American West! Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 35
Historic and Documented One of Three Known Nickel Plated Rinaldo A. Carr Inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 137603, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. Offered is a historically significant nickel plated U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver as it has taken center stage to a grand debate among Colt and U.S. military firearms collectors that continues on to today. Four basic theories for the existence of highly controversial nickel plated U.S. Cavalry Model Revolvers have developed over the decades and are the following: 1) issued to Indian Scouts and Police; 2) special order “officers” revolvers; 3) surplus State of Virginia Militia revolvers sold to and nickel plated by Colt
or commercial retailers; and 4) U.S. Navy revolvers. See Kopec’s “A Study of Colt Single Action Army Revolver” for the history related to this ongoing debate. This example, no. 137603, is documented by serial number in Kopec’s aforementioned ground breaking study on pages 237 and 249 as being one of only three nickeled U.S. revolvers found in the Rinaldo
A. Carr ordnance inspected model serial number range 131208-140361 known to exist in collections today. The other two revolvers are nos. 133125 and 134191. After a careful review it was determined, “The occurrence therefore of nickel
plated U.S. Cavalry revolvers was predominantly found in the 1870s. Their ‘popularity’ began to dwindle during the 1880s and was nearly gone during the 1890s” (page 249). The accompanying factory letter for this Cavalry Model states it was chambered in .45 caliber and had a blue finish when it was sold to the U.S. government and delivered to the U.S.
government inspector at the Colt plant on January 20, 1891. This delivery was for 200 units. The barrel length and stocks are not listed in the records, a common indication of a 7 1/2 inch barrel and walnut stocks as these features were standard and are the features found on this revolver. The barrel has the one-line
Hartford address. The left side of the frame has the two-line patent dates marking followed by “US.” Carr’s “RAC” inspector initials appear on the barrel, cylinder, frame, and bottom of the grip. A “P” proof appears on the barrel and cylinder. The grip has the date “1891” (faint) and Inspector Stanhope English Blunt’s script letter cartouche on the left side and Carr’s script letter cartouche on the right side. The matching full serial number is on the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The matching partial serial number “7603” is on the cylinder and barrel. CONDITION: Fine, retaining 40% period nickel plating with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The grip is fine with high edge wear and some
minor handling marks. The cartouches are legible. Mechanically fine. A documented nickel plated R.A. Carr inspected U.S. Colt Cavalry Model Single Action Revolver that is a must have for the serious SAA or U.S. military collector. No SAA collection can be considered complete without this highly controversial nickel Cavalry Model. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 36 Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1877 Trapdoor Carbine - Serial no. 87525, 45-70 Government cal., 22 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened finish, walnut stock. Reportedly 4,500 of these so called “Transitional Model 1873/1879” carbines were manufactured between 1877-1878. This rifle is manufactured within the correct pre-100000 serial number range with the low-arch breechblock, standard blade front sight, the continuous curve notch and folding ladder rear sight graduated out to 1,200 yards and marked “C”, “U.S./MODEL/1873” breechblock marking, no “1873” on the lock, single sling swivel on the barrel band (stacking swivels listed as standard), an “1878” dated cartouche on the stock, and a thick wrist stock with a 10 1/2 inch comb and a compartment in the butt (empty).
CONDITION: Very good, retains 30% plus of the vibrant original case colors on the breech block with the balance of the metal having thinned and been cleaned to mostly a smooth grey patina and a thin protective varnish applied. The reoiled wood is also very good with some scattered light handling marks, some light chipping near the buttplate, and a well-defined slightly enhanced cartouche. Mechanically excellent. A very good example of a Springfield Model 1877 carbine that likely saw use on the American plains during the Indian Wars! Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500