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LOT 3155
Scarce Engraved, Etched, and Silver
Plated Remington-Rider
New Model Percussion Double Action Belt Revolver
Featured in “The Guns of Remington” - Serial no. 4260, 36
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE GUNS OF REMINGTON BY MADAUS
cal., 6 1/2 inch octagon bbl., silver finish, antique ivory grips. This revolver is featured on pages 69 and 71 of “The Guns of Remington: Historic Firearms Spanning Two Centuries” where it is listed as serial number 4260 (the serial number on the barrel only) manufactured in 1865-1866. It features an etched scene of two horsemen firing at one another in a lightly wooded scene on the cylinder. The rider on the left is wearing a kepi, and the other has a short brimmed hat. The barrel, frame, and trigger guard feature scroll engraving with punched backgrounds and deeply cut wavy line borders. The trigger guard tail and left side of the frame at the toe have “0.” The grip straps also have “1” marked on the left, and the back of the cylinder has “II.” The barrel has a round blade front sight and the standard three-line patent, address, and New Model marking. There is a tear drop shaped piece of metal between the two screws on the right side of the frame. CONDITION: Very good. The revolver mostly exhibits an aged gray patina and has patches of darkened silver plating, some minor oxidation, mostly distinct engraving and etching, and mild overall wear. The grips are very good and have some natural aged creamy tones, minor age cracks, and general mild age and handling related wear. Mechanically functions loosely; the cylinder lock up and rotation is not firm or consistent. Estimate: 3,500 - 5,500
LOT 3156 Whitney Pocket Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 10492, 31 percussion cal., 4 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Whitney Pocket Revolvers were manufactured circa late 1850s to early 1860s. This example is a Second Model, 2nd Type revolver with the eagle/shield/lion/naval engagement cylinder scene and ball type loading lever latch. The top barrel flat is stamped “E. WHITNEY/N. HAVEN”. The serial number is stamped on the barrel, grips and loading lever. The brass trigger guard is silver plated, and the hammer and loading lever are casehardened with remaining surfaces blue. The grips are varnished. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 90% bright original high polish blue finish with the balance a smooth brown patina. The frame retains 20% of the original blue finish in and around the protected areas with the balance a bright smooth gray patina. Most of the cylinder scene remains. The trigger guard retains 40% original silver plating. The hammer and loading lever retain 30% original case colors. The grips are excellent showing a few minor handling marks with most of the varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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LOT 3157
Engraved Mass. Arms Co. Maynard Primed Manually Revolved Cylinder Pocket Revolver with Presentation Case and Accessories - Serial no. 773, 28 cal., 2 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured circa 1851 to 1860, this example is the earliest type with the manually revolved six-shot cylinder. Total production on this type was about 900. A Colt lawsuit forced Massachusetts Arms Co. to switch to manually rotated cylinders, and led to the adoption of the Maynard priming system in an attempt to win over potential customers. On this early example, the cylinder is released via a small button ahead of the trigger, and then cocking the hammer activates the primer and readies the revolver to fire without further advancing the cylinder. It has a brass blade front sight, “MASS. ARMS CO/CHICOPEE FALLS” and a notch rear sight on the top strap, etched floral designs on the cylinder, scroll engraving on the frame and primer door, “MAYNARD’S PATENT/SEP. 22. 1845” on the primer door, and a flourish of floral engraving on the back strap. “773” marked on the frame inside the primer area, underside of the primer door and right of the grip frame. “512” marked on the underside of the top strap. Includes a hardwood case fitted to the revolver with an extra floral etched pattern cylinder, Massachusetts Arms Co. marked powder flask, Massachusetts Arms Co. container for primer tape, brass ramrod, key, lead balls and a brass dual cavity bullet mold. CONDITION: Very good, exhibits smooth gray patina with traces of original blue finish on the barrel and strongest on barrel retainer, with distinct etching and engraving. The grips are very fine with a few light handling marks. Mechanically fine. Included case is fine. The accessories are all very fine. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3158
Factory Engraved Massachusetts Arms Co. Wesson & Leavitt Belt Model Percussion Revolver - Serial no. 931, 31 cal., 5 inch round bbl., blue/casehardened/silver finish, walnut grips. Only around 1,000 of the Wesson & Leavitt Belt Model revolvers were manufactured by the Massachusetts Arms Co. in 1850 and 1851 before production was halted due to a patent infringement suit won by Colt. The design was in part by Edwin Wesson, older brother of Daniel B. Wesson of later Smith & Wesson fame. The younger Wesson and Horace Smith were among the incorporators of the Massachusetts Arms Co. In addition to the standard markings and cylinder etching, this revolver has higher quality engraving and silver plated trigger guard, grip washer, and back strap. “931” marked on the back of the barrel “barb” and face of the arbor pin. “297” marked on the underside of the back strap, on the right of the grip beneath the lock, front flat of the grip and front and rear flats of the frame. CONDITION: Very good plus, retains strong traces of original blue finish on the barrel, strong traces of case colors in protected areas of the frame with smooth gray and brown patina on the balance, and crisp engraving and markings in the metal. 75% original silver finish turned to a black remains on the trigger guard and grip straps. Grip is also fine with some slight oil darkening at the edges and some light handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500