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

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

EMAIL: montanaraven@hotmail.com

 

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

 

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED 11/14/25. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS  THROUGH NOVEMBER .

 

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:

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

 

COLT FIRE ARMS (click text for photo) 

 

1) FINE CONDITION, VERY EARLY COLT 1ST. MODEL LIGHTNING PUMP RIFLE, .32-20 CAL. #13XXX, MADE 1886. The first model Lightning has the “open top” receiver with the sliding locking safety tab in the front of the trigger guard. After a few years the open top was replaced with a covered bolt and the safety tab was eliminated. Most first models are missing the safety/locking tab. This example is complete and retains the sliding safety/locking tab that correctly locks the pump from being pulled rearward. The receiver blue is aged and lightly mixing with an attractive natural plum with plenty of blue still retained. The Rampant Colt stamping on the left side is clear. The 26” round barrel retains nearly all the original lightly aged blue as does the upper portion of the mag tube under the barrel. The balance of the magazine has aged to an uncleaned plum/brown. Has a few small dings in the bottom of the receiver ahead of the trigger guard that are minor. Butt stock is fine showing only the most minor of handling. Excellent forend with the early checkering that is only lightly worn and not chipped or cracked- which is unusual on early rifles. Original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and half-moon blade front sight. Tight action, functioning and intact safety/locking tab and strong safety half cock. The bore is a bit dark with good rifling all the way through with light roughness. A really attractive early first model that is hard fine with this much blue. A fine 139 year old Colt Lightning. $2650.

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. $2850.

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. $2250.

4) 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.

5) 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.

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) INTERESTING FACTORY STAMPED AND DOCUMENTED COLT OFFICIAL POLICE .38 SPECIAL WITH FACTORY LETTER, #895XXX, SHIPPED 1964. The butt on this Colt is factory stamped “N.Y.S. CD.” I sent for a factory letter from Colt on this one and found out it was one of 50 revolvers intended for the New York State Conservation Department, Albany, NY on August 14, 1964. The governor of New York from 1959-1973 was Nelson Rockefeller. At this time he made a big push for conservation measures in the state and this revolver was part of it. It was probably issued to Forest Rangers or Fish and Game Officers. It was obviously carried as the right checkered walnut grip panel is warn almost smooth on the rear portion while the left panel is not particularly worn- typical of right-hand holster carry where that side is exposed and rubbed. There is blue wear streak on the right side of the barrel (light) and some outside edge wear on the cylinder. The back strap blue is good, but thinning a little. Aside from this light holster wear, most of the factory blue is intact. Markings are excellent, action is tight and the bore is minty bright. No doubt carried a bit and shot little. Nice piece of 1960s New York State history! $795.

8) PRE-WAR “BULLSEYE” MATCH TARGET .22 LR AUTO PISTOL, #MT8XXX, MADE 1940. Fine example that has seen light use and retains the “elephant ear” grips with Colt medallions. Overall just shows some light handling and edge wear. Exc. Correct markings with the Match Target and bullseye logo etc. Grips are fine showing light handling only. Tight action, exc. Bore and crisp trigger. Two-tone magazine is marked “CAL 22” over “COLT.” You can’t help but wonder how many matches this top-of-the-line 85 year old Colt has won! $1895.

9) 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) RARE VARIATION AND ONE OF THE VERY LAST MARLIN .22 SH, L & LR MODEL 39 OCTAGON RIFLES MADE, #HS 19XXX. The Model 39 was introduced IN 1922 and discontinued in 1936. Originally, it was made for standard velocity .22 RF shells only- high speed ammo would crack the bolts. In 1932 the bolt was updated/improved to handle high speed .22 ammo. These rifles have the serial number prefix “HS” for high speed. According to Brophy’s big Marlin book, the lowest “HS” serial number recorded or reported was HS456 and the highest HS18784. This example has a serial number over 1,000 higher than the highest reported, probably making it one of the last manufactured before the model was discontinued and replaced with the round barrel Model 39A in 1939. Since the “HS” or high speed ammo approved M-39 octagon rifles were only made in limited numbers from 1932-1936 in the worst years of the Great Depression, examples are scarce. This one retains about all the lightly aged blue on the 24” oct. barrel with the uncleaned magazine tube showing some mixing with plum. All markings are sharp and the barrel is fitted with a flat top buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and a Lyman small blade/ivory bead front sight. The receiver shows fine slightly faded case colors on both sides and top (stronger color on the left side) with good deep blue on the bolt. Pistol grip stock and forearm are excellent showing barely the lightest of handling with tight wood to metal fit and Marlin embossed hard rubber butt plate. Even the forend cap retains good blue. Tight action and takedown, strong safety half-cock and excellent bright bore. A scarce and desirable variant of the last of the octagon barrel Pre-War lever .22s. A really interesting example in very fine condition. $1595.

3) CUSTOMIZED MARLIN M-62 .256 WIN. MAG. “LEVERMATIC” RIFLE, #10XXX, MADE 1963-1965. These short-throw lever rifles were introduced for the .256 Win. Mag. Cartridge in 1963 and discontinued in 1965. In 1966 the .30 Carbine round was added until the model was discontinued in 1969. This info comes from Brophy’s Marlin book. He also states that a total of only 5,960 were made in .256 Win. Interestingly, this example was customized in the Weather-style of the 1960s. It is nicely and fairly profusely (but tastefully) checkered at the forend and pistol grip. The forend has the signature Weatherby slanted white line spacer and rosewood tip added. The bottom of the pistol grip has a matching Weatherby-inspired spacer and rosewood grip cap. Overall, excellent condition with about all the blue remaining, hooded front sight with hood intact, barely any handling marks in the wood with original Marlin marked butt plate. Tight action and perfect bore. A most attractive rifle from the iconic 1960s! $1395.

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

1) VERY SCARCE MODEL 1894CB “COWBOY LIMITED” .357 MAGNUM WITH 24″ OCTAGON BARREL, #03025XXX, MADE 1997. One of the most difficult and sought after of the JM Marlin, North Haven, CT rifles to locate, this one has the traditional diamond pattern Marlin checkering, buckhorn rear sight with blade/bead front sight. It is in about new condition with maybe a couple of the slightest handling marks that you’d have to look carefully to find. I rarely see these. $1795.

2) J. M. MARLIN 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.

 

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. $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) 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.

4) 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! $1295.

5) 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 carbines 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.

6) 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.

7) CLASSIC CUSTOM 1898 KRAG SPORTING RIFLE, RECEIVER #156XXX, MADE 1898. This is a really nicely stocked and finished .30-40 Krag caliber sporting rifle probably made between the World Wars. It has been fully reblued and fitted with a Lyman receiver sight. The tapered barrel measures 24” and unless you have it in bright light with magnification, it’s very difficult to find the original rear sight screw holes that have been expertly filled. The front sight is a Lyman marked blade/bead pinned in a base sweated to the barrel. The classic walnut stock has a cheek piece, smooth steel shotgun butt plate, pistol grip cap, ebony forend tip and nicely executed extensive checkering on the forend and pistol grip. It is also fitted with quick detachable swivel studs/swivels and comes with a military style sling. Action is tight and the bore is excellent. Surprisingly few sporters were made on the Krag action as most during this time were made on 1903 Springfields or 1917 Enfields. Some early gunsmith put a lot of time, effort and talent into this one! An additional plus is the serial number puts this one in the desirable “antique” category, so no FFL is required. $1150.

8) 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.

 

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. $1295.

3) VERY FINE CONDITION EARLY REMINGTON HEPBURN SINGLE SHOT SPORTER, .40 1 7/8” (.40-50 STRAIGHT), 28” HALF OCTAGON BARREL, #3XXX, MADE 1880s. A really nice unaltered example that retains most of the blue on the barrel with only light age, original buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and original small Remington blade front sight. The top of the barrel as the correct Remington markings with the caliber also correctly marked on the bottom of the barrel ahead of the forend “40.17/8.” The receiver case colors have naturally faded with some very light, faded color overall and better color in protected areas. Fine blue on the hammer and breech lock, fine screws, exc. stock and forend show only modest light handling with good checkering on the pistol grip. Early style metal forend tip. Barrel under the forearm has a matching serial number to the frame as does the forend. Tight wood to metal fit. Mottled gray butt plate where the case colors have simply faded. Tight action with strong safety half-cock. The bore is bright and excellent with sharp rifling and only the most minor of corrosion ahead of the chamber area. The .40-50 Straight case is easily made by simply shortening either .30-40 Krag or .303 British cases. This is a really fine Hepburn made 140 years ago. $3650.

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) MODEL 1867 U. S. NAVY ROLLING BLOCK PISTOL (see below in Springfield/U. S. Military section)

 

RUGER (click text for photo),

(MORE SOON)

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) 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 safty 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) 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. SOLD

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 equal 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 caliber, double set triggers, brass mountings, patch box, very lightly used, $695; NOTE: This one has sold, but I have another in near new condition in .45 cal., same price $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. SOLD

6) Scarce Left Hand Renegade, .50 caliber, #L4XXX, double set triggers, very lightly used, $550. SOLD

 

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

 

1) 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.

2) 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.

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) NEAR NEW CONDITION SINGLE SHOT .22LR 3RD MODEL TARGET PISTOL, #8XXX. Only 6,949 of these target pistols were made from 1909-1923 from serial range 4617-11641. That seems to put this one is about mid production around 1915 or so. Matching numbers on the latch, barrel and frame. About new inside and out with maybe a slight touch of blue dulling/wear at the extreme muzzle edge on each side- have to look carefully to see it. Tight action, double action functions properly (these often converted to single action only), unturned screw heads, sharp checkered grips, minty bright bore. Would be hard to improve on. $1595.

 

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) INTERESTING ARSENAL UPDATED 1879/1888 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR .45-70 RIFLE. This one is in the serial range of 142XXX which puts the year of manufacture at 1881. The stock cartouche is faint but readable and is also correctly dated 1881. No doubt this one was simply returned to Springfield for updates including putting the rod bayonet on as well as fitting the 1888 butt plate with sliding door compartment for cleaning rods and the correct Buffington rear sight. 1873 breechblock is dated 1873 and shows some mottled gray case color. Usual Eagle and Springfield marked lock plate. Barrel is an uncleaned gray/brown with a bright excellent bore. Correct sling swivels, generally excellent stock showing only light handling. The Model 188 Rod Bayonet Trapdoor is considered one of the best shooting of the Trapdoor line. Overall an attractive and historical Trapdoor. $995.

3) VERY FINE 1898 KRAG RIFLE WITH SHARP CARTOUCHE, #221XXX, MADE 1899. A great example of an as-issued early Model 1898. Extremely sharp and crisp 1899 cartouche corresponds with the serial number manufacture date of 1899. Correct early unaltered style 1898 rear sight. Excellent stock from end to end with matching color handguard. Mottled gray action, bright bolt handle, fine blue on the extractor, tight action and side loading door. Later leather sling dated 1918 is in fine condition. Fine lightly thinned barrel blue. Bore is a slightly dark with strong rifling all the way through and any roughness too minor to mention. Correct swivels and circle “P” proof behind the trigger guard. Getting hard to find this nice and with no arsenal updates (sights). $1295

4) 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.

5)  SHARPS NEW MODEL 1863 CARBINE, .50-70 CONVERSION OF 1867/68 (see above in Antique section)

6) CUSTOM 1898 KRAG .30-40 SPORTER, ANTIQUE SERIAL NUMBER (see above in Antique 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) 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 caliber 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) 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.

4) 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

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) 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

7) 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

8) 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.

9) EXCELLENT CONDITION, SUPER RARE SPECIAL ORDER 1894 EXTRA LIGHTWEIGHT SHORT RIFLE, .30WCF, #230XXX, SHIPPED 1904. I called this one in to the Cody Museum myself and received the following in a “call-in sheet.” Serial number applied July 26, 1904; rifle; .30 caliber, round barrel; 24” Extra Light; plain trigger; Lyman front and leaf rear sights; ½ magazine; Shotgun butt, Rubber; Takedown, Received in the warehouse August 1, 1904; Shipped August 1, 1904. The only things not mentioned were the tang sight and sling swivels. The swivels may or may not be factory, but they are the early type and the front one is correctly mounted in the forend cap. Almost all the extra light 1894s I’ve seen had either full 26” barrels or 22 inch barrels. This is the first I’ve seen that was special ordered with a 2” shorter than standard 24” barrel. This rifle has seen very limited use and retains nearly all the receiver blue with only some light normal handling wear to the bottom front portion by the serial number. Even the takedown ring shows about all the blue as does the bolt. Screws look unturned. Barrel and mag tube retain about all the blue with excellent markings and amazingly still have the Lyman front (small blade/ivory bead) and leaf rear sights that were fitted at the factory. The forend cap retains excellent deep blue and the lever sides show fairly vivid case color. Original Winchester embossed shotgun butt plate. Better than standard walnut in the butt stock shows nice light fiddleback grain- Winchester hand selected wood for some special order rifles. Tight takedown, exc stock and forend showing only the lightest of handling. Tight action with strong safety half-cock and minty bright sharp bore! This is a great 121 year old special order 1894 with very unusual and rare features. $4250.

10) 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 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 108 year old Model 1894 rarity. $1795.

11) 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.

12) WESTERN SHIPPED 1894 TAKEDOWN .38-55 OCTAGON RIFLE, #235XXX, MADE 1904. The left side of the receiver is stamped in small letters “FROM W. F. SHEARD” over “TACOMA, WASH.” Sheard was a gunsmith originally located in Livingston, Montana. In the early 1900s he moved to Tacoma, Washington where he ran a large outfitting/gun store. He was also a dealer in hides/furs during the time when the sea otter pelts were at a premium. The receier shows some good blue on the right side around the middle as well as good blue in all the protected areas. Exc. markings. The barrel and mag tube show fine blue with only normal light edge wear. Exc. screw heads, tight action and strong safety half-cock. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and Winchester blade front sight. The walnut stock and forearm are of a little higher grade than standard which was typical for special order rifles or takedowns and show only very light normal handling with tight wood to metal fit and one small sling swivel hole in the bottom of the stock. Bore is only a little dark with strong rifling and any minor scattered corrosion very surface. A hard to find caliber/takedown combination with very interesting history. $2650.

13) CLASSIC, ATTIC CONDITION 1894 .30WCF ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #851XXX, MADE 1917. This one came out of here in Montana and looks like it was used and then stored away for a number of decades. The barrel and mag tube retain about all the deep blue. The receiver blue has naturally aged to an uncleaned and most attractive even blue/plum. The screws in the receiver appear unturned and there is good blue on the loading gate. All markings are sharp and clear. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and blade front sight. Stock and forend show normal handling and could use a good cleaning. Tight wood to metal fit. Tight action, strong safety half-cock and minty bright bore. Usually 1894s of this era show flaking of the blue on the receiver and most are now silver/gray. This 108 year old 1894 has strong visual appeal. $1695.

14) VERY FINE CONDITION M-94 CARBINE, .25-35, #1658XXX, MADE 1950. A desirable and difficult caliber to find these days. This is an excellent example showing about all the barrel and magazine tube blue. The receiver retains most of the deep blue with only a little wear at the balance point on the bottom by the serial number and some light edge wear only. Even the lever shows fine blue along with most of the lightly aged upper tang blue. Stock retains the original checkered steel butt plate. Stock and forend are excellent showing very light handling only. A little fancier than standard grain in the forend. Buckhorn rear sight with elevator bar intact and hooded front sight. Tight wood to metal fit, exc. receiver screws, even the barrel band shows most of the blue. Tight action with strong safety half-cock and excellent, sharp bright bore. A difficult to find 75 year old ‘94. $2250.

15) 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.

 16) 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 BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM WINCHESTER MODEL 1892 WITH NEW HALF OCTAGON BARREL IN .256 WIN. MAG. CALIBER.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.

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)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