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**NEW ADDITION** 17750 NICE- Span-Am War Colt Model 1895 US Navy .38 Double Action Revolver - with USN Belt & Holster rig. Nice gun! Interesting History! -
Serial number 89352, the regular Colt serial number, and Navy number 8527 are on the butt. Assembly number 370, matching on all numbered parts (including scratched on the inside of the hard rubber grips. This is one of only 1,000 .38 Colt caliber revolvers delivered by Colt to the Navy, inspected by Ens. Frank H. Schofield. Schofield relieved Nathan C Twining as Inspector of Ordnance on June 14, 1897 and was replaced by John N. Jordan on April 1st, 1898.

The Model 1889 New Navy [as opposed to the “old Model 1851 Navy”] Revolvers were the first modern swing-out cylinder revolvers used by the U.S. military. The Model 1895 was nearly identical on the outside, but incorporated locking improvements which were retrofitted to most of the earlier guns. (See Robert Best’s “A Study of Colt’s New Army and Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers 1889-1908,” the definitive study on this model for further info about these guns and their alterations.) The ones made in 1898, were essentially commercial production guns which passed Navy inspection. This accounts for the hard rubber grips instead of the walnut grips usually found on most of the other military contract guns. The trident and triangle S markings are all exactly as noted by Best. About 90% of the blue finish remains, showing normal holster wear, mainly on the sides of the barrel and cylinder, grip straps and sharp edges. One small fingerprint size patch of very light pitting on the cylinder which can be seen in the photos. This is a gun that has been well cared for, and screws are unbuggered. Bright and sharp bore with one small area of dirt or rust near the rear. Good mechanics.

Undoubtedly all of these 1898 revolvers went to sea with the fleet during the Spanish American War, although there is no documented history on where this one might have been used. Its post-service life is even more interesting. This is from the estate of one Captain Samuel Paul, an Irish born lad who emigrated to the U.S. in 1857, made his way west and enlisted in the 5th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry in 1861. Serving in the Army of the Cumberland he saw much service in Tennessee and Georgia, and was finally mustered out as a Captain in January 1865. He was involved in building railroads in South America in 1868-69. After returning to the U.S. in 1870 he was appointed a Deputy U.S. Marshall by M.T. Patrick [apparently his old 5th Iowa commander], and the two ended up in Utah. In Utah he was engaged in freight and ore-hauling, then the livery business and the Salt Lake Transportation Company. He was Salt Lake’s Supervisor of Streets for a term and then Chief of Police for two terms. Captain Paul was very active in Masonic affairs, from 1866 until 1919. He died in 1927 at age 91. We have (and will provide to the purchaser) a copy of his biographical information, and his discharge papers and scans of three photos of this bewhiskered gent, obtained from the family.

The pistol comes complete with the regulation U.S. Navy sword belt, holster and pistol cartridge box from the Spanish American War-WW1 era, that the family recalls as always being associated with the pistol. No one seems to know how Captain Paul ended up with the pistol and belt set, but that would have been an interesting story. Was it a Masonic connection, appropriated for his private use after confiscation by his police department from a thief or abandoned property, traded for some of his transportation related services, or purchased in a pawn shop? The belt is in fine to excellent condition, nice and supple, treated with Black Rock or Pecard type treatment. The holster is well above average for this type, and they are indeed scarce in any condition. The holster is nice and flexible with minimal cracking or flaking and no dry rot. The cartridge box displays nicely but the belt loops are cut off along with the closing tab. Overall, a very nice holster and belt set perfect for display with the pistol. The double action .38 caliber Colts are just starting to gain the respect and appreciation in value that has been common with nearly every other Colt model. The military model are hard to find in good condition without any alterations, especially those used by the Navy. ANTIQUE, so no FFL required. The whole rig for $2950.00 (View Picture of the gun) . (View Picture of the belt, holster & Ctg Box)

**NEW ADDITION** 17751 RARE! DOCUMENTED “ROUGH RIDER” Colt Model 1873 Single Action Army “Artillery Model” - Serial number 138229, listed in the Springfield Research Service database, and confirmed by their letter as being issued on June 20, 1898 to PVT. Jose Brito, age 39, who had enlisted in the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry (the “Rough Riders”) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Jose Brito and his brother Frank Brito BOTH served in the Rough Riders, and Frank ended up being the next to last survivor of the Regiment, dying in 1873. Frank was a colorful character and there is a fair amount of info on him, but less on our Trooper Jose Brito. Both were assigned to Troop H, which ended up being one of the four troops left behind in Tampa when the transport ship space allotted to the Regiment was drastically reduced at the last minute.

The father of the Brito brothers was described as a Yaqui Indian, and apparently involved with the stage coach business and he encouraged his sons to get up to Santa Fe to enlist in the Rough Riders when they were being formed, enlisting on May 6, 1898. Jose Brito was discharged from Camp Wyckoff with the rest of the unit on September 15, 1898. It is believed that Jose Brito may have rejoined the Army after leaving the Rough Riders and served in the Philippines, but sources for that are unconfirmed.

This gun is accompanied by a copy of the letter from John Kopec, the noted authority on SAA revolvers detailing its features. Summarized, it states that when converted to an Artillery Model it would have had all matching number except for the barrel. Its present state of totally mixed numbers probably reflects subsequent arsenal overhaul, possibly at the Manila Arsenal. The hammer is a circa 1920s replacement. Overall condition is VG-Fine, with about 75% thinning arsenal refinish remaining. It has an overall blue look turning plum mixed with dull steel gray where the finish is worn. No rust or pitting. Markings are light after refinishing, good on the frame but barrel address is mostly gone. Excellent bore, good mechanics. Grips are chipped and smoothed at the front on the left side of the butt, and not quite perfect fitting, typical of the refurbished guns.

In any case, this is a DOCUMENTED ROUGH RIDER REVOLVER, and has the interesting feature of being carried by a Hispanic-Indian-American. The Rough Riders are a remarkable unit with an unprecedented mix of men from all regions, backgrounds, occupations, and education levels, serving together in the common cause of defending our country. Approximately a dozen to two dozen Rough Rider guns are known to collectors today. We are proud to have the opportunity to make this one available to a good home. It’s previous owner is a university professor who likes identified pieces, but needs to thin his collection to pay medical bills. Remember, this is DOCUMENTED historic arm, and comes with both a Kopec letter detailing the gun, and a Springfield Research Service letter on the usage. Will provide preview scans of the documents if requested. $14,500.00 (View Picture)

**REDUCED!** 16740 RARE HENRY DERINGER MODEL 1843 U.S. NAVY RIFLED BOXLOCK PISTOL - Historically significant as the FIRST rifled handguns manufactured for the U.S. government. Only about 200 of these RIFLED pistols were delivered, and only by Henry Deringer. Completely original, untouched “attic mint” condition as found. The walnut stock is absolutely superb, as the Model 1843s are invariably found with the sharp edges of the butt chipped and worn. Markings are typical of the Deringer contract pistols, with no inspector marks on the barrels or stock. Lockplate has some case colors remaining, and barrel has some traces of lacquer brown finish mixed with rust and worn areas. Apparently someone fired some percussion caps (or even some kid with cap gun caps!) which resulted in rusting and light pitting around the nipple area and a rusty bore, but the rifling is very sharp and distinct, just needing a good cleaning. The boxlock design is a very cleaver feature which simplifies the lock work (reducing cost and chances for parts to break.) but was only used for a few years. An exceptionally fine example of an extremely scarce U.S. Naval pistol. $2,750.00 (View Picture)

16921 U.S. Navy .38 caliber centerfire conversion of Remington Model 1861 Navy Revolver - Serial number 22697 under barrel and on the frame. Conversion number 445 also on frame under the grip on left side. (See Flayderman 5E-014.6 for more on these.) About 7,000 of the percussion .36 caliber revolvers were purchased by the U.S. Navy, seeing service throughout the Civil War, with almost no civilian production. This one was probably delivered in June 1863, according to Donald Ware’s “Remington Army & Navy Revolvers 1861-1888.” These continued in Navy service until 1875 when Remington contracted to convert 1,020 to use .38 caliber centerfire cartridges. This is one of that small lot, nearly all of which were shipped to Mare Island for use by ships of the Pacific Fleet. These then remained in use until replaced by the double action .38 caliber Colt revolvers starting in 1889. The Remington conversions mark a key turning point in U.S. Navy weapons in the post Civil War ear as the beginning of the cartridge era, and a nice starting point for a collecting theme. The conversion involved cutting off the back of the cylinder and reaming it to accept .38 caliber center fire cartridges, and installing a base plate with a loading gate and altering the hammer to center fire. An ejector rod housing was added on the right side, with a notch cut in the loading lever where the hook on the end of the ejector rod was held in place until ready to be used. The guns were then polished and reblued. This is a nice old gun that looks old, even though it has been heavily polished long ago to a bright polished finish, almost as if it were nickel plated. Mainspring is a poor replacement, but easily corrected, and otherwise it is in fine mechanical condition. Bore is worn and dark. Ejector rod and housing are missing, as is the case with the majority of these we have seen over the years. Grips are excellent fit with some wear and chipping on the lower edge, but pretty nice. Left side of frame has a casting flaw which was uncovered when the recoil shield was milled off as part of the conversion. A good representative example of an important U.S. military side arm. $795.00 (View Picture)

15370 Starr Model 1858 Double Action .44 caliber revolver - One of about 20,000 made for use during the Civil War, in .44 caliber with a 6 inch barrel. Most were purchased by the government, and stamped with inspectors' cartouches on both side of the grip, as with this one. This is a double action design, and was fairly popular with troops, although Starr also made a different pistol that was single action only, as well as a pretty good carbine, somewhat similar to the Sharps. In recent years the double action Starr has been reproduced for the modern blackpowder shooter and reenactor market. This clever design has a thumbscrew on the right side which can be unscrewed and the barrel then hinges forward so the cylinder can be removed for cleaning. Crisp markings "STARR ARMS CO., NEW YORK and STARR'S PATENT JAN 15, 1856 on the frame. Serial number 8295 is on the cylinder, the hammer slot, and across the front of the hinge. This is a very nice example, showing some honest use, but retaining much original finish. Looks like about 40-50% original blue turning plum in places, about 10-20% dull steel gray where the finish has worn off from holster wear and the balance is plum or patina or stains. A few scattered tiny pinpoint specks of pitting, but basically nice smooth metal. Unsanded walnut grips have good inspector cartouches RHKW and BH on left and right sides respectively. Base of grip has some dings and minor abuse from pounding. Functions fine in double action mode, but cocking for single action use requires pulling the trigger a bit to start the cocking action. We don’t know if that is normal for these or if a bit of tinkering may be needed to fix a problem. (When firing from single action you actually pull the almost invisible trigger at the rear of the trigger guard- what we normally call the trigger on this mode is actually a cocking lever and when it reaches the rearward position it pushes the hidden “real” trigger.) One nipple is missing from the cylinder but threads look okay and one of the suppliers of gun parts probably has nipples, although we noted several other Starrs listed for sale with broken nipples, so it seems to be a common problem. Excellent bore. A very handsome example of a popular Civil War revolver with some interesting mechanical features. Even with the minor mechanical issues this is a well above average example. $1,895.00 (View Picture)

13318 Remington M1875 Single Action Army in .44-40 Caliber with original nickel finish - Serial number 62. The Model 1875 was Remington’s competitor against the Colt Single Action Army, and is variously called the Remington Single Action Army, Improved Army or Frontier Army. Besides .44-40 caliber, these were also offered in .44 Remington and in .45 [Colt] caliber. The caliber is marked on the grip. Between 25,000 and 30,000 were made 1875-1889, and they were given true serial numbers up to about 14,000. After that, they were given batch or assembly numbers, and that is probably the reason this one has “serial number” 62, but who knows. While most were blue, this has the optional factory nickel finish. Nickel finish was a really big deal at that time, introduced about 1868 and thought to be the cure for the corrosion problems associated with black powder and corrosive, mercuric primers. However, it was not a substitute for proper cleaning and led to the ruin of many a good gun by owners who were lazy or stupid. Flayderman notes that 639 of the Nickel plated revolvers were purchased by the Interior Department for use by the Indian Police on the reservations, but no one knows the details of that order, or the special markings (if any) which might identify them. Some were also used by the Mexican Army, but they are marked with R. de M on the cylinder and a sunburst on the barrel, which this one does not have. This model is fairly scarce (about 1/5th the production of Colt SAAs during the same period) and nickeled examples in decent condition are even scarcer. About 80% original factory nickel on the frame and barrel, and about 60% on the cylinder. Nickel is worn and flaked in areas, but pretty good compared to most well used “working” guns, not the dainty pieces that sat in Grandma’s undies drawer. Good mechanics and good bore. Original walnut grips with relatively few minor dings or bruises. Clear "44. W." marking on left to indicate caliber .44 WFC (.44-40). Good barrel markings "E.REMINGTON & SONS, ILION, N.Y. U.S.A." The round lanyard loop is present. One side of the front sight blade seems to have a couple of file strokes on it, but nothing real obvious. This comes with a nice, but not original, partitioned walnut case, and also an old note, that the previous owner got when he acquired it to record what history is known about it. It mentions Old Mexico and card games, but is really not that exciting when you read it closely. Still, it is interesting, and everyone previously associated with it has died, so we should be grateful for what we do have. The note reads QUOTE: Rem. 1875 .44-40 Revolver Purchased in Old Mexico in the 1920[s] by two wealthy young men from Coleridge, Nebr. Fred Linkhart was one of those men. They purchased several guns on the trip and then played a game of cards to see who [would] keep the guns. Mr. Linkhart lost, and the other man gave him the Remington, a shotgun and a rifle as consolation. in about 1963, said Fraed Linkhart asked Rick Leapley to clean and test fire the for him, after which he gave the gun to Rick. Rick sold the gun to John Laros of Sioux City, Iowa. [signed] Rick Leapley. END QUOTE $3750.00 (View Picture 1) (View Picture 2)

15777 Scarce Colt Model 1892 .38 Army .38 caliber Revolver reworked and remarked as Model 1901- SUPERB! - Serial number 6648. Butt marked “U.S./ARMY/MODEL/1901/No. 6648.” Assembly number 6648 on the frame and cylinder release. This is from the estate of a very serious collector who upgraded numerous times to get the finest condition examples he could find over many decades. We are delighted to be able to make them available to new homes to be enjoyed and cared for and preserve their history. Knowledge of (and interest in) the .38 caliber Colt Double Action revolvers has greatly increased since publication of “A Study of Colt’s New Army and Navy Pattern Double Action Revolvers 1889-1908” the definitive study by Robert Best. Although marked “MODEL 1901” the four digit serial number is clearly out of range, as the M1901 models were delivered in the 166,000-199,000 range, and bear different inspector and acceptance markings. Serial number 6648 was one of about 8,000 Model 1892 revolvers made between October 1892 and June 1893. This one was delivered in 1893 under the second Army contract. When compared to later produced pistols this has the short hammer notch unique to the Model 1892, changed to a longer notch in the Model 1894. Best explains (page 182) that during post-Spanish-American War overhaul programs thousands of early revolvers were brought up to the latest specifications and factory refinished to new condition by Colt. Those rebuilt to new condition after August 1901 has the old markings removed and were restamped with new butt markings as Model 1901, but using the original serial number, which is obviously out of the range for guns made as Model 1901s. Inspector markings on the bottom of both grips and left side of frame are all R.A.C. for Rinaldo A. Carr. Two R.A.C. stampings on back of cylinder. Latch has the 6648 number and letter K. It is possible that Colt factory records will have “second entries” for these in their shipping records, although we have not attempted to get a factory letter. Some of the arsenal reworked Model 1892s did not have new model year markings, while others (done by Colt prior to August 1894) were remarked MODEL 1894, so any of the 1892 variations are scarce.. About 97-98% of the original lustrous factory blue (re)finish remains with just minor wear on the sharpest edges and a tiny drag line on the cylinder. Grip straps retain most of the blue with a couple of small worn spots from holster or storage rack. Crisp mechanics and bore about perfect. Original walnut grips have matching serial number penciled inside, and R.A.C. on bottom of both. No trace of any cartouche on side of grips, evidently removed during overhaul. Many small circular dents on the bottom edge of the right grip. Unbuggered screw heads with all their fire blue. This scarce gun is one that will satisfy a “condition collector” as well as someone just seeking nice example for their rarity. There are probably only a handful left of these Model 1892/1901 conversions in this great condition. (NOTE- we sell all guns as collector items only, and although only an idiot would fire one in this condition, it should not be fired unless approved as safe by your gunsmith.) A really nice gun! Since this was made in 1893, it is legally an ANTIQUE, even though later remarked as Model 1901, so no FFL required. $1995.00 (View Picture)

13992 S&W "BABY RUSSIAN" .38 CALIBER REVOLVER - Serial number 92489, probably made about 1888-1889. This is a single action five shot revolver chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, but only for those old cartridges loaded with black powder, not modern smokeless loads. About 108,000 of these were made between 1877 and 1891. They are sometimes called the “Baby Russian” model, although that technically applies only to a slightly different variation in this series. S&W Collectors call this “.38 caliber single action- second model” or sometimes the “.38 single action Model 2, second issue.” S&W introduced the “top break” design in 1870 with the large model which included the Schofield and Russian models. In 1876 they introduced the .38 caliber size and shortly after that the .32 top breaks. These were much stronger than the earlier “tip up” models, and were extremely successful. Most of the early guns were made with the spur triggers (i.e.- no trigger guard) but about 1890 the spur trigger models were replaced by those with conventional trigger guards. This particular revolver is typical of those carried by businessmen and law breakers, kept in home nightstands, or carried in pockets or purses. Good mechanics and good bore. Original nickel plate remains on about 85% of the frame and barrel, but only about 50% of the cylinder, due to the corrosive effects of black powder and early primers. Right grip is missing a circular piece at the top, but this could be built up with epoxy and black dye. A pretty nice example of a popular gun of the 1880s. Antique, no FFL needed. $295.00 (View Picture)

12346 CIRCA 1840-1860 SPANISH OR PORTUGUESE PERCUSSION PISTOL - A handsome piece with the traditional Spanish style miquelet lock work on the outside of the plate, but made as percussion. Hammer is a unique shape, and the decorative engraving and chisel work has turned it into a dog with its fierce had turned to one side to bite the nipple. One lock screw and the ramrod are missing. Some very old specks of paint or whitewash on the upper surfaces. Looks like there is some silver(?) inlay work on the barrel, but I am reluctant to try to clean that without destroying the mellow brown patina on the iron parts. Perhaps intended for the Mexican market as it has a primitive but cute smiling sun on the sideplate. $495.00 (View Picture)

10576 ALUMINUM DUMMY PISTOL- M1842 PERCUSSION - Full size cast aluminum replica. These were popular in the 1950s onward for decoration, filling holsters for parades or as movie props, etc. This is a .54 caliber single shot Model 1842 percussion "horse pistol" carried in holsters on the saddle of mounted troops. It has a nice (but badly chipped and scratched) paint job with the stock and brass parts painted brown and gold respectively. Would look much nicer if stripped and repainted. $95.00 (View Picture)