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LOT 3130
Incredibly Well Documented, Rare and Fresh Special Order Factory Panel Scene Engraved and Gilt Silver Trimmed Colt Medium Frame Lightning Magazine Slide Action Rifle with Sycamore Stock and Factory Letter - Serial no. 81158, 44-40 WCF cal., 26 inch part octagon bbl., blue/gold/silver finish, sycamore stock. The factory letter lists this rifle in “.44 CLMR” with a 26 inch half octagon barrel, blue finish with “gold trimmings,” sycamore stock with checkered pistol grip,
half magazine, and factory engraved. It indicates the rifle was shipped to G.O. Carlson in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 17, 1906. The rifle has a Rocky Mountain blade front sight, adjustable sporting rear sight, standard two-line address and patent marking, “44 Cal.” on top at the breech, primarily grape vine engraving patterns, the Rampant Colt on the left, a gilt-silver plated buttplate and small parts (magazine tube tip, dust cover, hammer, and trigger), and checkered sycamore
pump handle and pistol grip stock. Most noteworthy is the panel scene of the bear on the right
side of the frame most often executed by John Ulrich and adorned on some of the most lavish and important Winchester Rifles of the 19th and 20th century. In fact an almost identical bear vignette
is listed as the #3 pattern in the Winchester Highly Finished Arms Catalog from 1897. The buttplate, lower tang, and upper tang all have the matching serial number. The sycamore stock is exceptionally rare and a very odd choice for a high end rifle. The engraving is beautifully executed. Provenance documentation included with the rifle suggests the original owner may have been Gustav O. Carlson who was a tool and die maker and engraver, but this information was not verified. Instead, it was likely George O. Carlson (c. 1871-?), who had a hardware business at 336 Park Street and was a “versatile inventor.” He lived in Wethersfield, which borders the south side of Hartford. However, the bear and grape theme is reminiscent of California and may relate to The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, possibly in relation to fund-raising for relief efforts. G.O. Carlson is noted in the list of donors of funds raised by the Merchant Committee in Hartford for the Red Cross after the earthquake and had ties to California due to his sister who lived in San Diego. In 1928, he is noted as having went to visit her for two months. Unfortunately, the factory records do not reveal more details.
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