Collectible Antique Longarms Catalog

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**NEW ADDITION** 1268 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. ANTIQUE- No FFL needed. $2750.00 (View Picture)

663 U.S. MODEL 1840 .69 CAL. SMOOTHBORE FLINTLOCK MUSKET- CONVERTED TO PERCUSSION - The Model 1840 was the last flintlock smoothbore musket made for the U.S. Army, the direct descendant of the old French Charlevilles. The pattern arms were made in 1835 but production did not start until 1840, so sometimes you will see these referred to as Model 1835 or 1835/1840. Production at Springfield only lasted into 1843, after the Model 1842 percussion musket model was adopted. Production by the two civilian contractors lingered into 1848. Original flintlock M1840 muskets are nearly impossible to find, and even the percussion conversions are scarce compared to the ubiquitous Model 1816s. Springfield Armory only made about 30,241 (circa 1840-43), Nippes made 5,100 (circa 1842-1848), and Pomeroy made another 7,000 (circa 1840-1846). See Flayderman 9A-258 through 9A-263. This one was made at Springfield in 1843, although the barrel date is not visible. Like nearly all the M1840s this was converted to percussion with the cone in barrel method and undoubtedly issued for use in the Civil War. Some were rifled when converted, others (like this one) remained smooth bore. This is “as found” and will be a very nice representative example after a good cleaning. The metal is a mix of dull steel gray with some patina and very fine roughness around the nipple and the buttplate and upper band. Ignore the “original rust fanatics” and go ahead and clean this one back to bright as it would have been when in service. The walnust stock was sanded or scraped long ago and is dry and lifeless. Simply rubbing in some boiled linseed oil will make it a lot nicer. There are two chips along the right side of the barrel channel between the lower and middle band. A break at the wrist and a chip along the left side of the barrel tang were neatly repaired long ago, and hardly noticeable. Old rack number “99” on the wrist.The ramrod and hammer screw are replacements, and likely the nipple as well, but everything else is correct and original. Bore is filthy, with lots of crud, but should clean to be very good with no significant pitting. These were heavily used in the opening years of the Civil War, so this one likely saw combat use, making history, not some pretty safe queen hiding in a crate in an armory. Ready to clean and take a proud place in your collection. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $1495.00 (View Picture)

341 U.S. MODEL 1840 .69 CAL. SMOOTHBORE FLINTLOCK MUSKET-CHEAP! - The Model 1840 was the last flintlock smoothbore musket made for the U.S. Army, the direct descendant of the old French Charlevilles. The pattern arms were made in 1835 but production did not start until 1840, so sometimes you will see these referred to as Model 1835 or 1835/1840. Production quickly stopped at Springfield, after the Model 1842 percussion musket model was adopted. Production lingered on for a few more years and the two civilian contractors finished up their production by 1848. Original flintlock M1840 muskets are nearly impossible to find, and even the percussion conversions are scarce compared to the ubiquitous Model 1816s. Springfield Armory only made about 30,241 (circa 1840-43), Nippes made 5,100 (circa 1842-1848), and Pomeroy made another 7,000 (circa 1840-1846). See Flayderman 9A-258 through 9A-263. This one was made by Nippes in Philadephia in 1845 with matching dates on the lock and barrel. This is one of the very few that escaped conversion to percussion (but sadly did not escape other molestation). Most likely this was used in the Civil War by Union or Confederate soldiers and was possibly taken home by one (with or without permission to go home and/or take a musket), or maybe picked up off a battlefield. Or possibly it served honorably and ended up among the vast quantities of Civil War surplus arms later sold by Bannerman. At some point in civilian hands the mutilations began. The muzzle of the barrel was cut back an inch and a half, getting rid of the bayonet stud, and leaving the barrel 40.5 inches long instead of the original 42 inches. I suspect that the owner was an exceptionally tall man as they neatly added a walnut extension on the butt to make the butt about 1.5” longer and trimmed the nose of the comb down a bit. The stock was once cracked along the grain between the lock and lower band, but this was very neatly repaired and not noticeable from the outside, but when the barrel is removed you can see some of the epoxy material in the barrel channel. The barrel is original flint with only the flint flash hole, never any nipple added. The lockplate retains the original brass pan and frizzen spring and the screws for the hammer, frizzen and frizzen spring. The frizzen fits pretty well but is probably a replacement of some sort. The hammer is a U.S. M1816 hammer which is a loose fit on the tumbler but looks okay. The brass pan has some sort of iron filler piece installed secured by a rivet through the bottom of the pan but the reason for this is a mystery to me. The changes to the lock were probably done to keep the gun functioning for killing hogs, hunting critters or for protection against biped or quadraped predators. Since the barrel has been cut and the butt extended, the changes to the lock might be best to ignore and leave everything alone as part of the history of the gun. Good quality reproduction M1840 hammers and frizzens are available if you want to install them to get back closer to original. Overall condition is GOOD (as modified). Metal parts have a smooth mellow brown patina with some heavier rust or light pitting around the breech end of the barrel, but little or no pitting elsewhere except at the Nippes marking on the center of the lockplate. The metal parts could easily be cleaned bright again if you want to do that. A good machinist could take a piece of .69 musket barrel and make an extension with a slight overlapping or telescope braze joint to stretch the barrel back to the original length. A representative example of the last of the U.S> flintlock muskets at a bargain price. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $895.00 (View Picture)

146 RARE “WINGATE’S INDICATOR FOR AIMING DRILL” EARLY U.S. MILITARY GALLERY PRACTICE DEVICE - Patented in 1876, this was a predecessor of the later and somewhat similar concept “Hollifield Dotter,” using the energy of the firing pin striking the back of a rod to propel it forward so a sharp point will mark a paper target with a pin-prick to show if the aim was good, and group size for several shots. (See my 13 page article “U.S. Military Marksmanship Indoor Rifle Practice, 1858-1921: Methods and Equipment” in the August 2018 issue of Arms Heritage Magazine for more on this subject.) These were widely used by the New York National Guard in their 50-70 rolling block rifles, making them a U.S. military gallery practice collector item. Information is scarce, mainly George Wingate’s Manual for Rifle Practice (7th edition). Advertising claimed that these were available from Winchester, but I do not know if it was in the WRA catalog. I had never been able to find one for my collection, but lucked into a couple from the estate of a prominent collector. I will include a 16 page pamphlet with copies of the section of Wingate’s manual his patent for the device, and a replica of the target they used and photos of the details of the Indicator. This provides information and history behind this extremely rare item. This is cleaned, as shown in the photo of a sample. This is the New York state model, with overall length 38 inches for use in a 36 inch barrel. $165.00 Also have one that is 27.5 inches long suitable for a barrel about 25.5” long, perhaps shortened for use with the New York rolling block carbines with 22” barrel, or perhaps for a privately owned rifle. Still a great example of the Wingate Indicator for the general concept, and price reduced to $65.00 on this one. $165.00 (View Picture)

540 U.S. MODEL 1884 .45-70 “TRAPDOOR” SPRINGFIELD RIFLE- NICE! - Serial number 476250 made in 1889, and likely briefly used in the Spanish American War, then later Arsenal “Cleaned and Repaired” and never used again. Although no specific usage information has been found for this serial number, there are many listings for rifles in the 476xxx range being issued to volunteer units from Texas or Iowa, and even a few to a Pennsylvania unit and one from the District of Columbia. There is no way to know if this rifle was with one of those units or a different one, but after the Spanish American War, many trapdoors were refurbished and placed into storage for possible future use. This “clean and repair” proves involved scraping the stocks (which removed the cartouches and any minor dings) and applying a linseed oil finish, and also lightly cleaning the metal and applying a rust blue finish. This retains about 98-99% of the arsenal refinish, with some dried grease and just a bit of light surface rust which might clean off. The bore is bright and sharp, overall excellent, but having about 10 small spots of light pitting or rust near the muzzle- nothing horrible, but I wanted to point them out to avoid any surprises. Excellent mechanics, the Buffington sight works perfectly, and it is overall a really nice rifle. Although the Spanish American War (including the subsequent Philippine Insurrection) was the last major U.S. military use of trapdoors, some were issued to U.S. forces in WW1 for home guard type units or training, and a few were reportedly used by Coast Guard Beach Patrols during WW2. Others were converted for line throwing use during WW1 and WW2. ANTIQUE- no FFL needed. $950.00 (View Picture)

551 RARE EARLY DAISY NO. 111 MODEL 40 “RED RYDER” AIR RIFLE CIRCA 1940-41 WITH COPPER BANDS - First made in 1940, the Red Ryder has been in more or less continuous production since then, except during WW2 years, with an astounding 9 million made so far. This is several generations older than the gun Ralphie lusted after in “Christmas Story, and is old enogh to have been “the old man’s” gun when he was a kid. This has the following distinctive early features: copper washed front sight band staked (not spot welded) on the barrel. Copper washed spot welded barrel band on the forend. Rear sight screw adjustable for elevation (screw missing). Wood stocks with the Red Ryder logo branded on the left side of the butt. The shot tube loading is the “twist the muzzle cap” type. Lever is cast iron, not aluminum. This is a used, but not abused example, with about 90% original blue having a lot of light surface rusting and freckles, some of which will clean off, and some will not. Kid’s name that looks like “Jeremy Cobb” is neatly electric penciled on right side or the receiver. The copper wash is mostly worn off the two bands, but enough remains to confirm this is indeed the rare early model. The buttstock is cracked about an inch below the top of the receiver, but easily repaired. Wood screw to secure the top of the butt stock is missing. Butt and forend retain most of the stain and varnish finish with remarkably little wear or dings, but there is a little wear on the butt and a small age crack at the butt shown in the photos. I think the leather thong on the saddle ring is original, but it may have been trimmer or replaced. Not a minty example, but one that some kid used and enjoyed and took pretty good care of. This is a very nice example of the rare early pre-war Red Ryder guns for a collector. If you just want a shooters, there are plenty of those pretty inexpensive, waiting for your use. Just be careful or you’ll shoot your eye out! No FFL needed. Residents of Kalifornia and other places run by idiots please include note from your mother and proof you are over 12 years old, and promise not to shoot the neighbor’s cat. $185.00 (View Picture)

21251 RARE “WINGATE’S INDICATOR FOR AIMING DRILL” EARLY U.S. MILITARY GALLERY PRACTICE DEVICE - Patented in 1876, this was a predecessor of the later and somewhat similar concept “Hollifield Dotter,” using the energy of the firing pin striking the back of a rod to propel it forward so a sharp point will mark a paper target with a pin-prick to show if the aim was good, and group size for several shots. (See my 13 page article “U.S. Military Marksmanship Indoor Rifle Practice, 1858-1921: Methods and Equipment” in the August 2018 issue of Arms Heritage Magazine for more on this subject.) These were widely used by the New York National Guard in their 50-70 rolling block rifles, making them a U.S. military gallery practice collector item. Information is scarce, mainly George Wingate’s Manual for Rifle Practice (7th edition). Advertising claimed that these were available from Winchester, but I do not know if it was in the WRA catalog. I had never been able to find one for my collection, but lucked into a couple from the estate of a prominent collector. I will include a 16 page pamphlet with copies of the section of Wingate’s manual his patent for the device, and a replica of the target they used and photos of the details of the Indicator. This provides information and history behind this extremely rare item. This is cleaned, as shown in the photo of a sample. This is the New York state model, with overall length 38 inches for use in a 36 inch barrel. $165.00. (View Picture)

21634 RARE! U.S. MODEL 1884 EXPERIMENTAL ROUND ROD BAYONET .45-70 TRAPDOOR UPDATED TO M1888 CONFIGURATION- NICE - Serial number 320076. In 1884 Springfield made 1,000 .45-70 trapdoors with experimental round rod bayonets. Trials in 1881 with a triangular rod bayonet were a failure and this was a new attempt to come up with an alternative to the triangular socket bayonet and reduce the soldier’s load by the weight of the bayonet and scabbard. The latch is flat on the bottom, often called the "flat latch” model to distinguish it from the later 1888 which had a finger wrapped around at the ends of the latch to better grip the bayonet in the stowed or fixed position. The 1884 Flat Latch system was also a failure and after troop trials most were withdrawn from service, and rifles continued to be made with socket bayonets until the 1888 was adopted. Circa 1889-1891 many of the M1884 trials rifles were rebuilt to M1888 configuration, and as a result unmodified M1884 trials rifles are extremely scarce, and probably less than 50 survive. If one turns up the price starts about $5,000 or higher. This one is in the middle of the M1884 serial number range. It retains the two piece trigger guard, not the single piece used on the M1888. It has two distinct circle P firing proofs below the trigger guard tang. The left stock flat has a SWP/1891 cartouche located directly below the rear lock screw, and I have seen another one of the M1884/1888 updated rifles with an 1889 cartouche in the same location, and the double circle Ps. Normally, trapdoor cartouches are located towards the butt from the rear lock screw, not underneath it. The stock were arsenal modified to trim off the weak edges of the rod channel, and to fit the slightly longer cap on the bayonet base. It is likely that the stock was lightly scraped and refinished at the time of conversion, removing the 1884 cartouche, but leaving the first circle P. Metal parts retain about 80-90% thinning blue from time of conversion. About 95% color case hardening on the breechblock. Stock has original oil finish, and just a few assorted ding of an issued martial arm. Small chip along the left side the breech tang. Brass tack with number 9 just behind the trigger guard tang, but source or meaning unknown. Bore is excellent- sharp and bright. Since unmodified M1884 experimental bayonet rifles are out of reach for most collectors, this M1884/1889 updated will have to suffice, but is a lot more affordable. ANTIQUE, NO FFL needed. $2150.00 (View Picture)

20873 U.S. LINE THROWING GUN- KILGORE MODEL GR-52 - Serial number 617 with USCG approval 160/040/4/0 as marked on the frame. Theoretically, the approval number should allow dating these to within a five year period corresponding with the date of USCG approval under section section 160.040 covering life saving appliances. However, no complete list has been found of all approvals, so with only a few scattered examples the best I can do is estimate that this was circa 1960s-1980s, but I believe the basic model dates to 1952. This is a “Schermuly” type life saving line throwing gun which uses a small pistol type launcher firing a stubby “impulse-ignition cartridge.” Before firing, a rocket motor with an attached wire frame sticking back for attachment of the “line” is inserted in the muzzle. When fired, the impulse ignition cartridge flash ignites the rocket motor and kicks the rocket out on its way. The basic concept was invented by Richard Schermuly, a British seaman and inventor around the beginning of the 20th century. However, despite its simplicity, low cost, and effectives (so easy a young child could use it) the concept was not adopted until 1929 by the International Conference for Saving of Life at Sea Treaty (SOLAS). Multiple types of line throwing devices have been invented over the years since 1807 when George Manby came up with a mortar for the purpose of line throwing, followed by David Lyle’s cannons in the 1870s and shoulder fired guns by Ingersoll, Coston and others in the 1880s and later. Ships still carry line throwers in various configuration, and they are also widely used by firefighters. Today most ships have switched to Schermuly type rockets, but fired from a single-use plastic canister which is not subject to regulation as a “firearm” by gun-phobic foreign governments. As life saving devices, with the bore obstructed by small projections to prevent firing of projectiles but not interfering with the launching of the line throwing rocket, the Kilgore GR-52 is not considered a firearm and no FFL is needed to purchase. Overall fine to excellent outside with most of the gloss black paint finish remaining. The bore has corrosion from firing and poor cleaning, or maybe just exposure to salt air for extended periods. I discovered that it is missing the extractor, but since no one has the impulse cartridges or rockets any more who cares. These have a handle on the top of the barrel to help hold it when firing, not so much for the very limited recoil, but because the gun with rocket inserted is heavy and you want it under good control when on a heaving deck of a ship in distress. I have done a lot of research on various line throwing guns, and would be happy to share a copy upon request, or will try to post it on our other site, ArmsCollectors.com, and it will eventually be posted at http://ASOAC.org for whom it was written and first published. Price for Kilgore GR-52 line throwing pistol and one fired case is $265.00 (View Picture)

14630 SCARCE SWEDISH MODEL 1867 ROLLING BLOCK RIFLE MADE BY REMINGTON IN 1867- WITH BAYONET! - Serial number 3701, matching on left side of the receiver, butt stock and buttplate, with the 1867 date of manufacture on the right side of the barrel, receiver and butt. Additional number 6538 stamped on left barrel flat. This is one of the most desirable of all the Swedish M1867 rolling blocks as it is one of the original 10,000 made by Remington in Ilion. Remington also provided 20,000 actions, and licensed the Swedes to make rifles in Sweden, selling them tooling and jigs for the purpose, along with American made production machinery. This tooling ended up as the basis for Carl Gustafs Stad Gevarsfaktori and other arms making plants, and eventually they turned out some 100,000 rolling block rifles and at least 4.000 carbines. In addition, Norway ended up making about 53,000 M1867 rifles at the Norwegian arsenal at Kongsberg, and buying 5,000 from Husqvarna in Sweden. These are historically significant arms, from a period when Sweden and Norway were unified to a some extent. They jointly adopted the Remington rolling block system in 1867. The Swedes had a bunch of muzzle loading rifles they intended to convert to breechloaders, so they chose a 12.17mm cartridge with the same bore diameter as the muzzle loaders, converting those using actions provided by Remington, or made in Sweden under license. Depending on the original model those became "gevär m/1860-68", "gevär m/1864-68" or "gevär m/1860-64-68." The M1867 rifles remained in Swedish service until replaced by the Model 1894/1896 Mauser carbines and rifles. Originally made in 12.17x44mm rimfire (comparable to, but not identical with the .50-70 case), some of the M1867s were converted to 12.17x44mmR centerfire starting in 1874 (Model 1867-74). In 1884 the Norwegians adopted 10.15x61mmR Jarmann rifles, but the Swedes declined. In 1889 Sweden modernized some their rolling blocks using new barrels in 8x58mmR Danish Krag caliber. (Not part of the Sweden-Norway union but strongly tied to them, Denmark also adopted a Model 1867 rolling block, but chambered for a 11.35mm rimfire cartridge, replacing these with the Danish 8mm Krag rifle in 1889, while Norway adopted a 6.5mm Krag in 1894. As you can see, the Scandinavian weapons history is a bit of a tangled story, but it would be an interesting and not too expensive collecting niche.) Overall condition of this Remington made Swedish Model 1867 rifle is about fine, with traces of case colors on the receiver, and about 80% thinning original blue on the barrel. The American walnut stocks show assorted mostly minor dings and scars of an issued service arm. The wood is a little dry and some appropriate treatment would improve the appearance. Excellent bore. Note that this comes with the correct Model 1867 Swedish socket bayonet, with most of its blue finish, going nicely with the rifle. These rifles were made with a lug on the side of the barrel so that they could be issued with either the socket bayonet or a sword bayonet. A very nice example of the scarce early Remington made Swedish rifle, not the more common Swedish made guns. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $1350.00 (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)

Non-Military Antique American Longarms (Kentucky Rifles, pre-1898 Winchesters, etc)

**NEW ADDITION** 1246 SCARCE REMINGTON SINGLE SHOT PERCUSSION SHOTGUN - (No serial number) (Flayderman 5E-076.5) These are totally unmarked, and while a fair number were made, few people recognize them as a Remington product. Made circa 1866-1870s they were a cheaply made gun which sold well and filled a real need for both hunting and predator control. These were tools of the working man, not fancy “sportsman” guns for wealthy city folks to show off to their snooty friends. As working tools, the survival rate seems low, especially with any decent condition left. This is a handsome example, matching Flayderman’s description except barrel length is 30” rather than 35 inches. Lots of old (original or redone in period of use?) blue finish. Wood has only minor dings from handling and use. Wooden ramrod probably an old replacement with the tamping tip made from a .45-70 case. Excellent bore, good mechanics, and nipple probably replaced. We sell all guns as collector items only and they must be approved by a competent gunsmith prior to firing, but I am not aware of anything which would make me hesitant to shoot this one. This fit in with John’s collection of early shotgun types, but he is selling all the shotguns to make room for new interests. ANTIQUE, no FFL needed. $325.00 (View Picture)

**NEW ADDITION** 1042 MUZZLE LOADING SHOTGUN ACCESSORIES - 1- Excellent condition circa 1870-1900 leather shot pouch with brass dispenser (measure) spout. Embossed game scene on both sides. Overall height about 8 inches. 2- Fair condition circa 1840-1860 steel powder flask shaped can. Makers sold these cans for the hunter market as the buyer could hook a shoulder strap into the tabs on the side and carry it into the field. There is a partial paper label on one side, but pretty much illegible. Early type with cork type spout not later screw top. About 7 inches high. No powder or shot included. Both for only $85.00 (View Picture)

1001 Winchester 1887 LEVER ACTION 10 GAUGE SHOTGUN- Not minty, but still nice! - Serial number 59375 made in 1896. This was John M. Browning’s first repeating shotgun design, made at the urging of Winchester, who insisted that they made lever action arms, and were not really interested in the idea of a pump shotgun which Browning wanted to work on. So, he made a pretty good lever gun for them. Browning was a Mormon, and like most members of that faith went on a proselytizing mission for his church. He was assigned to Georgia from March 28, 1887 to March 9, 1889, and the new Winchester hit the market while he was on his mission. The championship “Four B’s” trapshooting team in Ogden in the 1890s saw John M. and Matt Browning using high grade Model 1893 pumps, while beer brewer Gus Becker happily used one of the lever action Model 1887s, and hotel financier Archie Bigelow used a double gun. The Model 1887 made for black powder only was superceded by the nearly identical Model 1901 made of better steel for smokeless powder, which remained in production until about 1920, although sales dropped significantly after shooters tried the Model 1893 or 1897 pumps. A total of about 80,000 of the lever action shotguns were made. This was the first of Browning’s 5 repeating shotgun designs- (1- M1887 lever; 2- 1893/1897 pump; 3- 1900 semi auto-five; 4- Stevens 520/620 pump; 5- Remington 17/Ithaca 37 pump) This is a well above average example, with smooth action, good mechanics, some traces of blue finish, a bit touched up on the right side of the receiver. Buttstock and forend are in fine condition with lots of mellow original oil finish and only minor dings from use. Original metal buttplate and full length stock. Bore in the 32 inch barrel is good, but with some pitting, although some may be crud that a good cleaning will fix. Some light pitting on the outside near the muzzle. While not minty, this is far above the usual condition these are found in. ANTIQUE- NO FFL needed $1995.00 (View Picture)

22256 LARGE AMERICAN PERCUSSION FOWLING PIECE CIRCA 1830 - This is the type generally called a “club butt” which has a much larger than usual butt stock and often more extreme drop to the butt, as was originally found on Dutch arms brought to the new world by Dutch settlers in the Hudson River valley. Overall length is 60 inches This has a 42 inches long .78 caliber barrel with remnants of the bands at the breech found on Brown Bess style muskets, and what look like English proof marks and the letters I.W. usually associated with James Wilson, a prolific British gun maker. There is a brass blade type front sight but no signs of a bayonet lug. The underside of the barrel has an iron rib soldered to it, with one ramrod pipe. The pipe holds a brass tube which extends full length of the rib, and houses an improvised iron ramrod which is too short for use, but is probably a later owner’s replacement for one that got lost or appropriated for more important uses. The rod looks good for decorative use, or could be replaced with a wooden rod by removing the brass tube. There is a large “76” engraved on the top of the breech, but the meaning is uncertain. It is (remotely) possible it indicates use by the 76th Regiment of Foot, MacDonald’s Highlanders which served in America 1779-1784 including the Charleston campaign and finally surrendering at Yorktown. The brass trigger guard, ramrod entry pipe and buttplate are all British Second Model (Short Land pattern) Brown Bess style furniture circa 1740-1790, likely salvaged from a Revolutionary War British musket. Since there were numerous campaigns and battles in the Hudson River valley or adjacent areas, it is reasonable to find them on a gun made in that area. The lock was made as a percussion lock, probably in England, with modest decorative engraving marked “MELCHIOR- WARRANTED.” It is likely that the barrel and furniture had originally be assembled into a fowler circa 1790-1810 as a flintlock, but probably was broken or damaged and the parts used again with a new-fangled percussion lock circa 1830 resulting in the gun as it is today. Overall condition is as shown in the photos- well used, trigger guard broken at the screw hole, and lock needs tinkering, but still an impressive old gun to hang on the wall, especially in an old house circa 1800-1850. Due to length and weight, shipping will have to be $65.00. ANTIQUE- No FFL needed. $395.00 (View Picture)

SMOF7155 - SCARCE AUSTRIAN MODEL 1862/1867 WANZL BREECHLOADING CONVERSION OF LORENZ MUSKET (14 x 33mm Rimfire)
In 1866 the Austrians fought a disastrous seven week war with Germany, where the German breechloading needle fire rifles decimated the Austrians with their muzzle loading Lorenz rifles. The following January (1867), the Austrians adopted the Wanzl system for converting their muzzle loading rifles to breechloading cartridge arms. Six months later they adopted the rotary breech Werndl system for new rifles to be made by the newly formed firm of Steyr. This is the standard infantry model Wanzl, with total barrel length of about 37.5 inches and overall length of about 53 inches. The lock bears the original manufacture date of 1863, stamped in the Austrian method of only the last three digits, 863. The Wanzl conversion is somewhat similar to the later Allin Trapdoor system, where a new receiver is attached to the old barrel, having a breechblock that flips up like the trapdoor. The locking system is unusual, being an internal rod that locks into the rear of the breechblock as the hammer falls. The tang is marked G. PAPISTOK, the firm that did the conversion. The breechblock is marked BOLLMAN. The barrel is marked W 68 indicating acceptance at Vienna (Wein) in 1868. Overall condition is about fine. Most parts retain their original bright polished finish under a bit of dried oil and crud. The bore is excellent, but someone drilled a 3/16” diameter hole through the barrel about 8” from the muzzle for some unknown and regrettable reason. The hole on the top has been plugged so it is not real obvious, but it is open on the bottom, so this is not for shooting (like anyone has any 14 x 33mm Rimfire Austrian ammunition to shoot). The beech stock has a few assorted minor handling and storage dings and blemishes, and one messy area on the bottom of the forend as shown in the photos. The Wanzel is a very scarce gun, and would be an excellent addition to a collection of European military arms. An excellent collecting niche would be to specialize in the evolution of military rifle technology, something like “Single Shot Blackpowder Cartridge Military Rifles” or “Military muskets converted to breechloaders.” Other examples that would fit in there are the British Sniders, the French Tabatier, the Swiss Milbank-Amsler; the U.S. first and second Allin trapdoors, some of the Remington rolling blocks, and several others. The best source of info on arms of this era is Keith Doyon’s superb site http://www.militaryrifles.com/ which we use often. (Note- The Lorenz muskets were nominally .54 caliber and the conversion used a rimfire cartridge variously called any of the following: 13.9 x 33mm Wanzel Model 1867 rimfire; 14 mm rimfire Wanzl ; 14.3 x 32.3mm rimfire Austrian Wänzel; 14.3 x 32.3mm rimfire Wänzel Mod. 1869; 14.5 x 32.5mm rimfire Austrian Wänzel; 14 mm Scharfe gewehrpatrone or the 14 x 33mm rimfire Wänzel. But whatever you call it, forget about ever finding any ammo for it!) Cleaning rod is a not quite correct replacement. See bayonet page, (or ask) for a bayonet to fit . Price is discounted significantly due to the hole problem, but few people will ever notice it. ANTIQUE- No FFL needed $ 795.00 (View Picture)

23268 Swiss Model 1869/1871 .41 rimfire Bolt Action Vetterli Repeating Rifle - Serial number 7129 matching, made by Rychner & Keller, Aarau. Although never used in combat (due to the Swiss policy of ensuring that all citizens were heavily armed skilled marksmen, not disarmed girly-men peaceniks). The bolt action Vetterli rifle with its 11 round tubular magazine was adopted at a time when most nations were still diddling with single shots, or attempting cheapskate conversions of muzzle loaders. The U.S. Army was in love with Trapdoors, and rejected other options for more than 20 years after the Swiss adopted the Vetterli. The only downside of the Swiss Vetterli was the weak rimfire ammunition (nominally 10.4x46mmR). This rifle is the standard infantry model with 33 inch barrel. The Models 1869 and 1871 have the square checkering on the forend, while the later 1878 and 1881 models do not, although they had minor mechanical improvements and better sights. The 1869 had a sliding cover for the loading gate, which was eliminated on the 1871. Many of the Swiss rifles were sold off as surplus in the early to mid 20th century. Winchester loaded .41 rimfire ammo up until WW2 and in the 1960s nearly unissued Vetterli rifles were selling from “Ye Olde Hunter” for $9.95 each. Ah, the good old days. This rifle is in good condition except that it has been poorly stored, so much of the original blue finish has turned to plum patina or acquired some light surface rust. This needs a good cleaning of all the metal parts, and a good rubbing with linseed oil on the stock to make it look a lot nicer than it is now. The unsanded walnut stock is dry and has assorted minor handling dings and bruises. Bore is dirty but good, and may clean better, but irrelevant as you are unlikely to find any .41 Swiss ammo to shoot. This is complete with the cleaning rod, which is often missing. A good representative example of an important and interesting rifle. These early Model 1869-1871 rifles are much harder to find, and usually in lesser condition than the later Model 1878 and 1881 rifles. Swiss rifles can be a fun and (relatively) inexpensive collecting niche, with a wide variety of variations from the core group of muzzle loading Federal rifles, the Milbank Amslers, Vetterlis, and Schmidt-Rubins. All are made of the finest materials to the highest quality standards, and fairly easy to find at affordable prices. $595.00 (View Picture)

Cootl stuf that does not fit well in the other categories. And, 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.

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