`

BILL GOODMAN, 280 W. KAGY BLVD. SUITE D #152, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715

TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415

EMAIL: montanaraven@hotmail.com

 

Bill Goodman has been a collector of antique/collector firearms for well over 40 years and a full time dealer for over 30 years. Traveling around the country constantly seeking good quality collector arms at REALISTIC PRICES, Bill sells exclusively by mail order. Until recently, he has advertised in every issue of The Gun List (now Gun Digest the Magazine) since it’s first small issues in the early 1980s (as well as The Shotgun News before that). All items are photographed. To view them just click the text of the item you want to see. Be sure to scroll down as most items have more than one photo.  All guns are sold as collector’s items, not shooters. If you wish to shoot an item listed here, it is strongly recommended that you have the item checked out by a competent gunsmith who specializes in antique/classic firearms. All items are sold with the usual three (3) day inspection. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, call to say you are returning the item and you will receive an immediate refund when the item is received back in the same condition it was originally shipped. This list will be constantly updated as new items become available. Use the above phone number or email to check availability and for info on any item you wish to purchase. Prices do not include shipping. All federal/state laws concerning the transfer of firearms are strictly followed. Modern firearms must be shipped to an FFL dealer (or “Curio & Relics” license holders where applicable). Pre-1899 antiques may be shipped to non-FFL holders. All Layaway sales are final. AND PLEASE, MAKE CHECKS TO WILLIAM (OR BILL) GOODMAN AND NOT GOODMANGUNS

 

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED 11/18/24. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS  THROUGH  NOVEMBER.

 

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

The other day I was at the range sighting in a Winchester Model 52 target rifle, .22 Long Rifle caliber, made in 1936. It weighs 9 ½ lbs so is a bit heavier than most .22 Sporters, but certainly not as heavy as the bull barrel target models. This one is unaltered and retains the superb factory Lyman receiver sight and globe front sight. It’s made to be typically shot in 50 foot competition, so that’s how I sighted it. Tiny, one-hole groups were the norm even with cheap bulk ammo. The rifle turned up at a local show and I didn’t pay much for it. Aside from formal competition, its a fun general purpose .22 rifle. While shooting from the bench I got to thinking what a bargain it was. After all, it’s a Model 52- Winchesters top-of-the-line rifle at the time. Since there’s not much interest these days in the type of shooting this rifle was designed for, and those who do pursue small bore bullseye now use high-tech rifles made from synthetics with fully adjustable everything, demand and prices are fairly low. Then I started to ponder what other bargains are out there… Here’s a few I came up with. In the handgun area just about any Pre-War auto pistols in .32 ACP caliber along with nearly all Colt and S&W Pre-War and early Post-War .32 and .38 revolvers. The S&W .32 Hand Ejectors come to mind as do the Colt Officers Models in .22 and .38 Special. If you are looking for a shooter, in decent condition, but not minty, prices are reasonable, the ammo is cheap or easily reloaded, and the quality is simply amazing. There are also .32-20s in double action form from both manufacturers with modest price tags. In the rifle line, The target models like the one above are certainly bargains- especially the early versions with the Winchester “barrel band” rifles, like mine, being often down right cheap. In center fire rifles, the early Remington 40X single shot target models stand out also. Walnut stocked with heavy barrels and precise iron sights, these too are a joy to shoot. I have one in .308 that didn’t cost much considering the quality and its accuracy is astounding. Of course, all of the common Trapdoor Springfield rifles in .45-70 are still bargains with their impeccable 19th century Springfield Armory workmanhip inside and out. Lastly, high quality, hand fitted double barrel Damascus and some steel barrel shotguns from the late 19^th and early 20^th century can be had inexpensively. I shoot mine with black powder and easily reloadable brass shells that seem to last forever (See older NOTES FROM THE FIELD for more on this as well as Great Depression Era firearms). This is just a smattering of examples, but bargains all!

 

COLT FIRE ARMS (click text for photo)

 

1) SINGLE ACTION ARMY .32-20, 4 3/4″ BARREL, #217XXX, MADE 1901. A really nice example that still shows some light/faint traces of case color on the mottled frame with excellent screws and markings. Barrel shows good aged blue mixing with an uncleaned gray/brown- better blue on the barrel top and in the protected areas around the ejector housing, correct two line barrel address, good blue on the ejector side flutes, cylinder shows good blue that is a bit aged and better in the flutes, grip straps mostly plum with good blue on the butt and in the protected portions of the trigger guard, matching numbers, fine grips show normal light wear, four clicks to the hammer that are a little weak, but there. Action is tight and the bore is fine with normal light scattered surface corrosion and strong rifling. Correct hammer and unaltered front sight. This one has a good look and feel to it. $2600.

2) COLT’S FIRST MEDIUM FRAME SIDE-SWING CYLINDER TARGET MODEL IS THIS OFFICERS MODEL WITH LEFT TURNING CYLINDER BUILT ON THE OLD NEW ARMY & NAVY .38 DA MILITARY MODEL, .38 SPECIAL, #290XXX, MADE 1907. These distinctive revolvers are easy to spot as they have the double row of locking notches on the outside of the cylinder enabling the cylinder to turn in a counter clockwise direction (often alled “left wheelers). Correct checkered walnut grips without the Colt medallions, checkered back strap and trigger, flat top frame with target sights. These earliest target models have the last patent date on the barrel of 1901 and on the left side of the barrel have “OFFICERS MODEL COLT D.A. 38”. Excellent overall condition with just the lightest of carry/handling wear- a spot of gray at the muzzle, light edge wear on the cylinder and a little thinning of the blue on the right side of the frame between the trigger and hammer. Interestingly, this one has the name “COX” lightly scratched into the butt between two tiny holes in which I assume a very small identification plate was once affixed. Inside each grip panel, aside from the matching assembly number, is “L-H COX, WATERLOO, GA. in pencil. The previous owner thought Cox had something to do with Georgia railroads. Overall, an interesting, high condition 117 year old Colt Target model whose history is worth investigating. A Colt letter might prove valuable on this one. (4 photos) $795

3)  NEW SERVICE “SHOOTING MASTER” .38 SPECIAL TARGET REVOLVER, #337XXX, MADE IN THE MOST DIFFICULT YEAR OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION- 1933. This was the culmination of the target New Service line and differs from the earlier models as this is a totally redesigned revolver that is more than the earlier flat top variation. The Shooting Master has a rounded grip frame and a barrel length of 6.” The standard caliber was .38 Special which was the most popular for bullseye matches at the time. During the 1930s Colt had to let go of many of its workers and kept only the most skilled gunsmiths and craftsmen. Since production was so small, a great deal of time could be spent on each revolver, with the target versions being meticulously fit, tuned and finished. The action and trigger on these has to be felt to be fully appreciated. This example is in excellent+ condition inside and out. It features factory checkered back strap, front strap and trigger. It retains nearly all the original deep blue with only a touch of wear at the muzzle and just a touch of wear at the forward portion of the trigger guard bottom. It also retains all the glare cutting stipled/matte blue on the top strap, around the hanmer and the hammer top. The grips are excellent with sharp checkering and one “impressed” area below the Colt medallion on the left side- still has good checkering in this spot. Small two-line scratch in the bottom of the right grip at the butt, meaning unknown (initial?) and minor. Even the front of the cylinder face retains about all the blue indicating that this revolver was rarely if ever shot. Mirror bright bore and super tight action with light jtrigger pull. Colt’s finest revolver then and now! $3000.

4) ONE OF THE RAREST COLT DOUBLE ACTION SIDE-SWING REVOLVERS THAT FEW COLLECTORS ARE AWARE OF IS THIS NEW ARMY/NEW NAVY IN .32-20 CALIBER, #246XXX, MADE 1905! The New Army/New Navy was made in .38 Colt and .41 Colt calibers from 1892-1907. According to The Book of Colt Firearms by R. L. Wilson, starting at serial number 246000 in 1905 the .32-20 caliber was introduced. This serial number wold indicate it was one of the first of this very limited caliber offering that was only offered in this model until it was discontinued in 1907. The New Army/New Navy was then replaced with the updated Army Special Model (the New Army/Navy has a left turning cylinder with long cuts at the rear edge while the Army Special has a modern cylinder without the cuts). Even advanced collectors are not aware of this scarce caliber offering and very few have even seen one as they made very few. Of the few I’ve encountered, this is one of the earliest and one of the best. It retains about all the deep high polish blue on the frame and cylinder with even the  grip straps and trigger guard showing exc. blue. The barrel has some dulling/flaking more on the rear half that still blends well with the balance. Exc. markings including the rampant colt on the left side of the frame and the barrel address and patent dates ending in ’95. Exc. hard rubber grips. Tight actionb and exc. bore. Front sight has not been filed, assembly numbers on the cylinder latch, crane and frame match. Deep fire blue on the hammer back and trigger sides. You can search for one of these and never find one! As interest increases in Pre-World War II double action S&W and Colt revolvers, this one is sure to go up in value. $1395.

5) HISTORIC MARKED GREAT DEPRESSION OFFICERS MODEL HEAVY BARREL .38 SPECIAL WITH FEDERAL RESERVE BANK STAMPING, #640XXX, MADE 1939. An interesting Colt that is stamped on the butt “7. FRB. NY.” which a Google search showed stood for Federal Reserve Bank of New York. One would think the Fed. Reserve Bank would have supplied standard fixed sight Official Police models, but perhaps this was their way of showing they were an elite bank! Shows a little holster carry wear mainly just some slight dulling of the blue on the bottom of the trigger guard and the most minor edge wear. Checkered trigger shows good fire blue on the sides, checkered back strap. Generally, exc. blue overall with exc. markings and some very light chips from the right side (the exposed side when in a holster) bottom edge. Tight action that was hand fitted  and tuned on these pre-W.W.II Depression era revolvers with no play or end shake when the cylinder is locked. Minty bright bore. Retains just about all the blue on the  front face of the cylinder indicating it was rarely if ever shot. Marked guns are always intriguing! $1195.

4) TEXAS SHIPPED NEW SERVICE TARGET .45 COLT REVOLVER, #307XXX, MADE 1923. This is a fine and interesting Colt. The New Service Flattop Target revolver was Colt’s top-of-the-line revolver at the time. Fit and finish was superb and each had a checkered back strap and trigger as well as fancy fleur-de-lis checkered walnut grips. This example is in excellent condition inside and out. It retains fine deep blue overall with only some normal holster wear to each side of the muzzle and blue wear on the bottom of the trigger guard and just forward on the bottom of the frame- blue appears thinning/mixing gray-brown in this small area. All excellent and sharp markings, nice fire blue on the hammer back and trigger sides, light edge wear to the cylinder and a touch of blue wear on the back strap hump above the checkerred portion. Fine deep-dish medallion grips, lanyard ring intact, extremely tight action with no cylinder play, bright exc. bore. Colt letter indicates this one as described was sold to L. E. polhemus and shipped to Krahauer, Zork, and Moye Company, El paso, Texas on February 9, 1923. This was still a “wild west” border town at this time.  Some research might turn up something interesting on L. E. Polhemus. A fine rare Colt with a great factory letter and history. $3250.

5) VERY LIMITED PRODUCITON .32 (.32 S&W LONG CALIBER) OFFICERS MODEL HEAVY BARREL TARGET REVOLVER, #656XXX, MADE AT THE VERY END OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN 1941. Colt only turned out a few hundred of these before ceasing production for World War II. All .32 caliber target revolvers are rare and both Colt and S&W produced very few in all models. It seems most shooters wanting a center fire target revolver chose .38 Special along with a very few .44 and .45 caliber revolvers. This example is in excellent condition overall. It retains about all the deep factory blue with only some light wear on the sides of the barrel coming back from the muzzle. Checkered back strap and trigger, tight action, perfect bore, unaltered adjustable target sights, retains about all the blue on the front face of the cylinder and ejector rod indicating that this one may not have been fired at all. Barely a cylinder line. Exc. Colt medallion walnut grips with sharp checkering and only the minor edge wear at the bottom. Exc. fire blue on the trigger and hammer back. Amazing Great Depression hand fitting and workmansip. A super rare Colt target model. $1995.

6) MODEL 1903 .38 ACP POCKET HAMMER AUTO PISTOL, #47XXX, MADE 1929. These are really interesting primitive Colt auto pistols as they don’t even have any safeties etc… just a hammer with half cock. This 95 year old example shows fine deep blue on the frame with only some thinning on the slide sides. Exc. markings. Good blue on the grip straps and some nice case color on the hammer with fire blue on the trigger. Unaltered sights exc. hard rubber grips and correct magazine marked “PKT COLT .38 CAL.”  Tight action with excellent bore. The .38 ACP case is exactly the same as the later .38 Super that was just loaded to lower pressures. It is not uncommon th find these with cracked slides from firing with .38 Super ammo.- that should never be attempted.  Decent examples of these early “slab side” Colt autos are getting hard to find. $1395.

7) VERY FINE CONDITION MODEL 1909 U.S. ARMY NEW SERVICE .45 COLT REVOLVER, #44XXX, MADE 1911. These superbly finished revolvers were the last of the .45 Colt caliber revolvers issued to our armed forces of the time. This one is corrrectly R.A.C. inspected on the frame, cylinder, barrel and on the bottom of both grips. I talso has the unaltered “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” stamping on the bottom of the barrel- this often ground off. These were finished in Colt’s high polish blue of the time and this one retains much of this fine finish. The barrel shows excellent sharp markings with only light gray mixing toward the muzzle on each side from holster wear (balance of blue on top and bottom etc. intact). The cylinder only shows very light wear and edge wear, frame, front strap, top strap and butt retain most of this high polish blue with sharp styalized C rampant colt stamping on the left side of the frame. Only the backstrap blue is thinning/mixing brown. Unaltered front sight, super tight action with no play or end shake, minty bright bore. Beautiful fire blue on the trigger sides and hammer back. Smooth inspected and matching numbered walnut grips show only light wear on the bottom edge. One of the finest Colts ever turned out for the government. jHard to find especially in this condition. $2150.

8) ONE OF THE ABSOLUTE RAREST OF THE COLT “SNAKE GUNS” IS THIS COBRA, .38 SPECIAL WITH 5″ BARREL AND VENEZUELA POLICE MARKINGS, #770XX LW, MADE 1958! The standard barrel length for the .38 Special Cobra was 2″ (the .22 LR model was standard with 3″) and anything longer than this is quite scarce. According to the excellent book SEVEN SERPENTS The History of Colt’s Snake Guns by Gurney Brown, the First Issue Cobras were offered with barrel lengths of “…2, 3, 4, or possibly 5 inch in .38 special only.”  He further rates rarity of the Cobra variations 1-5 with 5 being the most rare. The 5″ barrel is listed as a “5+” rarity (the only variation to have a “+” after it). This example has checkered walnut grips without the Colt medallion and appear original as they fit perfectly and have the correct checkering pattern- perhaps this Venezuela contract revolvers had grips that didn’t have the medallions?  The left side of the frame below the cylinder release has the Venezuela crest stamping. The backstrap is stamped “POLICIA DEL DISTRITO FEDERAL” and the butt has the number “189” stamped. The barrel has the standard Colt address stamping on the right side and “COBRA” over “38 SPECIAL CTG.” on the right side. The allow frame retains fine black with edgee wear and obvious light rub marks from holster carry. The barrel blue is thinned a little with some holster wear on the sides toward the muzzle. There are some tiny stampings under the barrel above the ejector rod that are indecipherable that may be some kind of import markings- only visible by opening the cylinder. Exc. cylinder blue with only some light edge wear. Tight action and exc. bright bore. Unaltered front sight. One of the rarest of the Post War Colts! The most advanced Colt collections lack a 5″ barrel Cobra! $1595

 

MARLIN (click text for photos).

1) MODEL 1881 .45-70 OCTAGON RIFLE, #15XXX, MADE 1887. Excellent markings including the corrrect “45 GOVT” caliber designation on the 28″ barrel top ahead of the receiver. The receiver still ratains good aged blue on the sides with heavy edge wear and top/bottom blue wear to gray. Barrel shows good aged and thinning blue with the mag tube mostly gray-brown with good blue in the protected upper areas. Original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and original Rocky Mountain blade front sight. Butt stock and forearm show normal wear with some light age cracks coming back from the forend cap and ahead of the receiver that are typical and minor. Correct smooth steel butt plate, tight action with strong safety half-cock. Bore is a little dark with strong rifling and scattered surface corrosion that looks to be partially leading. Should clean out better. A difficult frontier model to find especially in .45-70. $2950.

2) VERY FINE MODEL ’94 .38-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #306XXX, MADE 1904. This attractive rifle has a bright and minty bore! The receiver shows that the case colors have faded to a mottled gray with good color in the protected areas and faint color mainly on the left side, receiver top lever and hammer. The barrel retains most of the original blue with just a little age/plum starting to mix. The mag tube retains about all the original deep blue. Exc. stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit and only some normal handling surface scuffing to the wood finish. Tight action with strong safety half-cock, original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and original Rocky Mountain blade front sight. All sharp markings. Hard to find a 120 year old .38-40 with a bore this excellent! $1595.

3)  SCARCE MODEL 336A 24″ RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .35 REM. CALIBER, #G59XXX, MADE 1950. This is a really fine example, now 74 years old! Excellent Unaltered stock and forearm with Marlin embossed butt plate.  Buckhorn rear sight with ramped blade/bead front sight. Overall retains about all the blue even on the forend cap and lever etc. Wavy-line receiver top has not been drilled. These are hard to find in either .30-30 or .35 Rem. with the latter difficult to locate. About as nice as one could hope to find and priced about what a new Ruger made 336 in .30-30 would cost (Ruger doesn’t offer a .35 Rem.). $1395.

 

A NOTE ABOUT “MODERN MARLINS”: Marlin has closed its doors for good in North Haven, Connecticut and been bought out by the folks who own Remington. It looks like some models have been put back into production with the barrels marked “Utica, New York.” I did see one of the new ones with the old North Haven barrel address so I assume they had left over barrels they were using up. Quality in wood to metal fit was fair at best and trigger pulls were off the scale heavy! I don’t know if any of the octagon barrel “cowboy models” will be produced again, although their online catalogue does show a model 1894 cowboy-type with octagon barrel in .45 Colt. UPDATE: Remington has sold the Marlin line to Ruger.  Ruger is now producing some Marlin models with more to come. In my opinion, all of this with past quality control problems will make the CT manufactured Marlins even more desirable as shooters and collectibles. I know I’ll be looking for them, especially the limited production models.

1) 1894 COWBOY LIMITED (MODEL 1894CB) IN .45 COLT CALIBER, 24″ OCT. BARREL, NEW IN BOX, #99119XXX, MADE 2001 IN NORTH HAVEN, CT. This 23 year old JM marked Marlin has nicely figured dense walnut stock with diamond checkering and is in the original box with all the paperwork etc. right down to the lock provided. Getting hard to find these especially one with the box etc. Priced cheaper than the  ones Ruger is scheduled to make or has made. $1295.

 

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC RIFLES, SHOTGUNS AND PISTOLS (click text for photos)

1) EARLY WESTERN SHIPPED 1874 SHARPS SPORTER, MADE HARTFORD, CT AND SHIPPED 1875. This is an interesting attic condition rifle that I lettered myself. Accoding to Richard Labowskie who owns the original Sharps shipping records, this one with number 155XXX  has never been lettered before. The Sharps historical letter indicates that this rifle was invoiced at the Hartford factory on December 6, 1875 to Carlos Gove and Son, gunsmiths and gun dealers in Denver, Colorado Territory.  The letter further states, “The rifle is further described in the record as being .44 caliber, case length not specified, with a 32 inch full octagon barrel, double triggers, open sights and oil finished stocks. The weight was not listed, but the price of $44 less 25% suggests that it was a rifle of standard weight, i.e., up to 12 pounds. The Order to the Gove firm on this date consisted of 12 Model 1874 Octagon Rifles in various configurations, all apparently under 12 pounds in weight, accompanied by 12 sets of corresponding rloading implements…” This rifle appears to be a .44-90 caliber according to my measurement of the chamber. This and the .50-90 were the two big “buffalo cartridges” at the time. Interesting that it has a 32 inch standard weight barrel when 30″ was much more common. It was also common for buffalo hunters to have big, heavy hide guns that often weighed 15-16 lbs and also have a couple of standard weight “camp guns” in the same buffalo caliber as their other big rifles for use in general hunting and could be used as a back-up for buffalo if the heavy gun fouled badly or broke a firing pin etc. This rifle weighs about 10 lbs. The barrel serial number under the forend matches the receiver and the forend retains the traditional fancy pewter tip as used on these early Hartford made rifles- after 1876 the Sharps company moved to Bridgeport, CT and the pewter tip was only installed on special order with schnable tip standard. Good even barrel blue that has aged dull and dark with no evidence of cleaning. The receiver has also aged dark and the markings are all clear. The butt stock shows almost 150 years of handling and frontier grime that also has never been cleaned. The action is fine and the double set triggers work correctly and retain the adjustment screw. Has the original Lawrence ladder rear sight with slide intact and small blade front sight. The butt stock has a single very old sling swivel installed with the stock and forend having NO cracks or chips. The rear portion of the butt stock appears very dark as if this rifle may have spent a lot of time in a saddle scabbard with the rear 3/4 of the stock unprotected. The bore is particularly fine with strong rifling all the way through and any roughness being extremely minor. A great piece of Colorado Territory history. $7950

2) SUPERB CONDITION STEVENS No. 41 POCKERT PISTOL, .22 RIM FIRE, #10XXX, MADE 1903-1916. These derringer-type single shot .22 Rim Fire Short pistols were popular and easily concealed. Most were carried extensively. Hence, near new examples are very difficult to find. This example with 3 ½” half-octagon barrel contains all the correct Stevens markings on the top barrel flat ahead of the hammer. Additionally the barrel retains all the deep factory blue finish and displays an unaltered factory German silver blade front sight. The entire frame and grip straps also retain about all the bright factory nickel and the pistol is mounted in excellent walnut grips that show all the original finish. Only the small frame pin below the barrel release button has slipped out- this pin simply holds the ejector and ejector spring in place and both parts remain in the frame of the pistol. This should be an easy pin to replace with little difficulty. Bore shows some light corrosion. Exc. screw heads that still retain blue. $475.

3) VERY UNUSUAL ALL BRASS PERCUSSION SINGLE SHOT .62 CALIBER PISTOL. All metal handguns are scarce and this one has great visual appeal.  It is unmarked and looks 1850s European, but who knows? All heavy brass except fot the hammer, trigger and trigger guard. Overall measures 8″ with a heavy 4″ round smooth bore barrel. Center hammer with very strong spring. Don’t know what else to say about this one except that the “cool factory” is off the charts! $575.

4) VERY FINE CONDITION UNALTERED SAVAGE MODEL 1920 IN DESIRABLE 250-3000 SAVAGE CALIBER, #4XXX. This was America’s first modern bolt action sporter made for smokeless cartridges (I don’t consider the Model 1899 Remington Lee  or Winchester Lee Straight Pull USN rifles”modern”). Svage made these in fairly limited numbers as their Model 1899 lever rifle was their mainstay. They were made in .250-3000 and .300 Savage with the former now being the most desirable. Most of these I’ve seen have been altered with recoil pads added or being drilled and tapped for scope mounting. Finding an unaltered one is difficult. This is a really fine example that has NOT been altered. It also has the correct Lyman bolt mounted peep sight along with the Savage marked buckhorn rear sight and small blade/bead front sight. The barrel and receiver show about all the original blue that is slightly dulled from age, but still fine. The only blue wear is on the forward portion of the floor plate and some dulling of the blue to the trigger guard. Stock is excellent with sharp checkering and is dark and a little grimey from never having been cleaned! Savage marked steel butt plate is original.  Bore is a little dark with strong rifling and at worst shows a little minor “frostiness.” Action is very tight. This is a great example of a difficult to find hundred year old rifle. $1495.

5) VERY EARLY SAVAGE MODEL 1907 .32 ACP WITH METAL SAVAGE GRIPS, #9XXX, MADE 1909. This is a really early exmaple with rounded hammer and all metal Savage embossed grips. Fine blue overall with only normal light wear/thinning from handling or holster. This is mainly on the bottom of the front strap and edges. All sharp markings, safety works correctly,  unaltered sights, exc. bright bore. This ten-shot autos display superb pre-W.W.I quality and are easily the equal of Colt. Very hard to find this early with the steel grips (later hard rubber was standard). All of these early Savage auto pistols have a great feel to them. A rare early variation seldom seen. $795.

6)  SCARCE SAVAGE MODEL 1917 .380 ACP AUTO PISTOL, #225XXX, MADE 1921. Only a little over 14,000 of these in .380 ACP were made between 1920-1928. The .32 ACP 1917s far outnumbered the .380s and they are quite difficult to find now. This is an excellent example retaining about all the original blue with only some very minor surface dulling/spotting mainly on the back strap. Exc. markings, exc. grips (with one miniscule extreme edge chip on the lower right edge),, tight action, bright exc. bore. The original magazine holds 9 rounds (the .32 ACP held ten). Superb quality at least on a par with Colt and Remington pocket .380s. Their limited numbers produced for a short time make these very hard to find now. This 103 year old Savage is a nice one. $850.

7) HIGH CONDITION STEVENS NEW MODEL No. 40 POCKET RIFLE, .22 LONG RIFLE, WITH MATCHING NUMBER SHOULDER STOCK WITH DESIRABLE 18″  BARREL.  Only about 15,000 of these were made from 1896-1916 in barrel lengths of 10″, 12″, 15″ and 18.” This example with serial number 25XXX on both the gun and shoulder stock is in superb condition. The half-octagon barrel is correctly marked near the breech and retains about all the deep blue. It is fitted with a globe front sight with pinhead plus a small blade on top of the globe (correct) as well as an unusual small aperture rear sight mounted in the factory dovetail that gives a remarkable sight picture combined with the globe front sight! The nickel plated frame and trigger guare retains about all the nickel with only a couple of miniscule spots of freckling. The grips are excellent and the shoulder stock also retains all the bright nickel with only one thumbnail spot of peeling on the inside of the rear butt section. Still good blue on the two rear frame screws, tight action and lock up and excellent bright bore! (Bores on these are usually a bit rough) This is one of the best of these I’ve seen and especially desirable with long 18″ barrel and exc. bore! $1395.

8) VERY FINE DAY’S PATENT PERCUSSION CANE GUN. These were popular as simple self defense weapons that were undetectable while being right out in the open! This example is typical of Day’s canes as it has a browned shaft or barrel measuring 33″ to the simple wood handle or grip and has a simple bead front sight. There is a photo of this exact type in the classic book Firearms Curiosa by Lewis Winant (out of print, but worth looking for). Winant states: Probably the Day’s Patent Cane was the most popular and widely sold of percussion cap canes. It was also a very early one, being patented by John Day, Barnstaple, Devon, England in 1823, British patent #4861. The mechanism was a simple under hammer nearly unseen except for an easily grasped “button” which is the hammer. When pulled down, the folding trigger is exposed as is the nipple with percussion cap. This one has a smooth bore (I believe they were all smooth bore) that measures 28 gauge. Any kind of load- ball, buckshot or buck and ball- would have been very effective at short range. This one is in particularly fine condition with much of the smooth aged brown still on the shaft/barrel. The mechanism works fine and the wood handle is solid and in fine condition. It is marked “Day’s” over “Patent” over “JR” and has a small British proof mark on the side of the barrel with the number “30” on the barrel and on the side of the hammer when exposed. The muzzle is excellent, so this one probably was used with a muzzle guard of either wood or rubber. Small factory hole through the wood handle probably for a wrist thong or perhaps just a loop of cord to hang the cane when not in use. Many cane guns are unmarked. Overall, this is a great well marked example. $1395.

9) AMAZING FIND! HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON .25 ACP PISTOL IN ORIGINAL NUMBERED BOX WITH MANUAL, #11XXX, ONLY MADE 1912-1916. Only 16,630 of these were made for four years and are fairly scarce in any condition. I don’t recall seeing another with original box including manual. This one is in near new with maybe a touch of freckling  on an edge or so- you have to look closely to see any wear to the blue. Good fire blue on the safety lever and good case color on the trigger. Correct nickel plated magazine, box is fine and sound with some edge scuffing and correct end label and printed serial number on the bottom matching the pistol. Examples like this don’t come up for sale often, $895.

10) EXCELLENT HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON MODEL 900 .22 LR DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER, #AD254XXX, MADE 1967. This was an interesting model made from 1962-1972. It has the “snap” cylinder in which the spring loaded cylinder pin is pulled to unlock the cylinder which is then pulled to the left side and removed for unloading. This example with six inch barrel is in near new condition with about all the blue intact. Exc. black checkered grips, tight action, exc. bore etc. If you look carefully you can detect the slightest ding on the left rear bottom edge of the grip strap. These are fine 1960s high quality revolvers. $395.

11) REMINGTON .50-70 UNUSUAL NICKEL FINISH NEW YORK STATE ROLLING BLOCK (see below in  Remington section)

12) REMINGTON HEPBURN .32-40 OCT. RIFLE  (see below in Remington section)

13) BALLARD No. 5 PACIFIC .40-60 MARLIN (.40-65) FULLY RESTORED/CUSTOMIZED (see below in Shiloh Sharps/Muzzle Loaders and Reproduction section)

14) CUSTOM WINCHESTER HIGH WALL (see below in Winchester section)

 

MODERN AND /OR OUT OF PRODUCTION FIREARMS 

1) BROWNING BELGIAN MADE “NOMAD” .22LR AUTO PISTOL, DESIRABLE 6 3/4″ BARREL, #16XXXP69, MADE 1969. Retains about all the original blue with perhaps a touch of edge wear you’d have to look carefully to find. Adjustable sights, Browning grips and Browning marked magazine. Exc. inside and out. These superb quality all steel pistols are a joy to shoot! Made 1962-1974. Compared to what’s being made today it is a bargain at $595.

2) BROWNING MODEL 53 .32-20, NEW IN BOX, FANCY WALNUT, MADE 1990. I believe this was a limited production rifle made in 1990. This example with sharp checkered pistol grip and forearm has exceptionally fancy grained walnut with embossed grip cap and steel butt plate. Typically, the Winchester Model 53 was a plain rifle with a few deluxe models manufactured on special order. Browning made this rifle like the deluxe Winchester Model 53. It would be hard to conceive of higher grade walnut than used in this example. Brand new in the correct original box. $1695.

REMINGTON (click text for photos)

1) VERY UNUSUAL .50-70 NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT ROLLING BLOCK MILITARY RIFLE WITH FULL NICKEL PLATE FINISH, MADE 1871. Over the decades I’ve seen a few of these. Whether they were plated experimentally or perhaps for parade use is unknown. It is known that some of these were finished “in the white” with polished barrels and receivers, some had blued barrels and polished receivers and some had case colored receivers with blued barrels.  Lots of good info on these in George Layman’s book Remington Rolling Block Military Rifles of the World. This example is full nickel plated including the hammer, breech block furniture, sights and even the cleaning rod. The nickel shows age and is getting a thick/cloudy/dull look to it. There is minor freckling in areas and some edge wear, but most is intact. Solid stock and forend with rack numbers in the side and top of the stock along with a  light inspector cartouche. Tight wood to metal fit, all correct, exc. mech. and fine bore with stront rifling all the way through with some light corrosion that a good oil soaking and brushing should improve considerably. Correct early Remington markings on the upper tang identify this as one of the first contracts with the state of New York in 1871. Most unusual and handsome! $1395.

2) REMINGTON HEPBURN OCTAGON SPORTING RIFLE IN SCARCE .32-40 CALIBER, #7XXX, MADE C.1890. This is a transition rifle that has the ebony inlay in the forend tip instead of the earlier steel tip. Interestingly, the butt plate serial number and the receiver number are exactly one number away from the number on the barrel and forend. No doubt a factory mix-up. This one has a 30″ medium weight octagon barrel with correct Remington crown at the muzzle ( Remington bevelled the octagon sharp edge at the muzzle- a good way to tell if a Remington barrel has been cut). Fine lightly aged deep barrel blue and excellent Remington markings on the barrel top with “32 . 40″ on the bottom flat just ahead of the forend tip. The receiver shows just a little case color by the lever, the left side of the receiver is a cloudy gray with a hint of color. Very tight action, correct Remington patent dates on the lower left side of the receiver. There is a filler in the rear sight dovetail and it is fitted with a globe with pinhead front sight and a later Marble tang sight. Appears to be one tiny hole just in front of the upper tang screw with filler screw in it- barely visible. Wood is fine with one very thin crack coming forward from the center of the butt plate for about 2 1/2” on each side, but goes no further. When I removed the butt plate to check the serial number I saw where a hole had been drilled where this crack is and the hole was filled with glue to stabalize the crack (which is fairly minor anyway). Sharp checkering on the pistol grip, very tight action, EXCELLENBT SHARP BORE. This is a seldom seen, desirable caliber in the Hepburn model. $2250.

3) VERY FINE No. 4 .22 SHORT & LONG CALIBER TAKEDOWN ROLLING BLOCK OCT. RIFLE. These were typically “high end” boys’ rifles that usually saw hard use. This example still shows fine case colors on both sides of the action as well as on the upper portion around the hammer etc. Fine lightly aged barrel blue with some areas of surface freckling. Exc. markings  and original sights. Fine+ wood shows only very light handling and tight wood to metal fit. Tight action with good blue on the breech block and hammer. Strong safety half cock and fine bore with some minor corrosion mainly ahead of the chamber- much better than normally encountered on this type of rifle. Attractive example! $795. (Note: photos don’t show it, but the left side of the receiver actually has better case colors than the right)

4) 1871 ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL .50 CAL. (see below in Springfield/U.S. Military section)

5) 1882 REMINGTON LEE U.S. ARMY ISSUE .45-70 (see below in Springfield/U.S. Military section)

 

RUGER (click text for photo),

1) OLD MODEL SINGLE SIX .22LR/.22 MAG CONVERTIBLE, 5 1/2″ BARREL, #436XXX, MADE 1960s. Fine condition Three-screw revolver that has NOT been converted to new model. Retains almost all the blue with just some muzzle wear on the left side and a smudge at the bottom of the back strap edge. It is fitted with high grade walnut oversize grips. On the inside is printed “A GENUINE HERRETT’S MODEL RX.”  Grips show only light wear. Tight action, excellent bright bore, extra .22 mag cylinder is also excellent and shows about all the blue. Classic early Ruger Single Six in very fine condition. $695.

2) SCARCE EARLY 10/22 SPORTER MODEL, #61XXX MADE 1966. This is a sought after limited production rifle only made for a few years that was an upgraded standard 10/22 carbine. The Sporter has a wider forend, more pronounced pistol grip with Ruger emblem in the pistol grip cap and a slight Monte Carlo rise in the stock for better scope sighting. It also lacked the barrel band of the standard carbine. Further, it has sling swivel including the front swivel inletted. Truly a classy, walnut stocked .22 rifle from the early days of Ruger. This one is in about new condition. $795.

3)) RARE 10″ BULL BARREL MK II .22LR AUTO PISTOL, #210-75XXX, MADE 1984. These were made in limited numbers and don’t turn up too often. One of the more unusual variations of this fine pistol that began the Ruger Company in the Post War 1940s. Looks to be little, if at all, used and retains about all the blue. with one small rub spot at the very bottom of the back strap edge. Mecanically excellent with adjustable sights and factory grips. An interesting 40 year old .22 auto! $695.

4) LIMITED PRODUCTION NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK “BUCKEYE” CONVERTIBLE .38-40/10MM, MADE 1990. This was a special run of non-standard revolvers that feature all steel construction (unlike the standard Blackhawks with alloy frames). They were made for Buckeye Sports in Ohio and each is stamped with the “buckeye” on the top strap. They were made in .32-20 with extra .32 H&R Mag. cylinder or .38-40 with extra 10mm cylinder. This one has seen very limited use and is about new in the original box with both cylinders, owners manual etc. plus the correctly marked cardboard sleeve box. These don’t come up for sale very often. $1295.

 

SHILOH SHARPS, MUZZLE LOADERS AND OTHER REPRODUCTIONS. Note: I am a Shiloh Sharps dealer and can order you any Shiloh you want. Check out my other website for Shilohs: www.shiloh-ballard.com (click text for photos).

1)  JONATHAN BROWNING PERCUSSION MUZZLE LOADING HAWKEN STYLE RIFLE, .50 CALIBER. These great American made rifles date to the 1970s-early 1980s and are now hard to find.  (I have one I’ve been shooting since I bought it new!) This one is the desirable iron mounted version- they were also available with brass furniture. It featurres walnut stock with cheek piece, adjustable single set trigger, double-key forend with 30″ medium heavy barrel browned barrel, trigger guard, butt plate and tang.  Fihe condition inside and out with bright exc. bore. Just some very light and minor handling marks. Original adjustable rear sight and blade front sight. $1100.

2) ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, CUSTOM SHILOH SHARPS, MADE IN BIG TIMBER, MONTANA, 1874 No.1 SPORTER, #8XXX, SHPPED 1989. This spectacular No.1 Sporter in .40 2 1/4″ caliber (.40-70 BN- easily formed from shortened .45-90 brass) features as standard a shotgun butt, cheek piece, pistol grip and double set triggers. It was custom ordered with the following additional custom options: extra fancy (about presentation grade) walnut, AA finish on the wood, French Grey Finish on the receiver, hammer, lever and checkered steel butt plate (Note: French Grey Finish is now only offered for engraved rifles making those with French Grey scarce), Polished 32″ heavy half octagon barrel with no dovetail cut for rear barrel sight, checkering, accent line on the cheek piece, pewter forend tip, fire blued screws, Long range Soule tang sight with Hadley eye disc and windage adjustable spirit level globe front sight. Weight of this rifle is approx 12 1/4 lbs. Shiloh is currently in a 2 1/2 year back order situation with fancy rifles taking longer. At current catalog price (and the French Grey would not be an option) this rifle with sights would run approx. a little over $6300. It is in about new condition. inside and out. Not many around this nice! My price $5200.

3) COLLECTION OF FOUR (4) THOMPSON-CENTER MUZZLE LOADING RIFLES: (priced individually) All of these Made in the USA rifles are now discontinued and getting difficult to find, especially in nice condition: 1) Seneca “New England Half-stock Sporter” in .45 caliber, #41XXX. This is a lightweight version of the heavier Hawken rifle. brass mounted with a 27″ octagon barrel, adjustable rear sight, double set triggers,  case colored engraved lock, walnut stock. These are particularly hard to find. All in lightly used condition with excellent bore and crowned muzzle. $595.  2) Hawken rifle, .50 caliber, #387XXX, brass mounted, double set triggers, adjustable rear sight, 28″ octagon barrel, case colored engraved lock,  fancier than standard walnut, very ligthly used, exc. bore, $595.  3) Hawken rifle, scarce .45 caliber, 226XXX, (round ball for target or small game and like a .45-70 or .45-90 with a conical bullet!), near new overall, $595. 4) Renegade, .54 caliber percussion, #27XXX,  26″ heavy octagon barrel, shotgun butt, double set triggers, blued steel, case colored engraved lock, adjustable rear sight, and double set triggers. A great big game hunting rifle with either round ball or conical bullet, about new inside and out. $495.

4) BEAUTIFULLY RESTORED/CUSTOMIZED BALLARD No. 5 PACIFIC RIFLE IN .40-60 MARLIN CALIBER (SAME AS .40-65 WIN.). This is an original Ballard action with serial number 18XXX probably made in the late 1870s to early 1880s. The work was done by Monarch Tool Co., Stevensville, Montana. It features a 31″ medium weight octagon barrel that measures 7/8″ across the flats at the muzzle. The barrel is marked as above. There is no dovetail for a rear sight and the barrel is fitted with a spirit level globe front sight that will take inserts. The receiver  and lever have been beautifully and authentically bone-charcoal case colored. It is fitted with double set triggers with adjustment screw. The triggers need an adjustment as the rear “set” trigger clicks when the trigger is pulled, but does not hold- should be an easy fix. The front trigger works fine. The lever is of the traditional loop variety correct for this model. The stock has the traditional checkered steel shotgun butt plate with tear drop over the comb and the forend has a beautifully formed schnable tip. The stock is a fine piece of nicely grained fairly fancy walnut wth deep reddish-brown color. The rifle is also fitted with a mid-range Soule tang sight fully adjustabale for windage and elevation. (The sights alone would cost over $650 to duplicate). A wood wiping rod is mounted under the barrel and held by two correct Ballard style thinbles. Action is tight and the bore is bright and excellent. Overall a beautifully  restored/re-barrelled and stocked Ballard Pacific. Weighs approximately 11 1/4 lbs. Would cost a fortune to build one like this from scratch. $3650.

 

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

 

1) HIGH CONDITION NEW MODEL No. 3 .44 RUSSIAN CALIBER REVOVER, 6 1/2″ NICKEL, #22234. This was the final top break large frame from S&W and was considered their finest. Many of the best target shooters of the day chose this model S&W for competition and it set numerous records. This fine example  made in the 1880s retains most of the original bright nickel finish with only some minor spotting on the cylinder and a few very small areas on the rear of the barrel that are too minor to really describe. Fine case color on the hammer and on the most protected portions of the trigger guard. Fine blue on the barrel latch, unaltered front sight, exc. grips, matching numbers on the cylinder, frame, latch and barrel, exc. bore, tight mechanically, exc. bore, sharp markings. These are getting hard to find especially in this excellent condition. $3450. 

2) HIGH CONDITION NICKEL WITH MEDALLION PEARL GRIPS S&W SAFETY HAMMERLESS 2ND MODEL .32, 3″ BARREL #161XXX, MADE C.1909. The 2nd. model top break safety hammerless revolver was made from 1902-1909. Serial numbers ran from 91418 – 170000. Judging from that, I’d assume this one was probably made during the last year of the 2nd Mod. production. The Safety Hammerless was a popular design for pocket carry as it had no hammer to snag on clothing and the grip safety, “lemon squeezer,” feature made it very safe to carry without fear it might go off unintended. The only way this revolver could fire is if the revolver was firmly gripped which depressed the grip safety and then the trigger pulled. The .32 S&W cartridge wasn’t a powerhouse, but five quick shots double action could be formidable at close range. Because this revolver was easy to carry, many or even most were frequently carried in pockets or purses. Often they are now found in fairly worn condition. This example is particularly fine and comes with factory pearl grips with deep dish S&W medallions (pearl grips without medallions are almost always non-factory replacements). The full nickel finish is generally excellent with only some minor pin-prick freckling on a few very small areas of the cylinder and frame. The trigger guard and barrel catch retain fine factory blue. The grips are excellent and not chipped or cracked. The action on these is interesting as the double action pull initially revolves the cylinder and cocks the internal hammer. It then comes to a bit of a stop before a little extra pressure fires the revolver. This actually makes sighting for a deliberate shot very possible. Action is excellent and the bore shows good rifling and some scattered very surface corrosion or possibly lead that may brush out. A most handsome 113 year old Smith with all matching serial numbers and great pearls! $795.

3) UNUSUAL SHORT BARREL .32 S&W LONG CALIBER REGULATION POLICE REVOLVER WITH 3 1/4″ BARREL, #364XXX, MADE 1922-1923. Made from 1917-1941, the Regulation Police series was different from the typical .32 Hand Ejector series in that the back strap is cut back so that oversized grips could be fitted that cover the butt of the revolver for a better grip.  They were offered in 3 1/4,” 4 1/4″ and 6″ barrel lengths. Most that I have seen are in the  4 1/4″ length with less in 6″ and almost none in 3 1/4.” The reason is fairly obvious, since the short barrel version would be used for concealment use, most people who wanted this length would buy the standard .32 Hand Ejector with small rounded grips. This revolver was intended for police use as well as field use, so again, the short barrel doesn’t make much sense with large grips. All numbers match on the frame (located on the front strap on this model as the butt is covered by the grips), cylinder, barrrel and inside the grips. It retains nearly all the blue with only some slight wear/freckling on the top strap edge etc. Barely a cylinder line and the front of the cylinder still shows about all the blue. The excellent grips have sharp checkering and are crisply stamped on the bottom with the 1917 patent markings. Exc. markings and exc. case colors on the hammer and trigger. Bright bore may have some minor scattered surface corrosion that may just clean out. Overall an excellent example of that superb between-the-world-wars hand fitted craftsmanship. A seldom seen short barrel variant. $795.

4) SECOND MODEL .44 SPECIAL HAND EJECTOR, 6 1/2″ BARREL, BLUE, #45XXX, MADE 1934. This is a particularly interesting revolver  made during one of the worst years of the Great Depression. My guess is that this was a law enforcemt revolver as the swivel on the butt obliterates part of the serial number which S&W didn’t do. They offset the serial number for swivel frames. However, on the frame inside the grips is the full serial number. I believe this gun was specifically ordered with a swivel and with such limited production during the Great Depression, they took a serial numbered frame, installed a swivel and restamped the serial number under the grips. The right side (outside when in a holster) grip shows more wearthan the left grip from holster carry, but has the matching serial number stamped inside that matches  the frame, cylinder and barrel. The back strap appears lightly polished and I’m thinking this was to remove police markings when the gun was sold a surplus. A factory letter from S&W would prove interesting on this one. Fine blue on the frame, cylinder and barrel with normal edge and holster wear. Unaltered front sight, good case color on the hammer and trigger, fine action  (typical on these hand-fitted and tuned Great Depression guns from the 1930s) and bright exc. bore. Some blue wear on the left side of the 6 1/2″ barrel from holster wear, but the right side, top and bottom retain about all the bright blue with fine blue on the front strap and bottom of the trigger guard. These big “N” frame .44 Special Hand Ejectors from the pre-World War II era are getting hard to find. $1395.

5) SUPERB, MINTY MODEL .32 HAND EJECTOR MODEL  OF 1903- 5TH CHANGE, 3 1/4″ NICKEL, WITH FACTORY LETTER, #170XXX, MADE THE YEAR THE TITANIC SANK IN 1912! The 1903- 5th Change was only made from 1910-1917 and finding examples in this condition is difficult. As small pocket or holster pistols, they tended to get carried and  handled a lot which leaves surviving guns now usually in less than excellent condition. This gorgeous example retains about all the bright original nickel with only a light cylinder line and barely a touch of peel at the left muzzle. Screws are unturned, sharp markings, the hammer and trigger show fine case color, matching numbers, tight action, exc. bore, exc. grips and even the ejector rod retains its nickel. The S&W historical letter describes this one as it is, including grips, and states it was shipped August 9, 1912 to Von Lengerke & Antoine, Chicago, IL. These hand tuned and hand finished early 20th century Smiths are simply a joy. This is a great 112 year old example in a finish and condition hard to acquire today. $895.

6) VERY SCARCE COMMERCIAL MODEL 1917 .45  DA REVOLVER, #178XXX, MADE C. 1926-1927. With all the surplus U.S. Army Model 1917 .45 ACP (or .45 Auto Rim cartridge) revolvers around, it makes sense that very few commercial 1917s would have been made by S&W. In Supica and Nahas book THE STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON, 4TH EDITION, it is only stated, “Commercial Vatiationj: Considered rare.” Easily identified from the military version by not having any military inspector marks or butt markings, diamond checkered grips instead of smooth walnut, no U.S. Property markings on the bottom of the barrel and only the commercial model has the S&W logo stamping on the lower left side of the frame. This is a fine example that shows only light handling and retains about all the blue with the exception of a smudge spot on the right side of the frame behind the recoil shield no doubt made by a holster strap. Fine blue overall with a touch of freckling on the back strap and very slight muzzle wear. Front sight has not been altered, matching numbers on the frame, cylinder and barrel, good case color on the hammer and trigger, lanyard ring intact, fine grips show light wear mainly on the right side as one would expect from a holstered gun with the right grip exposed. Very tight action and lock up with bright excellent bore. A very difficult to find early “N” frame Smith. $1495.

7) SUPERB CONDITION .38 DOUBLE ACTION PERFECTED MODEL, RARE 6″ BARREL, #33XXX.  This was the last of the top-break .38 S&W caliber revolvers and is unique in that it has the old style barrel latch at the rear of the top strap PLUS the modern slide thumb release (normally pushed forward to swing the cylinder out). This model takes two hands to open! Only 59,400 of these were produced between 1909-1920 in the serial range of 1-59400. This example appears to be a mid-production revolver, however , according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Supica & Nahas, “#42566  used by Floyd Allen in a daring getaway in a Hillsville, VA courthouse on March 14, 1912…he killed at least six people including the judge. Allen died in the VA electric chair on March 28, 1913.” I included this  to show that the serial number on this example is lower than the mentioned revolver and may have been manufactured earlier than 1912. Additionally, this book states, “This model was reportedly popular in Central and South America, with many exported, making it somewhat scarce in the U.S.” Most of this model’s production was made in blue finish, this one is nickel. Barrel lengths were 3 1/4″, 4″, 5″ and 6″.  Most I’ve seen were 3 1/4″ or 4″. This is the first 6″ example I’ve encountered. I hage no idea how many 6″ nickel revolvers were made, but it can’t be many. This one retains about all the original nickel with only one tiny patch of peeling just behind the front sight on the barrel rib- hardly worth mentioning. Matching numbers on the frame, barrel latch, barrel, cylinder and inside the grips. Good case color on the hammer and trigger and deep blue on the latch. Excellent mechanically, bright exc. bore. A rare model with a rare finish and a rare barrel length…all in superior condition. $1295.

8) VERY FINE .38/44 OUTDOORSMAN TARGET REVOLVER, #42XXX, MADE 1933.  Considered one of the finest of the Pre-War big “N” frame adjustable sight target revolvers, this .38 Special was made during the  worst year of the Great Depression when only the best old world craftsmen remained on the S&W work floor turning out limited numbers of finely hand tuned and finished guns. This one retains nearly all the high polish blue with only a little muzzle wear and edge wear. Fine case colors on the hammer and trigger. Retains most of the blue on the cylinder face, indicating this one was shot very little. The hammer is the sloping  spur variety with patent markings. All markings are sharp and clear. The diamond checkered stocks are excellent, and fit perfectly are but numbered in a higher serial range than the rest of the revolver. Matching numbers on the cylinder, barrel and frame. Amazing single action and double action- has to be felt to be appreciated! Superb quality inside and out. $1695.

9) BEAUTIFUL CONDITION SUPER RARE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTED TARGET .32-20  HAND EJECTOR MODEL OF 1905, 3RD  CHANGE, ONLY MADE 1909-1915. All target sighted .32-20 Hand Ejectors are rare with the early models like this extremely so. All numbers on the cylinder, frame and barrel match. I removed the grips and there was no number inside- typical for early models that often had a pencil number or no number, and found neatly carved “D. B. Lyon 1916” inscribed inside. The grips have the deep dish medalions, diamond checkering, are in exc. condition and fit  perfectly. Overall retains about all the bright, high polish deep S&W blue of the period with only a touch of muzzle wear and a very light cylinder  line. Vivid case colors on the  hammer and trigger. Even the ejector rod shaft retains all the blue. Minty inside. A superb and rare S&W that would be very hard to improve upon. 1695.

10) MINTY CONDITION .22/32 HAND EJECTOR, 6″ BARREL, #517XXX, MADE 1930s. This one appears to have never been used and displays vivid case color on the hammer and trigger. It retains about all the high polish Great Deprression Era blue with the hand fitting and tuning guns from S&W are known for that were made during this time. Even the front of the cylinder and ejector rod showsabout all the blue indicating it was shot little if at all. Has the thinnest of cylinder lines and you’d have to look very closely to find any finish wear. Exc. sharply checkered target grips. Adjustable sights, tight action, bright bore. Most of these saw typical .22 Rim Fire use and finding one in this condition that is over 90 years old is a rarity. Just needs a box! $1195.

11)  HIGH CONDITION SCARCE PRE-24 .44 SPECIAL TARGET REVOLVER, #S 141XXX, MADE 1955. These Post-War big “N” frame .44 Specials were only made from about from 1950-1957 with a little over 5,000 produced before they were stamped “Model 24.” This example has all matching numbers including inside the grips. It has a touch of muzzle wear and only very minor edge wear.  Fine case colors on the hammer and trigger,. Slight wear to the bottom edg of the grips. exc. inside and outside with bright bore. $1595.

 

SPRINGFIELD AND U.S. MILITARY FIREARMS (click text for photos)

 

1) REMINGTON 1871 U.S. ARMY ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL, .50 CAL., MADE 1872-1.  Approximately 5,000 of these handsome pistols were made for the U.S. Government.  The big question is WHY? They are beautiful and powerful single shot pistols, but during this time there were a number of big S&W and Colt revolvers that were issued and were more effective.  Regardless, they are interesting and scarce.  This example shows some fine case color on the left side of the frame and on the frame around the hammer/breechblock and upper trigger guard sides with the right side more mottled and faded. The barrel blue has aged to a soft, uncleaned dull blue/brown. Unaltered front sight. The receiver has the correct P and S government inspector stamp along with the usual Remington markings. The left side of the grip has a crisp inspector stamp. Grip and forend are fine and show only normal light handling. Tight action, fairly bright bore with fine rifling and some scattered surface roughness that may scrub out. Many of these were later gunsmith altered to target pistols, this one is all original and a fine example. $2100.

2) RARE LATE FIRST MODEL 1873 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR RIFLE, .45-70, #83XXX, MADE 1878. This is a really interesting late First Model transition when the improvements were  being made to the later 1877 Model. This one still has the early markings of the First Model on the lock plate and high arch breech block. Importantly, it also has the short comb/long wrist stock of the First Model. It also has the two click tumbler in the lock and the rear sight base is graduated to “4” on the side, yet has the 1877 ladder graduated to 1100 yards. The barrel retains fine deep blue while the lock, breech block and hammer show the corrrect black oil quenched case hardening. There is still fine blue on the trigger guard with only minor wear. The U.S. marked butt plate has a small rack number stamped behind the top screw behind the U.S. marking. Correct cleaning rod intact. Wood is generally excellent and solid with only an age crack coming foreard from the lock plate screws on the left side. Also very importantly, there is the oval “ESA” script stock cartouche without a date underneath the initials (The Model 1877 has the date, but not the earlier Model 1873). Action is crisp and the bore is generally fine+ to excellent with any roughness scattered and minor. This is a very fine,condition, unaltered early Indian Wars rifle. Very difficult to find like this. $1595.

3) EXTREMELY RARE REMINGTON-LEE MODEL 1882 U.S. ARMY ISSUE .45-70 BOLT RIFLE. Only 750 of these were completed and issued as a trial weapon to the army on May 31, 1884. They fall in the serial number range of 8801-9800. This example is in the 96XXX range. Many of these went West for the Indian Wars. By 1886 they were recalled from service and sold by Springfield. I’m sure  that after being sold by Springfield many of these saw frontier service in civillian hands. Much more rare than the U.S. Navy issued rifles (and these are scarce too!), the survival rate for the 750 U.S. Army issued rifles is fairly small. This example has the correct Remington and Lee markings on the receiver along with the “U.S. VP” military proof on the barrel as well as the “DFC” inspector stamp on the bolt and receiver. There is also what looks  like a script “H” cartouche on the left wrist of the stock. The barrel is a mixture of uncleaned gray/brown and aged blue. Has the 1879 Springfield rear sight and correct cleaning rod and magazine intact. The stock appears to have never been cleaned or sanded and is solid aside from one 2 1/2″ thin crack coming along the left side of the receiver with a small chip in front- minor. The stock shows normal handling marks as well as two compression marks- one below the wrist behind the trigger guard and one just behind the rear sight- as if the rifle was lightly locked in a rack. Not overly obvious, but there. Again, minor. Needs only the screw in the floor plate by the rear swivel. The action is very tight and the bore is bright and excellent! One of the more difficult U.S. Army rifles to acquire. $1950.

4) REMINGTON NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT .50-70 ROLLING BLOCK RIFLE FULL NICKEL PLATE (see above in Remington section)

 

WINCHESTERS (click text for photos

1) FRONTIER USED 1873 .44-40 20″ OCTAGON SHORT RIFLE, #544XXX, SHIPPED 1900. This one came out of Arizona recently and looks like it went through some hard usage during the Mexican Revolution (1910 – 1920). These short rifles were very popular on both sides of the border in the Southwest. Easily identified as a true short rifle and not a cut-down by the one inch shorter length of the forend- 8 3/8″ compared to the standard 9 3/8″. The overall metal condition on this one is a dark brown patina with some patches of rust pitting. Barrrel markings are all visible. It has a carbine ladder rear sight sith slide intact and small blade/bead front sight. The muzzle end of the barrel shows heavy wear on the sharp octagon edges which are now rounded at the end of the barrel- takes a lot of in and out scabbard use to produce this! Where the serial number is located on the bottom tang there is considerable pitting with only a few numbers readily visible. A previous owner used magnification and various lighting/tilting to come up with the rest of the numbers so he could get a call in sheet from the Cody Museum which verifies the caliber, oct. barrel length and a shipping date of March 1900. The forend shows heavy handling  overall and chipping along the right top portion. The butt stock may be an old replacement as the butt plate has no provision for a cleaning rod trap door- only the .32-20 had a solid butt plate. There is a “P. H.” lightly carved in the left side and a silver (nickel silver?) small inlay in the right side of the stock. The tang screw is a replacement with lower tang wood screw missing. Dust cover is intact, brass lifter is mellow and uncleaned/unpolished. Bore shows rifling all the way through but is dark and pitted. Loads of history in this ’73! $1895.

2) RARE SPECIAL ORDER 1873 .44-40 WITH EXTRA LONG 28″ ROUND BARREL AND FULL MAGAZNE, #163XXX, SHIPPED 1884. According to the Winchester Handbook by George Madis, only 1201 rifles were made wth longer than the standard 24″ barrel. In my experience most of these long barrel ’73s were in .32-20 caliber with .38-40 next and few in .44-40. The factory letter from the Cody museum verifies the barrel length etc. and shows it was shipped from the warehouse on Oct 20, 1884. The receiver sides show fine bright blue with some plum and gray mixing, original dust cover, exc. screws, still some light traces of case color on the lever and hammer, the barrel shows good blue on the  bottom portion above the mag tube with the balance mostly gray/brown with some scattered  spotting/splotches of very light surface  corrosion. Mag tube shows mostly aged bue mixing heavily and uncleaned  gray/brown Fine markings, tight wood to metal fit with generally excellent stock and forend, tight action with strong safety half cock, original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and Winchester small blade front sight. Bore shows strong rifling with scattered surface corrosion. In all an extremely rare early 1873 .44-40 caliber special order rifle that still retains some good finish. $3650. (NOTE: What looks like light and dark areas on the receiver is just light reflection off oil)

3) ANTIQUE 1873 .44-40 CALAIBER MUSKET, #489XXX, MADE 1895. Many of these 1873 muskets were made after the turn of the 20th century mainly for export and are not considered “antique” Pre-1899 Winchesters. This early example still retains fine blue on the receiver that is lightly mixing plum/brown mainly on the edges. The 30″ barrel blue is aged and mixing plum/brown with original military style rear sight and excellent sharp markings. Original dust cover, tight action with strong safety half-cock on the hammer.  Fine walnut butt stock and forend with only normal light handling marks and tight wood to metal fit. Correct swivels and best of all a bright, sharp excellent bore. One of the better examples from the 1890s. $3250.

4) SELDOM SEEN MODEL 1883 THIRD MODEL HOTCHKISS .45-70 MUSKET, #81XXX, MADE 1895. This was the final iteration of the bolt action repeating Winchesters. This model is rarely encountered as Winchester made 56,504 muskets (along with a few sporters and carbines) with the bulk of them being exported abroad, especially to China. Totally different in appearance than the first and second models, the Third is certainly the most handsome. This example has no foreign proofs or military markings and was no doubt sold on the U.S. market. The receiver is an attractive mottled gray/brown and shows no signs of being cleaned. The lower tang has all the correct Winchester Hotchkiss markings. the 28″ barrel with cleaning rod is an aged and uncleaned gray/brown with some scattered light freckling. Winchester address and .45-70 caliber markings are clear. Correct military style rear sight. Wood is solid and shows normal handling marks. Action functions properly and the magazine tube in the butt stock retains the correct brass follower etc. Bore is bright and excellent! Complete with military leather sling. One of the most difficult to find Winchesters in any condition. $2950.

5) CUSTOM 1885 HIGHWALL LIGHT VARMINTER, DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS, .22 C.F. ANTIQUE. This one is unmarked but the workmanship is excellent. It features a 28″ medium varmint weight round barrel that is matted the full length of the top and is fitted with scope blocks with approx. 7 1/2″ spacing and no provision/dovetails for front or rear sights (a nice touch). The overall weight is approx. 10 3/4 lbs. The caliber is based on the .30-30 case necked down and is probably a .219 Zipper or Improved Zipper, or .219 Donaldson Wasp. I feigure whoever buys this one will figure it out one way or the other. Perhaps the best would be to simply re-bore it to .38-55 or .40-65 or .45-70 and end up with a fully custom rifle for a fraction of the cost of building one from scratch. Fully functional double set triggers with adjustment screw intact. Checkered pistol grip and checkered steel shotgun butt stock with nicely contoured fully checkered round forend with schnable tip all with tight wood to metal fit. The walnut has the classis redish Winchester tint and is excellent. Tight action,, exc. bore, appears to be a leaf spring action. Excellent as refinished when customized. $1895.

6) INTERESTING, ONE OF THE LAST 1886 TAKEDOWN .33 WCF, HALF MAGAZINE, SHOTGUN BUTT, #157XXX, SHIPPED AS PARTS CLEAN UP SOMETIME AFTER 1920. According to the Winchester Handbook by George Madis, “Serial number 156599 was the highest number produced in standard production. It was shipped on December 8, 1920. A fair stock of parts and assembled guns remained on hand, and in the final parts clean-up serials reached 159994, with the last guns assembled in 1932…”  By the serial number, this one is listed as made in 1920 and during that year only 391 1886s were made. By 1922 serials reached 159337 with 228 made. What this means is simply that these high numbered 1886 rifles were made in very limited numbers and were finally killed off by the Great Depression and then replaced with the Model 71 in .348 WCF.  This example shows use, but no abuse. The receiver has flaked to gray which is typical of guns made in the 1920s. The bolt retains fine blue and the barrel and magazine show good thinning blue. It has a D. W. King  thick, full buckhorn rear sight with a blade/bead front sight. Takedown is tight and the stock and forearm show light handling only with very tight wood to metal fit. Correct and original Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate is not chipped or cracked. Action is tight with strong safety half-cock and the bore is bright and excellent. The .33 WCF is simply the .45-70 case necked down to take standard .338″ bullets. It was considered a powerful big game cartridge and was the only purely smokeless powder cartridge offered in the 1886. A scarce late production ’86 with lots of life left in it. $2250.

7) SPECTACULAR, EARLY FULL DELUXE 1887 12 GA. LEVER SHOTGUN, #7XXX, SHIPPED 1888 WITH GREAT FACTORY INFO! Very few 1887 shotguns were made deluxe like this one. I called this serial number in to the Cody Museum and the records show: Serial number applied January 3, 1888, Shotgun, 12 Gauge, 30″ Barrel, Fancy, Checkered Stock, Rubber Butt, Fine Damascus, received in the warehouse on March 3, 1888, shipped from warehouse March 26, 1888; RETURNED BY MELBOURNE, SENT TO NEW YORK, order niumber 2871. So, this one was made in the first full year of production and was shipped to Australia! No doubt it was for the Australian Centennial.  The following is a recap of this: The Centennial International Exhibition of 1888 was a large trade fair held in Melbourne, Australia from August 1, 1888 to January 31, 1889. The exhibition celebrated 100 years of European settlement in Australia and was seen as a chance for patriotic celebration and nation building. It was a turning point for Melbourne, marking its entry onto the global stage and attracting over two million visitors, more than double the city’s population at the time. Winchester was obviously showing its wares for future sales in Australia- which they accomplished. Everything mentioned in the “Call-In” sheet was an extra cost item (including the rubber butt). The walnut is XXX grade with the heavy “piano finish” and has extensive fancy checkering on the two forend panels and wrist. The receiver has a simple two-line border engraving on each side and is case colored. There is still light case color on the receiver sides- a little more on the left side and more mottling on the right- with some vivid case color on the receiver top and hammer etc.  The barrel browning is uncleaned and shows some age with good damascus pattern. The magazine tube retains nice deep blue with some wear to the bottom just ahead of the receiver. Checkering is still fairly sharp on the panels and wrist. The Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate is original and has a simple crack across the bottom retaining screw with a very small wood chip at the toe- minor. Action is tight and the bore is bright and excellent! A chance to buy a historical Winchester exhibition shotgun with worldwide history! A unique opportunity. $7950.

8) LATE PRODUCTION 1892 RIFLE: .25-20 ROUND BARREL, #980XXX, MADE THE YEAR OF THE STOCK MARKET CRASH OF 1929. This one has all the correct late barrel markings. The barrel and magazine retain most of the original blue with just some pitting from bad storage and one area where rust got on the last couple of inches of the left side of the mag tube by the muzzle. The receiver shows strong original blue on both sides and the top/bolt with only the beginnings of flaking/dulling on the forward bottom portions of the sides and somelight  thinning to the bottom of the receiver. Screws appear unturned, tight action, strong safety half-cock, original buckhorn rear sight with Winchester blade front sight, bright excellent bore, exc. stock and forearm with tight wood to metal fit.  Very difficult to find 1920s vintage Winchester lever guns with good blue on the receivers as they flaked soon after leaving the factory. $1895.

9) 1892 .44-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #836XXX, MADE 1917. Barrel and magazine retain about all the deep original blue. The receiver has mostly flaked to an uncleaned gray/brown with exc. blue on the loading gate which is typical for this era Winchester lever guns. Exc. screws, flat top buckhorn rear sight with blade front sight. Exc. markings, fine+ stock and forend show only light handling with very tight wood to metal fit. Tight action with strong safety half-cock and minty bright bore! These rifles in .44-40 are difficult to find especially with bright bores. Nice 107 year old ’92. $2250.

10) SPECIAL ORDER 1892 SADDLE RING CARBINE, .32-20, HALF MAGAZINE AND NICKEL STEEL BARREL, #576XXX, MADE 1910. Surprisingly, .32-20 Saddle Ring Carbines are not that common. It seems most that are encountered today are in .25-20 and.38-40. This special order carbine has a half-magazine which is fairly scarce in these. The barrel is also stamped “NICKEL STEEL” below the rear sight on the left side- another unusual aspect of this carbine. That stamping is rarely seen. This one shows mainly gray/brown on the receiver with good blue on the loading gate and probably had a tang sight at one time in the factory holes. Screw heads are fine and there is still some blue around the saddle ring staple with only the ring removed- fairly common as they tended to rattle. Stock and forearm show normal handling with a few deeper dings in the stock, but not severe. One thin sliver of wood out at the juncture of the receiver/upper tang on the left side. Barrel shows good thinning blue with some gray mixing. Original carbine ladder rear sight with slide intact, tight action, strong safety half-cock. Bore is fairly bright with strong rifling and possibly a little scattered surface roughness- but it appears only in the grooves which leads me to believe it may simply be some light leading that should brush out (pitting typically covers the grooves AND the lands). In all an unusual .32-20 special order 114 year old saddle ring ’92. $1695.

11) ONE OF THE VERY LAST OF THE GREAT 1892 RIFLES, .38-40 ROUND BARREL, #995XXX, MADE 1930. This was the beginning of the Great Depression a year after the 1929 Stock Market Crash. In 1930 Winchester made a total of 491 Model 1892 rifles and carbines combined. For comparison, in 1926 18,898 were produced. After 1930 until the production ceased for World War II in 1941 production for this model never went much higher than 600-800 per year with some years not even reaching 200! Probably more carbines were made during these years making the rifles very scarce and seldom encountered. This one retains most of the deep blue on the barrrel and magazine. The receiver has flaked to gray which is typical of receivers produced during this time. The bolt retains exc. bright blue. Screw heads are excellent, action is tight with strong safety half-cock. Exc. wood with tight wood to metal fit. Original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and Winchester blade front sight. Bright excellent bore. These Great Depression Era 1892s rarely show up. $2150.

12) SPECIAL ORDER 1894 .38-55 SADDLE RING CARBINE WITH SHOTGUN BUTT, #310XXX, MADE 1906. Very fine example that retains fine receiver blue on both sides with some light freckling and some edge wear. Good blue on the bolt shows some wear, exc. screw heads, saddle ring intact. Fine deep barrel and mag blue with just a little thinning on the barrel top. Exc. markings, correct carbine ladder sight with slide intact. Fine stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit. The toe of the Winchester embossed hard rubber shotgun butt plate is chipped for about 1/4″. Tight action, solid safety half-cock on the hammer and excellent sharp bore. A hard to find caliber in this nice condition special order 118 year old ’94. $2650.

13) 1894 .38-55 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #301XXX, MADE 1906. The receiver shows an uncleaned mostly brown patina with some good aged blue toward the rear sides. Screw heads are generally excellent and the action is tight with strong safety half-cock on the hammer. Good aged blue on the barrel with a bit better blue on the mag tube- there are some areas of splotchy pitting mostly toward the muzzle end of the barrel and mag tube that looks like it may have been caused by some kind of chemical. A light polishing and touch up blue would go a long way. Fine markings, non-original buckhorn rear sight with Marble blade/bead front sight. Fine stock and forend show light handling only. Bore shows good rifling, but is somewhat frosty and I believe a good brushing out woulud help. A little T.L.C. would go a long way with this one, but not bad as is for a 118 year old .38-55. $1195.

14) VERY FINE CONDITIION 1895 .30-40 KRAG CALIBER RIFLE, #41XXX, MADE 1903. This exceptional 1895 retains most of the blue on the receiver with only normal edge wear and some blue thinning to the bottom of the magazine. Even the upper tang shows some good blue. Similarly, the 28″ barr el retains most of the deep original blue with standard Winchester buckhorn and blade sights. Exc. markings. Exc. stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit. The forend has the correct ebony wedge inlay in the tip. Fitted with sling-eye swivels with the front swivel correctly mounted on the barrel with a dovetail base. Sling with sling-eye hook swivels looks like it has always been with this rifle. Exc. markings, tight action with strong safety half-cock on the hammer. Exc. bore is just a little dark with sharp rifling. A truly fine 121 year old 1895. Getting hard to find this nice. $2650.

15) THREE HEAVY STEEL WINCHESTER MARKED TOOL ROOM “DIES” FOR THE MODEL 1895 MUSKET! Really interesting and unusual Winchester items that somehow survived to the present. Given their weight, it is surprising they weren’t sold for scrap at some point when 1895 Muskets were no longer produced and these tools became obsolete. First is is an oblong eight sided piece marked “95 MUSKET”  and “FRONT BAND” with a small etched measurement (?). With this is a corresponding “plunger” with stem/handle that fits perfectly in the milled center. It is marked along the stem in two lines on two sides, “MOD 95 MUSKET FRONT BAND” and “TEMPLET FOR MASTER GAGE” (yes gauge is misspelled). The polished flat bottom portion that fits into the milled section of the heavy gauge is stamped  “MOD”. Next is a rectangular piece marked “MOD. 95 MUSKET” over “FRONT BAND” over “1.875 = MOD” over some kind of very small circular etching. It comes with a perfectly machined unmarked “plug” that fits in the milled out section. Last is what I believe to be a butt plate die. It is a little difficult to read the stamping as there is some corrosion on this portion, but it can all be made read, “1895 BUTT PLATE MUSKET” over “B   U S H ..225 = MOD.” then there is a circle with a “J” and a small number within it and a small “s s”.  These are really great items for the specific 1895 collector or general Winchester enthusiast. The machining on these is amazing. The “plugs” or templets only go into the heavy gauges about 7/8 of the way before stopping and cannot be pushed all the way through. Perhaps a “go/no-go gauge arrangement. One-of-a-kind little collection that should remain together. For all three plus the two inserts/templets, $895.

16) FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION SEMI-DELUXE MODEL 1907 .351 SELF-LOADING RIFLE, #7XXX, MADE 1907. Fine blue on the barrel and receiver with only light edge wear and some bottom wear ahead of the magazine. Tang sight with small ivory bead front sight and blank filler in the rear dovetail. Worn checkering with excellent stock and forearm that may have been lightly gone over, yet still has tight wood to metal fit. Correct sling-eye studs and fine blue on the forend cap. Serated steel butt plate may be a replacement as it seems most of these I’ve seen have hard rubber butt plates. Matching numbers and exc. markings. Correctly marked magazine. Exc. mech. and bore. Scarce 107 year old auto. $1295.

17) BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM MODEL 52 .22 LONG RIFLE SPORTER, #11XXX, MADE 1927. This fine rifle started life as a standard weight barrel target rifle. The barreled action has not been altered aside from being professionally reblued leaving all the original Winchester markings sharp and clear. It has the factory flip up aperture rear sight on the rear receiver ring with aelevation and windage adjustments. Front sight is adovetailed  blade/bead in the factory boss. Original 28″ medium weight  barrel. The stock is of very fancy walnut with high grade oil rubbed finish. It sports a checkered steel butt plate with tear drop over the top,  cheek piece, Winchester embossed hard rubber pistol grip cap (nice touch!), full wrap around fine sharp checkering on the forend and full pattern on the wrist. It also sports an ebony forend tip and classic inletted swivel studs in the butt and forend. The barrel is factory drilled and tapped for scope blocks and retains the original filler screws, but might be a perfect fit to mount a Montana Vintage Arms authentic style B-5 scope. All workmanshiip is superbly crafted. Legendary M-52 accuracy in a classic sporter. Would cost a fortune to replicate. $2450.

18) FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION MODEL 55 TAKEDOWN IN .30WCF, #2XX, MADE 1924. This is a more scarce model than most people realize. It was a lightened sporter version of the Model 1894 introduced in 1924 and discontinued in 1935 with a parts cleanup through 1936- another victim of the harsh economic conditions of the Great Depression. Only a little over 20,000 of these were made and most saw pretty heavy use. This example is in uncleaned “attic” condition showing most of the original barrel and magazine blue that is aged and dulled somewhat, but still fine. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact with Lyman small blade/bead front sight. Similarly, the receiver blue is intact and aged instead of flaked to silver as is the norm for 1920s vintage Winchester lever guns. The stock and forearm are dark and somewhat grimey from use and handling, but shows tight wood to metal fit and again are uncleaned. Tight takedown, tight action and strong safety half-cock on the hammer with excellent bore. This one has a lot of character and an attractive appearance. One of the earliest I’ve seen. Only 836 made the first year. $1495.

19) VERY HIGH CONDITION MODEL 63 .22 LONG RIFLE AUTO LOADING RIFLE, #77XXX, MADE 1948. Unquestionably the classiest .22 LR auto loader ever manufactured by Winchester (or perhaps anyone), the Model 63 has an appeal that is hard to explain- has to be seen and held to be apprreciated. This fairly early Post-War example retains about all the blue with excellent wood etc. You’d have to look carefully to find any tiny blemish. Even the checkered steel butt plate retains about all the blue with only a touch of edge wear. Original sights, near new inside and out. Pretty amazing for a 76 year old .22 that usually saw a lot of use and shooting. These seem to be rapdily going up in value and desirability in all states of condition. This is a beauty. $1295.

20) NEAR THE END OF PRODUCTION MODEL 71 .348 WCF STANDARD RIFLE, #459XX, MADE 1957. This one retains about all the blue on the barrel and mag tube with only the most minor scuffing/wear. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact with ramped front sight. Similarly, the receiver retains all the blue with minor thinning on the lever edges and at the bottom of the receiver by the serial number- even the upper tang retains all the blue as well as the forend cap. Exc. stock and forend show very light handling. Sling swivel in the butt and correct style in the end of the magazine tip. Tight action and strong safety half-cock. Exc. bright and sharp bore. Original checkered steel butt plate, tight wood to metal fit. One of the last of the big .348 lever Winchesters. $1950.

21) RARE “GROOVED RECEIVER” MODEL 74 .22 LONG RIFLE AUTO RIFLE, #385XXX, MADE LAST YEAR OF PRODUCTION 1955. The Model 74 was introduced in 1939 and discontinued in 1955. Only the very last of production had the grooved receiver top for scope mounting. These are extremely hard to find now and this example is in excellent overall condition. It is fitted with a classic period correcct Weaver, El Paso, Texas. B-4 all steel scope. The scope has decent optics with cross hair reticle and retains about all the blue as does the mount. The barrel and action retain fine original blue. It also retains the original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact. The front sight has been removed from the dovetail and a filler installed- no doubt it was picked up in the field of view of the scope, so removed. Even the checkered steel butt plate and trigger guard show good blue. Exc. action, safety functions correctly and bright exc. bore. A true classic from the 1950s and a super rare variation. $595.

 

BILL GOODMAN, 280 W. KAGY BLVD. SUITE D #152, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715 TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415 montanaraven@hotmail.com

THESE WERE SUCH GOOD NOTES FROM THE FIELD I’M KEEPING THEM HERE.

FINALLY, MY SECOND NOVEL IS OUT! First, I’d like to thank everyone who read my first novel, DESERT SUNDAYS, and kept after me to get the second one done and published! So, after the usual delays and hitches, here it is. This one is called AN OBVIOUS SLAM DUNK and if you like courtroom scenes and a story that not only makes you think, but surprises you…well, this is a page turner I know you’ll like. And before anyone asks, yes, the third novel is almost done and I hope to get that one out before too long. All three form a trilogy, but each stands alone, so it doesn’t matter which you read first. Both are available on Amazon or Barnes and Noble (Kindle downloads too). If you want to save some money and have a signed copy, I have books here that I can sell cheaper than online at $13 each including shipping. Click here to see both books front and back with a synopsis of each.  Don’t bother to call to reserve a copy, just toss a check in the mail with shipping instructions.  MY THIRD NOVEL IS AT THE PUBLISHER NOW AND SHOULD BE OUT THIS SUMMER!! Thanks, Bill Goodman

CRACKED STOCKS! Seems like an odd thing to write about, but this is something I’ve not seen in print before. I’ve observed a lot of rifles with cracks coming straight back toward the butt plate from the upper and lower tangs. Sometimes the cracks are severe enough to warrant repairs (like cross bolts etc. through the wrist or extensive gluing) and other times the stock remains pretty solid as is. So what caused this condition in the first place? I’ve hunted with all kinds of rifles in all kinds of weather and terrain and never had a gun get damaged like all these I’ve seen. And I’ve taken some pretty bad falls too. Once, on ice I couldn’t see beneath a couple inches of fresh snow, my feet went out from under me and my rifle landed a number of yards away! Still, no cracks like these. So I’ve been puzzled by this for some time. Then it hit me, since these guns all seemed like Western big game rifles- large lever actions like 1876 and 1886 Winchesters or Marlin 1881 and 1895s as well as all over while the rifles were in saddle scabbards- fairly common in icy winter conditions, especially in the mountains. Also, sometimes horses will walk so close to trees that they rub against them. If a rifle is in a butt-forward position scabbard, the rifle can go on one side of the tree and the horse the other causing a stress cracked stock. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t think so. The wrists are fairly strong on most rifles and it takes a lot to crack one. If anyone else has a different theory about this condition, I’d like to hear it!

“GUNS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION YEARS” When the Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 America was taken by surprise. Prior to this pivotal event, in the gun industry production was high and sales were brisk. Almost overnight sales fell off hugely. The Winchester Handbook by George Madis shows production numbers by years of some of the major models. This is pretty illuminating. Here are some examples: Model 1890 .22RF had 12,367 produced in 1928 and 696 made in 1932; Model 1892 saw 64,833 produced in 1910 and 491 in 1930; Model 53 had 2,861 produced in 1925 and 30 made in 1937; Model 1894 had 29,967 made in 1927 and only1,192 made in 1934; Model 55 had 3,064 made in 1927 and 42 made in 1936. Colt, Marlin, Savage, Remington and Smith & Wesson etc. all felt the same pressure. With production down to a fraction of what it was, the big manufacturers had no choice but to fire employees. Those lucky enough to be retained were the most highly skilled and experienced craftsmen. They also had time to put extra fine fitting and finishing into each firearm. Generally, the quality of these guns is truly exceptionally. With production numbers of these late pre-war arms relatively small and quality without peer, their value should be assured. Some of the scarce large frame Colt and S&W handguns- especially the target sighted versions- are almost breathtaking in their fit an d finish. This has been an under-appreciated niche in arms collecting/investing. It is my belief Great Depression era arms are often “sleepers” on the antique market today and are bound to increase in value at a rapid pace making them excellent long term investments.

I have found a new shooting activity that I’m sure a number of folks who check out my website will either want to try themselves or will at least find interesting reading. I’ve discovered the fun of BLACK POWDER shotshells. And no, I’m not new to black powder. I’ve been shooting muzzle loaders since I was a kid (I was too young to buy ammo, but a can of black powder and a single shot muzzle loading pistol kept me shooting!) I’ve shot black powder cartridge rifles and some handguns since the 1970s. I’ve also tried a few muzzle loading shotguns, but a while back I noticed Midway was offering reloadable brass shotshells made by Magtech in Brazil. They cost about a buck a piece and come in a box of 25. So I thought this looked interesting and bought a box. They prime with a large pistol primer (I use CCI Large Pistol Mag. Primers) and require no special tools to load. I did buy a “cowboy 12 ga. shell holder” by RCBS which makes priming easier, but one can prime using a dowel, hammer and a flat surface to seat the primer. Anyway, I loaded with various loads of black powder as well as Alliant Black MZ black powder substitute. 27.3 grains equals one dram, so a typical heavy field load of 3 1/2 drams equals about 95 grains (by volume) of black powder or substitute. I load that through a drop tube to better settle the powder, using a wood dowel I seat an over powder card wad, then a cushion wad, pour in 1 1/8 oz. of shot from an antique shot dipper I picked up somewhere along the line, top with another over powder wad and then put about three small drops of CLEAR NON-FOAMING Gorilla glue on this top wad at the edge. Last, using a Q-tip sweep it around the wad edge. It dries making a nice seal with the inside of the brass case and holds everything together (note: this is the best glue I’ve tried, but do NOT use the brown foaming Gorilla glue as it pushes the wad up when dry and is awful to correct!). Firing removes any glue residue from the case. I picked up a particularly nice Remington 1889 double barrel with exposed hammers (damascus with exc. bores) and tried out my loads on some thrown clays. I’m not a good shot with a scattergun, but when I felt I was on, the clay targets broke as nicely as if I’d been using a modern smokeless shotgun. I used this double on a pheasant hunt last fall and did just fine with it. Truthfully, it made the hunt so much more fun I don’t know if I’d go again with one of my modern guns! Recently I tried the same shells in a Winchester 1887 Lever Action 12 ga. that was made in 1888. It fed beautifully and was a blast to shoot (no pun intended). The brass cases de-prime with a simple Lee type punch and clean up with hot soapy water. No resizing is required for the next loading. Pretty simple. The 12 ga. cases are 2 1/2″ long, which is exactly what a modern 2 3/4″ case measures LOADED AND UNFIRED. Remember, many of the older guns, like the Winchester 1887, have 2 5/8″ chambers. You don’t want to shoot a 2 3/4″ shell in them as they won’t be able to open up all the way causing pressures to jump etc. I don’t think Magtech offers brass cases in 10 ga. but they do in the smaller gauges. There are a lot of older shotguns out there that can often be purchased inexpensively and make wonderful shooters. Be sure to have any gun checked out by a gunsmith if you have doubts about it. With these brass cases and ease of loading, it’s worth trying. Buffalo Arms in Idaho sells the correct size wads for these brass cases- they actually take 11 ga. wads. If you give this a try, I think you’ll be glad you did- Bill Goodman

 

An interesting thing happened a few weeks ago that got me thinking… Here in Montana we had an early snow storm while most of the trees still had their leaves. As usually happens with these storms, lots of aspen and other tree branches broke under the weight of the snow. My brother called to have me come over to his place and help him cut up some branches. I arrived ready for action with my Home Depot purchased aluminum branch clippers. He met me at his garage holding MY FATHER’S OLD BRANCH CLIPPERS. So what’s the big deal? Well, I remember those clippers as a kid in the 1960s and I’m sure he owned them long before that. This tool was made of solid steel and had (wait for it…) riveted wood slab handles. This thing really had some weight to it! It also had a kind of double hinge for extra leverage cutting of larger diameter branches. It sure put my flimsy aluminum clipper to shame! I bet this solid steel beauty was made in the 1940s or maybe even before W.W.II. For all I know, it might have belonged to my grandfather! The point of all this is that it reminded me of why we all like antique/classic firearms. They too were made of steel and wood- no synthetics or alloys. They were made to last, and they have. My modern clippers are getting loose and worn. I was thinking of replacing it for another. Not my Dad’s clipper! It is generational. Same goes for the guns of that period and earlier. Not that I’m knocking modern firearms, but there’s something hard to describe about holding a Colt New Service or S&W .44 Hand Ejector revolver or shouldering a Winchester Model 71 .348 caliber… I know you get it or you wouldn’t be on this website.

William T. Goodman, 280 W. Kagy Blvd., Suite D #152, Bozeman, MT 59715    (406) 587-3131    fax (406) 219-3415     montanaraven@hotmail.com