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LOT 1108
Exceptionally Fine Factory Engraved, “Wm Murray” Inscribed Moore’s Patent Firearms Co. No. 1 Derringer - Serial no. 1046, 41 RF cal., 2 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., silver finish, metal grips. The Moore derringers were
manufactured in the first half of the 1860s and were the first large caliber cartridge derringers. This same basic design was also manufactured by the National Arms Company and Colt later in the century. This example has the
typical factory scroll, arrow, and floral engraving on the frame, grip, and barrel, as well as a beautiful silver plated finish. The top of the barrel
on this particular example is factory inscribed “Wm. Murray” (identity unknown), while the bottom of the barrel has the Moore’s patent
marking (lightly struck) and serial number. This example retains a remarkable amount of the silver plating, considering these derringers often
saw significant wear due to being carried in a pocket.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the original silver plating, a few patches of very light wear, flaking, and spotting, and crisp
engraving overall. Mechanically functions, though the barrel release button is absent. A beautiful example of a uniquely inscribed Moore’s
patent derringer!
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1110
Presentation Cased F.T. Baker London Retailer Marked Colt Etched Panel New Line .32 Spur
Trigger Revolver - Serial no. 16626, 32 CF cal., 2 1/4 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured
in 1880, this is an attractive example of Colt’s New Line .32 revolver that was retailer marked by the famous London retailer F.T. Baker.
The top of the barrel is marked with the standard two-line address, while the model and caliber marking are in an etched panel on the
left. The caliber marking is repeated on the lower left of the frame. The back strap is hand-engraved “F.T.BAKER. GUN MANUFACTURER
LONDON.”, and the serial number is marked on the butt. It is fitted with a blade front sight, frame-top groove rear sight, and a pair of
smooth walnut grips. Includes a attractive hardwood presentation case with blank brass escutcheon on the lid (lock plate absent), an oiler, and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Fine, retains 60% plus of the period retailer applied blue finish with the balance mostly a smooth brown patina, a few scattered patches of light pitting, and a
distinct etched panel. The grips are also fine, with the right panel darker than the left, and a few minor dings. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is very good with some
minor handling/storage marks.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 950 - 1,600
LOT 1109
Scarce and Desirable Factory Engraved Colt House Model
“Cloverleaf” Spur Trigger Revolver with Pearl Grips - Serial
no. 1416, 41 RF cal., 3 inch round bbl., blue/silver finish, pearl
grips. Manufactured in 1871, this is one of around 7,500 of the
“Cloverleaf” type with their distinctive four-shot cylinders, with
many less than that being factory engraved like this example.
The sides of the frame, trigger spur, and top of the back strap
all have beautiful flourishes of factory floral scroll and border
engraving, as do both the cylinder and barrel, a rarely seen
level of coverage. The standard two-line address is on top of
the barrel flanked by Maltese crosses. The serial number is
marked on the butt.
CONDITION: Very good, retains faint traces of the original
finishes with the balance either a smooth grey patina or
attractively aged brass, a few scattered patches of light
pitting, a few minor dings, and mostly crisp
engraving. The grips are also very good with
a minor chip, a few hairline cracks, and a
few minor scratches. Mechanically needs
work as the cylinder is stiff.
Provenance: The Charles Marx
Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1111
Extremely Scarce Civil War Era C.D. Leet & Co. 50-Count
Box of .41 Rimfire Cartridges Labeled as for Moore’s Patent
Derringer - Manufactured c. 1862 to 1865, this is an extremely
scarce box of .41 Rimfire cartridges by C.D. Leet & Company,
which is labeled as “Made expressly for Moore’s Patent Derringer.”
In 1860, Charles D. Leet was an employee of Smith & Wesson,
before entering into a cartridge producing partnership later that
year which was called Leet, Goff & Company. In 1862, the firm
was renamed to C.D. Leet & Co, before changing again in 1864 to
simply C.D. Leet. During the Civil War, the Leet firm is known to have
produced over 500,000 pinfire cartridges for the Union Army under
contract, and it is also believed to be the first cartridge company in
the United States to mass produce paper shotgun shells. By late 1865, the company and
its machinery were sold off to Schuyler, Hartley, Graham & Co, leaving examples of Leet
cartridges and cartridge boxes extremely scarce on the collectors marking. This example
is made primarily of green colored card stock and features a black label with white text
on top of the lid. The protective wrapping on the box was not removed, but it appears to
contain the full compliment of cartridges.
CONDITION: Fair, with the box itself showing moderate wear and some minor separation of
the corners, while the label has a few absent pieces, including most of the manufacturer’s
name, some mild fading, and the remaining text mostly distinct. An
extremely rare, Civil War era box of cartridges that is a must-have for the
serious Moore’s patent collector!
Provenance: The George S. Lewis Jr. Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
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