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LOT 1184
Desirable Colt Large Frame Lightning “Express” Slide Action Rifle in .40-60-260 - Serial
no. 4874, 40-60-260 cal., 28 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Only 6,496 of the Large
Frame “Express” Lightning rifles were manufactured. This rifle was manufactured in 1890 and has a Rocky Mountain
style German silver blade front sight, elevation adjustable sporting rear sight, standard markings, checkered slide handle,
and smooth stock with rifle buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine with 60% plus original blue finish, fading mainly on the barrel and buttplate, some light oxidation, and light scratches and marks. The wood is also fine and has crisp checkering, smooth oiled finish, and minor dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 1185
Scarce Nickel Plated Colt-Burgess Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine - Serial no. 3547, 44-40 WCF cal.,
20 inch round bbl., nickel finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa 1883 to 1885, this is the only lever action firearm made in any quantity in Colt’s history with a total production of only 6,403 long arms (3,810 rifles and 2,593 carbines). This particular carbine is the
standard weight version as opposed to the baby carbine. Colt manufactured 1,621 standard carbines. Features a 20 inch barrel, full length magazine tube,
blade front and folding ladder rear sights, two-line address/patent dates barrel marking, Rampant Colt and saddle ring on the left side of the receiver, and carbine stock
with carbine buttplate with compartment holding a three piece cleaning rod. The hammer is casehardened, the trigger is niter blue, and the remaining surfaces are plated in nickel.
CONDITION: Fine, with a classic been there, done that appearance, retaining 40% period, possibly factory nickel plating with the balance a even tone gray patina from being exposed to a harsh environment. The wood is also fine, wearing its imperfections with pride. Mechanically excellent. A scarce Colt-Burgess Lever Action Saddle Ring Carbine that was well used but well maintained. A great example of a Colt working gun, this carbine certainly has the look of cutting its teeth on the cold harsh frontier of the American West.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
LOT 1186
Documented Colt Model 1878 12 Gauge Double Barrel Hammer Shotgun
with Silver Plaque Inscribed as Presented to Ezra E. Smith by Several Insurance Companies Featured in
“The Book of Colt Firearms” and “The Book of Colt Engraving” by R.L. Wilson - Serial no. 21924, 12 gauge, 28
1/8 inch solid rib bbl., brown/blue/casehardened finish, checkered walnut stock. This shotgun is shown on page 264 of “The Book of
Colt Engraving” and page 485 of “The Book of Colt Firearms,” both by R.L. Wilson. In the latter is noted as “Serial #21924 of The Model 1878
Double Barrel Shotgun. Presented to insurance man Ezra E. Smith, and fitted with an inscribed sterling silver plaque on the left side of the
stock. 30” barrels; 12 gauge. Shipped in April of 188. Hard rubber buttplate.” and noted as from the Robert Q. Sutherland Collection. Also included
is a Paul Skogstad letter in German to a Mr. Wacker noting that the Colt shipping records lists this shotgun in 12 bore with 20 inch barrels, 7 3/4 lbs. weight, Grade No. 2, rubber buttplate, “left 240,”“right 165,” and as shipped to E.E. Smith on April 4, 1888. He notes the right and left numbers were believed by Wilson to relate to the chokes.
He also notes that Hartford was not only known for Colt but also as the most important city in the U.S. in relation to insurance companies. The silver
plaque reads “PRESENTED TO/Ezra E. Smith/From/AETA FIRE INS. CO. - HARTFD. CO. MUTUAL/PHOENIX- MIDDLESEX MUTUAL/HARTFORD - TRAVS.
LIFE & ACCIDT. CO./HOME N.Y./1888.”The shotgun was manufactured in 1887 and otherwise has the standard markings and features. Ezra Ernest
Smith (1820-1894) of East Hartford was originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, but worked for many years in Hartford in insurance and real estate,
a state legislator, and held numerous local offices, including town treasurer, town clerk, notary public, assessor, justice of the peace, superior court
commissioner, and auditor. He sold his fire insurance agency that he started back in 1865 to Charles Merriman in 1887. The presentation of this
shotgun thus likely related to his retirement. Barrel and stock measurements (R/L): bore diameter nine inches from the breech .722/.747 inches; choke
constriction .007/.018 inches; minimum wall thickness .023/.018 inches; 1 15/16 inch drop at comb; 3 inch drop at heel; 13 13/16 inch length of pull; weight 7 lbs 1 oz.
CONDITION: Fine overall with a blend of gray and brown patina and light brown finish along the barrels as well as 70% distinct Damascus patterns, strong patterns of mostly silvered out original case colors, 30% original blue mostly visible in the protected areas, smooth gray patina on the balance, aged patina on the silver plaque, crisp checkering, a few faint cracks in the stock, filled small flake at the heel, mild scratches and dings, and aged coloration on the buttplate. Mechanically fine.
142 Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000