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LOT 1238
Unique Engraved French “Le
Merveilleux” Squeeze-Fire
Palm Pistol with Attractive Raised Carved
Grips - Serial no. 700, 6 mm cal., 2 7/8 inch round
bbl., blue/nickel finish, plastic grips. Manufactured
in the late 19th century. The barrel is attached to the
trigger bar, and the weapon is fired by squeezing
the bar, which pulls the barrel back, chambers a
round, and then releases the firing pin, with the
return extracting the cartridge. The frame shows flourishes of floral scroll engraving scattered throughout and is marked “P.I.BREVETE/S.G.D.G.” on the bottom. Grips are beautiful relief molded plastic, with dotted background, raised floral and leaf designs, and a banner with “LE MERVEILLEUX” at the rear.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 60% of the original blue on the barrel and 98% plus of the period replated nickel on the frame and other components with some light pitting visible beneath the finish. The grips are also very good showing an attractively aged appearance and retaining much of the contrast enamel. Mechanically very good.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1239
Engraved Silver
Plated Moore’s Patent Firearms Front
Loading Spur Trigger Revolver with Pearl
Grips and Box - Serial no. BT72, 32 teat-fire cal.,
3 1/4 inch round bbl., silver finish, pearl grips. Manufactured
by the National Arms Company circa 1864 to 1870, this front
loading revolver features about 25% coverage New York-style floral scroll
engraving on the frame, full coverage silver plating, and a hook extractor on
the right. The top of the barrel is marked with the Moore’s one-line address
and numbered “737” on the bottom, and the cylinder is marked with the D. William’s one-line patent date, both are very faint. The side plate, hammer, and grip frame have matching “BT72” markings. Includes what appears to be a factory box with a thin layer of yellow paint applied to the lid and interior.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 95% of the likely retailer applied silver plating, which generally shows an attractively aged patina, and well defined engraving. The grips are also very fine with a sliver absent from the rear edge of the left panel and a minor chip absent from the top of the right panel, and otherwise light handling marks.
Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1240
Desirable Remington Type I “No. 2” Elliot’s Patent Over/ Under Derringer with Case
- Serial no. 4088, 41 RF cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hardwood grips. These late “Type I” or “Model No. 2” derringers were manufactured from 1870 to 1888, and were the last of
the Remington derringers to be
sequentially numbered. The top
of the barrel rib is marked in
two lines, “E. REMINGTON & SONS. ILION.N.Y./ELLIOT’S PATENT DEC. 12th 1865” and the matching serial number is on the left of the grip frame and bottom of the lower barrel. Blade front sight and notch rear sight on hinged tip-up barrel with manual extractor. Smooth spur trigger and checkered hammer with mobile firing pin. The grips are smooth hardwood. Includes a very uniquely figured custom hardwood case and an assortment of .41 RF cartridges.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original nickel with some scattered light edge flaking and a few minor dings in the bottom of the lower barrel. The grips are fine with some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is very fine with minimal handling/storage wear.
Provenance: The Mel Raucher Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1241
Remington-Rider Magazine Pistol - NSN, 32 XSRF cal., 2 inch octagon bbl.,
nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Only an estimated 15,000 or less of these
magazine pistols were manufactured from 1871 to 1888. They were designed by
Remington engineer Joseph Rider and are somewhat reminiscent of the Volcanic
pistols. The Rider is one of the most unusual 19th century pocket pistols and uses
a tubular magazine located under the barrel that loads from the muzzle end, a German silver blade front sight,
a hole in the cocking lever for a rear sight, spur trigger, and oddly shaped bird’s head grips. This example features
factory engraving and nickel finish. It is marked with the standard two line E. Remington & Sons address and
Rider’s patent marking on the top barrel flat.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 97% original nickel finish with a few small patches of light pitting, and crisp engraving,
markings and edges in the metal. Hammer retains strong original nitre blue finish flaking to a brown patina with some light
pitting, and casehardened breech block turned to a gray and brown patina. Grips
are also excellent with some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1242
Etched St. Etienne Manufacture Francaise de Armes et Cycles Gaulois No. 2 Palm Pistol - Serial no.
5379, 8 mm cal., 2 1/8 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, hard rubber grips. The Gaulois was manufactured
from 1895 to around 1912 and operates on a “squeeze fire” action with an internal magazine. The pistol
has near full coverage basket-weave pattern etching. It has a single bead sight on the barrel rib which is
marked with the company trademark and “GAULOIS”, a sliding dust cover marked “2”, “CAL.” and “8 m/m”
on top of the frame, the round company emblem on the right side plate, “2” on the bottom of the frame,
a three-position “SURETE/FEL/DECHARGEMENT ET DEMONTAGE” (safe/fire/unload) safety switch, and a hard rubber plunger pad marked “1164” on the left. The matching serial number is on the bottom of the barrel, interior of the frame, and inside of the right sideplate. CONDITION: Very fine, retains 97% plus of the period reapplied nickel finish with a few scattered patches of very light pitting visible beneath the finish and well-defined etching overall. The grip is also very fine with some light wear. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1243
Cased Tipping & Lawden Model 1 Sharps Patent Pepperbox
Pistol - Serial no. 41, 22 RF cal., 3 inch fluted bbl., blue/silver finish,
walnut grips. Tipping & Lawden of Birmingham, England, were
one of only two foreign firms licensed by Sharps to manufacture
these pistols in Europe and manufactured around 4,000 of them
in the 1860s and 1870s mixed between several calibers. Since they
were designed to be readily carried, most are well-worn, but this
example is high condition. The barrel group is finished blue and
has a post front sight and Birmingham proofs on the sides. The
silver-plated frame at the breech has a groove for a rear sight and is
marked “TIPPING & LAWDEN/SHARPS’ PATENT” around the hammer
screw on the left. The grips are black finished checkered walnut.
“41” marked on the butt of the frame and “59” stamped on the
underside of both grip panels. Includes a fitted hardwood case with
blue lined interior containing a screwdriver, bore rod, .22 ammunition, oiler and key. This Christian Sharps design was easily one
of the most concealable weapons of the period and has also become somewhat of a cultural icon of the era thanks
to Hollywood.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 85% original blue finish on the barrels with some scattered light scratches, 90% original silver
plating on the frame with some light edge wear, and strong case colors visible on the hammer. Grips are also very fine with some
minor flaking along the bottom edges. Mechanically excellent. Included case and accessories are very good.
Estimate: 2,250 - 3,500
LOT 1244
Desirable F.C. Taylor
Fur Getter Single
Shot Trap Gun - Serial
no. 2551, 22 LR cal., 5 1/2
inch round bbl., bright finish. Manufactured in the 1920’s. Brass frame and fixtures. The basic
concept of the Fur Getter is to attract all manner of furry critters right to the muzzle of this
contraption through the use of the baited hook, where they meet their demise by attempting to
run away with said bait which in turn pulls the hook which is attached to the trigger. One period
advertisement states it can kill any animal up to a wolf without causing any damage to the fur.
Marked “TAYLOR FUR GETTER./F.C. TAYLOR FUR CO. ST. LOUIS. MO.” on the left side of the frame,
1914 patent date on the reverse. It shows standard features and is mounted on a swivel stake/
screw for mounting in logs or other game-rich environments.
CONDITION: Fine overall, showing an attractively aged patina overall on the brass and the iron
mostly a smooth grey patina. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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