BILL GOODMAN, 280 W. KAGY BLVD. SUITE D #152, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715
TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415
EMAIL: montanaraven@hotmail.com
NOTE: THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED UNTL MONDAY, 1/26/26. PLEASE DO NOT CALL DURING THIS TIME, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS EMAIL ME. THANKS, BILL GOODMAN
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 1/13/26. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH JANUARY .
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 19th and early 20th 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) UNALTERED SINGLE ACTION ARMY .32-20, 4 ¾” BARREL, #262XXX, MADE 1905. A nice, honest nearly 121 year old Single Action that has excellent markings including the correct two line barrel address used on barrel lengths less than 5 ½”. Overall an uncleaned gray/brown with some aged blue in the most protected small areas like the upper and lower portions of the ejector housing, upper sides of the trigger guard bow etc. Exc. screw heads. Grips fit perfectly and show normal wear consistent with the rest of the revolver. Front sight has not been altered. Fine bore with any roughness light and scattered- should brush out. Exc. mech. With four clicks to the hammer and light crisp trigger pull. Matching serial numbers and correct hammer. Simply a neat old cowboy gun from the turn of the last century. Getting hard to find in this un-messed with condition. $2495.
2) EXCEPTIONALLY RARE AND IN EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION, BLUE AND CASE COLOR NEW LINE .38 COLT CENTER FIRE CALIBER REVOLVER WITH SUPER RARE 4″ BARREL, #9XXX, MADE 1879. Almost all of the .38 New Line revolvers were made with 2 1/4″ barrels. With only about 5,500 made in both rim fire and center fire caliber in both nickel and blue finish from 1874-1880, the model itself is not all that common. Most that I’ve encountered have been .38 Rim Fire, 2 1/4″ barrel and nickel finish. The blue/case color revolvers were made in much smaller numbers and are hard to find, especially with any finish remaining. It is thought that only a very limited number were made with 4″ barrel and any .38 New line in either Rim Fire or Center Fire; blue or nickel finish is an extreme Colt rarity. This example was made with the full frame case colored and the barrel and cylinder blued. Remarkably, it retains fine deep blue on both the cylinder and barrel with only minor dulling from age in some areas with very minor edge wear. The barrel has all the correct sharp address markings on the top, a full “COLT NEW 38” etched panel on the left side and correct tiny 1874 patent date under the cylinder pin on the barrel bottom. There is excellent fire blue on the hammer back, trigger face and loading gate. Most of the case color remains which is more vibrant on the sides of the frame and a little more darkened and aged (but still good) elsewhere. Exc. rosewood grips, exc. action and unaltered front sight. The right bottom of the frame below the cylinder is correctly stamped “38 C” for center fire. You can look for years for a 4″ .38 C.F. New line in any condition and never be successful. This one is outstanding. $2650.
3) EXTREMELY EARLY AND RARE CALIBER MARKING NEW SERVICE, 44 S&W CALIBER, 7 1/2″ BARREL, #5XXX, MADE 1900. This New Service was made in the second full year of production (only a very few were made in 1898 when the model was introduced). Standard calibers were .45 Colt (.45 Long Colt) with lesser numbers made in .44-40, .38-40 and .455 Eley for the British Market. This one is marked on the barrel side “FOR .44 S& W CTG. ” which was the early designation for the .44 Russian cartridge. Later New Services were stamped .44 RUSSIAN CTG. This example has all the early features including the last barrel patent date of 1900, circle COLT NEW SERVICE stamping on the frame etc. The frame shows fine blue with some small amounts of brown mkxng and edge wear. The grip straps are mostly brown with some good blue on the butt and on the bottom of the trigger guard bow. Fine lightly aged blue on the cylinder and fine blue on the barrel with some blue wear/thinning on the sides. Lanyard swivel intact and good fire blue on the trigger sides. Light case color remains on thre hamnmer. Fine grips. Cylinder locks up tight when the hammer falls (as this is when the Colts lock up). Bore shows good rifling with scattered light pitting. Unaltered front sight. This is a very rare caliber marked early New Service. $2150
4) SCARCE PRE-WAR .22 LR CALIBER OFFICIAL POLICE, WITH COLT FACTORY LETTER, #25XXX, SHIPPED 1941. This distinct variant of the famed Official Police line in .22 LR only was introduced in 1930. It was intended to be mainly used as a “training revolver” using cheap and no recoiling .22 LR ammo for police and military use. As such, not many were poduced. Serial numbers started in 1930 at No. 1 and by 1940 had reached only 14000. Most years only a few hundred were produced (Great Depression era). Interestingly, this one has a high serial number for a pre-War example, so I lettered it with Colt. Production stopped for these at World War II and then began again in 1947 starting with serial number 30000. The colt letter indicates that this .22 LR Official Police Revolver with 6″ barrel and blue finish (standard) was shipped on August 18, 1941 to Blish, Mize & Stillman Hardware Company, Atchison, Kansas. Further, it is listed as a single gun shipment. I believe this was probably a single gun order for the Atchison Police or very probably for Fort Leavenworth which is only 20 miles from Atchison. This company is still in business and started in 1871 to supply wagon trains heading West! (info included). This limited production Pre-War example shows it was used, but not abused. The action is tight with a bright bore. The blue finish has turned gray on the grip straps (good blue on the butt) and trigger guard. The cylinder blue is thinning with edge wear and good blue in the flutes. Some finish wear to the sides of the barrel. Good frame blue and exc. markings. Unaltered front sight, checkering on the grips is worn evenly on both sides from handling. My bet is that with the outbreak of World War II only months away from the shipping date of this Colt, it was used throughout World War II as a military trainer- many in the military were issued Colt Official Police .38 Special revolvers. In all, a very interesting and scarce historical Colt with factory letter. $995.
5) MODEL 1909 U. S. ARMY .45 COLT NEW SERVICE REVOLVER, #43XXX. This was the last of the .45 Colt revolvers issued to our armed forces. It was replaced with the famed M-1911 .45ACP auto pistol soon after being introduced. Many, if not most, saw service in the Philippine Islands after the Spanish American War which lasted until 1915 as the Filipino-American War. This example was obviously issued and used, but cared for. The blue shows wear on the barrel sides and grip straps. The cylinder blue is thinning and stronger in the flutes. Frame shows good high polish blue with normal holster wear areas. All sharp markings, correct government inspector stamps including the RAC stamping on cylinder, frame and barrel. The barrel retains the important “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” stamping on the bottom- this marking often ground off. Fine walnut grips, lanyard ring intact, front sight has not been altered or filed. Fine correct U.S. Army 1909 markings on the butt with matching serial number to frame. Butt shows some dings. Mechanically extremely tight with no cylinder play. Exc. bright bore. $1350.
6) EARLY POST-WAR OFFICERS MODEL TARGET .22 LR #56XXX, MADE 1949. These wonderful adjustable sighted revolvers were hand fitted and tuned making them truly superb revolvers for field or target use. Colt used the same action as these in their later Python Model that was introduced in the 1950s. This example shows a little holster wear on the forward section of the barrel sides and some light wear to the high edges of the cylinder. The frame etc. show about all the blue. The front face of the cylinder also retains exc. blue indicating that it was shot little. Very tight action with no cylinder play or end shake. Correct “Coltwood” synthetic stocks of the period. Too expensive to produce today, these are still bargains in the revolver field. $795.
7) ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE POST-WAR COLTS IS THIS FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION COBRA IN .32 NEW POLICE (.32 S&W LONG) WITH 4” BARREL, SQUARE BUTT AND “COLTWOOD” GRIPS, #3XXX-LW, MADE 1951. The standard for this light weight alloy model was .38 Special with 2” barrel- basically a light weight Detective Special. At the year of introduction, 1951, the Cobra was offered in .38 Spec. and .32 N.P. calibers with 2” and 4” barrels. The 2” had the round butt configuration and the 4” had a square butt. Within a few years the square butt was changed to round on all barrel lengths and the grips changed to walnut. This is the first 4” square butt with Coltwood grips Cobra I’ve seen. This example appears unfired and retains about all the blue. Grips are excellent and there is not even a cylinder ring. I don’t expect to find another in any condition. $1895.
MARLIN (click text for photos)
1) UNUSUAL SPECIAL ORDER MODEL ‘94 .32-20 WITH SUPER RARE EXTRA LONG 30” ROUND BARREL AND HALF MAGAZINE, #314XXX, MADE 1905. Standard length on this model was 24” and it is rare to find an extra long barrel, especially a barrel 6” longer than standard combined with a half magazine. I called the Cody Museum and received a “call-in sheet” on this one which verifies the model, caliber, barrel length, round barrel and half-magazine, showing it was shipped September 30, 1905. Receiver retains nice very light case colors on the sides and top mixing mottled gray. The barrel shows fine lightly aged and thinning blue with excellent markings, buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and correct Rocky Mountain blade front sight. Deep blue on the bolt and loading gate, exc. screw heads, tight action, strong safety half-cock and exc. bore that is only slightly dark with strong rifling all the way through. Exc. stock and forend. A truly rare Model ‘94 in fine condition. $2950.
2) BALLARD RIFLES (see below in Antique section)
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) MODEL 1895CB 26” OCTAGON .45-70, MADE NORTH HAVEN, CT. #98207XXX, MADE 2002. Another great J. M. Marlin made rifle that is becoming very hard to find. This one is fitted with an adjustable Wild West Guns marked aperture (peep) receiver sight with protective “wings” mounted on the receiver top in the factory drilled holes. The rear barrel dovetail has a blank filler and the front sight is a blade. Also fitted with a magazine tube sling swivel band and a sling swivel stud in the butt stock. Aside from the most minor handling marks, it is in excellent condition inside and out. Hard to find rifle with a great rear sight and swivels. $1595.
2) VERY HARD TO FIND JM MARLIN .38-55 MODEL 336CB OCTAGON BARREL RIFLE, #99116XXX, MADE 2001. This was a very limited production rifle made nearly 25 years ago by the original J M Marlin company in North Haven, CT. This example has the traditional fancy diamond pattern checkering on the wrist and forend. The 24” oct. barrel is Ballard rifled (not microgroove) and will shoot cast bullets as well as jacketed bullets. It is fitted with a filler slot in the rear sight dovetail and has a Mid-Range Soule sight with adjustable Hadley eye cup for different apertures. The Soule sight is the top of the line in tang sights and has calibrated windage adjustments at the bottom of the staff. Unlike typical vernier tang sights in which the eye piece alone moves for windage, the entire staff is easily adjusted for windage. The front sight is a globe that will accept inserts. Overall in about new condition. The sights alone are worth at least $400-$500. A very difficult to find Connecticut made Marlin. These are becoming not only great shooters, but fine collector’s items. $1950.
ANTIQUE & CLASSIC RIFLES, SHOTGUNS AND PISTOLS (click text for photos)
1) EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE WHITNEY-LAIDLEY ROLLIGBLOCK IN DESIRABLE .45-70 CALIBER, #9XXX, MADE 1870s. This is an extremely scarce western used rifle of which not many were made in the big “Buffalo Calibers.” Most of this Sporting and Target Model were in .32, .38, or 44 Rimfire caliber with other small center fire calibers offered. Relatively few of the approximately 5,000 that were manufactured from 1871-1881 were in large center fire calibers and this is the first I’ve encountered in .45-70. The 30″ octagon barrel is marked on the top flat ahead of the receiver “.45 CAL C.F.” I checked this one and a .45-70 cartridge chambers correctly. Fine even barrel blue that has aged somewhat dull. Uncleaned mottled gray/brown receiver. Fine stock and forend showing only normal handling with tight wood to metal fit and a little honest saddle wear to the bottom of the forend. Matching serial number on the barrel and receiver. All correct markings. Rear sight looks to be of the folding ladder type with the ladder part broken or removed so that it is now only the small buckhorn. Front sight appears to be the original blade. Tight action, strong safety half-cock, correct steel forend cap. Interesting action that is actually better than the Remington style. This action has three clicks. Remington has only two. The first click has the action locked closed, the second allows the action to be opened for loading, but the hammer will not fall until the third click. With the Remington Sporting Rifles, once the gun is loaded it is ready to be fired unless the hammer is manually lowered to half-cock. The bore is fairly bright and excellent with sharp rifling all the way through and any corrosion too minor to mention. This is a rare rifle in a great caliber. $2950.
2) 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 for 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! $495.
3) EXTREMELY EARLY AND EXTREMELY RARE BRASS FRAME BALLARD BALL & WILLIAMS MANUFACTURED .38 RF, OCT. SPORTER #19X. Ball and Williams was the first to manufacture the famous Ballard single shot rifles between 1862-1865. By the serial number, this would have been one of the earliest. According to John Dutcher’s excellent and detailed Ballard book, “Scarce variations are sporting rifles made with brass frames, breechblocks, levers and butt plates. After forearm nosecaps were introduced, they, too, were made of brass. I’ve recorded the following brass action rifles: serial numbers 161, 189, 298, 316, 657, 658, 816, 984, 1487, 1489, 1493, 1497, 1500, 2486, 2487 and 4607. That’s sixteen rifles, and I’d guess something over 200 were made…They were finished with silver plating on all brass parts…” This example is a “fresh” one that was not in Dutcher’s records. By the low serial number it is probable that this was a first year 1862 manufacture. Of the few of these I’ve encountered over the years, this is the first that still retained some silver on the receiver, breech block etc. Also, this is one of the best examples I’ve seen as it not only retains some good silver on the receiver and much on the lever bottom and breech block, but it retains fine even and deep blue on the 28” octagon barrel. It has the correct spring loaded manual ejector on the bottom of the forend. The forend is excellent. The butt stock with correct brass butt plate is fine and shows some handling marks. It also has a stress or age crack coming forward on both sides from the lower butt plate screw- not all the way forward and the wood is not chipped out. It is minor and a little glue held in a clamp would stabilize it. The action is tight and the barrel, receiver and breech block have matching serial numbers. The small buckhorn rear sight appears original and retains the elevator bar. Front sight is a Rocky Mountain blade. Amazingly, the bore is bright and excellent with only some light corrosion spotting ahead of the chamber. As the photos show, still some uncleaned tarnished silver on the receiver, lower tang, lever and much on the breech block. The barrel is marked “BALL & WILLIAMS” over “WORCESTER, MASS.” The breech side of the barrel is also marked “MERWIN & BRAY AGT’S.” over “NEW YORK.” One of the most unusually attractive single shot rifles ever made and one of the earliest to use fixed cartridge ammunition. $3650.
4) EARLY TEXAS SHIPPED SAVAGE 1899 .25-35 FEATHERWEIGHT RIFLE. A call to the Cody Museum provided the info on this one: SAVAGE MODEL 1899- SERIAL NUMBER 95XXX; Caliber: 25/35; Barrel Type: Round; Featherweight; Date Accepted: November 27, 1908; Date Shipped: November 23, 1908 (I think they got these dates reversed); Sold to Walter Tips (Call-in sheet from the Cody Museum included). Walter Tips was an arms dealer in Austin, Texas. A load of Colt Single Action Armies passed through his store. This is the first Savage 1899 I’ve even heard of going to him. No doubt, it was meant as a 20” saddle rifle, like the more popular Winchester carbines. This example shows good aged blue on the barrel. The rear sight is a later Savage buckhorn patent marked 1914 and has not only elevation adjustments but also windage adjustments. The front sight is a ramped Marble ivory bead and was probably put on when the rear sight was mounted. The receiver is mostly a dull gray/brown with some blue in the most protected area above the lever. The forearm is fine and the butt stock has the usual hairline cracks/replaced chip behind the upper tang. There is also an empty sling swivel hole in the butt stock- easily filled, left as is, or filled with a simple sling swivel. It retains the now-politically-incorrect Savage hard rubber butt plate with an Indian Chief embossed in the middle! (How times have changed!). The action is tight, the tab safety works correctly and the bore is a little worn and dark with one barely discernible shallow ring a couple inches from the muzzle. This rifle was shipped within two years of the turbulent Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920. A rare caliber and rare Texas destination shipped Savage Featherweight carbine! $1595.
5) SUPER RARE STEVENS NEW MODEL POCKET RIFLE No. 40 WITH FACTORY CORRECT STEVENS SCOPE, #18XXX. Only about 15,000 of this model was made from 1896-1916 in all calibers and barrel lengths. Very few were scoped. This one has the correct No. 550 marked scope which is a 3X made only for the 12” New Model Pocket Rifle. The scope has all the correct Stevens markings, adjustable rear mount and good optics with cross hair. The mounts are made to fit the original front and rear sight dovetails without extra screw holes or extra dovetails. Caliber is .22 Long Rifle and the barrel measures 12”. The scope and barrel show good blue with light thinning/aging on the bottom rear portion of the barrel. Nearly all the bright nickel remains on the frame, trigger guard and matching numbered stock. Exc. wood grips and screw heads. Bore is also excellent. Tight barrel to frame lock-up and strong safety half cock. These Stevens scoped Pocket Rifles are rarely seen or offered. This is a fine one. The final photo shows a photo of one from a 1908 Stevens catalog listing the No. 550 scope being made for the 12” barrel Pocket Rifle. Cost of the scope was $10- a large sum in 1908! $1895.
6) CUSTOM WINCHESTER 1892 IN .256 WIN. MAG. CALIBER (see below in Winchester section)
MODERN AND OUT OF PRODUCTION COLLECTOR FIREARMS (click text for photos)
1) CLASSIC BELGIAN BROWNING NOMAD .22LR AUTO PISTOL, DESIRABLE 6 ¾” BARREL, #42XXXP71, MADE 1971. All steel with adjustable sights and crisp target trigger, the Nomad was one of the most well made and accurate of the .22LR field grade auto pistols of the time. This one is in excellent condition showing about all the blue with only some dulling on the front strap and upper back strap. Tight action, Correct Browning marked magazine, exc. markings and grips. A 54 year old class act that would be too expensive to produce today. $695.
2) NIKKO GOLDEN EAGLE MODEL 7000 IN DESIRABLE .300 WEATHERBY MAG. CALIBER. Probably made in the 1980s, this one comes with a Redfield 3-9X scope with fine optics. It has a 26” barrel and overall is in excellent condition showing most of the blue remaining and only a few light handling marks in the wood. Original Golden Eagle marked recoil pad, nicely grained walnut with “Weatherby style” Monte Carlo cheek piece and rosewood forend cap and skip-line checkering. Nikko markings along with “GOLDEN EAGLE FIREARMS, HOUSTON, TEXAS.” These don’t show up too often and this is in one of the most desirable and difficult to find calibers. $995.
3) BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM LEFT HAND SCHUETZEN .32-40 HIGH WALL BY J. A. “BO” CLERKE, #1984-001. By the serial number I assume this was made in 1984. Presentation grade walnut in stock and forend with raised cheek piece and accent line. Full nickel plated Schuetzen butt plate, fancy unusual color case hardening on the Schuetzen style lever and receiver. Double set triggers with adjustment screws. Fitted for a palm rest (palm rest not included, but could probably be had from CPA rifles). Nicely checkered pistol grip with schnable bottom and matching checkering on the forend. No sight dovetails on the 30” octagon barrel, but fitted with case colored scope blocks. Marked under the forend on the barrel, “1-16 LH 5/18/84 .32/40”. Weighs just under 12 lbs. Upper tang marked “Serrifile Inc., Lancaster, CA” and the barrel top is marked “J. A. Clerke.” Aside from the most minor of handling marks in the stock that you’d have to look carefully to find, this one appears about new inside and out. $3850.
REMINGTON (click text for photos)
1) SPECIAL ORDER EARLY REMINGTON No.1 ROLLING BLOCK OCT. SPORTING RIFLE IN .44-77, #2XXX. It is fairly rare to find Sporters with special features. This one has a straight sporting stock with factory smooth steel ,shotgun butt plate instead of the usual curved heavy steel “carbine-style” butt plate. Second it has an extra long 32” octagon barrel. The standard length for these was 26” with a charge for each two inch increment over this length. Most seem to be found with 30” barrels with the long 32” not often seen. The inside of the butt plate number matches the receiver number as does the forend and bottom of the barrel number under the forearm. It is fitted with a case colored elevation adjustable mid-range vernier tang sight, a small spirit level (bubble level) in the narrow rear barrel dovetail along with a windage adjustable globe front sight. The front sight is probably a later addition as it is unmarked except for the patent date of Feb. 13, 1894. Stock and forend with correct steel schnable tip are generally excellent and show light handling with only some minor edge chipping at the forend bottom by the receiver. The receiver is mostly a mottled gray/brown. The hammer and breech block still retain some very aged blue. The barrel has even thin blue. The bore is bright and excellent with any corrosion very light and surface ahead of the chamber that is minor. Light hammer spring with weak half-cock. The barrel is correctly marked “.44 CTGE S.” on the bottom flat ahead of the forearm and the muzzle end of the barrel has the original Remington crown with the octagon edges beveled. An attractive and unusual 1870s Remington that is difficult to find in even standard configuration. $4850.
2) SCARCE REMINGTON No.1 ROLLING BLOCK FACTORY 20 GA. SHOTGUN, TYPE 1, MADE 1870s-1890s. These hard to find shotguns were made in two styles. The Type 1 (or No.1) which was the high grade made with a smooth steel shotgun butt plate, fluted receiver ring etc. and the Type 2 (or No.2) which was a lesser grade, utilitarian shotgun made from left over military Rolling Block parts and are easily identified by the curved military/musket butt plate. These Type 1 guns were fairly high priced at the time and in the 1887 Remington catalog are listed at $10-$11 while the big octagon barrel center fire sporting rifles in calibers like 45-70 etc. were listed at $18. The shotguns are not easy to find, especially the higher grade Type 1 and when found are usually in very hard used and often abused condition. This is a fine example with 32″ steel (not Damascus) barrel with a bead front sight. The receiver has the correct tang markings and patent dates etc. There is a hint of case color on the left side center of the receiver panel, but mostly the receiver has aged to an uncleaned dark gray/brown. The barrel blue is even and aged with a bit of plum. Stock and forearm are generally excellent and show only light handling. Both stock and forend have the fancy oval panels at the receiver junction. The hammer and breech block still retain some good aged blue, tight action, fairly bright bore with scattered light/surface corrosion. As an aside, I have one of these that I shoot with Magtech 20 ga. brass shells loaded with black powder. Lots of smoke, a good bit of recoil, and lots of fun. $1195.
3) EARLY .50-70 NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT ROLLING BLOCK MILITARY RIFLE. According to the information in the excellent book Remington Rolling Block Military Rifles of the World by George Layman, by the tang patent dates this example was from the first contract with the state of N. Y. in 1871. Overall metal is mostly a silver/gray with some aged brown. Original sights, swivels etc. Stock has the usual correct cartouches and rack number stampings. Cleaning rod intact. Stock and forearm show the usual handling marks with one repaired crack on the right side from the rear of the upper tang to the rear of the lower tang that is only on the right side and does not go through the stock- basically a big chip that was repaired and is now solid and not all that major. Tight action with correct mechanism in which the hammer falls automatically to a safety position near full cock when the breech block is closed. This should have been employed in ALL Rolling Blocks so that the hammer would not have to be manually lowered with the thumb after seating a cartridge and closing the breech for safe carrying when loaded. Excellent fairly bright bore. $795.
4) EXCELLENT CONDITION REMINGTON MODEL 14 PUMP RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .35 REM. CALIBER, 102XXX. These were made from 1912-1934. As this example has a single letter “code” on the barrel is was made before 1921. A superior Model 14, this one retains nearly all the factory blue including the bottom of the receiver and trigger guard etc. Sharp markings, original buckhorn rear sight with small blade bead front sight, plus a correct for this model Marble tang sight. Exc. wood shows only the lightest of handling with tight wood to metal fit and original crescent butt plate. Tight action, exc. bright bore. A really great 100+ year old Remington in a very desirable caliber. It would be hard to find a better example especially in .35 Rem. Caliber. $1395.
5) MODEL 1867 U. S. NAVY ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL (see below in Springfield/U. S. Military section)
RUGER (click text for photo),
1) RARE LIMITED PRODUCTION RUGER “BUCKEYE” BLACKHAWK REVOLVER CHAMBERED IN .38-40 WITH EXTRA 10MM AUTOMATIC CYLINDER, #611-02XXX, MADE 1990. These great shooting 6 ½” barrel revolvers were made on special contract with Buckeye Sports in Ohio. Unlike most Blackhawk revolvers, they have all steel construction (most Blackhawks have alloy grip straps). They are also stamped with the Buckeye logo on the top strap. Each cylinder is caliber marked. This example shows about all the blue with only a light cylinder line on each cylinder. It has probably seen very limited use. Exc. inside and out. Great shooters or collector revolvers, they are quite difficult to come by. $1495.
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SHILOH SHARPS, MUZZLE LOADERS AND OTHER REPRODUCTIONS. Note: I am a Shiloh Sharps dealer. Check out my other website for Shilohs: www.shiloh-ballard.com (click text for photos).
1) RARE SHILOH SHARPS OFFERING! SPECIAL EDITION 1874 .45-70 “HUNTERS RIFLE.”
About 15 years ago, as a Shiloh Dealer, I contracted for ten (10) non-cataloged “Hunter Rifles.” Six were in .45-70 and four were in .50-70 caliber. I copied an example shipped to Denver, Colorado in 1876. .These rifles all had non-cataloged 25” round barrels with “splinter forends,” single triggers with crisp/light pulls, patchboxes, semi-buckhorn Lawrence ladder rear sights and blade front sights. This example also has semi-fancy walnut. Of the ten, this is the first I’ve seen since shipping them in 2011 and I received it from the original owner, it looks like he never used it. Weighs right about 8 ½ lbs and balances perfectly between the receiver and rear sight. It is factory drilled and tapped with filler screws should you wish to install a tang sight. The current catalog price for this rifle (if you could even order one like this!) would be over $3700. The last photo shows it with the original rifle shipped in 1876. A chance to own a superb hunting Shiloh of which only six in .45-70 exist! My price, $3450.
2) VERY FANCY CUSTOM SHILOH SHARPS No. 1 SPORTER IN SCARCE .40-50 BN CALIBER, WITH C-H RELOADING DIES, #5XXX, MADE IN FARMINGDALE, NY EARLY 1980s. A truly beautiful example with 30″ standard octagon barrel, double set triggers, pistol grip, cheek piece and shotgun butt. Custom options include: extra fancy walnut with AA finish, schnable on the pistol grip, polished barrel, fire blue screws, pewter tip, accent line on the cheek piece, no rear barrel sight dovetail- fitted with a mid range vernier tang sight adjustable for windage and elevation with spirit level fully windage adjustable globe front sight that will accept inserts. The .40-50 Bottle Neck cartridge is simply the .45-70 case shortened and necked down to take .40 cal. bullets. The rich color walnut in this rifle is beautifully figured with fiddleback in both stock and forearm. Has the early classic “OLD RELIABLE” barrel marking along with the normal Shiloh markings. Weighs just under 11 lbs. Appears about new inside and out. This stunning rifle would have a current catalog price of about $5400 with a 2+ year wait. I’ve priced it at $4350.
3) PEDERSOLI 20 GA. SIDE BY SIDE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN. These are finely crafted doubles made in Italy and feature an English style straight-gripped walnut stock with checkered wrist and single wedge-keyed forend with hooked breech barrels for easy disassembly for cleaning. The highly polished blued barrel is 27 1/2″ long and, according to their catalog, is choked cylinder and improved cylinder. The trigger guard, upper tang, lock plates and hammers are richly case colored and engraved. Smooth blued steel butt plate with brass capped wood ramrod. Hammers have a safety half-cock and full cock with double triggers. This one is about like new and appears to have seen no use. If you are not shooting a muzzle loading shotgun, you are missing out on a lot of good and different shooting! Midway U.S.A. has these in their catalog for $2054. My price on this one $1295.
4) VERY HIGH QUALITY AUSTIN HALLECK FLINTLOCK HALF STOCK .50 CALIBER MOUNTAIN RIFLE. These were were some of the best of the U. S. made muzzle loaders until they closed their doors in 2006. Known for great accuracy and reliability, these “Hawken-Style” rifles are seldom seen now. This one has a 32” browned barrel to match the browned butt plate, trigger guard, tangs and lock. The barrel measures 7/8” at the muzzle and the overall weight is approx. 9 lbs. The barrel is also marked “1 : 28” indicating a fairly fast twist that will stabilize .50 caliber conical bullets. The barrel is marked with the Austin Halleck name and Provo, Utah address. The lock/barrel also has a removable touch hole liner which makes cleaning easier and can be replaced if needed. It features a dark fancy striped maple stock, cheek piece and traditional crescent steel butt plate. It also has fully adjustable double set triggers. Aside from a few very surface handling marks in the stock, it appears little used with excellent bore. Blade front sight with traditional buckhorn rear sight. Nice correct Hawken style trigger guard. One of the most handsome half stock rifles and a class act American made Flintlock out of production for 20 years. $1150.
SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)
1) PRE-WAR .44 HAND EJECTOR 2ND MODEL, 6 1/2″, BLUE, #19XXX, MADE 1922. Very fine .44 Special caliber example with most of the original blue remaining. This one shows very light holster/handling wear with a touch of blue wear on the forward portion of the barrel sides, a little browning mixing on the back strap and frame on the side plate- all mainly edge wear and very minor. Exc. markings, matching numbers on the cylinder, frame and barrel. Sharply checkered diamond pattern grips, butt swivel intact, good case color on the hammer and trigger, unaltered front sight, tight action and bright exc. bore. Shows most of the blue on the front face of the cylinder indicating that this revolver was fired very little if at all. Exc. screw heads and markings. Nice 103 year old big “N” frame Smith from the Roaring Twenties. $1495.
2) SUPERB CONDITION PRE-WAR MODEL 1926 .44 SPECIAL HAND EJECTOR, #49XXX, MADE 1937. Also known as the WOLF & KLAR MODEL for the Fort Worth, Texas dealer who requested this model and sold most of them, many going to Texas Rangers and other law enforcement officers in Texas. Produced from 1929-1941 in limited numbers, many that show up appear in hard used and often re-nickeled/re-blued condition. A number also have non-factory “Mexican” or “Pawn Shop” Engraving. This 5” blue example is one of the best I’ve seen. It retains nearly all the high polished factory blue with only a touch of wear toward the muzzle of the barrel. All markings sharp and clear including the correct stampings on the rear of the trigger and hammer. Even the front of the cylinder and the face of the recoil shield retain about all the blue, indicating that this one was rarely if ever fired. Exc. case colors on the hammer and trigger. Perfect bore, tight action and matching numbers on the frame, cylinder and barrel. The grips fit well, but are numbered slightly lower- possibly done at the distributor if some of these were in the show case fitted with pearl or ivory grips (common) and the buyer wanted standard checkered walnut, in which case the salesman would simply grab a pair of grips from one of the guns with pearl and swap back without matching the number. I think this happened frequently especially on the “N” frame guns as numbers on the grips often do not match. The grips on this one are in the same excellent+ condition as the rest of the revolver. Hard to find these in any condition and really hard to find in blue with high condition. $3250.
3) RARE EARLY TARGET SIGHTED MODEL OF 1902 M&P, .38 SPECIAL, #21XXX, FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED 1902. This was the first Military & Police variation to have the locking lug under the barrel at the front of the ejector rod. It was only made from 1902-1903 from serial number 20976-33803. With only 12,827 manufactured for a little over a year, there can’t be many Target versions made to begin with and surviving examples after 123 years would be very few. The S&W factory letter states: “…#21XXX was shipped from our factory o August 8, 1902 and delivered to Mr. H. F. Zimmerman, Saugerties, NY. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 6.5 inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, blue finish and checkered black hard rubber grips…” The letter further states there is some other info that cannot be deciphered. Overall very fine condition with most of the deep high polish blue remaining and only very minor light thinning of the blue on scattered parts with fine case color on the hammer and trigger. Grips fit perfectly, tight action, excellent markings including the early barrel marking “.38 S&W SPECIAL & U.S. SERVICE CTG’S.”, exc. bright bore. Matching numbers on the barrel, cylinder and frame with one grip panel mismatched, but correct. This model is a rarity in itself and especially so with adjustable target sights. $1695.
4) UNUSUAL .32 REGULATION POLICE WITH RARE 6” BARREL AND FACTORY NICKEL FINISH, #421XXX, MADE C.1925-1926. Almost all of these fine revolvers I’ve encountered were blue finished with 3 ¼” or 4 ¼” barrels. These revolvers were made with a “step” in the back strap to fit oversize checkered walnut grips and have the serial number stamped on the front strap as the butt is covered by the grips. This example was probably used by law enforcement as it shows holster wear where the securing strap would rub on the right side over the side plate. Also, the right grip panel is worn considerably compared to the protected left side. Aside from the side plate wear, most of the nickel remains with some freckling mostly on the left side of the frame. Bottom of the grips have the correct stamped patent date and all markings are fine. Action is tight and bore is excellent and bright. Chambered for the accurate .32 S&W Long cartridge, these were known for being especially fine shooters. Really scarce in nickel finish and 6” barrel. $695. (Note: looks better than photos shows. Light reflection makes it look like there is peeled nickel on the cylinder etc.)
5) VERY RARE ALUMINUM CYLINDER, FIRST YEAR PRE-MODEL 12 AIRWEIGHT .38 SPECIAL, MADE 1953, #C237XXX. These 14 3/8 oz. Guns were bought up by the U.S. Air Force as the special M-13 with government markings. Most of these were destroyed for being unsafe with anything but standard velocity ammo. Few were sold on the civilian market, which is what this one is. Introduced in 1953 with aluminum cylinders, this model was quickly changed in 1954 to incorporate steel cylinders that were safe with all .38 Special ammo. Early aluminum cylinder models fall within the serial range of C190000 – C31000. This example comes with a S&W factory letter giving lots of details about the model, but ends with “Unfortunately, we do not have any production figures available on the Model 12.” The letter further states, “Today, revolvers equipped with aluminum cylinders are desirable collectors’ items but should not be fired with any high velocities of ammunition which you are not certain of the pressure they generate.” This example is in remarkable condition retaining about all the blue and “black” on the cylinder, matching numbers (no numbers inside the grips, but they appear to be the correct ones in exc. condition that fit well etc.). Exc. case color on the hammer and trigger. As they were only made for one year, unaltered examples are hard to find in any condition and this one is exceptional and probably unfired. $1395.
SPRINGFIELD AND U.S. MILITARY FIREARMS (click text for photos)
1) REMINGTON U. S. NAVY MODEL 1867 ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL, #3XXX, .50 CENTER FIRE, MADE EARLY 1870s. A very scarce pistol as these were actually an alteration of the earlier Model 1865 model that was in .50 Rim Fire and had a sheath trigger (spur trigger). Only about 6500 of the Model 1865 were made. Many, but certainly not all, were altered to the 1867 model, like this one which makes the unaltered earlier Model extremely rare and this one also very scarce as so few were made in total. This is a particularly fine example that still retains some very light and cloudy case color on the receiver sides and protected areas with the balance an uncleaned mottled gray. The barrel retains fine only lightly thinning original deep blue. The forend is excellent. The grips show some handling marks and retain the correct cartouche in the left bottom side along with a couple of faint rack numbers. The hammer and breech block also retain some of the “straw” case hardening. The top rear of the barrel has the correct anchor and inspector marks “I” over “H. E.” and the right bottom of the frame has the correct “P” over “F. C. W.” stamping along with the Remington address and patent dates ending in 1866 on the bottom left side. Rifled bore is bright and excellent. This is a very fine unaltered example of an extremely scarce U. S. N. pistol that does not show up for sale often. $2250
2) 1896 KRAG CARBINE, #69XXX, MADE 1897. This one saw military service and then civilian service. Markings are correct, action is tight, aged blue/gray patina action with fine blue on the extractor. Good aged barrel blue. Rear sight is a later Krag rifle sight (M-1902). Stock retains a faint cartouche and circle “P” stamping behind the trigger guard. Trigger guard shows fine blue. Fine handguard and correct barrel band sight protector. Bottom of the stock has the name “WALLY ROBINSON” lightly carved. Top comb of the stock has 18 kill notches neatly placed- old Wally must have been quite a hunter! Stock retains the correct saddle ring and bar. Tight action and bore has strong rifling all the way through and is just a little dark- Wally knew how to care for his rifle. These antique saddle ring Krag carbines are hard to find in any condition. $1895.
3) VERY FINE SPRINGFIELD 1899 KRAG PHILIPPING CONSTABULARY RIFLE, #228XXX, MADE 1899. These are difficult to locate. Made from 1899 Carbine barrelled actions placed in cut-down Model 1898 Krag rifle stocks, they were intended for the Philippine Island militias. Those made at Springfield Arsenal have a “J.F.C.” in a rectangle stock cartouche on the left side below the rear of the bolt- this one has this important cartouche along woith the circle “P” cartouche on the bottom of the stock behind the trigger guard. Also importantly, the muzzle of the barrel is turned down for bayonet use and the end wood is perfectly fitted with a rectangular walnut blank- Springfield did a flawless job of this which is a good way to tell if it was done by Springfield or “someone else.” Correct 1899 marked receiver and correct sling swivels. Brophy’s book on the Krag has photos showsing these in use in the Philippines. Exc. stock and handguard showing only light handling with one very thin hairline crack coming back from the magazine plate on the left side. Fine barrel blue. Even retains some good trigger guard blue. Fitted with a 1901 rifle sight and typical carbine front sight. Tight action with excellent bore. One of the better ones I’ve seen. and most seem to lack the “JFC” cartouche which this one has. $2250.
4) ROLLING BLOCK .50-70 NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT MILITARY RIFLE (see above in Rem. 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. Barrel markings are all visible. It has a carbine ladder rear sight with 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! $1795.
2) A MOST INTERESTING 1876 .45-60 FACTORY 20” OCTAGON SHORT RIFLE., #52XXX. A call to the Cody museum revealed that this rifle was originally shipped as a .45-60 with 26” octagon barrel (standard was 28”) in October 1886. However, the receiver and rear of the barrel have Winchester proof marks which were stamped on all rifles starting about 1905 AND on all rifles that were returned to the factory for any kind of work after 1905. So, it appears that this rifle was returned to Winchester where it had the barrel and magazine shortened to 20.” The replaced magazine retaining band is in the correct placement and distance from the muzzle. The notch in the bottom of the barrel for the end of the magazine appears correct with the magazine tube fitting correctly in the notch just slightly behind the muzzle as it should be. Overall blue on the receiver has uncleaned surface freckling and aging to a plum brown. The barrel similar to the receiver and retains the 1876 marked long ladder sporting sight with slide intact. The front sight base is intact but lacks the blade. Butt stock and forend show fairly heavy handling, but are not abused. Butt stock wood to metal fit is tight. The forend has some minor chipping around the forend cap which has what appears to be a factory sling swivel attached. Original dust cover intact and mellow uncleaned brass lifter marked 45-60. Sharp barrel and tang markings. Fine mechanically with strong safety half-cock, lever spring a little weak. The bore is dark with scattered pitting and visible rifling. A true “factory” oddity with a great frontier appearance. $2650.
3) RARE 1876 2ND MODEL SADDLE RING CARBINE, .45-60, #12XXX, MADE 1880. This is a fine unaltered example. The receiver is mostly gray/brown with some blue on the loading gate, saddle ring and 2nd. Model dust cover intact, fine screw heads and mellow uncleaned brass lifter. Barrel is mostly gray with fine markings and correct two leaf rear sight. Butt stock and forend show only normal light handling with tight wood to metal fit. The carbine butt plate has the trap door for cleaning rods. Tight action, strong safety half cock and surprisingly fine bore with only light scattered corrosion. The barrel and brass lifter are correctly caliber marked. These are hard to find and this is a fine 145 year old ‘76 Carbine. $4850.
4) VERY FINE 1885 2ND. MODEL HIGHWALL MUSKET IN SCARCE .22 SHORT CALIBER, #117XXX, MADE 1916. Usually, the muskets in .22 Short were of the more common Lowall variety while the Highwall muskets were typically in .22 Long Rifle. The 1st Model of these had two barrel bands while the second models have one band with 28” barrels. This is a nice example with a bright excellent bore. Many, if not most, of these were fired with corrosive ammunition and if not cleaned soon after shooting resulted in pitted bores. Also, this one has NOT been bored out to take the Long Rifle cartridge- never a good idea as the rifling twist for .22 Short will not work well with the Long Rifle bullet. The receiver shows most of the deep factory blue with only minor freckling and edge wear and upper and lower tang wear. The barrel retains fine deep blue showing only minor age. Correct rear sight is the Model 1901 Military sight as usually found on the Springfield Krag rifles and is adjustable for windage and elevation with a ladder/slide. Also, the ladder has a peep or aperture for sighting or a small buckhorn notch when folded down. Excellent stock and finger groove forend with tight wood to metal fit. Exc. screws, tight action, swivels intact etc. Great 109 year old example in the scarce .22 Short chambering. $1595.
5) SUPER RARE 1885 HIGHWALL .40-82 WITH FACTORY 36″ OCT. BARREL, FACTORY LETTER, #65XXX, MADE 1893. This is one of the most unusual and interesting 1885 Highwalls I’ve seen. According to The Winchester Handbook by George Madis, only 328 1885s were made with barrels longer than standard (standard for this caliber was 30”). There were 1,703 made in .40-82 (compared to 7,596 in .38-55; 11,174 in .32-40 and 12,641 in .32 W.C.F.). Not sure how many .40-82s were made with extra length barrels, much less 36” which was the longest offered. I wouldn’t think there were more than a few like this, at most. The .40-82 is simply the .45-90 2.4” case tapered down to accept a .40 cal. Bullet and was fairly popular in the 1886 Lever Action Rifle. This example shows fine deep only lightly aged barrel blue with sharp markings. Rear sight is a buckhorn with elevator bar intact. There is another dovetail approx. 8” ahead of the rear sight which now has a filler blank installed. Whether this was intended as a dovetail for a scope mount (like the Winchester B5 scope) or perhaps to mount a spirit level is unknown. The front sight is a blade/bead. The uncleaned receiver has aged dark with a slight trace of case color on the sides. The action is tight and the safety half-cock holds firmly. Screw heads appear unturned. Stock and forend are the classic Winchester reddish/brown and have never been sanded, refinished or even cleaned. The forend retains the ebony wedge inlay in the forend tip. Wood to metal fit is very tight. The bore is bright and excellent with only some minor scattered surface corrosion. The included Winchester/Cody letter indicates that this rifle in .40-82 with 36” octagon No.3 weight barrel was received in the warehouse on Nov. 3, 1893 and shipped the same day. A really unusual and rare nearly 133 year old Winchester and perhaps a unique Highwall. $4250
6) CUSTOM 1885 HIGH WALL SCHUETZEN .32-40 (see above in Modern section)
7) FINE 1886 TAKEDOWN .33 WCF EXTRA LIGHT WEIGHT RIFLE, #156XXX, MADE 1918. This is a fairly latte smokeless powder 1886 chambered for the standard cartridge of the time that is merely the .45-70 case necked down to take .338” bullets. Until the .348 WCF in the M-71, this was one of the most powerful lever rifle cartridges of the day. Barrel retains fine lightly thinning blue with excellent markings and is fitted with a Marble full buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and a Marble No.2 small blade/bead front sight. The receiver blue is mixing with the typical flaky/brown common of all Winchester lever actions of this time period. Still lots of good blue with excellent blue on the bolt and exc. screw heads etc. Fine wood shows only normal light handling with good wood to metal fit. Correct Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate. Tight takedown, tight action, strong safety half-cock and bright excellent sharp bore. $2250
8) VERY FINE CONDITION MODEL ‘90 IN RARE .22 LONG RIFLE CALIBER, #734XXX, MADE 1926. Why Winchester waited so long to chamber the popular .22 LR in the M-90 and then produce them on a limited basis is anyone’s guess! This is a fine example that retains about all the barrel and magazine blue with original sights and sharp markings (original .22 LR barrel NOT a “Mail-Order replacement barrel). The receiver shows only some light brown flaking which is typical for 1920s vintage receivers with excellent blue on the bolt, bottom etc. Exc. stock and forearm. Even the butt plate retains fine lightly flaking blue. Tight action and takedown, matching numbers, strong safety half-cock and bright excellent bore. One of the better ones I’ve seen in any caliber. $1595.
9) UNUSUAL CONFIGURATION SPECIAL ORDER 1892 IN DESIRABLE .44-40, TAKEDOWN, FULL OCTAGON BARREL AND HALF-MAGAZINE, #922XXX, MADE 1921. The full octagon barrel with half-mag is actually two special order features because when a half magazine was ordered it came standard with either a round or half-oct. barrel. A full octagon barrel matched with a half-magazine is a rarity. This rifle retains fine blue on the barrel and mag. tube showing only light wear. The receiver has mostly flaked to gray with some flaking blue on the left side- typical of rifles of this vintage as the case hardening/blueing process changed and the blue flaked rapidly on guns made during this time. Stock and forearm generally excellent with light handling mainly on the forearm and tight wood to metal fit. Tight takedown, tight action with strong safety half-cock and MINTY BRIGHT BORE! An interesting and rare takedown variation in a hard to find caliber. $2950.
10) HIGH CONDITION 1892 .32-20 OCTAGON RIFLE, #726XXX , MADE 1913. A really excellent example that retains nearly all the deep receiver blue with only a little thinning/browning on the bottom of the receiver and a touch of flaking on the bolt. Even the upper tang retains fine blue. The barrel and mag tube also retain nearly all the blue with a few very minor spots of freckling. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and small Winchester blade front sight. Exc. markings, exc. screw heads, tight action and strong safety half-cock. Still some good case colors on the lever sides and hammer back. Bright excellent bore. Exc. stock and forend showing the most minor of surface handling only and tight wood to metal fit. Getting very hard to find in this condition. A superior 112 year old 1892. $2650
11) EXCELLENT CONDITION 1892 OCT. RIFLE, .25-20, #930XXX, MADE 1923. Usually these 1920s vintage 1892s/1894s have silvered receivers where the blue flaked because of a new case hardening process used at this time. This example shows most of the original blue with only some fairly minor areas of flaking to brown- mainly on the bolt and lower edge of the receiver on the right side and scattered areas too minor to describe. Screw heads are excellent and appear untouched. The barrel and mag retain nearly all the deep blue. Even the forend cap has good blue as does the upper tang. Exc. markings, exc. stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit- the stock has some better than standard grain on the right side. Tight action, strong safety half-cock and exc. sharp bore. A very fine 102 year old Model 1892. $2350
12) BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM WINCHESTER MODEL 1892 WITH NEW HALF OCTAGON BARREL IN .256 WIN. MAG. CALIBER. (The .256 Win. Mag. case is simply the .357 magnum necked to take standard .257″ bullets. Cases are easily formed.) The receiver on this rifle is in the 1005XXX range showing a production date of 1940. So, this was either one of the last Model ‘92s or a Model 53. the action retains nearly all the original Winchester blue aside from some very minor thinning on the bottom and a very little flaking on the bottom of the lever. Screws are excellent and the Winchester proof mark on the receiver ring is sharp and clear. The 24” half octagon barrel with half-magazine is unmarked and there is no rear sight dovetail. The receiver is fitted with a Marble tang sight paired with a Marble “Sheard” marked blade/long brass front sight. The barrel and forend cap retain all the deep blue. Crescent butt stock shows very tight wood to metal fit, is in excellent condition and is fitted with a steel case colored crescent butt plate. Similarly, the forend is excellent. Action is tight, safety half-cock is strong and the bore is minty bright. The “cool factor” on this one is off the charts and has the appearance of a brand new special order ‘92 made by Winchester. $2750.
13) LATE PRODUCTION VERY FINE 1892 .44-40 SADDLE RING CARBINE, #979XXX, MADE 1929. Most of these late guns were in small calibers with the .44-40 scarce. Production was also very small as the updated Model 53 was replacing the Model 1892 rifles and carbines. In 1927 there were almost 19,000 1892s made. In 1929 only 2,720 were made and by 1930 production dropped to only 491! Winchester lever guns made during this time used a different case hardening process on the receivers that caused the blue to flake to silver rapidly. Typically, the blue turns to a plum color, then brown, then flakes to silver. This example, made the year of the Great Stock Market Crash, shows fine receiver blue that is mixing with plum. There is some brown on the edges and receiver bottom with a good portion of brighter blue in the more protected areas and on the bolt. Importantly, there is almost no flaking to silver. The barrel and magazine retain deep blue with excellent correct late style markings and the correct carbine ladder rear sight with slide intact. Walnut stock and forend are excellent with only the most minor of handling. Tight action, strong safety half-cock and bright bore with any corrosion very surface and scattered. Overall a really rare and fine condition 97 year old ‘92 saddle ring carbine in the most desirable caliber. $3250.
14) SCARCE CONFIGURATION SPECIAL ORDER 1894, .30 WCF, HALF-OCTAGON/FULL MAGAZINE, #880XXX, MADE 1918. This rifle actually has two special order features aside from the takedown feature. When a rifle was ordered with half-oct. Barrel it came standard with a half- magazine. A full magazine with half-oct. Barrel was a special request and few were so ordered. This example, made the year World War I ended, retains fine deep blue on the barrel and magazine with only some usual wear on the magazine by the takedown lever and by the magazine retaining band. The receiver blue has aged to an attractive uncleaned gray/brown with good blue on the loading gate and excellent screw heads. Tight takedown, original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and blade/bead front sight. It is also fitted with the rare and desirable Lyman lever locking folding tang sight with calibrated windage aperture. Stock and forearm are excellent showing the lightest of handling. Tight action with strong safety half-cock, strong hammer spring and excellent sharp bore. A most unusual 108 year old takedown 1894 with a very scarce features and rare tang sight. $2395
15) SPECIAL ORDER 1894 CARBINE, 2/3 MAGAZINE, SHOTGUN BUTT, .30 WCF, #891XXX, MADE 1919. This one is considered an “Eastern Carbine” as it was also special ordered without a saddle ring. It is unusual to find any special order features on carbines with probably the most common being a half-magazine or “button” magazine that ends just past the forend. This one has the seldom seen 2/3 magazine that extends about 3 1/4″ past the forend tip. Shotgun butt plates are also a rare special order feature on carbines. The receiver is mostly silver/gray with fine tang markings and good blue on the loading gate. Similarly, the barrel is mostly gray with fine markings and some blue in the most protected areas. It is fitted with the correct carbine ladder rear sight with slide intact. The mag tube retains good lightly aged blue. The stock is fitted with a Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate and the wood is an uncleaned dark color that a proper cleaning would probably reveal some higher than standard grade walnut that was often used on special order guns. both stock and forend show only light handling with tight wood to metal fit. Screw heads are excellent, tight action, strong safety half-cock and exc. sharp bore. A true 107 year old Model 1894 rarity. $1795.
16) SPECIAL ORDER 1894 .32-40 ROUND BARREL HALF MAG. RIFLE, #180XXX, MADE 1903. It is a little known fact that a number of early riflemen knew that rifles with half magazines tended to be more accurate than those with full mags. This is because a full length magazine loaded with cartridges hanging off the bottom of the barrel changed the “harmonics” of the barrel with each shot as the weight changed with the movement/reduction of cartridges. Interestingly, Theodore Roosevelt who was a very savvy rifleman ordered almost all of his Winchesters with half magazines. This example in scarce .32-40 caliber shows some good aged blue mainly on the left rear of the receiver panel and on the loading gate with the balance aged to mainly brown. Similarly, the barrel blue has thinned and is now mainly an aged brown. Markings are excellent, fitted with a buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and small blade/bead Lyman front sight patent marked October 6, ’95. Stock is fine with some staining around the butt plate and light handling marks only. The forend shows very light handling. Tight action with strong safety half-cock. Bore is only a little dark without pitting and good rifling. An interesting 122 year old 1894 in a very scarce caliber. $1395.
17) SPECIAL ORDER 1894 .32-40 OCT. RIFLE WITH CLOSE-COUPLE DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS, #561XXX MADE 1912. The .32-40 was the least produced caliber in the Model 1894. By the time this rifle was made the .32-40 was fairly obsolete, being replaced by the .30WCF and .32 W.S. cartridges. The close-coupled double set triggers is rarely found on this model. It functions with the rear trigger being pushed forward to set the front trigger for a very light let-off. It retains the small adjustment screw to set the trigger pull weight. The front trigger also has a light, crisp trigger pull without being set. The receiver on this one has flaked to mainly gray with some aged blue and good blue on the loading gate. Screw heads look unturned. The barrel and mag tube show excellent deep blue with some light scratches and very minor dings to the bottom of the mag tube behind the retaining band. Exc. markings, buckhorn rear sight retains the elevator bar and has a small screw secured slide for fine elevation on the rear face, Marble No.2 ivory bead front sight. Wood is excellent with tight wood to metal fit and one tiny hairline crack beginning on the right side back slightly from the receiver. Tight action, strong safety half-cock and bright excellent bore. A truly scarce combination of set triggers with .32-40 caliber. Manufactured the year the Titanic sank! $1950.
18) VERY FINE 1895 .30-40 KRAG CALIBER RIFLE, #37XXX, MADE 1902. Great condition for a 123 year old M-1895, this one shows most of the blue on the receiver and bolt with only some light thinning mainly on the right side and edge wear. The 28” barrel retains most of the blue with buckhorn rear sight and elevator bar intact with small factory blade front sight in correct boss. Exc. stock and forend. Retains the ebony wedge in the forend tip. Tight wood to metal fit, exc. screws and markings. Tight action, strong safety half-cock, and exc. bore that is only a little dark, but not pitted. Getting hard to find this nice. $2750.
19) 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, $795.
20) EXCEPTIONAL EARLY MODEL 53 .25-20 SOLID FRAME RIFLE, #9XXX, MADE 1926. This “modernized” version of the Model 1892 was introduced in 1924 and discontinued because of the difficult economic conditions of the Great Depression in 1932. The M-53 featured a 22” barrel with half magazine and shotgun butt with serrated steel butt plate. The standard caliber was .25-20. This is one of the nicest examples I’ve offered in a long time. It retains most of the deep receiver blue with only some light flaking on the left side bottom forward section and some light blue thinning on the receiver bottom. Even the upper tang, lever and forend cap show good blue. The barrel shows about all the original blue. Exc. markings and screw heads. Original buckhorn rear sight with elevation bar intact and correct original short ramped front blade/bead sight. Near perfect stock and forend, tight action, strong safety half-cock, and minty bright bore. Receiver blue of this vintage Winchester lever guns typically flaked quickly and finding one with this much blue is a rarity. $2450
21) LATE MODEL 63 .22 LR AUTO RIFLE WITH GROOVED RECEIVER TOP, #159XXX, MADE 1957. Only the last manufactured Model 63s had grooved receiver tops for scope mounting and they are difficult to find. This one shows some use, but is still in fine condition. The receiver and barrel retain most of the original blue with only some very minor spotting/wear. All markings are excellent. The rear sight is the original buckhorn with elevator bar intact and the front sight is a replacement blade/bead that did not appear to alter the dovetail. The stock and forend show some handling marks and there is a chip repair at the toe of the butt stock that looks to be the original walnut that chipped out being put back. Tight action, safety functions properly and the bore is bright and excellent. Probably the finest .22 LR auto rifle ever produced… if not the finest, certainly the classiest! $1100.
22) EARLY GREAT DEPRESSION ERA PRODUCTION MODEL 64, .32 WIN. SPECIAL, #1097XXX, MADE 1935. The Model 64 was introduced during the worst year of the Great Depression in 1933. Production was limited, but quality was high because only the finest craftsmen remained at Winchester during these difficult economic times. The .30WCF was considered the standard caliber for this model with the .32 WS made in lesser quantities. This example was obviously carried at the balance point of the receiver as the blue has worn/flaked to a mainly gray with good blue in the protected areas like the rear edge, loading gate and bolt. The barrel and magazine retain good, even lightly thinning blue. Buckhorn rear sight has the elevation bar and the front sight retains the hood. Excellent very dark and attractive reddish/brown walnut with tight wood to metal fit and almost no handling marks. Tight mechanically, strong safety half-cock, excellent screw heads, and minty bright bore. $1195.
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