Collectible Antique Longarms for sale (pre-1899)
NOTE: THE ITEMS BELOW ARE "ANTIQUES" AND NO NOT REQUIRE A FFL FOR SHIPMENT.

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**NEW ADDITION** 17816 CHILEAN MODEL 1895 (7 x 57mm) MAUSER RIFLE - Serial number K6694. A very presentable representative example of one of the early Mauser military rifles with the double row magazine. In the late 19th century arms race in South America, Argentina started with the Model 1891 which had the single row box magazine and a small caliber using smokeless powder. Peru also adopted some Model 1891s. Brazil adopted some Model 1893 (also described as Model 1894) Mausers which were copies of the Spanish model with the double stack flush magazine and a few minor mechanical improvements. Chile then adopted the Model 1895 which was another variation based on the Spanish model 1893. Of course, later other countries adopted many variations of the classic Gew 98 Mauser rifles. This Model 1895 Chilean Mauser is in near excellent condition, with about 90% of the original blue finish on the action, barrel and bands. The bolt has faded to a dull steel gray mixed with some spotting, but could easily be polished bright again if desired to make it look newer. The butt plate blue finish is mostly gone. The stock was lightly sanded long ago, and has an old military style oil finish. There is normal finish wear on the high points. Bore has strong rifling, but is dark and may or may not clean up. Not import marked, although there is a scraped spot on the bottom of the barrel which MAY have been where some light marks were removed, but it looks like just a scrape to me. Cleaning rod is a replacement and possibly incorrect, but pretty close to correct. A fine addition to a collection of South American military arms, or a military Mauser collection. These are just beautiful examples of the quality of fit and finish that was expected of pre-1900 German craftsmen. ANTIQUE, No FFL needed. $450.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17800 Swiss Model 1878 .41 rimfire (10.38 x 38Rmm) Vetterli Rifle - Serial number 190244 (Repetier-Gewehr 1878) Receiver marked "[cross]/ Waffenfabrik/Bern/190244/M.78" with matching numbers on other parts. Metal parts with about 80-90% original blue finish on most parts. The top of the barrel between the lower band and the rear sight has thinning finish turning plum and mixed with patina. Excellent medium brown color walnut stock with good cartouches and original oil finish with some assorted mostly minor storage and handling bruises. This one previously lived with a smoker and it reeks of tobacco smoke and has a thin film of crud that needs to be cleaned off and it will look much nicer. This is the standard Swiss Infantry rifle, a bolt action tubular magazine (12 round) repeating rifle from the period when we were still fussing with single shot flopdoor fusils. Admittedly the .45-70 cartridge was good for long ranges, while the .41 rimfire was a pretty puny load. Bore in the 33 inch barrel is sharp and mirror bright, and overall workmanship reflects the legendary Swiss precision workmanship. Upper band has stud on right side for sword bayonet, but these could also use a socket bayonet with a cruciform blade. Complete with the original cleaning rod, which is usually missing from these rifles. These were made between 1879 and 1881. A handsome example of 130 year old rifle! Antique, no FFL needed. $795.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17799 TURKISH MODEL 1938 8MM MAUSER RIFLE MADE FROM GERMAN GEW 1888 COMMISSION RIFLE - Serial number 11338, mismatched. We really are not big fans of the myriad Turkish Mauser variations, but got a couple as part of package deals. This could be a very inexpensive collecting specialty with oodles of variations, some more interesting than others. The Turks are noted for their long history of warfare with other groups or nations, and domestic unrest, and thus have been voracious consumers of firearms for centuries. You may recall the Turks “bought American” in the 1860s-70s, and slaughtered Russians with a mix of Peabody rifles for long range fire and Model 1866 Winchesters for rapid close range fire at the battle of Plevna. In 1887 the Mauser brothers convinced the Turks to buy a large number of 11mm Model 1871/84 Mausers (Turkish Model 1887). Their contract very smartly included a clause that specified that if a newer model rifle was introduced the balance of the contract would be filled with the newer model. Thus the Turks leapfrogged into variations of the Model 1889 (in 7.65mm) with the single column box magazine, then the Model 1893 (in 8mm) and then the 1898, but all under Turkish designations and usually in several variations. In addition the Turks received large numbers of Model 1888 “Commission Rifles” from Germany during WW1, and captured thousands of British Lee Enfields during the Gallipoli campaign. In the 1930s the Turks began a program to overhaul their hoarded arms and convert everything into a more or less standard configuration, and standardize on the 7.92 x 57mm Mauser cartridge as the common ammunition. This involved reworking the various guns by replacing barrels, altering or replacing stocks and mashing the metal parts into conformity. Meanwhile, new rifle production continued by AFSA (the Turkish military arsenal) in Ankara, Turkey. Those were the “Model 1938” rifles essentially a 98 Mauser type design with the older style upper band assembly. To thoroughly confuse collectors, all of the rifles being updated were also called Model 1938s, regardless of what they started off as. There is some info on all of these in Robert Ball’s superb Mauser Military Rifles of the World, and one excellent on line source is http://www.turkmauser.com, run by a collector who seems to have an excellent grasp on the subject. This rifle was one of the Gewehr 1888 “Commission rifles” made for Germany to use the “packet” type clips, and then updated in 1905 by the Germans to use conventional “stripper” clips and the improved sharp pointed “S” ammunition. During WW1 a large number of these obsolescent rifles were given to German’s allies in Turkey. As part of the Turkish “Model 1938” conversion program these were restocked and the barrel jackets removed and other changes made to bring them up to the Turkish “standard.” The receiver rings were remarked with the conversion information, in this case ASFA Ankara and dated 1938. Renumbered at that time the serial number on the receiver is 11338, with most other numbered parts mismatched. As Turkish rifles go, this is in above average condition, with the blue finish mostly turned to plum but not rusty or pitted. The stock is relatively free from blemishes and has a pleasing oiled finish, not the usual grease soaked crap wood. The bore is dirty but looks like it should clean to good. No import marks found. Although some people shoot these, we sell all firearms as collector items only, and the must be approved by a competent gunsmith. This is actually one of the more interesting and historic Turkish rifle variations we have seen. $225.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17522 BATTLE OF SAN JUAN HILL VETERAN!- U.S. MODEL 1888 .45-70 "TRAPDOOR" RIFLE- - Serial number 528683, made in 1891. Over 60,000 of these M1888 rod bayonet rifles were made 1890-1893, and many of them were used in the Spanish American War. This one is somewhat below average in condition, but that is more than made up for by the unit markings which show it was used by the 71st New York Volunteer Infantry. This unit was engaged at the Battle of San Juan Hill in July, 1898, along with Teddy Roosevelt’s famous “Rough Riders” and several other units. While the regulars were prohibited from placing markings on their arms, several of the states engaged in the practice, especially New York. This rifle bears a large 71 over 280 indicating the Regiment and an inventory number, and the comb is marked D over 60 indicating issue by Company D to soldier number 60. Research has not found any other regiment in the Span-Am era numbered 71, leaving the only possible ID to be that of the 71st New York. This unit went to Cuba on the same ship as the Rough Riders, and they were engaged at the Battle of San Juan Hill. However, their being armed with the smoke billowing Model 1888 Rod Bayonet Trapdoors Springfields made them unwelcome neighbors, except for one time when the smoke was used to mask a troop movement. Sometimes the 71st is criticized for a lack of aggressiveness (or worse) and for moving too far down the left flank, although the latter was done on foolish order from above. One of the best all time private soldier accounts is “The Little War of Private Post” who was in Company F of the 71st NY. We will include a hardcover copy (used good condition) of the book by Charles Johnson Post describing in great detail their experiences from initial recruitment to final muster out, including the battle itself and the misery in the trenches that followed while being attacked by yellow fever. The markings alone testify to the history of this rifle, as Frank Mallory’s Springfield Research Service found no records from the 71st NY, and no records at all for trapdoors in the 528,000 or 529,000 range. The M1888 rifles were made at the end of the trapdoor era using the same silly idea (first tried in 1833 with Hall carbines and later repeated again with the M1903 Springfield prior to 1905) whereby a rod bayonet would be used, eliminating the need for a separate bayonet. Since the Indian Wars had not seen much (if any) use of the bayonet, it probably seemed like a good idea, especially since the cost would be cheaper than getting back into the socket bayonet manufacturing business. Up until that point most of the trapdoor bayonets were made by altering left over Civil War era .58 caliber musket bayonets, and Springfield was out of them. Aside from the interesting history, this is a good, but somewhat below average example of the Model 1888 Rod Bayonet Trapdoor. Bore is fine to near excellent. The stock has been lightly scraped or sanded stock with a faint SWP over 1891 cartouche but no traces of the circle P. The stock is a mellow dark brown color with just the original and period oil finish. There are the usual assorted handling and storage dings or bruises expected on an issued martial arm. The 1884 dated block is a splotchy mix of black, gray and silver tones, typical of the casehardened finish which has been neglected, matching the receiver. Other parts retain maybe 50% original blue, much thinned from normal wear, with a few spots of light rust, and many assorted dings and peens. The rod bayonet which has almost no finish and is very tight fight. The buttplate is somewhat abused and the trapdoor for access to the tools is not fitting properly. Otherwise good mechanics. The rear sight has a spotonthe left rear that looks like it was brushed against a grinding wheel, but fortunately it only touched the sight, but there is no logical reason for doing something like that as far as we can figure. The front sight blade has been replaced with a higher one so a person might actually hit something at less than the 200 yard zero with the original blade. Reportedly these were not good shooters due to the solid attachment of the heavy rod bayonet to the muzzle, so that when fired, the rod acted like a tuning fork- vibrating the whole time the bullet was headed out the barrel. Simply removing the rod when shooting eliminates that problem, and the Buffington sights (especially with addition of a front sight hood) are capable of excellent accuracy. Butt trap has the standard two holes with a slot along one edge for carrying a M1879 combination tool, M1882 headless shell extractor and a cleaning tip for the rod bayonet. Of the 60,000 M1888 rod bayonet rifles made, a great many have been chopped down for sporting use over the years, (perhaps up to 30-40 percent of them in our opinion) making these a lot less common than the production figures suggest. As the last of the single shot, blackpowder rifles, this is a key milestone in U.S. martial arms history, as well as an iconic weapon of the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection. Without the history, this would be an okay representative example, but the history really makes it an exciting example of a rifle used by a famous unit, and one that you will appreciate much more after reading the book. (For people who just want to read the book, we have paperback copies available at http://oldguns.net/catbookmilhist.htm) ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $1650.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17892 U.S. Model 1841 .54 caliber “Mississippi” Rifle made by Tryon – UNMODIFIED (scarce) - Regarded by many collectors as the most handsome of all U.S. military arms, about 70,000 were made between 1846 and 1855. Harpers Ferry made about 25,000 with about the same number from Eli Whitney, 15,000 from Robbins & Lawrence, 10,000 from Remington and only about 5,000 from Tryon of Philadelphia. George W. Tryon of Philadelphia delivered the 5,000 rifles for his contract circa 1846-1848, and apparently his machinery later was sold to William Glaze of the Palmetto Armory, although there is considerable evidence that Glaze never made any guns, but merely assembled guns from parts purchased in the North, mainly second rate parts rejected by federal inspectors. Most of the Mississippi Rifles saw use in the Civil War and most were altered then, or earlier to .58 caliber, fitted with bayonets or with improved sights, leaving unmodified examples somewhat scarce. This example is still in the original configuration as made, and never altered to .58 caliber or fitted for any type of bayonet, or any changes made to the sights. The bore with seven groove rifling is G-VG. Good mechanics. Original ramrod with brass tip. There is some light pitting on the lockplate, but none on the barrel or other parts. Barrel has been cleaned to bright long ago. The brass fitting were polished long ago, and it looks like the wood and fittings were then given a coat of varnish, so it has a very handsome appearance. The stock is sound with no rotting behind the nipple area, or cracks or splits. Traces of inspector cartouches. “XXV” is lightly carved into the wood ahead of the trigger guard, but meaning is unknown, so you can make up your own story about that. The upper sling swivel is a bit misshapen and has an old brazed repair. Overall this is just a nice honest old gun that has never been abused, or modified. This is a nice looking representative example of the famous “Mississippi Rifle” used in the Mexican War and again in the Civil War. ANTIQUE- No FFL needed. $2750.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17983 U.S. Military Daisy Model 95 “Quick Kill” BB training gun - Yes, this is a real, U.S. military Daisy BB gun! The Army adopted a program to teach instinctive or “point” shooting in 1967. This used specially made Daisy Model 95 BB guns with NO SIGHTS, and longer adult length buttstocks. Trainees would begin by firing at 3.5” diameter discs thrown in the air from 6-12 feet ahead of them. After getting about 80% hits on those, they would switch to 2.5” diameter discs. After gaining some skill and confidence with the aerial targets, they would begin on ground targets, and then graduate to using the service rifle with the sights taped over. By learning to point the weapon and sighting above (and parallel to) the barrel, they simply focus on the target and shoot without reference to sights. Most of the military used guns were heavily used and abused in training, and scrapped when worn out. However, a few have survived, and they are an interesting oddity for the U.S. martial arms collector. This one has a rack number 71 painted on the forend, and on an ancient piece of masking tape on the butt. The finish on the forend is flaking, but pretty good on the butt, although the butt has been hit a number of times with BBs. The black paint finish has been redone during its period of use, so that the MODEL 95 and REG. NO. B762504 are barely visible, and the finish shows wear and assorted scrapes and dings. This seems to work okay mechanically. These were purchased over a several year period, and few were marked in any way, so other characteristics of a military used are have to be relied on to identify the military ones from the very similar guns sold as a more politically correct “Quick Skill” product for the civilian market. I have only seen a half dozen of these in 20 years, and few collectors are aware of them. Included will be a .pdf printout of an article in an airgun collector magazine on these. Just be careful you do not shoot your eye out! Although not an antique, it is listed here as there is NO FFL needed to order this. $165.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 17597 U.S. MILITARY M16A1 "RUBBER DUCK" DUMMY TRAINING RIFLE - These are made using a real barrel and front sight assembly (presumably barrels salvaged from well used rifles being overhauled) with the remainder being cast from a hard rubber type material. These are exact duplicates of the M16A1 down to the M16A1, Colt and serial number markings found on the rifle they used to make the master patterns. These are produced at various Army training aids units and intended for use where a real rifle might be damaged in training, or to eliminate the need for the secure storage needed for real rifles. Recruits in Boot camp use these for most of their training to learn the manual of arms, and they can be used in close quarter combat drills with the bayonet fixed and practicing the ever popular vertical butt stroke without shattering the aluminum and plastic M16 rifles. Some are used by color guards and the like as well. For a gun collector, this is great for display as few will ever have the chance to own a select fire M16 rifle, and even the semi-auto only AR-15s are prohibited by idiots running some states. Overall excellent condition, about mint unissued you might say with some of the flash from the mold joints not fully cleaned off. Some of these are marked on the butts to identify the activity which made them, and while this one was made by Fort Gordon, which made most of them. These are officially called a training device “DVC-T7-83”. While not an antique, it is NOT A FIREARM, AND NO FFL NEEDED. However, some politicians are so paranoid that they don’t even like non-firing fake guns, so we will not ship this to Kalifornia, New York, Massachusetts or Illinois. Flee to freedom and then we can sell it to you. $295.00 (View Picture)

17954 U.S. MODEL 1819 HALL BREECHLOADING RIFLE MADE IN 1831- PERCUSSION CONVERSION (SUPERB!) - The American Rifleman had a great article on these a few months ago. The first breechloading rifle adopted by the U.S. military (or any other nation!), and the first to be made to 100% interchangeable standards, under the supervision of the inventor, John H. Hall. Hall was authorized to set up and run the “Rifle Factory” at Harpers Ferry Armory, separate from the regular operation where the workers and managers bitterly opposed any attempt to change from their traditional hand made non-interchangeable autonomous and insubordinate habits. Adopted in 1819, total production was a very small 19,680 with delivered by Harpers Ferry in 1819, 1823-24 and 1827-1840. About 35,000 more Hall rifles and carbines of various models were delivered up through about 1853 by Harpers Ferry or by Simeon North of Middletown, CT, who was held to the same tight tolerances as the National Armory. These are unusual in having very shallow sixteen groove rifling, at a time when other military rifles has seven deep grooves. Also, these had about 1.5 inches at the muzzle bored out slightly oversize (and removing the rifling) to facilitate loading from the muzzle in an emergency. Because these loaded from the breed by dumping the powder into the breech then pressing the ball into place, the ball could be the correct diameter to engage the rifling, rather than undersize or fitted with a patch and rammed down from the muzzle. Because the hammer is located in the center of the breechblock, the front and rear sights are offset to the left. You will sometimes see M1816 style bayonets that have a small “V” notch offset on the bridge at the back of the socket. Those are actually Hall rifle bayonets (and quite scarce!). Considered quite the innovation at the time, Hall’s breechloaders were fairly well received, especially the carbine used by mounted troops where they were far more convenient to load on horseback than the traditional muzzle loaders. Hall rifles were used in the Blackhawk, Seminole and Mexican wars, and 15 were presented to Japan by Commodore M.C. Perry in 1854. However, the novelty eventually wore off, and chronically cheapskate Congresses objected to the high cost of these patent arms when cheaper muzzle loaders were good enough. Many of the late production Hall rifles remained in storage and were converted to percussion before (or early in) the Civil War, and several thousand were issued (by both sides). However, by the end of 1862, all the Halls seem to have been retired from service. Overlooked initially, it was later realized that if powder spilled while loading it tended to accumulate under the breech- and then ignite when the gun was fired, often burning hands or destroying the stock. By the 1860s far better breechloaders were being made, ending the 40 year service life of the Hall design. This rifle is one of the ones converted in federal arsenals near the start of the Civil War, but never issued. It has conversion match marks “HHH VI” marked in the stock, (and presumably on several other parts as well) which falls in the most typical “Type I” conversion as classified by Peter Schmidt in his superbly researched “Hall’s Military Breechloaders.” This rifle is a beautiful example, one of 800 made at Harpers Ferry in 1831. About 95-97% of the original lacquer brown finish remains on most parts, even the buttplate. The breech block was polished bright at the time of conversion. The bore is like a mirror and probably unfired since leaving the Armory in 1831. The stock shows assorted handling and storage dings and bruises picked up over the last 165 years, including one screwhead shaped ding on the right side of the stock, probably from another Hall falling against it when they were doing the conversions. There is one spot behind the middle band, along the barrel channel on the right side, where the wood has been scraped down a bit, done long ago. Stock is unsanded and has the original oil finish and distinctive raised grain of a military arm that has not been messed with. Most of the finish wear is around the muzzle and a spot on the left side of the barrel behind the middle band. Some minor staining or patina near the head of the bright finished ramrod. This comes with a high quality replica of the correct buff leather sling. The M1819 Hall is a very important milestone in U.S. small arms history, and this is a truly excellent plus example that will be hard to improve on. $3250.00 (View Picture)

16874 INTERESTING CONFEDERATE ID'D (?) MODEL 1795 .69 CALIBER HARPERS FERRY MUSKET DATED 1818 - This is a very unusual gun, with probably Confederate usage (discussed below) which was originally a typical Type III musket with a 42 inch .69 caliber barrel made at Harpers Ferry and dated 1818 on the lock. Note that this was after the official shift to adopt the Model 1816 pattern, but there was a lengthy transition period as old parts were used up, and new standards adopted. Besides the normal manufacturing delays, Harpers Ferry management and workers were an independent bunch, accustomed to doing pretty much as they pleased regardless of the Ordnance Department demands. (See Merritt Roe Smith’s “Harpers Ferry and the New Technology for an excellent discussion of such factors.) In any case, Harpers Ferry essentially made the Model 1795 variations of the French “Charleville” from their founding until the Model 1816 production replaced it, even though Springfield has gone to an improved Model 1812 while the folks on the Potomac simply ignored progress for a few more years. This has the bandsprings ahead of the bands, adopted about 1812, and the nominal 42 inch barrel length, so collectors would classify this as the Harpers Ferry Model 1795 Type III musket. Later in its career, probably circa 1840-1860 it was converted to percussion, possibly for use by the Confederates, or perhaps just some frontiersman in the southern states who had walked home with his militia musket one day and never bothered to return it. The conversion is an extremely crude one, often called a “blacksmith conversion.” It involved plugging the flash hole, then adding a new breech and tang piece that screwed into the breech instead of the old breech plug. The thread indexing was not quite perfect, so the bayonet lug ended up offset 90 degrees to the right from the normal position on the top of the barrel. This new breech is drilled for a nipple close to the center, and the nipple has been broken off long ago. The hammer is a very crudely forged and filed affair, very likely the original flint hammer beaten into the new shape. Although crude and very “folk artsy” looking, it was a relatively simple and effective conversion, sufficient for backwoods hunting or protection needs, but not very sturdy, as proven by the broken nipple. Good mechanics, and both of the fragile bell shaped swivels are intact. Fortunately, this as seen very little use since conversion, with the metal parts a pleasing mix of bright and dull steel silver-gray mixed with lots or light rust spots, and almost no pitting anywhere. The stock is unsanded, with the original sharp edges and crisp script V/ JS (James Stubblefield) on the left flat, along with V over two illegible initials at the very rear, the typical inspectors cartouches. There is also a very lightly scratched “E.F. MEEK” on the flat. The wood has been protected by a very old coat of varnish. There is a small hole added on the top of the wrist for an unknown purpose. A check of the Civil War Solider index turns up only one E.F. Meek, who served in Company I of the 5th South Carolina Infantry. Two other Meeks served in the same company, possibly related family members. E.F. Meek enlisted as a private and his final rank was Sergeant. The 5th South Carolina was from the up country, and served in the thick of the fighting in the eastern theater from Manassas to Appomattox. I can find no documentation on the arms used by the 5th S.C., but in general, their militia was poorly armed and obsolete flintlocks were common, and there was a flurry of activity to convert many to percussion in the early days of the war. There are two other “E. Meek” soldiers from Arkansas and two more from Alabama, but it is impossible to positively certain if the name on the gun is from any of these men. This comes with a bayonet that was found with the gun, which needs a couple of file strokes on the slot to fit. It is a foreign .69 caliber bayonet identical to the U.S. M1835, except for markings. Perhaps this belonged to another solider in the same unit, or got carried home even though it did not fit the gun. In any case, they have been together for several decades, so we are going to sell them together now. This is an excellent example of the late production Model 1795 musket made at Harpers Ferry, with the nifty blacksmith conversion. The name adds considerable interest, and it is highly likely this saw Confederate use in the Civil War, quite possibly by the soldier identified above. $2650.00 (View Picture)

**HOLD** 16864 RARE- SPRINGFIELD MODEL 1795 (TYPE I) MUSKET DATED 1800- ORIGINAL FLINT (WITH SOME RESTORATION) - In the beginning….. Springfield Armory began making copies of the French Charleville musket. Although established in 1795, only a few guns (with no markings to identify them) were made until 1799 when they began dating them on the tang of the buttplate and marking the locks. This example dated 1800 is about as close to the “beginning” point for a Springfield collector as most of us will ever get. This is an ORIGINAL FLINTLOCK, not a reconversion. It first appears to be 100% correct and original except for a replaced frizzen spring and screw and ramrod. However, careful inspection reveals that the barrel and stock have been “stretched” back to their original length. This is probably one of the 15,000 muskets that were made with the bayonets permanently brazed to the barrel. Those bayonets were not the familiar “socket” type, but had only about half a cylinder in lieu of a full socket. It was decided (Duh!) that the permanently attached bayonets were more of a nuisance than an asset, and they were ordered cut off, resulting in shorter than original barrels and the stock cut back accordingly. Through poorly worded orders many were reduced by ¼ of the barrel length (from nominal 44 inches to 33 inches) instead of the intended reduction in length of four inches. The long muskets with permanently attached bayonets are an extreme rarity, and I believe that only one is known to survive and perhaps two or three of the detached oddball bayonets can be found in very advanced collections. This musket apparently got cut back roughly four inches, and was later expertly restored to full length of 44 ¾ inches, with a section of barrel welded on and the joint hidden by the upper band. The stock was spliced under the middle band. They really did a superb job, matching the materials, and then skillfully matching the finish on the remainder of the gun. The restoration work was only detected when we tried to use the reproduction ramrod to confirm it was not loaded (as some old guns are!). The rod stopped about 5 inches into the barrel, and inspection with a bore light revealed the telltale bits of weld in the bore where it was stretched. That led to close inspection of the stock, and the splice was finally detected under the middle band. The head of the ramrod could be reduced slightly and no one would have noticed, but we are glad we can accurately describe this scarce gun, instead of having a purchaser get an unwelcome surprise someday. Except for the ramrod, frizzen spring and screw, and the stretched barrel and stock, everything really does seem to be correct and original. The stock has sharp edges around the lock panels, and a pleasing mellow patina. There are some age cracks on the left side ahead of the lock area, and some others by the upper band. The letter “T” has been carved or branded ahead of the trigger guard, probably an old rack or unit or owner mark. The lockplate has the early SPRINGFIELD in a vertical arc, and the US and eagle. The buttplate tang has the 1800 date. The barrel has VP and traces of an eagle head. There is a long scratch mark extending back from the tang toward the wrist that looks like a crack in the photo, but we believe is only a deep scratch. While not a perfect example, it is still a very skillfully restored and handsome representative example of the very first Springfield Armory musket model U.S. military musket. $2,650.00 (View Picture)

16863 REVOLUTIONARY WAR ERA COLONIAL ASSEMBLED MUSKET, DUTCH LOCK, WITH BAYONET & SCABBARD - Coming from a time when even regulation patterns of arms varied greatly, this one is impossible to neatly categorize as to exact model, let alone place or date of assembly. Firearms were prized possession in the colonies, and parts were salvaged to be rebuilt as long as they were serviceable, with other parts added or newly made to complete a weapon. This was done for individuals by local gunsmiths, for Committees of Safety, or for State militias, and eventually by the newly established federal government. The basic criteria was: Can it be fired at the enemy? If so, it was usually accepted regardless of what was prescribed or desired as a standard arm at the time. While many troops at the end of the Revolution had been equipped with French pattern muskets provided by our ally, or British Brown Bess arms captured from the enemy, many of the troops and virtually all of the short term volunteers arrived, and frequently departed (with or without permission) carrying arms from home. Although we believe this to date to circa 1770-1780 it may actually be from the pre-Revolutionary period. This is the sort of musket that was key to winning our independence, where men determined to be free risked their lives to stand up against the finest and best equipped army in the world. From April, 1775, at Lexington and Concord to Yorktown in October, 1781, farmers, merchants, tradesmen and seamen showed up when needed, bearing arms like this to do their part throwing off the yoke of tyranny of an oppressive government who no longer had the consent of the governed. This is one obviously assembled in the colonies, with the stock made of an inferior quality piece of wood having a large knot in the butt. Exact species is not obvious but it appears to be a lighter tight grained wood perhaps maple or cherry rather than walnut. It now has considerable age patina and is a pleasing mix of light to dark browns. The butt shape is typical of the mid to late 1700s with the rounded wrist lines carried half way to the butt, and a very slight curve downward. There is a “beaver tail” type raised panel bordering the barrel tang. The buttplate (measuring 2” x 4.25”), trigger guard and side plate are cut from sheet iron and crudely formed. The buttplate is held by two small screws and a nail on the tang. The 11” trigger guard is held by three nails. The iron ramrod is held by two thimbles and an entry pipe all made of iron with a bit of decorative filing at the ends. The round barrel is 44 3/8” long with no decorative moldings at the breech. The bore is about .71 caliber, about the average for the period where musket barrels usually ranged from 42-46 inches in length and diameters of .62 to .80. The barrel is held to the stock by three pins. The forend shows evidence of being badly split but has been neatly repaired and the finish blended in expertly and barrel pins replace. There are no markings at all visible on the barrel The lock is probably the best clue for dating this piece, as it seems to be Dutch or Germanic circa 1750. Lock plate is 7inches long and 1 3/8” wide. It is flat, with heavy bevels on the sides and a pronounced tail at the rear. The faceted pan is detachable (as opposed to being made integral with the plate, but not a part that was intended to be removed). There is no bridle for the frizzen. The frizzen spring is delightfully decorated and has a very long tapered finial, and is secured by a screw passing from the inside of the lock. The hammer, top jaw and frizzen are all very wide with angular. There are no markings visible on the lock, and it and all the iron parts have a thick dark patina of an arm that has not been messed with. This is unquestionably still original flintlock, not a reconversion. The forend tip has no cap, just rounded wood, and ends 2.75” from the muzzle. There is a small rectangular bayonet lug on the top of the barrel (which could also serve as a agith although muskets of that era were pointed rather than aimed, and often made without any sights front or rear. This comes with a bayonet that is from the same period, and equally crude. Overall length is about 15 inches with a blade 13.5” x 7/8”. The blade is well forged and the two outer flutes re nicely done but there is no flute at all on the face. The shank is very slim, typical of the early 18th century, and the socket appears to have been damaged and salvaged by adding a thumb screw to lock it in place since there was no room for the usual zig-zag type mortise. This is a loose fit on the muzzle but the thumb screw will secure it in place. It was acquired separately from the musket by the previous owner wants to sell them together and changes of finding another that will fit are pretty slim. The bayonet is unmarked and design elements only suggest that it is an American made blacksmith or salvaged weapon. Robert M. Reilly’s “American Socket Bayonets” shows examples of all sorts of crude bayonet types from this period having some of the features of this one, although no exact matches. There is an old museum or collector inventory mark “B97” in white ink on the blade, but origin is unknown. Few people appreciate that during the revolution the bayonet was still a very effective and feared weapon. In inclement weather the muskets would fail to fire due to damp priming powder which would not light from the few sparks thrown by the flint lock. Indeed, the colonists were chronically short of powder and often had only a few rounds per man, and then were forced to rely on the bayonet for offense or defense. Bayonet charges by masses of infantry across a few hundred yards were effective, and bloody, affairs, if the mere terror of the sight did not convince defenders that they had urgent business elsewhere. Of course the horrors of the battlefield were somewhat tempered by the fact that little medical care was available, and often nearly as deadly as combat due the poorly understood science of the time. Too, many times more men died in cam from typhoid, dysentery, fevers and other diseases than were killed in battle, so the expectations for a long and healthy life were not high in any case. With the bayonet is a leather scabbard having a black tar type finish on the body, and a much newer lightweight brown leather piece at the top, apparently the remnants of a frog added or replaced long ago, with only part remaining. Overall this is a good representative example of the earliest type of American military longarm as used by the Militia in the Revolution. I wish we could be more precise with origins and usage, but survivors are rare in any condition and these just do not fall into standard “model” categories like later issued weapons. A fine starting anchor point for a U.S. military longarms collection. $5700.00 (View Picture)

**HOLD** 17743 Colt Lightning Model Magazine Slide Action Rifle (medium frame) .32-20 caliber- transition model - Serial number 33010 made in 1889. The Colt Lightning was Colt’s serious attempt to break into the long gun business, starting around 1884. The Lightning rifle was offered in three frame sizes: Small for .22 rimfire; Medium for centerfire calibers .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40; and Large for rifle size calibers such as .38-56, .40-60, .45-60, .45-65, .45-85 and .50-95 Express. The latter were direct competitors (although unsuccessful) against Winchester’s Model 1876 and 1886 rifles. The small frame .22 was an excellent boys rifle, and useful for plinking, target shooting and small game hunting. The medium frame models were great companions to Colt’s revolvers in the matching calibers. The large frame rifles were suitable for just about any North American medium or large game animals. Known for its speed, the Colt lightning rifle had a much higher rate of fire than the Winchester lever actions. A total of about 185,000 Lightning rifles of all types were made, nearly half of them the small frame .22 caliber versions. The Lightnings are a somewhat neglected collector niche, receiving more attention now that the Italians are making replicas of them for the Cowboy Actions Shooter market. This is a transitional example medium frame .32-20 rifle that still has only the two 1883 patent dates, but has the sliding breech cover. It has the 26 inch round barrel, plain walnut stock with checkered forend. Buttplate is the crescent type. Blade front sight and adjustable rear sight. Excellent bore and mechanics. Stock was lightly sanded long ago but now has an aged patina that looks good with a few minor dings and bruises. Metal parts with average of about 60% original Colt factory blue. About 90% on the barrel, maybe 80% but thinning on the magazine tube, about 60-70% on the right side of the receiver and 40% on the left with almost none on the upper or lower tangs or the buttplate. This is pretty much the normal wear pattern for these from normal use. Although not a pristine minty example, this is still a very clean and attractive one. Bore is VG with sharp lands and only scattered roughness here and there, so it may be a good shooter if your gunsmith approves it as safe to fire. (We sell all guns as collector items only, and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing.) A nice looking ORIGINAL example of one of Colt’s important, but often overlooked products at little more than the cost of an Italian made replica. $1450.00 (View Picture)

17740 Colt Lightning Model Magazine Slide Action Rifle-medium frame- 1st model .38-40 caliber- NICE! - Serial number 16717 made in 1886. The Colt Lightning was Colt’s serious attempt to break into the long gun business, starting around 1884. The Lightning rifle was offered in three frame sizes: Small for .22 rimfire; Medium for centerfire calibers .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40; and Large for rifle size calibers such as .38-56, .40-60, .45-60, .45-65, .45-85 and .50-95 Express. The latter were direct competitors (although unsuccessful) against Winchester’s Model 1876 and 1886 rifles. The small frame .22 was an excellent boys rifle, and useful for plinking, target shooting and small game hunting. The medium frame models were great companions to Colt’s revolvers in the matching calibers. The large frame rifles were suitable for just about any North American medium or large game animals. Known for its speed, the Colt lightning rifle had a much higher rate of fire than the Winchester lever actions. A total of about 185,000 Lightning rifles of all types were made, nearly half of them the small frame .22 caliber versions. The Lightnings are a somewhat neglected collector niche, receiving more attention now that the Italians are making replicas of them for the Cowboy Actions Shooter market. This is an early First Model medium frame .38-40 rifle that has only the two 1883 patent dates, and the action lock in the trigger guard and was not made for the sliding breech cover. It has the 26 inch octagon barrel, plain walnut stock with checkered forend. Buttplate is the crescent type. Blade front sight and adjustable rear sight on the barrel plus an unmarked tang sight. The Lyman tang sight was a factory option, but we have not lettered this gun to see if this was factory or a later addition. Excellent bore and mechanics. Stock appears to have original finish, with must a few insignificant bruises. Metal parts with average of about 90-95% original Colt factory blue. About 97% on the barrel, maybe 95% with a bit of thinning on the magazine tube, about 95% on the receiver. Finish is worn thin on the lower tang and at the balance point. Blue is a mix of beautiful bright to somewhat age dulled and starting to turn plum. No finish on the buttplate which has picked up a lot of patina from poor storage. Bore is excellent. We sell all guns as collector items only, and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing. It will be difficult to find another EARLY Lightning with these features in condition this nice, let alone a nicer one. Not quite minty, but pretty close. $2995.00 (View Picture)

17798 PORTUGUESE MODEL 1886/89 STEYR KROPATSCHEK RIFLE - Serial number Q940. Made by Steyer in Austria in 1886. Marked on receiver OE.W.F.G. Steyer/ 1886, faint traces of crown over L.Io., and M.1886 due to old arsenal refinish. Receiver, barrel and stock with serial Q940. Bolt mismatched O914 and other numbers. The Steyer Kropatschek is very similar to the German Mauser 1871/84 with a tubular magazine, but the details are slightly different throughout. Caliber is 8x60R Kropatschek, so you probably will not find any ammo. This example had the 1889 modification which added a handguard over the top of the barrel between the rear sight and the middle band, as shown by clearance cuts in the barrel channel for the clips to hold the handguard on. Handguard is missing (as with nearly all of these), leaving this looking just like the original M1886 if you don't spot the additional inletting for the clips. Stock is a nice medium brown walnut having been sanded long ago and picking up only a few tiny blemishes since then. There is a small crack on the left die of the wrist by the receiver tang, but it does not appear to affect strength much. About 90% thinning arsenal refinish blue on receiver and barrel, but the finish is mostly worn off the bands. Bolt and innards of action are nice and bright. Bore is about fine. Complete with the nearly always missing cleaning rod. Overall fine plus condition, much nicer than these are usually found. The 1886/89 model reportedly was sent to colonial outposts to minimize heat wave interference with the sight picture. Portugal had significant colonial holdings in Africa and Asia until early in the 20th century. ANTIQUE- no FFL needed. $650.00 (View Picture)

17735 U.S. MODEL 1888 .45-70 "TRAPDOOR" RIFLE WITH ROD-BAYONET - Serial number 528109, made in 1891. Over 60,000 of these rod bayonet rifles were made 1890-1893, and many of them were used in the Spanish American War although there is no history for this specific rifle, or even any nearby numbers on which to base speculation. It is certain that this rifle was issued, as it has a very neatly stenciled 5/8” high white “49” on the right side of the stock. Such markings seem to have been applied exclusively by the state volunteer units, not the regulars, but again, we do not know what regiment this might be. The M1888 rifles were made at the end of the trapdoor era using the same silly idea (first tried in 1833 with Hall carbines and later repeated again with the M1903 Springfield prior to 1905) whereby a rod bayonet would be used, eliminating the need for a separate bayonet. Since the Indian Wars had not seen much (if any) use of the bayonet, it probably seemed like a good idea, especially since the cost would be cheaper than getting back into the socket bayonet manufacturing business. Up until that point most of the trapdoor bayonets were made by altering left over Civil War era .58 caliber musket bayonets, and Springfield was out of them. This is an excellent example of the Model 1888 Rod Bayonet Trapdoor. Bore is excellent, exceptionally sharp and bright. Excellent unsanded stock with sharp SWP over 1891 cartouche and circle P. The stock is a mellow dark brown color with just the original and period oil finish. There are assorted minor handling and storage dings or bruises expected on an issued martial arm. The 1884 dated block is a dark black color, possibly switches from another rifle in the unit which had been “cleaned and repaired” at some point, and the thumb latch is the pre-1886 type that is ground flush not just peened, further confirmation that the block assembly has been switched at some point. Remaining metal parts with about 95% original blue finish, showing normal wear on high points and especially on the rod bayonet which has only about 40-50% remaining. Excellent mechanics. Reportedly these were not good shooters due to the solid attachment of the heavy rod bayonet to the muzzle, so that when fired, the rod acted like a tuning fork- vibrating the whole time the bullet was headed out the barrel. Simply removing the rod when shooting eliminates that problem, and the Buffington sights (especially with addition of a front sight hood) are capable of excellent accuracy. Butt trap has the standard two holes with a slot along one edge for carrying a M1879 combination tool, M1882 headless shell extractor and a cleaning tip for the rod bayonet. The front sight blade has been replaced with a higher one so a person might actually hit something at less than the 200 yard zero with the original blade. A really nice rifle, but not so screaming minty that you would be afraid to shoot it once in a while if you like. (Note: all guns sold as collector items only and must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to shooting.) Of the 60,000 made, a great many have been chopped down for sporting use over the years, (perhaps up to 30-40 percent of them in our opinion) making these a lot less common than the production figures suggest. As the last of the single shot, blackpowder rifles, this is a key milestone in U.S. martial arms history, as well as an iconic weapon of the Spanish American War and Philippine Insurrection. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $1195.00 (View Picture)

16873 ULTRA SUPERB M1860 SPENCER CARBINE- ARSENAL UPDATED- VIVID CASE COLORS - Serial number 31838. This beautiful gun was made as a Model 1860 carbine by the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company in Boston, probably in 1864. These were .52 caliber with 22 inch barrels. Roy Marcot’s definitive study “Spencer Repeating Firearms” is the authoritative source for everything regarding Spencers (of all types). The first Spencers to be adopted in early 1863 were rifles, after the personal involvement of President Lincoln. Carbines were ordered, and deliveries began in October, 1863 with 7,000 delivered by year’s end. During 1864 production grew steadily with 27,000 more delivered by the end of 1864. Serial number records indicate that carbines in the 31,000 range were in the hands of units in the field by July 13, 1864 and some were still in service in 1867.

At the end of the Civil War, troops were authorized to purchase their arms, and it is a testimony to the Spencer’s popularity that 8,299 Spencer carbines and 2,844 rifles were purchased. Remaining arms were turned in for repair and storage. Springfield Armory embarked on a program to overhaul and certain types of arms for future issue. This included Model 1860 Spencer carbines which updated to the New Model 1865 configuration. This involved addition of a Stabler cutoff, allowing the Spencer to be used as a single shot while holding the filled magazine in reserve, and also rounding the side of the hammer nose and the top edges of the receiver. The barrels were bored out and liners inserted and rechambered to the improved .56-50 caliber cartridges which gave better range and velocity than the .56-56 cartridges originally used in the Model 1860 .52 caliber carbines. The arms were then totally refinished (blue and case colors) and wood replaced as necessary. Final inspect resulted in new cartouches applied to the butt, the most common one being Erskine S. Allin. Eventually 15,518 Spencer carbines (including both Model 1860 and 1865) were overhauled at Springfield.

This carbine is one of those so upgraded. It was totally rebuilt to new condition, and was never issued after that. The receiver and lock retain 100% of the beautiful color case hardening. The internal parts have similar finish. The buttplate has most of the color case hardening, but there is a bit of rust right at the heel and the magazine tube cap, and the top of the buttplate has a thumbprint size area of very light roughness were it had rusted at some point prior to being cleaned. The lever has some colors, and some turned silvery and some with a dark stained appearance with a bit of light surface rust from fingers working the action. The barrel retains 95-98% of the dark blue finish, thinning slightly and some areas a bit oxidized. The walnut stock and forend are about perfect, razor sharp edges, the lovely raised grain of an unissued martial arm, and crisp ESA in oval cartouche, except there is one area of light scratching on the left side of the butt. This retains the M1860 rear sight. Bore in the three groove relined barrel is about perfect. This is, without a doubt, the nicest Spencer I have ever seen anywhere. While some may view the Springfield Armory overhaul negatively, other will recognize this as confirmation that this was a Civil War used weapon, and the updated to reflect the rapidly advancing technology and fills a collector desire for examples of both the original Model 1860 and the improved Model 1865. The present condition, as overhauled is just beautiful, nearly impossible to improve upon. $4100.00 (View Picture)

16865 U.S. M1816 FLINTLOCK .69 CALIBER SMOOTHBORE MUSKET MADE BY WICKHAM- WITH BAYONET - (Serial number- none) Marine T. Wickham has received credit as the designer of the Model 1816 muskets during his tenure as Purveyor of Public Supplies in Philadelphia. Later he received a contract to manufacture the muskets, and delivered about 16,600 circa 1822-1837. This example bears the markings used on Wickham’s earlier production: M.T. WICKHAM in an arc over PHIDA. The Model 1816 was the standard infantry arm for the U.S. Army from the end of the War of 1812 through the Mexican War in 1846-48, and after conversion to percussion in the 1850s, many Model 1816 muskets served until near the end of the Civil War. They are the last model to be made to non-interchangeable standards, although parts within a given maker were very close, there was not uniformity between the makers. This is a nice representative example of the model, with a pleasing patina so it looks impressively “old.” Good cartouche on the side opposite the lock and ahead of the butt. It does not have the 1850s inspection and grading cartouche usually found on examples converted to percussion. The lock appears to be original flint and the touchhole appears correct as well. The lock is not a tight fit against the barrel, probably the result of a replaced rear lock screw that is a couple threads too long (and slightly bent as well) keeping the lock from seating fully, or blocking the hammer if it is in all the way. Easily corrected with a few file strokes on the tip, but this is a consignment piece and we can not make any alterations. The 42 inch barrel has a dark and rough bore, but you probably don’t want to shoot these old flintlocks anyway. Markings on the metal are legible except the date on the barrel tang which looks like it might be 1832. The full length walnut stock is solid, never sanded, just a mellow patina. Wood behind the barrel is solid, further indication that it was never converted to percussion. There is some chipping and chattering (probably caused by use without a rear lock screw) along the back of the lock inletting. Left side of butt has lightly incised “Depue ‘76” which may have been added during the Centennial celebration of 1876, or even the Bicentennial of 1976 when old flintlocks were brought out to arm celebrants for parades and the like. Or, maybe it indicates ownership by some famous sports star with that jersey number? This musket comes complete with a Model 1816 bayonet which fits, although somewhat loosely. This will be a good representative example of the smoothbore flintlock muskets which lasted from the Revolutionary War until the supremacy of the percussion arms. $3250.00 (View Picture)

14205 U.S. Model 1884 .45-70 "Trapdoor" Springfield rifle - Serial number 499823. This one was probably made about 1890, shortly before the switch to the rod bayonet Model 1888 rifles. A good representative M1884 trapdoor rifle that has an excellent bright and sharp bore. Exterior looks like it is one of the many thousands which were arsenal “cleaned and repaired” after the Spanish American War (and quite likely veterans of that conflict). The stock has been lightly sanded and given a shellac finish which is typical of that overhaul, leaving no traces of the cartouche or circle P. Metal parts have about 95-98% old blue finish, either arsenal or arsenal refinish turned mostly plum, and may or may not look better with some cleaning with steel wool or a palette knife. Breechblock has a more polished glossy blue finish, and may be a replacement but is correct 1884 dated type. Some rust scale on the buttplate tang area. Good mechanics. Excellent bore. One small chip out of the wood alongside the cleaning rod channel. Overall a handsome representative rifle, and likely good shooter. (Remember, we sell all guns as collector items and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing.) $895.00 (View Picture)

**HOLD** 16871 CIVIL WAR MAYNARD SADDLE RING CARBINE (Second Model) - Serial number 20056, these are a very clever design with a simple and strong locking mechanism. These used a .50 caliber brass cartridge case with a brass disc soldered to the base as a rim. A small hole in the center of the base allowed the flash from the external percussion cap to fire the case. About 5,000 of the “First Model” Maynard carbines were made, with a patchbox in the butt and using the Maynard tape primer which was a big fad circa 1858 when these were first made. The “Second Model” eliminated the patchbox and Maynard primer and about 20,202 of these were delivered for use in the Civil War, with serial numbers running consecutively through both models. The Maynards were popular due to their light weight and simple operation. They reached the field in 1864, serving mainly in the western theater. John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” has lots more on the various campaigns in which they saw action. The Maynard design continued in production after the Civil War for the commercial market, with modifications to replace the nipple with a firing pin to allow use of regular metallic cartridges. The Civil War Maynard carbines were made by the Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. That firm was incorporated in 1851 and included Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson (later to become Smith & Wesson); Joshua Stevens of Stevens Arms, and J.T. Ames of Ames Manufacturing Company, really the core of the American arms industry. This one is a handsome example with a near perfect, unsanded, walnut stock with razor sharp inspector cartouches and only a couple of minor handling blemishes. The metal parts retain about 90-95% of their original colors, but close inspection reveals that there are a number of spots where it has rusted during less than optimal storage over the years. The buttplate is a mix of dull steel gray, staining, and spots of patina. Crisp unbuggered screw heads and sharp markings. Bore is about perfect, mirror bright and sharp. A handsome great example of this historic design. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $2450.00 (View Picture)

16869 SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 SADDLE RING CARBINE, .52 CALIBER PERCUSSION- (BEAUTIFUL!) - Serial number 87928. Probably the most famous cavalry carbines of the Civil War were the percussion Sharps and the cartridge Spencers. This is an absolutely beautiful looking example of the famous Sharps, and representative of the “New Model” carbine models made during the Civil War. The Sharps made prior to 1859 used a “slant breech” but the “New Model” introduced in 1859 used a “straight breech.” By the end of the Civil War some 120,000 of these rifles and carbines had been made and over 100,000 saw military use. The vast majority were carbines, designated as New Model 1859 (roughly 30,000 to 75,000 serial number range); the New Model 1863 (roughly 75,000 to 140,000 range,); and the New Model 1865 (roughly 140,000-145,000). The difference in models is nearly insignificant, but the M1859 and earlier M1863s had patch boxes, and the later ones did not. A clean out screw was added on the NM1863, and a minor sight change made along the way. Basically they are all considered pretty much to be a single model, except by the advanced Sharps addicts. This example is considered to be an early New Model 1863, still having the iron patchbox. Exact date of manufacture is probably early in 1863, as carbines in the mid 80,000 range were being issued to Union cavalry regiments in April-June 1863. This is a truly beautiful gun, with vivid original color case hardening colors on all the parts that were finished that way. Although collectors admire the broad spectrum of gray, blue, violet and browns from that finishing method, they are merely a happy by product, not an intentional outcome of the manufacturing process, and the eventually will fade or wear if exposed to sunlight or moisture or abrasion. The stocks are superb, unsanded with crisp original cartouches and subinspector markings as shown in the photos, and only the original oil finish. Stocks are about perfect without even the usual handling and storage dings. Now the bad news- the barrel was changed at some point, probably in a military arsenal, but perhaps later, as the serial number on the barrel, 87529 does not match the receiver. Also, the barrel shows much light pitting on the surfaces hidden by the forend, and a small amount on the sides and top from the rear sight to and the receiver. The barrel finish appears to be original on the forward part, but touched up on the rear area at the time it was changed. There is a small patch of rust on the left receiver flat, and a tiny amount on the receiver ring and a few specks on the rear bas of the saddle ring bar. Overall say about 99% original finish, except the barrel which has about 96-98% old mixed finish remaining. The six groove bore is bright and sharp except for some light pitting for the first couple of inches. Overall, despite the changed barrel, this as handsome a Civil War Sharps carbine as most collectors will ever see anywhere, with blazing case colors and perfect wood. $5250.00 (View Picture)

16870 CIVIL WAR JOSLYN MODEL 1864 SADDLE RING CARBINE .52 CALIBER - Serial number 4797, all matching. The Joslyn was a brilliantly simple design, with a side swinging breechblock that used a wedge type extractor to remove the fired case. There were three basic models, the first being the Model 1855 in .54 caliber, firing a paper cartridge ignited by a percussion cap placed on a nipple in the breechblock. In 1862, the first cartridge model was made, substituting a firing pin for the nipple, and chambered for the Spencer rimfire cartridge (either the .56-56 or .56-52 types would work), with about 3,600 made. This was followed by the Model 1864 (about 12,500 made) differing from the M1862 mainly in having a spring loaded latch to hold the block in the closed position, a protective ring around the firing pin, and use of iron instead of brass furniture. This carbine is the Model 1864, made in 1864 and undoubtedly reaching the field late that year. The following Cavalry units are listed in John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” as having the Model 1864 Joslyn carbines: 2nd California; 4th & 8th Indiana; 2nd Kentucky; 4th Missouri; 1st Nebraska; 11th Ohio; 9th Pennsylvania; 13th Tennessee; 2nd & 3rd West Virginia; 1st Wisconsin, and the 3rd and 5th U.S. Colored. I believe that the 1st Colorado Volunteer Cavalry should be on the list as well. (The M1864 Joslyn action became the basis for Springfield Armory’s Model 1865 Joslyn RIFLE, the first breechloading rifles made there, the with 3,0007 made in early 1865 but delivered too late for combat use.) This is an excellent looking example with about 90-95% old dark blue finish. The walnut stock has a few assorted storage and handling dings, and a darkened oil finish, and show signs of having been scraped clean at one time, removing the cartouches. The three groove bore is bright and sharp. Lockplate marked JOSLYN FIRE ARMS Co., STONINGTON, CONN, 1864. Rear of breech block marked B.F. JOSLYN’S PATENT, OCTOBER 8th 1861, JUNE 24th 1862. During the French arms buying frenzy in 1870-1871 (when they were short on arms to surrender to the Germans in the Franco-Prussian War) the U.S. Army basically sold off most of its surplus Civil War era arms. The long list included sale of some 6,600 of the Joslyn carbines to the French. Many were captured or seized by the Germans and eventually sold to Belgium, and some have found their way back to the U.S. I believe that this carbine is one which was sold to France after the Civil War, and that it was lightly refinished sometime after that. In any case, this is an extremely nice example of an important Civil War saddle ring carbine model. $3100.00 (View Picture)

16998 U.S. MODEL 1843 HALL CARBINE REPLACEMENT STOCK- MINT UNISSUED! - Made by Simeon North circa 1843-1847, these could be (with minor modification to adapt to the latch mechanism) used on any of the Hall carbines made by North. Mint, unissued from the estate of a very advanced, older collector. The precision of the workmanship on this is remarkable, showing the impact of the manufacturing process that yielded 100% interchangeable parts made by machinery. Somewhat aged darkened and dirty, with only a couple of tiny storage bumps or blemishes. Perfect for restoration of that Hall Carbine, or could even be modified for use on a rifle by piecing the old rifle forend under the lower band. It has been more than 25 years since I have seen any of these loose. Peter Schmidt’s “Hall Military Breechloaders” discusses these on page 134. $550.00 (View Picture)

16868 U.S. CIVIL WAR SMITH SADDLE RING CARBINE- SUPERB MINT, BEAUTIFUL! - Serial number 19629. This is as nice as they come and you cannot improve upon this one! And a rare variation for the advanced collector! The federal armies purchased 31,002 Smith carbines during the Civil War. They are a very simple, sturdy and reliable design. A plunger located ahead of the trigger is pushed up to disengage the flat spring latch that holds the carbine in the ready position, and then it simply folds in half, hinged below the chamber. The opens the chamber in the center, and a rubber (or sometimes brass) cartridge with a .50 caliber lead bullet at the front is loaded into the chamber and the barrel is snapped shut. The rear of the cartridge has a tiny hole in the back which allows the flash from a separately loaded percussion cap to reach the powder in the cartridge and fire it. With good ammunition this was a popular and reliable cavalry arm. However, some ammunition had holes a bit oversize and if carried with the bullet end up in the cartridge box, some of the powder would eventually drain out through the flash hole, so that cartridge may not fire properly (if at all). Smith carbines were used in all theaters of the war, with the Army of the Potomac, on the western campaigns, with Sherman to the Sea, and with troopers fighting the Sioux on the northern plains, and even a few were used by the Navy in the Mississippi flotilla. These are handsome carbines, with a deep blue barrel, color case hardened receivers, and blued trigger guards. Buttplate and band are dull gray, not color cased or blued. On this example about 99% of each remains, with a small patch of rust on the heel of the buttplate, and a tiny amount of finish loss where the saddle ring had rubbed the receiver. Bore as nice as the outside. The walnut stock is about perfect with only a few of the most minute handling and storage dings or bruises present and appears to have an old varnish finish rather than the usual mere dipping in linseed oil. Letter B stamped on the left barrel flat, and on the right side of the stock at the wrist and tiny letters GP(?) on the left side of the wrist. The normal military inspector cartouches were LFR on the barrel flat and script JH and LFR in ovals on the stock. This almost certainly makes this one of the few Smith carbines sold commercially via Schuyler, Hartley & Graham in 1864, as mentioned in Flayderman’s description. In any case, it is just an utterly superb example of this great gun for someone looking for a beautiful example and the commercial sale feature is an added feature that may delight the truly advanced collector. $4750.00 (View Picture)

16876 U.S. MODEL 1892 KRAG RIFLE (UNMODIFIED!) RESTORATION PROJECT -
Serial number 8115 made in 1895. This is an exceptional find! Among the scarcest of all U.S. martial small arms are the Model 1892 Krag rifles which had the cleaning rod under the barrel. Only 24,562 were made before they began making the Model 1896, and there was an aggressive, long term campaign to recall and convert Model 1892 rifles to the 1896 configuration. Virtually all the M1892 rifles saw service during the Spanish American war, with normal attrition there. Based on over 20 years collecting U.S. arms, I see unmodified M1892 Krags as infrequently as M1903 Rod bayonet Springfields and about as often as Gas Trap Garands or Pedersen devices. My guess is that perhaps 50 or so examples of each of these scarce models are in private hands, with maybe the same number in museums. This is an unrestored rifle that escaped modification to M1896, but got molested by Bubba so he would use it as a deer rifle. The action has NOT been modified for the hold open notch, and it has the correct matching numbers on the sideplate, gate and follower. Ejector pin is the correct later round type. The barrel is the correct original unmodified M1892 type with flat (uncrowned) muzzle and the original M1892 front sight blade (with wider lower part than the sighting part of the blade) still in place. Bore has strong but worn rifling, and is dirty with little roughness, about average for a Krag. The bolt assembly is a later M1898 type but M1892 bolts are not too hard to find (except for the square back cocking piece and the extractor without the hold open pin). Safety is missing. The flat tab on the bottom of the hinge pin is broken off, but the pin is the same for all Krags and easily replaced. Metal parts have some blue and the receiver is mix of blue, silver-gray, etc and I suspect that Bubba touched things up with some cold blue, but no polishing or anything real bad. The stock is the correct original M1892 stock with the channel and hole for the cleaning rod in (what is left of) the forend. It may be possible to salvage this, even though the forend has been rounded off at the lower band shoulder, and rounded on the edges where the handguard fits. A good wood worker can build a new forend, and piece it in about 2 inches back from the lower band, and possibly add strips above the grasping grooves. This work would be justified as the rest of the stock is good, including the original flat butt (not the curved toe as modified in 1896) with the correct original flat (solid- no trap) buttplate still in place. Finding an original unmodified M1892 Krag stock is probably impossible, so it is best to try to salvage this one. There is a small chip in the toe, visible in the photos. Faint traces of a cartouche, and a “J” which was an early arsenal inspection marking, but I forget which one. Based on the scarcity of original M1892 rifles, this rifle, when restored, will make a good filler in a collection unless you get very rich and very lucky and find a totally correct original. $1550.00 (View Picture)

16738 BRITISH INDIA PATTERN 1842 .75 CALIBER PERCUSSION SMOOTHBORE MUSKET - This is a very close copy of the regulation British Army Model 1842 musket, the main difference being the addition of the hook or grip on the trigger guard, much like those used on some of the rifles of the period, while the regulation Army pattern just had the guard and a straight tang. This has the .75 caliber smoothbore barrel 39 inches long, held to the stock by three flat keys and the upper swivel screw and tang screw. (Tang screw is missing). This has the standard fixed rear sight and the front sight/bayonet lug. Barrel has London proofs. Barrel has a smooth brown patina. Bore is dark and rusty, but not heavily pitted. Lock has the East India Company rampant lion marking. Lock has some staining and patina mixed with dull steel gray color. The full length stock is solid, and seems heavier that expected, so it may be a replacement made of teak or some species other than English walnut. Small age crack .in the raised area behind the lockplate. Loock seems to function properly. Only markings other than the barrel proofs and lock plate lion are several numbers[?] in local script scratched onto the forend tip, trigger guard and stock. These 1842 smoothbores were the standard infantry arm, and also used by the East India Company raised colonial forces until replaced by the rifled Pattern 1853 arms. The latter, using the greased Minie ball ammunition resulted in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. Although many other factors were involved (caste system, dislike of British rule, regional hatred, and religious hatred) the spark was provided by the issue of the Pattern 1853 Enfields. Rumors were spread that the bullets were greased with lard (pig fat) or beef fat, thereby offending Moslems and/or Hindus respectively. At that time there were some 400,000 colonial troops and only 40,000 British troops in India, the former mostly armed with the Model 1842 or earlier muskets. Within about 2 years the British put down the revolt and regained control of India. Overall, a big, handsome, old looking musket of the type that was instrumental in ensuring English control over much of their vast empire. This is probably one of the guns which came back from the arsenal palace in Nepal. $725.00 (View Picture)

16872 CIVIL WAR BURNSIDE SADDLE RING CARBINE “MODEL 1864” –SUPERB- MUSEUM QUALITY! - Serial number 15333, .54 caliber. This is the so-called “fifth model” made starting in 1863 (even though marked Model 1864) which added the guide screw in the side of the frame for smoother opening of the breech. This clever design was that of a Rhode Island Governor and a poor General in the Union Army, Ambrose E. Burnside, whose luxuriant whiskers gave rise to the term “sideburns.” This simple and sturdy design uses a lever to open the breech which hinges downward, exposing the chamber in the breechblock (somewhat like the old Hall breechloaders). These used a metallic cartridge that was tapered toward the rear, so it would slip into the chamber, and the front of the cartridge had a large rounded belt which sealed the joint between the breechblock and the barrel as it was closed. The back of the cartridge had a small hole and it was ignited by a standard percussion cap applied to an external nipple. Although it was externally primed, the first Burnsides entered service in 1862, becoming the first regular issue U.S. arm using a metallic cartridge (albeit externally primed). Eventually about 55,000 were used by the Union Army with only the Sharps and Spencer being more widely used. Burnsides first saw action at the battle of Manassas (Bull Run) in 1861, in the hands of Col. Burnside’s own 1st Rhode Island Infantry, allegedly the first Union regiment to flee the field. Other versions of the Burnside continued in use throughout the war right up to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” has lots more on the various campaigns in which they saw action. Burnsides in this serial number range are recorded as being in the hands of Cavalry units by August, 1863, but records do not differentiate between the earlier models and the later models which repeated serial numbers, that may reflect earlier models rather than this one, but in any case this model was used by many units in the final 2 years of the war. S&S Firearms sells reproduction cartridge cases for these, and some people still shoot them. (Note- We sell all guns as collector items only and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing.) Overall this is about as nice an example of the Burnside as you are likely to find. The color case hardening is simply beautiful, even on the buttplate, along with the high gloos blue on the latch and the block. The low-luster blue (officially termed “browning”) on the barrel and some other parts is nearly all present. There is a bit of finish wear on high points, a lot on the lower tang where the hand grasps the wrist of the stock, and a spot (about 3/8” diameter) of heavy rust on the back of the hammer. There are a few flecks of rust freckle or finish flaking here and there, but overall this is just a really great example of a very important Civil War saddle ring carbine. The unsanded wood has the raised grain of an unissued martial arm, crisp (albeit double struck) inspector cartouche, and a handful of very minor pressure dents on the left side of the butt that are almost not worth mentioning. This is from a very advanced collection, being sold to help put someone through college, otherwise the previous owner would not part with it. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $4250.00 (View Picture)

13922 U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1795 (type III) flintlock musket dated 1814 - This is a very unusual gun, which was originally a typical Type III musket with a 44-45 inch .69 caliber barrel made at Harpers Ferry. However, during its period of use, it had a salvaged Brown Bess .75 caliber barrel installed, 44 ¾” long, with English proof marks and a faint LONDON on the top. The moulding rings at the breech were filed or ground off and some other minor fitting was done to barrel and stock to make them work. The wear patterns for the barrel show that it has been mated to this stock and band spacing for a very long time, so this is not just a parts gun assembled in recent years. One can speculate that it may have been hurriedly assembled around the time the British captured Washington and burned the Capitol on August 24, 1814, using whatever parts could be salvaged from muskets returned from the front, perhaps at Harpers Ferry but more likely other locations. Afterwards it would probably have been issued for militia service. The left stock flat has a faint V over two illegible initials at the very rear, the typical inspectors cartouches. There is another faint script marking immediately behind the rear lock screw but it is also illegible, probably a cartouche from time of original manufacture. Near the tail of the flat is a deeply stuck CP which is probably a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania property marking related the period after the barrel was replaced. The stock appears unsanded since it left service, but there is a an age crack on the butt and another along the upper rear edge of the lock, but neither is in danger of spreading. The ramrod is about 2.5 inches short, but is a period piece. The middle band is an incorrect replacement and the tit is broken off the middle band spring. Metal parts have a mix of smooth brown patina with areas of rougher rust and the barrel has a lot of light pitting under the old patina. Original flintlock, not a reconversion. A good representative example of a War of 1812 musket, and the type of makeshift repairs that were done to provide arms to troops at that time. Good mechanics, and swivels are intact (although the band swivel is part of the replaced middle band). $1995.00 (View Picture)

16708 U.S. Model 1898 .30-40 Krag SADDLE RING CARBINE (Restoration Project) - Serial number 113962. made in 1898. This is an original M1898 carbine with the short M1896 style stock, but without the beveled area around the bolt handle, so it is definitely the M1898 carbine stock, not a cut down rifle stock. The serial number is close to some documented carbines, but data is extremely sparse, and mixed with rifle numbers when these were made during the hectic days of the Spanish American War right after the switch from the M1896 to the M1898 models. Although Flayderman reports the serial number range on the M1898 carbines as between 125,000 and 135,000, the SRS research in official documents has turned up references to them between about 112,800 and 139,000. Unfortunately, Bubba’s old deer carbine was not shooting as well as he liked, so his local gunsmith installed a new barrel on it, made from a M1903 barrel, as was the case with thousands of Krags in the 1920s-1950s. But the good news is that the bore is excellent, and the length is 22.5 inches instead of the regulation 22 inches, so it could be dressed up a bit at the muzzle after you remove the ramp type sight. Action has been buffed lightly and reblued nicely. Stock is excellent at first glance, with faint but legible JSA/1898 cartouche and circle P. However, close inspection reveals that it is cracked on the right side down into the butt, and another back from the trigger guard into the butt. This is clean, dry wood and will be very easy to repair with a bit of glue or epoxy. Another crack in the usual Krag weak area on the right side back from the magazine inletting. One large scrape about 1” x ¾” on lower right side of the butt, otherwise just the expected assorted minor dings and scrapes of an issued arm. Unlike so many carbine stocks, this one has NOT been drilled for sling swivels. Rear sight is the correct M1896 style, but it is marked with the rifle graduations, not the slightly different markings for a carbine. No barrel band, but S&S has repros available, and they also have repro M1896 carbine type handguards. The saddle ring has been removed, but the bar is intact. With a bit of stock repair work, addition of a band and handguard and reworking the barrel to add a correct style front sight and trimming the length this can be a good representative example of the scarce M1898 Krag carbine. Only about 5,000 were originally made, and most of those were later updated with the longer M1899 carbine stocks to be used with the later M1898/1901/1902 model rear sights. A correct M1898 carbine is an extremely scarce gun, and seldom found on the market. While it would be nice to have a 100% correct original, this will fill that gap in your collection at a bargain price. ANTIQUE, NO FFL NEEDED. $795.00 (View Picture)

16450 Scarce Swedish Model 1867/1868/1885 Artillery Carbine- Remington Rolling Block type- - Serial number 385. (We believe the correct model designation is above, but one expert advised it is Model 1864.1867/1885) Originally made by Carl Gustav state rifle factory in 1869 as indicated by the crown/C over 1869 on the right side of the receiver. These were license-built copies of the Remington design. The original design called for rimfire ammunition, but the Swedes quickly modified the design (and subsequent manufacture) to use centerfire ammunition in 12.4 x 42mm rimmed caliber, sometimes called 12 x 44mm rimmed.. That is nearly identical to the U.S. .50-70 cartridge but a bit shorter case and slightly smaller rim diameter. The most common of the Swedish Rolling blocks were the long barrel infantry rifles. Although usually called “artillery” carbines, these were also issued to the equivalent of pioneer/combat engineer type units. These were made in 1885 by shortening and refitting existing infantry rifles so that the barrel is only 18 inches long, held by a single band. New sights were fitted, graduated from 250 to 800 meters. Tiny letters JG and JP stamped across the barrel at the breech. A cleaning rod is secured under the barrel. The buttplate is brass, and the stock is inlet for a unit marking disc. The discs were made of pewter and are usually missing, as is the case with this one. The bore is beautiful, bright and sharp with an unusual shape to the lands. Just a few very minor tiny dings here and there. About 95-97% of the blue finish remains on the barrel and band. Little finish on the band swivel. Receiver retains about 80% of the color case hardening. Cleaning rod is finished bright. Stock may have been cleaned (arsenal probably) long ago as the serial number on the left side of the forend is very faint. The hammer pin is numbered 70 so it may have been switched at some point. Otherwise 100% correct, original and matching. These little carbines are very scarce, and this is the only one we have actually handled. A great addition for the Swedish arms collector to go with the numerous Mauser and Ljungman rifles out there. $1495.00 (View Picture)

14926 U.S. MODEL 1877 .45-70 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR CARBINE (restored) - Serial number 126205 made early in 1880, the year that nearly 15,000 carbines were made. There is no data for this specific serial number, but it is in a range that is almost exclusively carbines, including many issued to Indian Scouts in 1885 or one of the regular cavalry regiments in 1886. However, that provides no verifiable history on this one, only opportunities for tantalizing speculation. This one has been arsenal updated at some point, accounting for the 1884 dated breechblock, grooved trigger, and Buffington sight. Subsequently the barrel was replaced with a cut down rifle barrel, probably by a civilian owner. However, the stock, buttplate, trigger guard and saddle ring bare all appear original to the receiver and each other and are correct carbine parts. The saddle ring itself was missing and a repro has been added. The rear sight is a correct M1884 Buffington marked ”C” for carbine on the ladder. The barrel shows wear pattern that indicated a M1890 sight protector band had been installed for a long time. The barrel, however, is a rifle barrel that has been cut to the proper length and even tapered at the muzzle, but the crown is not quite correct and the front sight (a correct original carbine base and blade) were silver soldered in place, but it is not quite the invisible fit of original Springfield Armory workmanship. From a few feet away it is convincing, and a couple drops of black paint to hide the tiny solder seam would make it hard to detect. Bore is fine to excellent with sharp lands and just a bit of very minor roughness in the grooves. Metal parts with about 60-70% original (or arsenal overhaul) blue, mixed with, and turning plum. Walnut stock does not have any cartouches and is probably a field replacement which is quite common as many carbine stocks were broken in service. There is a small hole near the butt, probably from a soling swivel that could be easily filled. There is a crack on the tip forward of the bandspring caused by the larger diameter rifle barrel being pressed into the stock which was inlet for the more rapidly tapering carbine barrel. The barrel band hides a small hole where a previous band had been secured with a pin or screw- nothing exciting, but we don’t want you to be surprised. The is a strip about an inch wide and 7 inches long on the right side of the forend where the wood color is lighter than the rest of the stock- not sapwood, but some sort of bleaching from sunlight or chemicals. It could be blended in with stain if you wanted to do that. Overall, this is a good representative M1877 .45-70 “trapdoor” carbine that is mostly correct, and not just a chopped down rifle that someone tried to fake into a carbine. If the barrel was correct, the price would be about 50% higher, so this is a significant saving for a collector eager to save some money and willing to accept a bit lesser quality item. It displays well, and had been on loan to a museum exhibit on the Cavalry in the West for several months last year. $1300.00 (View Picture)

16295 CIVIL WAR MAYNARD SADDLE RING CARBINE (Second Model) - Serial number 19668, these are a very clever design with a simple and strong locking mechanism. These used a .50 caliber brass cartridge case with a brass disc soldered to the base as a rim. A small hole in the center of the base allowed the flash from the external percussion cap to fire the case. A total of about 5,000 of the “First Model” Maynard carbine were made, with a patchbox in the butt and using the Maynard tape primer which was a big fad circa 1858 when these were first made. The “Second Model” eliminated the patchbox and Maynard primer and about 20,202 of these were delivered for use in the Civil War, with serial numbers running consecutively through both models. The Maynards were popular due to their light weight and simple operation, although not reaching the field until the 1864, serving mainly in the western theater. John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” has lots more on the various campaigns in which they saw action. The Maynard design continued in production after the Civil War for the commercial market, but with modifications to replace the nipple with a firing pin to allow use of regular metallic cartridges. The Civil War Maynard carbines were made by the Massachusetts Arms Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. That firm was incorporated in 1851 and included Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson (later to become Smith & Wesson); Joshua Stevens of Stevens Arms, and J.T. Ames of Ames Manufacturing Company, really the core of the American arms industry. This one is a real “diamond in the rough” that has been poorly stored and needs a careful cleaning to be a really great gun. The walnut stock is excellent with sharp inspector cartouches and only a couple of tiny, insignificant handling blemishes. The metal parts retain about 95%+ original blue finish but there are lots of light surface rust freckles that have accumulated and should come off with a careful cleaning without much loss or damage to the blue underneath. A little bit of heavier rust on the heel of the buttplate, on the bottom of the lever and one spot on the bottom of the barrel (about 3/8” diameter). The bore is excellent, bright and sharp. When cleaned, this will be a really great example of this historic design. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $2495.00 (View Picture)

16360 Swiss Model 1878 .41 rimfire (10.38 x 38Rmm) Vetterli Rifle (NICE!) - (Repetier-Gewehr 1878) Serial number 153629. Receiver marked "[cross]Waffenfabrik/Bern/153629/M.78" with matching numbers on other parts. Metal parts with about 98-99% original blue finish on most parts. Excellent medium brown color walnut stock with good cartouches and nice old oil finish with only a couple tiny storage bruises. There is a crack (about 6” long) on the left side of the forend just above the escutcheon but it does not affect strength and can be ignored or easily fixed if you want to. This is the standard Swiss Infantry rifle, a bolt action tubular magazine (12 round) repeating rifle from the period when we were still fussing with single shot flopdoor fusils. Admittedly the .45-70 cartridge was good for long ranges, while the .41 rimfire was a pretty puny load. Bore in the 33 inch barrel is sharp and mirror bright, and overall workmanship reflects the legendary Swiss precision workmanship. Upper band has stud on right side for sword bayonet, but these could also use a socket bayonet with a cruciform blade. Complete with the original cleaning rod, which is usually missing from these rifles. These were made between 1879 and 1881. An extremely handsome example of 130 year old rifle! Antique, no FFL needed. $950.00 (View Picture)

16297 CIVIL WAR MERRILL SADDLE RING CARBINE, 1ST MODEL, .54 caliber - Serial number 6827, matching. Only about 14,495 Merrills were procured during the Civil War, apparently a few more of this first model than the second which omitted the brass patchbox used a different latch. James H. Merrill of Baltimore, MD, was a serious firearms inventor, although certainly not an inventive genius. Besides the two Civil War models of the “Merrill” carbine, he was also involved with an 1855 Merrill, Latrobe & Thomas carbine which saw 170 procured by the Army before they decided they were unfit for service. Merrill was next involved with the 1858 modifications by the Navy where they altered some 300 of their breechloading Jenks carbines using a Merrill modification to allow use of a paper cartridge instead of loose ball and powder. The design of the Merrill offered here is his most successful attempt, where a long lever pivoting at the wrist and latched by the rear sight base, cannot be opened unless the hammer is at half cock. Lifting or closing the lever moves a piston back and forth in line with the axis of the barrel, opening or sealing a slot for insertion of a paper (or paper/foil) cartridge. The face of the piston has a copper disc attached to help seal the breech. Ignition is by standard musket cap on the nipple. These are handsome arms, with the brass furniture and the case-hardened finish on the lever/latch and lockplate, blued rear sight and trigger and bright finished barrel. This is a gently used weapon that has assorted minor dings and bruises, but nothing significant beyond what is mentioned here. There is some scattered very light roughness/pitting on the lockplate and hammer mainly from the mercuric caps used then. The barrel is a dull steel gray with some rusted areas near the muzzle and one or two other small rust spots. The brass has a mellow aged tone. The walnut stock is pretty nice and solid except for a hairline age crack on the left side extending forward from the tang, and a nearby small (1/4”) gouge that was filled and almost overlooked. Brass buttplate has some dings from use pounding something long ago. The bore is generally sharp and bright but there are 4 or 5 medium to large rusted areas towards the muzzle that may improve somewhat with a good cleaning, but probably not much. The rear sight is missing the small leaf (100-300 yards) but appears to be the same as standard M1861 sight so it would be easy to replace. There are light scratchings on the patch box, but not sure if it is a name or doodling. No documented history is available on this specific serial number, but others in the same general range were reported in the hands of cavalry regiments in June 1863, and again in January 1865, mainly Kentucky regiments. Other outfits which used Merrills included some from New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin. John McAulay’s superb “U.S. Military Carbines” has lots of info on these, and all other types of carbines as far as how well the troops liked them, and their performance in various battles. A very good plus, gently used veteran that will look better after a good overall cleaning, as it has been in an attic for about 15-20 years where an heir disinterested in guns had stored it. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $3500.00 (View Picture)

16217 Brazilian Model 1894 7 x 57mm Mauser Carbine (scarce) - Serial number 3774, mismatched. (Stock has a matching number, but in my opinion it was restamped recently). These scarce carbines were reportedly made by Loewe, DWM or FN from 1894 to 1901. Even Robert Ball’s definitive study Mauser Military Rifles of the World (4th edition) does not have a good production figure, but they are scarce, and this is the first I have seen in at least 20 years. Brazil adopted a minor variation of the Spanish Model 1893 rifle in 1894, and then in later years adopted successively more modern Mauser designs. This is a scarce model missing from most collection of South American military arms. Condition is about what you would expect for an arms issued to the cavalry where it would slap against sweaty horses, or spend months patrolling in the steaming jungles of the Amazon rain forest. The metal has some light roughness but no heavy pitting and may have had some touch up done on the dark blue/black/patina/gray finish. Parts numbers are mixed, but all in similar condition. Bore is dark with moderate rifling, and probably fair at best. Walnut stock has assorted nicks and dings and stains. The cavalry swivel on the wrist is intact, and there is a sling slot in the butt that may be original, or a later arsenal alteration. Good clear markings, which have been highlighted with white filler, which may have been done by the importer as the photo provided by Century for Ball’s book is of a carbine in similar condition with the white filler. A rare opportunity to own a scarce Mauser model. $750.00 (View Picture)

15816 ARGENTINE MODEL 1891 MAUSER RIFLE (NICE!) - Serial Number K9553 matching throughout, including the cleaning rod. These are 7.65x53mm Mauser caliber (sometimes called 7.65mm Argentine Mauser). These are important milestones as the first of many Mauser models adopted by various South American countries. Marked on the left side of the receiver "MAUSER MODELO ARGENTINO 1891/ MANUFACTURA LOEWE BERLIN" Receiver ring has the crest ground off, per Argentine law after some Argentine rifles showed up in a neighboring country's guerilla forces. Loewe later merged with the Mauser brothers to form Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM). This rifle is in excellent plus condition, showing just a couple of extremely minor storage dings plus some tiny scars alongside the buttplate. Bolt retains nearly 100% of its original bright polished finish. Other parts with about 98-99% original brilliant blue finish, except where the receiver crest was removed. Stock is a very pleasing medium brown colored walnut with some nice tiger stripe figure and legible cartouches. This is one of 15,000 made by Loewe in 1895. From an old pre-1968 collection and not defaced by any import markings. This is among the very best of the M1891 Argentine rifles we have had in years. The bore is in the same superb condition as the exterior. These are usually found in nice condition, but often with mismatched parts. South American military rifles are an attractive collecting specialty, with a wide number of examples, either limited to Mausers alone, or including all types. Most are still pretty reasonably priced, although it may take a while to find some variations, especially in decent condition. (We highly recommend Robert Ball's Mauser Military Rifles of the World to learn more, or Colin Webster’s definitive Argentine Mauser Rifles for the 1891-1909 models and their variants and accessories.) ANTIQUE- no FFL needed. $725.00 (View Picture)

4143 U.S. Model 1884 .45-70 Springfield "trapdoor rifle"- lots of finish- great bore - Serial number 445028- Metal is in great condition with about 90% color case hardening on the breechblock and tang, and about 90% original blue on the other parts. However, this came from the old Stembridge Gun Rental collection and was probably rented for use in some of the movies where these were placed in the hands of various extras and bit actors who made up the vast armies in virtually all of the Civil War and cowboy theme movies. Unfortunately, the Hollywood riff-raff did not care much about guns then (especially when they could buy brand new trapdoors by the case for about $25 per rifle!). As a result of heroic battle scenes or mere carelessness, the stock has picked up a lot of minor, some medium and two major dings. Large ones are on left side of stock just below the rear lock screw, and a gouge out of the lower left side on the forend behind the lower band. With some careful soaking, steaming, and a light sanding and some filler in the two big boo boos this will be a very handsome specimen. SWP/1889 cartouche is mostly visible and good circle P. Bore is about excellent but needs a good cleaning. Excellent mechanics. Comes with a sling that is from some foreign rifle, but sort of looks like a trapdoor sling. M1884 Buffington rear sight has a piece broken off the bottom of the slide (S&S has repro slides for $35). Overall a god looking rifle as is, and it will look better with the stock fixed up a little and be an excellent representative example of the classic Indian War era .45-70 “Trapdoor” with an interesting Hollywood connection to boot. $895.00 (View Picture)

15080 "Custer Range" U.S. Model 1873 .45-70 Trapdoor Carbine - Serial number 21264 made at Springfield Armory in 1874, long before Custer’s June 25, 1876 unsuccessful foray against the Sioux at the Little Big Horn. At least eleven carbines with serial numbers in the 21,000 range are listed as unserviceable arms turned in by Benteen and Jackson in the 2nd Quarter of 1877, and three other nearby numbers were recovered at Slim Buttes, so this is in a primary Custer range. Although there is no proof that this one was there, or even nearby, it is nice to be able to get one with even the slim possibility. U.S. military arms are not made at arsenals and then set aside for collectors to “ooh and ahh” over a hundred years later. The guns are made to arm the troops to go out and kill the enemy. Once issued, they are eventually returned and, as needed, they are repaired or updated and sent back out to be used some more. While it is nice to find totally original and unaltered arms, those which have seen service and have been updated are also fine collector pieces. This trapdoor carbine was made in 1874, and still retains the original barrel with no proof marks, and it is a genuine carbine barrel, not a cut down rifle barrel. The bore is about good, with the shallow rifling well worn, but otherwise not bad. The remaining parts are of mixed vintages, the result of later overhauls, or perhaps parts switching by owners after it left military service. The lock is not dated 1873, and the breechblock is a slightly later M8173 with the “low arch” but still the narrow width. Guard bow is genuine carbine type with no provisions for a sling swivel. The rear sight is the M1884 Buffington type, with the “C” for carbine marking, and the 1890 sight protector band is used. The Buttstock is a later M1877 type with the trap in the butt for the tools, and the long comb, and the wide inletting for the M1877 and later receivers which were a bit wider, but the narrow receiver fits in them with just a slight gap on the sides. It has two excellent cartouches, SWP/1880 and SWP/1890 and also two good circle P proof marks behind the trigger guard. I am not sure of the meaning of the double cartouches, but suspect it may be addressed in Al Frasca’s excellent research. The saddle ring bar is original, but I believe the ring is an old replacement that looks a bit thin to me. The metal parts have a consistent smooth mostly brown patina with scattered hints of a plum tone. No real rust or pitting, just finish turned to patina. The butt trap has an original M1877 ruptured cartridge extractor, and a three piece cleaning rod. I think the latter is a reproduction, but it is hard to tell on these. If you wanted to return this closer to the original configuration, it would not be hard to find a 1873 dated lock, and early hammer and M1873 carbine rear sight and band. Of course, finding a real M1873 stock will be nearly impossible, but some people do win the lottery and maybe you will get lucky too. We have had a half dozen other trapdoor carbines, but this is the first “Custer range” gun we have had. This is from a very advanced collector who is thinning his collection out a bit. $4950.00 (View Picture)

1087 MODEL 1892 .30-40 KRAG RIFLE PROJECT - Serial number 23399 with good JSA 1895 cartouche. This is an ongoing restoration project of mine which needs to have a forend made to finish it up, and a M1892 handguard (original or repro), a magazine cutoff and a M1896 front sight blade. This is an UNMODIFIED M1892 stock (although cut off at the band) and M1892 UNMODIFIED receiver which has never had the notch added for the bolt stop when M1892 rifles were upgraded to M1896 configuration. The barrel is a regular M1896 with the crowned muzzle (it was flat on the M1892). We include an upper band which has been modified to add a cleaning rod guide to duplicate the appearance of the ultra rare M1892 band. The stock has the correct straight toe, with the thin, no-trap buttplate and very good legible JSA 1895 and circle P. It also has the letter “J: near the cartouche, which I believe is a Span-Am era overhaul marking, but I do not know the location. Initials WFP lightly scratched on the bottom of the stock ahead of the trigger guard but not very noticeable. Correct oval head large buttplate screw, but like most Krags, the finish is gone from the buttplate. It does not have any of the usual cracks or damage in the action area, but is good and solid. It is cut at the lower band, but the end of the cleaning rod groove is clearly visible, and it was never enlarged for the 1896 filler strip. It had some ugly varnish stripped without harming the markings, and has the expected assorted minor dings and scrapes of an issued arm. Restoration of the stock would involve splicing a new forend piece in place, with a groove for the cleaning rod. This is not a hard job, but requires some patience and skill, and I have not had time to do it. No cleaning rod or handguard are included, but S&S sells nice repros. Front sight blade and magazine cutoff are easy to find. The action is marked on the left side 1894 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 23399 and the receiver parts are a mix of gray, silver, black and dull steel colors. Bolt is dull steel gray color that matches nicely with the other parts. Bolt is the (scarce) correct type for this serial number range with the cut on the rib, and the gas escape hole located closer to the front like the earlier square rib bolts. Bolt sleeve is late 1892 type with pinned safety but not knurled. Extractor is a M1896 that has been altered to remove the bolt stop pin, so it looks like the M1892. Exposed parts of the barrel with about 85-90% blue turning plum. Barrel has some moderate pitting between the M1892 rear sight and the receiver that will be hidden by the handguard. Bore is dark and worn and rough, but no cavernous pitting. You could square off the muzzle face to end up with a very good approximation of the M1892 Krag appearance. Normally I would not encourage such extensive restorations, but the number of unmodified M1892 rifles is miniscule, and few collectors will ever be fortunate enough to own one, so this may be as close as you will get. Antique, no FFL needed. $1450.00 (View Picture)

14811 COMMIE BLOC "FENCING MUSKET" - Obviously patterned after the Mosin Nagant, but then altered with a block of wood resembling an AK style magazine added to the bottom, these were used for teaching bayonet fighting. The spring loaded tip can be depressed about 4 inches into the barrel, similar to a pogo stick. This is a fairly common approach, and I have seen fencing muskets with the same concept from Sweden and England as well. The U.S. used bayonets with passed spring steel blades, and later switched to "pugil sticks". Just collecting "fencing musket variations would be neat specialty with probably several dozen variations from all over the world to chase down. These may be East German as some are marked "MODELL 4.853" which sounds German to me. Overall excellent condition (except for some scattered light surface rust that should clean up). Complete with original excellent sling. Still legal in Kalifornia, but may be next on their ban list. Non-firearm, no FFL needed. Photo shows a typical example, but this is one we were going to keep and is nicer than the one in the photo. $95.00 (View Picture

13631 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD FENCING MUSKET (TYPE IV) - Serial number 281480. (Flayderman 9A-394) Bayonet fighting was considered an essential skill prior to and during World War I. To avoid costly damage to newly adopted Model 1903 rifles (and the troops who would use them) the U.S. Army provided "fencing muskets". Obsolete .45-70 “trapdoor” Springfields cut to the same length as the Model 1903 rifle, with hammers, sights, and sharp corners removed. A flexible spring steel bayonet with a rounded tip was used. Early Fencing Muskets made between 1906 and 1909 used socket bayonets and are called “Type III” by collectors. About 10,000-12,000 of the later “Type IV” made between 1909 and 1916 using flat blade bayonets with two mounting rings, like this one. We often have the bayonets for these on the edged weapons page. This is in about average condition with numerous scars, nicks dings and gouges from hand to hand combat training. Sharp SWP/1880 cartouche and circle P show that good condition rifles were butchered to make fencing muskets. Sear, springs and bridle from the interior of the lock were stripped by previous owner. Barrels are supposed to be filled with lead, but it is often found removed, as is the case with this one. Bore has some crud at the muzzle that should clean up, and the rest is mirror bright! Breechblock camshaft ground flush at time of conversion, but someone out a small screw into the remains of the shaft so you can open the block to determine the full serial number. Stock has been drilled through in three places with 1/8” diameter holes, probably to facilitate mounting on a wall. Two of the holes are at the bandspring locations (and the springs removed). Other is in the butt visible in the photos, but all are easily plugged. If you want to risk being struck by lightning for desecrating a historic old gun, this could be turned into a reenactor “carbine” with a very little bit of work. The distance between the breech and the rear hole for the fencing bayonet is 21 inches, just an inch short of the 22 inch carbine barrel length. You would need some internal lock parts, hammer, cam latch, extractor, front sight and, if desired, a saddle ring and bar, nearly all available from S&S on our links page. A very unusual addition to a collection of M1903 Springfields, or trapdoors, or bayonets. In fact, there are a dozen or more different "fencing muskets" from various countries that would make an interesting collecting niche to pursue. $395.00 (View Picture)

12945 Italian M1870/87/16 6.5mm bolt action Vetterli-Mannlicher Rifle - Serial number XX1585 made in 1883 at Torre Annuziata arsenal, (which operated until about 1900). Originally made as a single shot Vetterli rifle firing the 10.35 x 47mm rimmed cartridge, the model 1870 rifles were altered in 1887 to add a Vitalli type box magazine, much like the Dutch and their Beaumont-Vitalli rifles. In WW1, shortages of arms led the Italians to further alter these rifles by lining the bore to use the 6.5x52mm Carcano cartridge and replacing the magazine with a Mannlicher type magazine. This conversion was only marginally safe for the old black powder loads, and they were generally issued to second line troops, or colonial infantrymen. Some of the rifles served with the Italian forces in North Africa in WW2, (those defeated by Haille Selassie's spear wielding Ethiopian tribesmen). Lug on side of barrel for sword/knife bayonet. Barrel flats marked TORRE ANNUZIATA/ 1883 on one side and serial number XX1585 on the other. Walnut stock has been lightly sanded during the period of it service and now has an old military oil finish. Large semi-legible roundel on the left side, probably from the time of last conversion. Right side has deeply struck serial number MT 3565. Metal parts with about 90-95% arsenal refinish on most parts, bolt finished bright, and just thin traces of blue on the magazine. Stock is sound and has only the expected handling and storage dings, nothing to get excited about. We have seen a number of these over the years and this is probably the best of them all, and the ONLY one we have ever seen complete with the cleaning rod. Good mechanics and dirty bore which may or may not clean up to be very good. (We definitely recommend that this rifle NOT be shot!) Unlike the later Mannlicher-Carcanos of WW2, these are not encountered very often. A good representative example of this important early European military bolt action rifle. Antique, no FFL needed. $325.00 (View Picture)

4340 U.S. M1866 .50-70 "Second Allin" Rifle - About 52,000 Model 1866 rifles were made at Springfield Armory between 1867 and 1869 by converting Model 1863 (Type 2) muskets. Musket barrels were bored out smooth then sleeved to .50 caliber and an opening cut in the breech for the hinged Allin breech block. The block and hinge had a black case hardened finish, the rear sight and trigger were blued, and remaining parts were finished bright. The Civil War stocks were internally altered to make room for the extractor and ejector mechanisms. These had a weak extractor mechanism and were not popular with troops. However, they proved the great value of the breechloader at the "Wagon Box fight" against the Indians in 1867. As the first widely issued breech loading centerfire infantry rifle made at Springfield and used by the U.S. Army, these are a major milestone for arms collectors. During the Franco-Prussian War about half of the Model 1866 rifles were sold to the French and later destroyed, making the number of surviving rifles about the same as the number of M1903A4 sniper rifles made. This is an excellent example that is uncleaned and will look better with a careful cleaning, unless you are one of the "I like original rust" types. The bore is excellent plus. Block and hinge retain about 50% of the darkened finish. Balance of metal parts motsly dull steel gray with some light staining or patina forming. One tiny patch of light pitting on the left side of the lower band and a bit of roughness around the outside of the muzzle where it rested in the blocks in an arms chest. The unsanded walnut stock is absolutely magnificent (except on area) with crisp sharp edges, and excellent circle P behind the trigger guard. No cartouches. Only a very few very minor handling or storage dings. However, there is one area about 1 inch square on the lower left side of the forend that must have been burned or gouged and was smoothed down many years ago. The rifle displays nicely anyway as this is on the side normally against the wall, but it is there and probably could not be filled in to make it less of a problem. Despite that this is a darn nice gun, among the top 10% of this model we have encountered over the years, and priced well below what it would be if it were perfect. Antique, No FFL needed. $1795.00 (View Picture)

**HOLD** 5651 WARD TAPE PRIMER CONVERSION OF M1816 MUSKET - Really scarce item, but really rough condition. (Flayderman 9A-269). This was a standard M1816 .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock musket made by Asa Waters in Milbury, Mass in 1826. The Ward conversion involved fitting a new percussion breech with a nipple, and installing a special hammer that had a small milled out section to hold Maynard type tape primers. When the hammer was cocked, a small star shaped wheel would feed a fresh primer section aligned for the hammer to hit on the nipple. Sources differ on total numbers produced, ranging from an estimated total of 151 to Flayderman's figure of maybe 300 on a New York state contract in 1857 and 100 more for federal use. In any case, I have only seen about 5 of these in my life (including those at Springfield and in the Fuller Collection). This example has the correct cone type front sight and unique rear sight but is missing the primer cavity door. All metal parts are heavily rusted, pitted, and pretty well frozen in place. Lock has two bright spots cleaned up to read the maker marks. Walnut stock is dark and weathered, but solid and has good traces of cartouches. Ramrod is not fully seated (sticks out about an inch past the muzzle). Undoubtedly a battlefield relic from the early days of the Civil War, or an item that languished in some barn for decades. Really rough, but really scarce. I was hoping to salvage the sight and some of the mechanism to restore the Ward in my collection, but decided to leave this one intact. Wish it were nicer, but seldom seen for sale in any condition. $995.00 (View Picture)

**STOLEN BY PERSON IN PORTLAND, OR AREA, or possibly a long haul trucker. $500 reward for return of this item or information leading to arrest and conviction of the thief, who got several other antique arms from other dealers by credit card fraud... $100 reward if you are first to spot this on an auction site.** 12036 U.S. MODEL 1863 TYPE II .58 CALIBER RIFLE MUSKET - Made at Springfield in 1864 and so marked on the lockplate. Barrel date not visible. Excellent bore. This is a good representative example of a .58 caliber Civil War musket, although not in the best condition. Basically a "brown gun" except for the trigger guard which has about 90-95% arsenal blue and must have been taken from a trapdoor (parts are identical except for being left bright on the M1855-1870 and blued on the M1873-1888 trapdoors. Otherwise all original and correct parts. Stock has been broken through he wrist and repaired long ago, but is not real tight and should be redone with epoxy which will make it stronger than the original wood. The stock has been sanded, but not badly. Metal parts (except trigger guard) mostly have a layer of brown patina/rust, with some light pitting under some areas, most notably around the nipple. Displays okay as is, or could be polished up with 320 emery cloth if you prefer the original bright look. The M1863 (type 2) which is sometimes called the M1864, was the highpoint in the development of the rifle musket for Infantry use, and the next year was replaced by the first of the Allin breechloding "trapdoors." The M1863 (Type 2) differed from the M1863 only in having the rounded bands retained by band springs instead of merely screw clamps. The M1863 differed from the M1861 which had flat bands retained by bandsprings, and the nipple bolster set out a bit further and having a clean out screw instead of an angled flash hole, and used a "swell" in the ramrod to hold it in place instead of a screw plate. All the .58 rifle muskets fired a 500 grain (little over 1 ounce) soft lead Minie ball with a hollow base. When the 60 grains of black powder was ignited by the flash from the percussion cap, the expanding gasses expanded the rear of the Minie ball to engage the rifling. Sights are provided for 100, 300 and 500 yards, but masses of troops could be engaged at ranges up to 1,000 yards. With a rate of fire of about 3 rounds per minute, and its long range, the .58 caliber rifle muskets forced dramatic changes in tactics from the massed formations used for the preceding several hundred years. Many collectors have a musket from the Civil War as a logical starting point for a collection of "modern" military rifles. This one comes with a good quality reproduction sling. Civil War muskets are getting more expensive but this one is affordable (due to the flaws) and has the potential to be much nicer after the stock has been repaired properly. $995.00 (View Picture)

Restoration Projects!

 For those of you who have thoughtfully stashed away some stocks and hardware (or stocks and bonds with which to invest in stocks and bands) here are some prime candidates for restoration. Some of these rifles were converted to sporters many years ago when no one was interested in collecting "surplus" military  rifles and everybody was busy turning them into cheap deer rifles. While many people butchered the stocks and cut off barrels and refinished things, a few considerate (or lazy) people merely chopped off the stock and threw away all the useless bands and stuff. These rifles are very easy to restore if you have an appropriate stock and bands.

**NEW ADDITION** 16876 U.S. MODEL 1892 KRAG RIFLE (UNMODIFIED!) RESTORATION PROJECT - Serial number 8115 made in 1895. This is an exceptional find! Among the scarcest of all U.S. martial small arms are the Model 1892 Krag rifles which had the cleaning rod under the barrel. Only 24,562 were made before they began making the Model 1896, and there was an aggressive, long term campaign to recall and convert Model 1892 rifles to the 1896 configuration. Virtually all the M1892 rifles saw service during the Spanish American war, with normal attrition there. Based on over 20 years collecting U.S. arms, I see unmodified M1892 Krags as infrequently as M1903 Rod bayonet Springfields and about as often as Gas Trap Garands or Pedersen devices. My guess is that perhaps 50 or so examples of each of these scarce models are in private hands, with maybe the same number in museums. This is an unrestored rifle that escaped modification to M1896, but got molested by Bubba so he would use it as a deer rifle. The action has NOT been modified for the hold open notch, and it has the correct matching numbers on the sideplate, gate and follower. Ejector pin is the correct later round type. The barrel is the correct original unmodified M1892 type with flat (uncrowned) muzzle and the original M1892 front sight blade (with wider lower part than the sighting part of the blade) still in place. Bore has strong but worn rifling, and is dirty with little roughness, about average for a Krag. The bolt assembly is a later M1898 type but M1892 bolts are not too hard to find (except for the square back cocking piece and the extractor without the hold open pin). Safety is missing. The flat tab on the bottom of the hinge pin is broken off, but the pin is the same for all Krags and easily replaced. Metal parts have some blue and the receiver is mix of blue, silver-gray, etc and I suspect that Bubba touched things up with some cold blue, but no polishing or anything real bad. The stock is the correct original M1892 stock with the channel and hole for the cleaning rod in (what is left of) the forend. It may be possible to salvage this, even though the forend has been rounded off at the lower band shoulder, and rounded on the edges where the handguard fits. A good wood worker can build a new forend, and piece it in about 2 inches back from the lower band, and possibly add strips above the grasping grooves. This work would be justified as the rest of the stock is good, including the original flat butt (not the curved toe as modified in 1896) with the correct original flat (solid- no trap) buttplate still in place. Finding an original unmodified M1892 Krag stock is probably impossible, so it is best to try to salvage this one. There is a small chip in the toe, visible in the photos. Faint traces of a cartouche, and a “J” which was an early arsenal inspection marking, but I forget which one. Based on the scarcity of original M1892 rifles, this rifle, when restored, will make a good filler in a collection unless you get very rich and very lucky and find a totally correct original. $1550.00 (View Picture)

16708 U.S. Model 1898 .30-40 Krag SADDLE RING CARBINE (Restoration Project) - Serial number 113962. made in 1898. This is an original M1898 carbine with the short M1896 style stock, but without the beveled area around the bolt handle, so it is definitely the M1898 carbine stock, not a cut down rifle stock. The serial number is close to some documented carbines, but data is extremely sparse, and mixed with rifle numbers when these were made during the hectic days of the Spanish American War right after the switch from the M1896 to the M1898 models. Although Flayderman reports the serial number range on the M1898 carbines as between 125,000 and 135,000, the SRS research in official documents has turned up references to them between about 112,800 and 139,000. Unfortunately, Bubba’s old deer carbine was not shooting as well as he liked, so his local gunsmith installed a new barrel on it, made from a M1903 barrel, as was the case with thousands of Krags in the 1920s-1950s. But the good news is that the bore is excellent, and the length is 22.5 inches instead of the regulation 22 inches, so it could be dressed up a bit at the muzzle after you remove the ramp type sight. Action has been buffed lightly and reblued nicely. Stock is excellent at first glance, with faint but legible JSA/1898 cartouche and circle P. However, close inspection reveals that it is cracked on the right side down into the butt, and another back from the trigger guard into the butt. This is clean, dry wood and will be very easy to repair with a bit of glue or epoxy. Another crack in the usual Krag weak area on the right side back from the magazine inletting. One large scrape about 1” x ¾” on lower right side of the butt, otherwise just the expected assorted minor dings and scrapes of an issued arm. Unlike so many carbine stocks, this one has NOT been drilled for sling swivels. Rear sight is the correct M1896 style, but it is marked with the rifle graduations, not the slightly different markings for a carbine. No barrel band, but S&S has repros available, and they also have repro M1896 carbine type handguards. The saddle ring has been removed, but the bar is intact. With a bit of stock repair work, addition of a band and handguard and reworking the barrel to add a correct style front sight and trimming the length this can be a good representative example of the scarce M1898 Krag carbine. Only about 5,000 were originally made, and most of those were later updated with the longer M1899 carbine stocks to be used with the later M1898/1901/1902 model rear sights. A correct M1898 carbine is an extremely scarce gun, and seldom found on the market. While it would be nice to have a 100% correct original, this will fill that gap in your collection at a bargain price. ANTIQUE, NO FFL NEEDED. $795.00 (View Picture)

1087 MODEL 1892 .30-40 KRAG RIFLE PROJECT - Serial number 23399 with good JSA 1895 cartouche. This is an ongoing restoration project of mine which needs to have a forend made to finish it up, and a M1892 handguard (original or repro), a magazine cutoff and a M1896 front sight blade. This is an UNMODIFIED M1892 stock (although cut off at the band) and M1892 UNMODIFIED receiver which has never had the notch added for the bolt stop when M1892 rifles were upgraded to M1896 configuration. The barrel is a regular M1896 with the crowned muzzle (it was flat on the M1892). We include an upper band which has been modified to add a cleaning rod guide to duplicate the appearance of the ultra rare M1892 band. The stock has the correct straight toe, with the thin, no-trap buttplate and very good legible JSA 1895 and circle P. It also has the letter “J: near the cartouche, which I believe is a Span-Am era overhaul marking, but I do not know the location. Initials WFP lightly scratched on the bottom of the stock ahead of the trigger guard but not very noticeable. Correct oval head large buttplate screw, but like most Krags, the finish is gone from the buttplate. It does not have any of the usual cracks or damage in the action area, but is good and solid. It is cut at the lower band, but the end of the cleaning rod groove is clearly visible, and it was never enlarged for the 1896 filler strip. It had some ugly varnish stripped without harming the markings, and has the expected assorted minor dings and scrapes of an issued arm. Restoration of the stock would involve splicing a new forend piece in place, with a groove for the cleaning rod. This is not a hard job, but requires some patience and skill, and I have not had time to do it. No cleaning rod or handguard are included, but S&S sells nice repros. Front sight blade and magazine cutoff are easy to find. The action is marked on the left side 1894 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 23399 and the receiver parts are a mix of gray, silver, black and dull steel colors. Bolt is dull steel gray color that matches nicely with the other parts. Bolt is the (scarce) correct type for this serial number range with the cut on the rib, and the gas escape hole located closer to the front like the earlier square rib bolts. Bolt sleeve is late 1892 type with pinned safety but not knurled. Extractor is a M1896 that has been altered to remove the bolt stop pin, so it looks like the M1892. Exposed parts of the barrel with about 85-90% blue turning plum. Barrel has some moderate pitting between the M1892 rear sight and the receiver that will be hidden by the handguard. Bore is dark and worn and rough, but no cavernous pitting. You could square off the muzzle face to end up with a very good approximation of the M1892 Krag appearance. Normally I would not encourage such extensive restorations, but the number of unmodified M1892 rifles is miniscule, and few collectors will ever be fortunate enough to own one, so this may be as close as you will get. Antique, no FFL needed. $1450.00 (View Picture)