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 7/17/25. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH JULY.
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) 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 backm 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. $2850.
2) FINE CONDITION BISLEY .32-20, 5 1/2″ BARREL, #229XXX, MADE 1902. Fine example that has that untouched/unmessed look. All screw heads look unturned, which means a lot on these. The cylinder shows most of the blue with some dulling from age and a little edge wear. Barrel shows bright blue on the top, bottom and right side that is protected by the ejector housing with the left side showing gray from holster wear as does the outside of the ejector housing with some light brown staining. Good blue on the butt, inner portions of the trigger guard and upper grip strap sides and around the hammer. Grips fit nicely and show only very light, if any, real wear. Front sight is not altered. The right side of the frame shows light/faint case color with the left side showing color ahead of the cylinder and on both sides of the recoil shield by the hammer. Exc. markings, matching numbers, four distinct clicks to the hammer and exc. bore. A 123 year old Bisley that was obviously lightly used and well taken care of. $2495.
3) HIGH CONDITION 1877 .38DA LIGHTNING REVOLVER, 4 1/2″ WITH EJECTOR, #104XXX, FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED 1896. Hard to find blue and case color antique Lightnings in this condition. This example with the desirable ejector housing shows most of the original blue on the barrel with only some thinning on the left side toward the muzzle. Similarly, the ejector housing shows bright blue with light thinning only on the outside edge. The blued sides show strong blue with some thinning to gray one the grip straps. The cylinder shows most of the blue with minor thinning. Fine light case color on the frame sides and top strap with more vivid clor in the protected aras. Exc. screws, exc. mech. and minty bright bore. Grips show light wear only. Colt factory letter shows the above features and indicates shipment to Simmons Hardware Company, St. Louis, MO on Oct. 27, 1896 with this being a 10 gun shipment. Clearly much better than usually encountered with an antique Pre-1899 serial number and date of manufacture. $2450.
4) 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. $2250.
5) VERY EARLY NEW SERVICE TARGET .455 ELEY/.45 COLT CALIBER, #13XXX, MADE 1905. This is an interesting Colt as it is English proofed on the barrel, frame and cylinder. The barrel is marked “NEW SERVICE 455 Eley” with the cylinder obviously bored out to take the longer .45 Colt cartridge- very common with these. The serial number in the frame and yoke/crane has been “punch-dotted” out with some of the numerals visible and another number stamped above the original number (172XXX) which may be an order number or some kind of rack/badge number. Many Colt New Service standard and target models ended up in Canada. Early Royal Canadian Mounted Police New Services were in .455 with later ones being factory .45 Colts. Th is one may have been returned to Colt for the rechambering as there is a tiny “&” inside where the frame serial number is indicating it was sent back to Colt for work. The original grips have the 13XXX number clearly marked inside. Overall fine condition showing holster and handling wear with some age. The barrel has clear Colt address markings and early patent dates ending in 1900 and the frame has the early round “COLT’S NEW SERVICE” rampant colt stamping on the left side. The frame shows fine deep high polish blue with some edge wear mainly on the right side top edge. The cylinder shows fine blue mit nnh minor wear. The barrel blue is mixing with brown and there is fine blue on the bottom of the trigger guard and butt. Checkered back strap, front strap and trigger. Good fire blue on the hammer back. Fleur-de-lis checkered walnut grips show handling and some very light/shallow dings/chips at the lower edge. Exc. bright bore, exc. screw heads, very tight action with no play in the cylinder or end shake. Good chance this one eventually went into World War I as officers were required to supply their own sidearms. Lots of history in this classy and rare 120 year old Colt! $1695.
6) 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. $1195.
7) 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.
8) SCARCE, MINTY CONDITION COBRA .22 LONG RIFLE CHAMBERING, 3″ BARREL, #109XXX LW, MADE 1961. The Cobra with .22 LR came standard with a 3″ barrel and was only catalogued from 1957-1968. The relatively new book SEVEN SERPENTS The History of Colt’s Snake Guns, by Gurney Brown has the Cobra ranked from 1 – 5 in rarity with 1 the most common and 5 the most rare. He lists the .22 LR version as a “4.” Not sure how many were made, but the number was limited as they seldom show up. This one appears about unused and in about new condition. You’d have to look carefully to find a smudge of blue wear on the rear of the cylinder from the gun lying on its side in a drawer! The front of the cylinder has about all the blue indicating it was rarely if ever shot. Only possibility of a better example would be one new in the box. $1395.
9) HISTORIC, EARLY WESTERN SHIPPED 1903 POCKET HAMMER AUTO PISTOL, .38ACP, #20XXX, SHIPPED SEPTEMBER 17, 1906 TO BROWNING BROTHERS, ODGED, UTAH. John Browning designed these early slab-sided auto pistols and a number of them were shipped to him to fsell out of their family store. There’s a good chance John Browning hinself handlid this one! Really fine condition inisde and out. Retains nearly all the blue with some edge wear and dulling from age mainly on the forward portion of the left side of the slide. Top of the slide shows excellent bright blue as does most of the right side and the rear 2/3 of the left side. Even the grip straps show good very lightly thinning blue. Exc. correct markings including the early 1897 patent date. Exc. Colt embossed hard rubber grips and correct original magazine that is unmarked on the bottom- the earliest production are marked with the 1884 patent date and then magazines were unmarked until 1916 when they were again marked. This early pistol also has the correct round “stub” hammer. Unaltered sights, mechanically tight and bright exc. bore, strong safety half-cock. This exact serial number and shipping destination is listed in Goddard’s book THE GOVERNMENT MODELS, a copy of which goes with this auto pistol. A great find! $1795.
10) EXCEPTIONAL 1917 U.S. ARMY .45 ACP NEW SERVICE REVOLVER WITH HOLSTER, #169XXX/U.S. ARMY No. 17XXX. This example shows all the original brushed blue finish with only the grip straps showing thinning blue to gray and a little wear on the butt from the original lanyard swivel. All correct markings including the impmortant “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” stamping under the barrel (often ground off when these were released by the government). Exc. smooth walnut grips, unaltered front sight, nice fire blue on the hammer back and trigger, tight action and bright bore. The original U.S. flap holster is in excellent condition with strong stitching and retains the brass ring at the bottom. It is marked “G & K” over “1917” on the back or the belt loop. A truly fine set from World War I. $1595. (NOTE: light reflection off “brush finish” in photo- it is full blue)
MARLIN (click text for photos).
1) CLASSIC MODEL 1893 OCTAGON RIFLE IN SCARCE .32-40 CALIBER, #272XXX, MADE 1903. This one has the desirable “SPECIAL SMOKELESS STEEL” barrel marking (many of these .32-40s have the less desirable “BLACK POWDER” barrel stamping). This example is typical of guns described as “attic condition” as it appears to have not been cleaned or messed with in decades. The barrel blue has aged and darkened with sharp markings, original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and Rocky Mountain blade front sight. The receiver has also aged dark. Some very old and surface evidence of rust on the receiver that was wiped off years ago and some similar on the forward left of the barrel that hasn’t been wiped off- minor. Mag tube mostly brown. Fine stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit shows normal handling with no abuse and a century of uncleaned grime over what might prove to be attractive grain in the butt stock. Tight action with strong safety half-cock. Exc. bore is only a little dark. These are surprisingly difficult to find, especially in this caliber. Nice 122 year old Marlin. $1295.
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 1894CB “COWBOY LIMITED” .45 COLT CALIBER, 20″ OCTAGON BARREL, #93238627, MADE IN NORTH HAVEN, CT IN 2007. Like all the JM marked Cowboy Limited octagon barrel rifles, these are rapidly gaining value and are increasingly hard to find. This example has seen almost no use and is in near new condition inside and out. It also has fancier grained walnut in the butt stock than usually seen. These handle incredibly well. $1295.
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 receivere “.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. $3250.
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. $395.
3) HIGH CONDITION STEVENS .22 LONG RIFLE, RELIABLE POCKET RIFLE No. 42, SECOND ISSUE, #43XXX. Only about 8,000 of these small frame pocket rifles were made from 1896-1916. They were numbered along with the popular non-shoulder stocked No. 43 Diamond pistol of which 70,000 were made in the 26000-100000 range. This would make this example a very early production pocket rifle. Only made with 10″ part octagon barrel and sliding shoulder stock with no locking screw. Most of these are now found lacking the stock. This one has the correct matching number stock. Overall, superb condition for one of these small firearms that found favor with trappers and outdoorsman who needed an accurate .22LR pistol/rifle. When found today, this model is usually in hard used, hard carried condition. This one retains about all the nickel on the frame and shoulder stock. The barrel also retains nearly all the blue with only some light thinning/ageing. Original buckhorn rear sight with small blade/bead front sight. Exc. markings, exc. grips, hammer and most of the screws still retain good blue. Bright excellent bore (!) and mechanically tight. Would be difficult to improve upon.$1295.
4) 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! $495.
5) SCARCE AND DESIRABLE MAUSER MS420 MAGAZINE FED .22 LR BOLT ACTION SPORTER, #100XXX, MADE BETWEEN WORLD WAR I AND WORLD WAR II. This is a much more scarce rifle than the similar ES340 single shot rifle. A high condition example fitted with a J Unertl 4X Hawk scope in lever quick detach rings secured in the grooved receiver top. Rings/mount made with an aperture to view through to use the iron sights. Retains the factory tangent rear sight with ramped front sight. Excellent stock with higher than standard grade walnut and very sharp Mauser cartouche on the right side. Retains nearly all the blue with maybe a little wear to the bolt handle and slight edge wear on the trigger guard etc. All numbers match on the barrel, receiver, bolt and floor plate. Correct barrel mounted sling swivel and one in the butt stock- looks like it may have pulled out of the stock at some point and the original hole was professionally filled with the simple swivel screwed in ahead of the filled hole. Tight action, original magazine, minty bright bore and excellent optics in the scope with fine cross hair. Overall, the quality one would expect from Mauser between the World Wars! $1395.
6) VERY FINE CONDITION BALLARD No. 5 PACIFIC MODEL IN DESIRABLE .45-70 CALIBER, #20XXX, MADE EARLY 1880s. This is a Marlin Firearms marked rifle. These were marked this way from 1881-1891 with serial numbers starting around 17000 and ending around 40000. The 30″ octagon barrel is correctly stamped “45 Govt” with the correct Marlin markings on the side of the receiver. Importantly, the barrel and forend numbers match with the receiver. The receiver sides and octagon top retain fine light case color that is fading, but still very visible. There is also some color on the bottom by the serial number and on top behind the hammer. It is rare to find any case color remaining on these large caliber frontier rifles. The barrel also shows fine deep blue with some normal age dulling. Buckhorn rear sight only needs the elevator bar. Front sight is a correct Rocky Mountain blade. Fine wood has not been sanded or re-finished and shows the usual barely visible hairling cracks coming back from the receiver for an inch or so- you have to look carefully to see this. The forend shows only normal handling with the beginnings of a crack on the top left front that comes back for a couple inches or so- minor. Has the brass tipped and ended wiping rod held with two thimbles under the barrel, double set triggers function correctly and have the adjustment screw intact. Strong safety half-cock and fairly bright excellent bore with strong rifling all the way through! These .45-70 Pacific rifles almost universally went West and saw hard use. Very hard to find one this fine. $3850.
7) SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 CARBINE, .50-70 CONVERSION OF 1867/68. One of the most historical guns of the Civil War/Frontier era, these Sharps Breech Loading Carbines started out as .52 caliber percussion casrbines issued to the Union forces during the Civil War. Almost all of them saw heavy service in that conflict and many were captured by the Confederacy and used on that side. After the Civil War, they were returned to Sharps for re-furbishing and converting to .50-70 cartridge. They were then re-issued to the Post-Civil War cavalry for the Indian Wars. They were finally replaced with the famed 1873 .45-70 Trapdoor Springfield rifle and carbine. At this point, many were sold as surplus to Frontiersmen and hunters heading West. Civil War, Indian Wars and Frontier service history all wrapped up in one carbine! This example shows honest use, but no abuse. The metal surfaces have aged dark with the barrel blue intact but aged. Good Sharps markings on the receiver along with the “New Model” stamping on the barrel ahead of the receiver ring. Stock and forend show normal use, but are solid and without chips or cracks. Sling ring is intact as is the original Lawrence ladder rear sight with elevation slide. Lever latch functions correctly, tight action, strong safety half-cock and bright exc. bore with only a hint of corrosion ahead of the chamber that might simply brush out. This is a really nice, unfooled with example with a great appearance. $2850.
8) REMINGTON .50-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE, NEW YORK STATE ROLLING BLOCK (see below in Remington section)
9) REMINGTON 1871 U.S. ARMY ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL, .50 CAL. (see below in Remington section)
MODERN AND OUT OF PRODUCTION COLLECTOR FIREARMS (click text for photos)
1) VERY EARLY BELGIAN BROWNING “NOMAD” .22 LR AUTO PISTOL WITH ALUMINUM FRAME, #26XXXP3, MADE 2ND YEAR OF PRODUCTION IN 1963. Introduced in 1962, the Nomad pistol was made with an aluminum frame. This lasted only through 1965 afterwhich the frame was changed to steel until the model was discontinued in 1974. The early ones like this are hard to find and usually have seen a lot of use. This example with desirable 6 3/4″ barrel is basically like new with correct Browning marked magazine. All it needs is a box! Great Belgian Browning quality from the early 1960s. $695.
REMINGTON (click text for photos)
1) SELDOM SEEN .50-70 ROLLING BLOCK SADDLE RING CARBINE, NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT, MADE 1873. Only 1500 of these were made for the state of New York for cavalry use. Some were used for riot control in New York City in the latter part of the 1800s. There is good information on these with lots of history in George Layman’s book on Rolling Block Military Rifles and Carbines. In 1899 all of these NY Carbines were sold to Bannerman’s as surplus. With so few made, they rarely show up now. This is one of the best I’ve seen. The receiver retains faded dark case color and the barrel shows fine aged blue. Markings are sharp on the upper tang and there is faint but visible stock cartouche on the wrist. It retains the correct short leaf rear sight and the saddle ring and bar are intact. Wood is dark and excellent showing no signs of sanding or refinishing. Tight action and exc. bright bore. One of the few American Rolling Block military carbines. $2450.
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 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 excellet 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. $1295.
3) VERY FINE CONDITION MODEL 1871 U.S. ARMY ROLLING BLOCK .50 CALIBER PISTOL, MADE 1871-1872. This was a time in history when cartridge handguns were beginning to appear. S&W held the patent for the bored through cylinder for revolvers and was able to get a contract from the government for 1,000 .44 cal. American top break revolvers for trial purposes. At the same time, Remington came out with this single shot .50 Center Fire single shot model of which the government contracted for 5,000. All of this came to a halt when Colt introduced the famed Single Action Army in 1873. That was hard for anyone to compete with! (Remington also made 900 of this model for civilian sales- these lack the government inspector proof marks.) This example has the correct “P” and “S” proof on the left side of the receiver and sharp script “CRS” cartouche in the left side of the grips. The frame retains fine lightly faded case colors with correct good “straw” color on the hammer and breech block. The barrel shows fine deep blue with only light age. Corrrect front sight with the rear sight being a notch cut in the top of the breech block. Exc. walnut forend and fine grips with only minor handling marks. Exc. markings and screws, tight action and minty bright bore. Many of these were later gunsmith converted into plinkers, sporting pistols and target pistols with unaltered examples hard to find in any condition. This is a fine one. $2850.
4) HIGH CONDITION SPECIAL ORDER MODEL 30-S EXPRESS DELUXE BOLT ACTION RIFLE, .30-06, #28XXX, MADE 1930S. The Model 30 series was Remington’s first high power modern bolt action sporting rifle. The Model 30-S was the deluxe version introduced in the 1930s during the Great Depression with limited production. The “S” version had upgraded and checkered wood. It also was “modernized” with cocking on lifting the bolt. Most Model 30-S rifles were fitted with Lyman receiver sights and all were drilled and tapped for this sight. This rifle has a beautifully machined “quarter rib” that is about 4 1/2″ long and fitted perfectly to the barrel contour leading toward the receiver ring. It is dovetailed and fitted with a buckhorn rear sight with ramped blade/bead front sight. It does not appear a Lyman receiver sight was ever fitted to this rifle and there is no “cut-out” in the stock where it is fitted on the right side just ahead of the bolt. The barrel and receiver retains most of the original blue with exc. markings on the barrel and receiver. Even the floor plate and trigger guard show exc. blue. The quarter rib and barrel show about all the blue with only some wear/flaking at the front barrel band front sight. Still has the original steel Remington marked butt plate (these often replaced with recoil pads). Has the correct Remington embossed pistol grip cap, sharp checkering, correct sling swivel studs, tight action and exc bore. All Model 30 Remingtons are hard to find with the deluxe Model 30-S especially so. Never drilled for a scope, this one is exceptional. $1595.
5) RARE MODEL 25R CARBINE, .32-20 CAL. #15xxx, MADE 1923-1935. The standard Model 25 rifle has a 24” barrel with pistol grip and usually a crescent butt plate, while the carbine version has a 17 ¾” barrel (often erroneously stated as having an 18” barrel in some books), straight stock and shotgun butt plate. Almost all the Model 25R carbines I’ve seen over the years have been in very hard used and often abused condition. Carbines typically came with hook-eye swivels in the butt stock and on the mag. retaining band. The swivels on this one have been removed, but shouldn’t be too difficult to replace. The butt stock is of a much fancier than standard piece of walnut and is in excellent condition and has a Remington marked hard rubber shotgun butt plate. The forend is excellent. The receiver shows fine blue overall with light wear ad a tinge of plum starting to mix from age. The barrel also shows most of the original deep blue with the short mag tube mixing heavily with brown. Excellent markings overall. Redfield buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar and typical small blade/bead front sight. The bore is minty breight. Tight action. Most of these Model 25s are in .25-20. A carbine in .32-20 is a very difficult Remington to find. $1695.
6) MODEL 51 .380 HAMMERLESS AUTO PISTOL, #46XXX, ONLY MADE 1918-1934. Considered one of the best of the pocket autos of the time, the Model 51 was particularly thin and carried well in a pocket of holster. Like the Colt, it featured a grip safety as well as a manual safety lever. This is a fine example that retains most of the blue wth some dulling from age on the grip straps with some very light edge wear. Fine Remington UMC checkered hard rubber grips (the left grip starting to age a little brown). All sharp markings, functions corrrectly with both safeties working. Correct .380 markd magazine. Exc. bright and sharp bore. $795.
7) CLASSIC “GAMEMASTER” MODEL 141 PUMP RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .35 REMINGTON CALIBER, #67XXX, MADE 1949. This one is in about as new condition as one could hope to find unless it was new in the box. Regains nearly all the factory blue on the receiver and barrel etc. Even the metal butt plate retains most of the blue/black color. The receiver top is drilled and tapped and this one still has the filler screws. Tight action, exc. wood, bright bore, mechanically excellent etc. etc. Solid walnut and blued steel from a bygone early post World War II era… hard to beat! $995.
RUGER (click text for photo),
1) SCARCE NEW MODEL SINGLE SIX BISLEY FLAT TOP IN .32 H&R MAGNUM, 6 1/2″, #650-16XXX, MADE 1985. Long discontinued and very hard to find, these are really great sixguns. This example is as close to new as you could hope to find without being new in the box. 40 years old and hardly a mark or cylinder drag line. $895.
2) STAINLESS STEEL NEW MODEL SINGLE SIX, .22 LR, 6 1/2″ BARREL, #262-05XXX, MADE 1989. About as fine a .22LR Single Action as ever made. Rugged and accurate with adjustable sights, hard to beat! This one shows little to no real use. $575.
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) 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.
2) TRULY UNIQUE SHILOH SHARPS OFFERING! EARLY 30″ FULL ROUND BULL BARREL, 13 1/2 LB. .45-120 (3 1/4″ CASE), SPORTER. This is the first full round “Bull Barrel” Shiloh I have seen. The straight, non-tapered barrel has the correct early Shiloh markings including the “OLD RELIABLE” stamping and measures 1 1/4″ at the muzzle. This one was made about 1979/1980. The rifle features a dense reddish/brown walnut pistol grip stock with slightly curved case colored steel butt plate and schnable forend tip. The caliber stamping is in the old traditional Sharps style of “CALIBRE .45” over “3 1/4.” It is fitted with a C. Sharps marked long range vernier tang sight with elevation and windage adjustments and a globe with pinhead front sight and double set triggers. This rifle as seen little to any real use and appears near new. The weight will certainly absorb a lot of recoil! Probably a one-of-a-kind Shiloh made in the original factory at Farmingdale, NY. Some 1979/80 dated paperwork on this rifle is included. $3750.
3) PEDERSOLI 20 GA. SIDE BY SIDE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN. These are finely crafted doubles made in Italy and feature an English style straiSTAINLESS STEEL NEW MODEL SINGLE SIX, .22 LR, 6 1/2″ BARREL, #262-05XXX, MADE 1989roght-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 safty half-cock and full cock with double triggers. This one is about like new and appears to have seen no use. Midway U.S.A. has these in their catalog for $2054. My price on this one $1495.
4) SCARCE JONATHAN BROWNING PERCUSSION MOUNTAIN RIFLE IS DIFFICULT TO LOCATE .45 CALIBER. These were made in the late 1970s in the U.S.A. They were offered in brass mounted or iron mounted and in calibers .45, .50 and .54. Of these the iron mounted .45 is the least encountered. Often overlooked, the .45 caliber is a great target and small game muzzle loader using a round ball- easy on powder and lead with little to no recoil. Or, use any one of a number of muzzle loading bullets and a hefty charge of black powder (or black powder substitute) and you can equal the power of the .45-70; .45-90 or .45-110 buffalo cartridge. This iron mounted example is in excellent condition and appears to have seen very little if any use. It features a single set trigger, a30″ oct. barrel, djustable rear sight, walnut stock with cheek piece, Hawken style trigger guard and heavy iron butt plate. All iron parts and barrel traditionally browned. It also has the distinctive “sheeps horn curled” bolster where the nipple fits. Exc. bore and wood. Tough to find. These are great quality. $1150.
5) COLLECTION OF SIX (6) THOMPSON-CENTER PERCUSSION RIFLES. No longer produced and all made in the U.S.A. Great quality. All have original adjustable sights, show light use and have excellent bores. (click here for photos)
1) Renegade, .54 caliber, #7XXX, double set triggers, very light use. $495.
2) Renegade .50 caliber, #318XXX, double set triggers, some minor rust around the nipple, normal light use overall, $395.
3) Hawken in scarce .45 caliber, #35XXX, (great for round ball target and small game or put a bullet in it and equall a .45-70 or .45-90), double set triggers, patch box, brass mountings, very lightly used, $695.
4) Seneca .36 caliber, #56XXX, hard to find model and calibe,r, double set triggers, brass mountings, patch box, very lightly used, $695
5) Rare Left Hand New Englander .50 caliber, #99XXX, single trigger, 26″ round barrel, a very seldom seen hunting model especially rare in left hand configuration, appears about new. $695.
6) Scarce Left Hand Renegade, .50 caliber, #L4XXX, double set triggers, very lightly used, $550.
SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)
1) NEW IN ORIGINAL BOX .32 DOUBLE ACTION 4TH MODEL, 3 1/2″ NICKEL FINISH, #263XXX, MADE 1883-1909. Serial numbers ran from 43406-282999, so I assume this one was made in the last few years of production (1906-1909). Simply minty condition inside and out. Box is excellent with good corners and no splits, correct full end label showing nickel finish, 3 1/2″ barrel etc. Bottom of the box still retains a couple of the numbers penciled in that match this revolver. Looks like someone bought this revolver nearly 120 years ago and stored it away! Truly an amazing find! $1295.
2) EXCEPTIONALLY RARE EARLY 6″ TARGET MODEL .32 HAND-EJECTOR MODEL OF 1903, #13XXX, ONLY MADE 1903-1904. This .32 S&W Long caliber model was the first .32 Hand-Ejector revolver made with the “modern” cylinder latch that is used today. Only 196 of these earliest Hand Ejector revolvers were made as Target Models with adjustable sights. An excellent revolver that would have to be considered one of the most rare of all the Smith & Wesson Hand-Ejectors. This one retains nearly all the high polish blue with only minor thinning and some slight edge wear with the beginnings of light flaking on the side plate- minor. Matching numbers on the frame, cylinder and barrel. Good light case colors on the hammer and trigger. Correct hard rubber grips, exc. screws and markings. Exc. very tight action and lock-up with bright exc. bore. $2450.
3) UNALTERED .455 HAND EJECTOR 2ND. MODEL, BRITISH PROOFED FOR WORLD WAR I, #59XXX. These were a special run of commercial 2nd. Model Hand Ejectors for the British government from 1915-1917. Most found today have been altered to fire the .45 Colt or .45 Auto Rim cartridge and are easy to spot as the rear face of the cylinder has been ground down and no longer displays the serial number. This example is still in the original .455 caliber and shows all the correct British proofs on the barrrel, frame and by each chamber of the cylinder. Also, it has the correct tiny stamping “NOT ENGLISH MAKE” on the barrel and frame. Many of these saw hard use in the trenches and are found in poor condition or refinished. This example shows fine deep original blue with wear mainly to the forward portion of the barrel sides, top strap and some light thinning on the back strap. The front sight has not been altered and it has the correct barrel markings with the last patent date of 1906. Good case color on the hammer and trigger showing a little wear. Correct diamond checkered grips with deep-dish gold S&W medallions fit perfectly and show only normal light wear. Lanyard ring in butt intact, matching numbers on the frame, barrel and cylinder. Action is extremely tight with almost no cylinder play. Bore is minty. A fine piece of World War I history! $1195.
4) ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT OF THE PRE-WAR MODELS TO OBTAIN IS THIS .22 LR 4″ KITGUN, #529XXX. These were introduced during the middle of the Great Depression in 1935 and discontinued in 1941. They fall in the serial range of 525670-536684. Made on the .32 caliber “I” frame and have adjustable sights, small S&W logo on the left side and serial number on the frontstrap to be seen with the extension-type S&W medallion walnut grips that extend over the butt. This is one of the finest examples I’ve seen. It has all matching numbers on the frame, cylinder, barrel and stamped inside the grips. Retains about all the original blue with only slight edge wear (mainly to the front of the cylinder) and a smudge of wear at the muzzle on each side. Grips are excellent with sharp checkering, tight action and bright bore. Even the front face of the cylinder has about all the blue indicating that this revolver was rarely if ever shot. You can look for one of these for years and never find one! This is a beauty. $2450.
5) RARE TARGET SIGHTED .32-20 HAND-EJECTOR MODEL OF 1905, 4TH CHANGE, #85XXX, MADE PRE-1920. These were made from 1915-1940 with serial numbers running 65701-144784. That probably puts this one in the late 1910s. Target Model 32-20s are hard to find and this one is in excellent condition. Correct non-medallion checkered walnut grips fit perfectly, exc. blue throughout with only some light wear/age on the barrel sides and on some of the cylinder- minor. Even the grip straps and top strap retain nearly all the factory blue. Exc. markings, fine case color on the hammer and trigger. Correct adjustable target sights, exc. bright bore, tight action. Matching numbers on the frame, cylinder and barrel (actually there is a factory error to the number on the cylinder as the full serial number is 85058 and the cylinder is numbered 85658- a product of poor lighting and workmen who often did not have corrective glasses so a tiny out-of-focus “0” could look like a “6”). The .32-20 caliber revolvers were usually paired with a same caliber rifle or carbine and used by outdoorsmen. They typically saw hard use. $1495.
6) ONE OF THE RAREST “MODERN” S&W REVOLVERS IS THIS “MODEL 242Ti .38 SPECIAL AIRLIGHT CENTENNIAL L FRAME.” This is the first one of these I’ve seen first hand. In fact, I didn’t even know it existed until I was able to get this one! Here’s the description from Supica & Nahas’ book THE STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON, 5TH EDITION: Caliber .38 S&W Special +P. Double-action only revolver built on a newly developed round butt aluminum alloy Centennial L-frame with 3-screws. It was introduced in February 1999 at the SHOT Show and was available mid-March 1999. This model was built on the L-frame with a fully concealed hammer and fixed sights. This makes it the first “Centennial” built on anything larger than a J-frame in the company’s history… 2 1/2″ barrel, .312″ smooth combat MIM trigger, black ramp front sight using a roll pin, aluminum alloy frame with a seven-shot titanium cylinder… This model is also rated for .38 Special +P ammunition… It goes on to further describe the details of this unusual revolver including cuts in the frame to lighten the weight which is only 18.9 oz! The book further states it shpped in a black fitted case etc. with instructions etc. and was discontinued in January of 2000. THAT’S A PRODUCTION RUN OF ABOUT 10 MONTHS! At the values section on this model it states, “Few sales reported, values are speculative.” This example appears unfired and is in the original case with all paperwork etc. There is some discoloration around the sideplate and some on the back strap. Must be in the alloy itself as these have no outside applied metal “finish.” So lightweight it almost feel like a toy. Like I said, first one I’ve ever seen or heard of. Made for several months 26 years ago and sure to go up in value over time. $975.
SPRINGFIELD AND U.S. MILITARY FIREARMS (click text for photos)
1) CLASSIC INDIAN WARS 1879 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR .45-70 RIFLE, #224XXX, MADE 1883. This is a good unaltered example that hasn’t been cleaned or messed with. The metal parts are an aged gray/brown patina with excellent lock plate markings and proofs on the barrel. “U.S. MODEL 1873” on the breech block with the usual Springfield markings and eagle on the lock plate. Correct 1879 rear sight with slide and ladder. 1884 style cleaning rod which is probably original as this is a last year production before the Model 1884 style with Buffington sight etc. Unsanded wood is excellent with only a few minor handling/storage marks. No stock cartouches visible. Three click tumbler in the lock and exc. bore with sharp rifling all the way through. Lots of history and life left in this 142 year old Springfield .45-70 U.S. issue rifle! And less expensive than an Italian replica! $1150.
2) 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. $2450.
3) SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 CARBINE, .50-70 CONVERSION OF 1867/68 (see above in Antique section)
4) REMINGTON .50-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE, NEW YORK STATE ROLLING BLOCK (see above in Remington section)
5) REMINGTON 1871 U.S. ARMY ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL, .50 CAL. (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! $1795.
2) FINE CONDITION 1873 .32-20 OCT. RIFLE, #424XXX, MADE 1892. A particularly attractive example that retains fine blue on the receiver that is lightly ageing and mixing brown with some minor scratches on the left side plate. Deep blue in all the usual more protected areas with a mellow brass lifter with calber stamping. Original dust cover intact. Fine deep barrel blue shows the lightest of age only. Mag tube aged to an uncleaned brown. Exc. markings, Winchester blade front sight with buckhorn rear sight (needs elevator bar only). Tight action with strong safety half-cock. Exc. stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit. Walnut has a heavy raised grain that you can actually slightly feel with classic reddish brown Winchester color. Bore is a bit dark with fine rifling all the way through and only light scattered corrosion that ought to clean out. In all a most attractive 133 year old 1873 with lots of blue. $2650.
3) VERY FINE CONDITION SEMI-DELUXE 1886 SOLID FRAME .33 WCF, PISTOL GRIP, #147XXX, MADE 1909. These Extra Light models in .33 WCF rarely have any special order features and a pistol grip on one is scarce. The .33 WCF was introduced in 1902 as the only purely smokeless cartridge for the 1886 and is simply the .45-70 case necked to take standard .338″ diameter bullets. This example retains fine deep lightly thinning blue on the receiver sides and bolt with silvering on the edges and receiver bottom. The barrel and short magazine retaine fine blue and the barrel is fitted with a buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and a Lyman half-moon with ivory bead front sight in the correct short ramp. The stock and forend are fine with only light handling marks, the pistol grip has the correct Winchester embossed hard rubber grip cap. The matching butt plate is a replacement. There is a minute chip at the bottom of the toe of the stock mainly under the butt plate. Action is tight, strong safety half-cock and the bore shows fine rifling all the way through with a little “frostiness” mainly in the last few inches of the barrel. An attractive 116 year old special order pistol grip 1886. $2850.
4) VERY UNUSUAL ANTIQUE SERIAL NUMBER 1886 TAKEDOWN, .33 WCF, #62XXX. By the serial number this one left the factory in 1891. However, the receiver and late production barrel are both Winchester Proof marked indicating it was obviously sent back to the factory to be re-barreled to .33 WCF or at least have an additional barrel in that caliber fitted. Winchester started proofing rifles after 1905, even on earlier non-proofed rifles that were returned had proof marks added before being sent back. The barrel has the late 1886 markings including the “MODEL 1886” and “MADE IN U.S.A.” stampings. The .33 WCF was introduced in 1902. Still, it’s all Winchester made and factory fitted. The receiver is mostly gray with excellent screw heads. The barrel, mag tube and lever retain fine blue. Shotgun butt has the correct Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate that may be a correct fitting replacement or was fitted when the barrel was installed. Generally excellent stock and forend with good wood to metal fit. Fitted with a current production tang sight (and no extra holes hiding underneath!) with a blank filler in the rear dovetail along with a Lyman ivory bead half-moon front sight in the correct short boss. Tight takedown, tight action, strong safety half-cock and minty bright bore. One of the few truly “antique” .33 WCF 1886s. $1995.
5) 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. $3250.
6) VERY FINE CONDITION 1892 .25-20 OCTAGON RIFLE, #522XXX, MADE 1910. Fine blue on the receiver sides and bolt with only some light spots of thinning and edge wear. Receiver bottom by the serial number gray with excellent screw heads and markings. Fine barrel and mag blue with only some light high edge wear/thinning to the octagon and a touch of wear at the muzzle. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and small blade/bead front sight. Fine+ stock and forend showing light handling only with tight wood to metal fit. Tight action with strong safety half-cock. Bore is a little dark with fine rifling all the way through. An attractive 115 year old 1892 in much better condition than usually encountered. $1950.
7) VERY FINE CONDITION 1892 .32-20 OCTAGON RIFLE, #388XXX, MADE 1907. This is a particularly nice example that retains most of the bright original blue on the receiver sides and bolt. The receiver ring and bottom are mostly silver/gray with fine blue on the loading gate. The barrel and mag tube also retain most of the original blue with exc. markings, buckhorn rear sight with small Winchester blade front sight. Even the forend ap shows some good blue. Traces of light case color on the lever and hammer. Exc. stock and forend show a little better than standard grade walnut and display a tight wood to metal fit. Very tight action, strong safety half-cock and exc. bore. A superior 118 year old 1892. $2450.
8) 1892 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN DESIRABLE .44-40 (.44 WCF) CALIBER, #378XXX, MADE 1907. One of the more difficult of the 1892 line to acquire is the .44 WCF Carbine in about any condition. This one retains good lightly aged barrel and magazine blue. The barrel shows sharp markings, retains the original carbine ladder rear sight with slide intact and standard carbine front sight. The receiver shows good aged blue on the sides that is mixing naturally with some brown. There is a fine “figure 8” where the saddle ring rubbed on the left side. Fine stock and forearm show normal light handling only. Exc. screw heads, good wood to metal fit, tight action, strong safety half-cock and fine bore with good rifling all the way through and some scatterd spots of surface corrosion. Most .44 Carbines saw hard use and this 118 year old one is better than the ones that usually turn up. $2450.
9) SPECIAL ORDER 1894 CARBINE, 2/3 MAGAZINE, SHOTGUN BUTT, .30 WCF, #891XXX, MADE 1917. This one is considered an “Eastern Carbine” as it was also special ordered withhout 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 108 year old Model 1894 rarity. $1795.
10) EXCELLENT CONDITION EARLY 1894 OCTAGON RIFLE IN .32 WS CALIBER, #240XXX, MADE 1904. The .32 Winchester Special was introduced in 1902, making this a very early production rifle in this chambering. The receiver retains about all the blue with only minor edge wear and a hint of plum mixing mainly on the upper tang and edges. Still retains some nice case color on the upper portion of the lever and hammer. Fine deep blue on the barrel and magazine, exc. screws, exc. classic Winchester reddish/brown walnut with tight wood to metal fit and only light handling marks. Has the correct “Smokeless” rear sight only used on the .32 WS caliber rifles. Tight action, strong safety half-cock. Bore is a bit dark with excellent rifling all the way through. A really handsome 121 year old 1894 in great condition. $2350.
11) CLASSIC 1894 TAKEDOWN OCTAGON RIFLE, .30 WCF, #374XXX, MADE 1907. An excellent example with fine bright blue on the receiver and bolt with only normal handling edge wear. Barrel and mag also retain about all the blue with minimal wear. Still shows some light case color on the lever and hammer. Fitted with a Lyman tang sight with Lyman blade/bead front sight and a blank in the rear sight dovetail. The walnut is a bit above standard grade which was typical on takedowns or rifles with special features. Stock and forearm show light handling and tight wood to metal fit. Exc. screws, tight action, strong safety half-cock and excellent sharp bore. Still has some ancient dried grease on parts. Great appearance. $2950.
12) 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.
13) SPECIAL ORDER GREAT DEPRESSION ERA M-94 TRANSITION CARBINE WITH CRESCENT BUTT PLATE, .30WCF, #11082XXX, MADE 1936. These transition carbines retain the long forend ahead of the barrel band and the carbine butt plate of earlier models (of course, this one has the crescent or rifle butt plate), but have a buckhorn rear sight instead of the older carbine ladder sight and now have a ramped and hooded front sight. Saddle rings on these post-1928 carbines were not installed by Winchester. Importantly, on this example, as was typical for special order rifles and carbines, Winchester selected a slightly higher grade of walnut as can be seen in the butt stock which has more burl and grain than standard wood. This stock matches the forend perfectly and the forend displays some matching burl and grain. Wood to metal fit is tight. The barrel has all the correct late markings and retains the hood to the front sight. Barrel and mag. retain about all of the deep blue with only some wear on the forend barrel band and a little high edge wear to the front barrel band. The buckhorn rear sight retains the elevator bar. Screw heads are excellent in the receiver and the receiver shows thinning/flaking blue that is typical of receivers of this era- more blue on the left side, but is not all silver as on most. The bolt and loading gate show excellent blue. Tight action and strong safety half-cock. Bore is minty bright. Production during the Great Depression years was low and quality was high. Special order carbines are scarce and this is a fine one! $1695.
14) 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.
15) CLASSIC MODEL 12, 12 GA. PUMP SHOTGUN #413XXX, MADE 1924. This is an unaltered example with 30″ full choke barrel with special order solid matte rib. The receiver shows most of the original blue with normal edge wear. The barrel and mag show most of the blue with excellent markings and matching serial numbers. The stock and forend are excellent showing only light handling marks. Importantly, this one has the original winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate (most have had recoil pads installed at some point). Tight action and takedown with bright bore. All solid steel and walnut that would be too expensive to produce today, especially with the solid matted rib barrel. $695.
16) 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. $1395.
17) 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! $1195.
18) PRE-WAR MODEL 64 IN RARE .25-35 CALIBER, #1116XXX, MADE 1936. This is a fine example that retains nearly all the receiver blue with only light edge wear. The receiver is also mounted with a Lyman 21 “Climbin’ Lyman” receiver sight that retains the fold down aperture eye piece. Similarly, the barrel and mag tube retains fine deep blue with only some minor thinning. The rear sight dovetail holds a filler blank. The butt plate is the correct original checkered steel. There is a small period sling swivel installed in the butt stock mated with a magazine tube band front swivel. Fine stock and forend with one chip at the left side of the stock at the upper tang/receiver juncture. Fine screws, tight action, secure half-cock on the hammer and bright exc. bore. A super hard caliber to find and this one comes with a great receiver sight. $2950.
19) BEAUTIFUL EARLY WARTIME PRODUCTION MODEL 75 SPORTER, .22LR, WITH FANCY WALNUT, #39XXX, MADE 1942. This is a difficult to find rifle as most of these were heavy target models. The Sporters had checkered stocks, pistol grips with Winchester embossed hard rubber grip caps and sporting sights This one has all these features along with specially selected fancy walnut with fiddleback grain in the stock and forend. The checkering is sharp and this one comes with the correct fully adjustable receiver sight with ramped and hooded front sight. The rear sight dovetail has a filler blank and shows no evidence of ever having a buckhorn sight installed. Correct serrated steel butt plate and swivels, bottom metal is stamped “SPORTING” and the orinal Winchester magazine has the correct markings and 1919 patent date. About all the blue remains with only minor wear to the bolt handle and a little on the rear of the trigger guard. Tight action and exc. bore with excellent stock. This one is a beauty with no extra scope mounting holes etc.! $1495.
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