5/25/2021 – Arms and Armor

.32RF, 3.5″ octagonal barrel, S/N 13256. Blued finish, varnished rosewood grips. Factory alteration to rimfire with removable rear cylinder face numbered 2751, matching the rear face of the cylinder itself. Standard barrel markings. Grips pencil numbered to the gun.

21″ blade length. 26.25″ overall length. Double edged spear point blade with pronounced median ridge. Features a brass hilt with knuckleguard, scaled grip, and a nippled pommel with crested American Eagles casted to both sides. Blade markings include “N.P.AMES/SPRINGFIELD” to right side ricasso, and “U.S.N./1843/JCB” marked to left side ricasso. Hilt markings include “CO” under bow, “97” to top right side of bow, “N.W.P.” to right of crossguard, and “W.J.A.” to left of crossguard. 

20 gauge, 42.25″ octagon to round barrel, S/N 233. Browned barrel, brass furniture and smooth straight gripped perch-belly hardwood stock. Under hammer percussion ignition, top of receiver marked in five lines: SMITH’S / IMPROVED / PATENT / STUD / LOCK. Skeletonized brass pistol-grip triggergauard, brass buttplate and lock screw escutcheons, small lozenge shaped brass plate in reverse stock. Rear sight numbered 233. Includes a wooden ramrod with a brass tip. Nicanor Kendall  (1807-1861) was a gunsmith who worked in Windsor, VT ca1835-1849 producing under hammer guns that were actually manufactured by inmates at the Vermont State Prison. From 1835-38 he worked as Kendall, Hubbard & Smith, from 1838-42 as N. Kendall & Co and then in 1842 joined the venture of Robbins, Kendall & Lawrence which would eventually become Robbins & Lawrence. Robbins, Kendall & Lawrence was one of the first contractors to produce US Model 1841 “Mississippi” Rifles for the US Government and would go on to produce a wide array of arms during the 1840s and 1850s, including the early arms of Christian Sharps. Early Nicanor Kendall guns from the State Prison manufacturing era are quite scarce and very collectible. While his under hammer rifles appear on the market from time to time, the fowlers, or “smooth rifles” are much less common.

.36 caliber cap and ball. 35″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with target sights, wood palm rest, heavy octagon barrel, and double triggers. Blued metal finish to barrels, brass accoutrements, with a solid plain walnut perch-belly stock. Features a swiss-style buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, and brass-capped ramrod. It has the words “Devenoge A Grandson” marked to top of barrel, and a brass accoutrement engraved “To Favre” on left side grip. Schuetzen rifles were single-shot competition guns used widely in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period. 

About .410 caliber. 34″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with heavy octagon barrel, target sights, swivel sling mounts, and palm rest. Blued metal finish to barrel, brass accoutrements, and plain perch-belly walnut stock with black forend cap. Item has (IFI) engraved brass accoutrement to left side lockplate, “DESTRAZ A ESSERTES” marked to right side lockplate, and “ACIER FONDU” marked to top of barrel indicating the steel used for the barrel. Features a Swiss-style buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, and leather sling. Schuetzen rifles were single-shot competition guns used widely in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period. 

20 Bore (about .62 caliber), 38″ pinned octagon to round 3-stage barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions, no S/N. Browned finish, nails secured brass buttplate, cast brass thimbles and entry pipe, 3-screw serpent side plate, oversized iron triggerguard. Rounded 6.375″ flint lock with pointed tail and double boarder line engraving. Integral fenced and bridled iron pan, rounded swan neck cock. Lock marked with the tombstone {FOX/EB} Hudson Bay Company mark of Edward Bond with tail of lock marked in two arched vertical lines BARNETT / 1838. Top of breech with same tombstone {FOX/EB} marking and left angled flat with London commercial commercial proof marks. Full length stock with simple raised carved apron around breech plug tang and extended moulding at tail of lock mortise. Breech plug tang secured with a single screw entering front the bottom front of the triggerguard. Includes a brass tipped wood ramrod with iron wiper at the end. This exact trade musket is featured on the cover of the book For Trade and Treaty by Ryan Gale.

19″ blade length. 26″ overall with scabbard. Double edged sword with single and double fullers to both sides. Features a brass hilt with scaled grip, and a nippled pommel with crested American Eagle castings to both sides. Markings include an “(Eagle)/N.P.AMES/SPRINGFIELD” to right side ricasso, and “UNITED/STATES/1839/W.S.” to left side ricasso. Hilt is marked with letters “M.S.” to crossguard on right side. Includes black leather scabbard with brass locket and chape. 

.38 caliber. 33″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with peep and hooded target sights, palm rest, heavy octagon barrel, and double triggers. Blued metal finish to barrel, with brass accoutrements, and a solid plain walnut perch-belly stock. Features a Swiss-style metal buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, and swivel sling mounts. There are floral script engravings to lockplate and cock lever, with “Girard a Aigle” marked to center of lockplate. Schuetzen rifles are single-shot competition guns that were used widely in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period. 

12 Gauge, 32″ barrels with concave rib, no S/N. Damascus pattered brown barrels, color case hardened locks, blued iron furniture, checkered walnut straight-gripped stock with smooth iron buttplate and checkered splinter forend, secured by a single key. Double hammers, double triggers, platinum blowouts, small German silver escutcheon in toe line of stock for the engraving of initials or a crest is not marked. Includes a brass tipped wooden ramrod that is probably a replacement. Top rib engraved in a single line TJ ALBRIGHT & SONS St LOUIS FINE TWIST. Bottoms of barrels with post-1813 Birmingham commercial proof marks and 12 gauge marks, additionally marked W&CS, the mark of long time Birmingham gunmakers William & Charles Scott, one of the primary forerunners of the later 19th century firm of Webley & Scott. Locks and cocks lightly engraved with loose English style foliate scrolls and marked TJ ALBRIGHT & SONS. John Thomas Albright (1808-1890) was a Pennsylvania native who worked as a gunsmith in Stroudsburg, PA ca1835-40 prior to moving to St. Louis and opening a gunmaking and retailing establishment in 1842. He was joined by his sons John Thomas Jr. and William in the business ca1849, becoming TJ Albright & Sons. Albright was a contemporary of the other major St. Louis gunmakers of the period of western expansion and the “plains rifle”, including the iconic Hawkens and H.E. Dimick. While he concentrated on building rifles, like most American gunmakers of the period he relied upon imported shotguns from England and Belgium to service those clients who wanted one, as the guns could be imported more cheaply than produced in America during that time. A very scarce example of a circa 1850s St. Louis retailer marked percussion shotgun that would be a wonderful addition to a display of fine western rifles like those by Hawken, Albright and Dimick.

.41 rimfire caliber. 3″ superimposed barrels. SN: L97405. Single-shot break action derringer with over/under barrels separated by a rib, exposed hammer, spur trigger, and fixed notch and shark fin sights. Finish was most likely blued metal, with checkered hard rubber grips. Includes brown leather holster. 

1.) Sapper’s helmet with double visors, ridged dome, and riveted rim. Features remnants of leather lining secured by rivets, and one ear protector. Item appears to be unmarked, possibly made during 17th century French conflicts.

2.) 17th century English Cromwellian-style breastplate. Features a cast iron shell with burlap lining and leather upholstering to flared edges. There are no visible maker’s marks. Appears as if the wearer of this armor was wounded at some point, based on the size and location of rip in lining accompanied by dark brown discolorations. Most likely made and worn during the English Civil War (1642-1651).

.68 caliber. 35″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with adjustable ladder-style rear sight, double set triggers, and what appears to be a bayonet attachment. There is a polished finish to twisted steel barrel and a straight-grip walnut stock with shoulder cutaway to right side and metal forend cap. Features a Swiss-style metal buttplate, brass serpentine trigger guard, and swivel sling mounts. Lockplate and cock lever are engraved with Grecian-style fretwork designs to border edges. Cock lever also features a sunburst-style engraving of a cloud and lightning bolts. Marked to lockplate is the signature “J. Muller”, and to barrel “J. Muller in Bern”. Top of barrel is marked with what appears to be measurements each about five inches apart of 500, 400, and 300. Also to top of barrel is a possible serial number mark “13/15” near breech. There is a brass octagonal escutcheon marked “T:Lanz” to left side, opposite of lockplate. 

Swiss Schuetzen rifles were popular in Europe from about 1875-1945. Made by many independent gunmakers, most of these rifles are custom fitted to competition shooters of the period. This Schuetzen rifle appears to be attributed to Johann Muller of Bern, Switzerland (1800-1866), who produced firearms for both military use and competition shooting. 

.30 caliber, 3.3125″ octagonal German silver barrel, no S/N. Bright finish on barrel, pinned smooth horn grip scales, balance of construction of steel with German silver bolsters and brass liners. Single action, single shot percussion knife pistol with folding trigger and two knife blades. Barrel with post-1813 Birmingham proof marks. Larger blade is a double-edged spear point blade with a prominent medial ridge that measures 3.5″ in length and .56″ in width, marked on the reverse ricasso JAMES/RODGERS/SHEFFIELD. Larger blade is acid etched on the reverse SELF / PROTECTOR with a frosted background, foliate decorations and a {Spread-Winged Eagle}. Smaller blade is a single edged drop point blade that measures 2.5″ in length and is .26″ wide. The ricasso has the same markings as the larger blade. Includes the German silver bullet mold and tweezers stored in the butt, storage compartment in butt is empty. Overall length with large blade deployed is roughly 10″, folded about 6.375″. A far superior to average example of a desirable and large folding knife pistol by James Rodgers.

17th century English Cromwellian-style lobster tail pot helmet. Two-piece skull fastened with an arch of seven rivets. Also features a visor, 3-panel lobster tail neck defense, spade-tipped nasal, and leather lined ear protectors. Most likely made and worn during the English Civil War (1642-1651).

16th century North Italian “Pisan-style” backplate with flared ridged edges and a fine etched finish. Etchings include “mop & broom” designs such as parts from floral script patterns, figural heads, animals, and musical instruments all lined with rope patterned sunbeam borders. Interior of backplate shows repairs have been made to this item at some point in time, possibly from period. 

.40 caliber. 31″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with target sights, double set triggers, and a heavy octagon barrel with rounded muzzle. Blued metal finish to barrel, with a checkered perch-belly monte carlo-style stock and plain forearm. Features silver plated Swiss-style buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, forend cap, and accoutrements. There is an aperture rear sight, hooded front sight, and fixed iron mid-barrel sight. Top of barrel is marked “R. Grimm Chicago”. Schuetzen rifles are single-shot competition guns that were popular in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period. This particular schuetzen rifle is attributed to gunsmith Rudolph Grimm of Chicago. Appearing in Chicago sometime around 1872 with William Starke, the two were partners until about 1875. Grimm then worked alone as a gunsmith from 1875 until around 1903; this gun is most likely from that time period. This rifle is pictured in Hamilton and Rowe, The American Percussion Schuetzen Rifle, pg. 224-225.

.36 caliber, 7.5″ barrel, S/N 166532 (mfg. ca1863). Blued finish, color casehardened frame, silver plated brass backstrap and triggerguard, smooth one-piece varnished walnut grip. One-line New York barrel address, 6-shot cylinder with roll engraved naval battle scene. Strange serial numbering suggesting a tough day at the Colt factory. Frame numbered 166532 and cylinder arbor numbered 6532, with barrel, triggerguard and butt numbered 165532. Cylinder numbered 5592 and then 6532 below the original number, “force matching” the cylinder to the frame. Grip renumbered as well, marked 5532 in period ink numbering it to the backstrap, triggerguard and barrel, with the original number in the grip crossed out as well. Loading lever unnumbered, wedge completely mismatched and numbered 62132. An attractive Civil War period Colt Navy that suffers from bizarre numbering.

10 gauge, 30″ barrels, no S/N. Browned Damascus patterned barrels, color casehardened receiver and locks, checkered pistol grip stock with smooth steel buttplate and checkered splinter forend with contrasting tip insert. Side lever action breechloading cartridge shotgun apparently altered from an originally percussion gun with one-piece stock altered to a hinged two-piece stock secured by the break off breech and wedge. Highly figured walnut stock appears to be spliced at the rear of the pistol grip. Rib engraved H.E. Dimick St. Louis Mo, locks engraved with game scenes and marked H.E. Dimick. Horace Dicmick (1809-1873) was major gun maker and retailer in St. Louis ca1849-1873 and was a contemporary of other notable St. Louis gunmakers like the Hawkens and TJ Albright. Dimick firearms from this period are extremely desirable and collectible, and this is a particularly interesting example of Dimick’s work.

.38 caliber. 34″ octagonal barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with spur hammer, double set triggers, ivory-tipped ramrod, and adjustable target aperture and fixed front sights. Blued metal finish, silver tang and fittings, brass fittings, and varnished walnut Monte Carlo-style stock. Features a Swiss-style buttplate, serpentine triggerguard, and lower tang that extends from forearm all the way to butt of stock, appearing as a dragon relief behind trigger guard. Engravings include fine floral and fret marks to lockplate, metal portion of forearm, upper tang, lower tang, breech, and there is a dragon engraving to relief fitting under butt. Has maker’s marks “Tschumy a Mouclon” to lockplate. 

54-Bore (.442 caliber), 6″ octagonal barrel, S/N 2778. Blued and color casehardened finish, checkered one-piece walnut grip. Topstrap engraved WEBLEY & SON, LONDON, lower left side of frame engraved PATENT No2778. No other markings except the expected Birmingham commercial proof marks and numbers on the chambers of the cylinder. First type loading lever. Revolver falls in the serial number range of Confederate purchased Webley Wedge Frame revolvers acquired from Nelson Clements and delivered to the Houston Quartermaster. Revolver is contained in an original mahogany veneered English casing with a dark green baize lining. The casing contains a WD (William Davies) marked 54-bore single cavity round nosed bullet mold, a James Dixon & Sons marked copper powder flask, a large 250 count red japanned F. Jocye & Co percussion cap tin with original label, a smaller wooden cap container with a possibly reproduction Eley label, a cylindrical tin of lead round balls, an ebony handled cone wrench, a rosewood cleaning rod with brass jag and a pewter oiler. A fine condition example of a fairly scarce Civil War era revolver in a lovely original casing.

19″ blade length. 26″ overall with scabbard. Double edged blade with single and double fullers to both side. Item features a brass hilt with scaled grip design and a nippled pommel with crested American Eagles casted to both sides. Markings include “U.S./J.H./1862” to left side ricasso, Ames manufacturer marks to right side ricasso, and “G.G.S.” to crossguard. Includes black leather belt, frog, and scabbard for sword. Belt features a brass clasp marked “175” and buckle marked “795” to back, with relief designs of a crested American Eagle and wreath. Scabbard has brass locket and chape. 

Lot includes both a cavalry and artillery examples. Both have black felt covered cork bodies trimmed in patent leather with brass eagle front plates, plume holders and bases, and branch specific side buttons.  The horse hair plumes are dyed yellow and red respectively.  Both retain their leather sweatbands. 

21″ spear point, semi wasp-waisted blade, 26.25″ overall length. 5.25″ sand cast brass hilt with fish scale patterned grip without rivets and US “drooped wing” Eagle motif cast into the pommel cap on both sides. Blade secured to the hilt with a simple peen at the top of the pommel cap. Sheet brass half-basket guard with rolled edge reinforcement and separately applied brass quillon at top of guard. Blade marked on the reverse in two lines THOMAS GRISWOLD & Co in an arc over NEW-ORLEANS and with the number 8 stamped on the blade at the guard. This scarce Confederate naval cutlass was based upon the US Model 1841 Ames naval cutlass and was produced by the New Orleans firm of Thomas, Griswold & Co which had been the long time fancy goods & military equipment dealers Hyde & Goodrich before the war. Thomas, Griswold & Co produced a wide variety of edged weapons for the Confederate south during their short time in business from the summer of 1861 through the fall of New Orleans on May 1, 1862. Most of the edged weapons, including the naval cutlasses are marked “T.G & Co / N.O” rather than with the full name of the company and the city spelled out. These fully marked examples are quite scarce and desirable. 

Appears to be 16 gauge or .65 caliber shot. 36″ octagon to round tapered barrel length. SN: NSN. Single shot percussion rifle or shotgun with spur hammer, Bowie knife-shaped sideplate, 4-pin lockplate, and fixed notch and blade sights. Blued metal finish, brass accoutrements, and a varnished straight grip wood stock. Features arrow and script engravings to Bowie knife-shaped sideplate, oversized serpentine trigger guard, spur hammer, upper tang on buttplate, lockplate, and to ramrod fittings. There is also a piece of silver or steel pressed with an Indian Chief head relief, fitted to top of grip. Markings to barrel include two Birmingham proof house marks to left side, and “LONDON” to top of barrel. Preceding the London mark is a “T” and three illegible marks also to top of barrel. Item appears to have had a patchbox at sometime, but is now fitted with an octagonal hardwood covering. Appears to be from the early to mid 19th century, possibly a Barnett production. 

Three black felt Model 1889 infantry dress helmets with brass fittings and insignia. Includes and officer’s pattern with gold cords and chin chain, lined in silk with a leather sweatband.  An enlisted helmet with a regimental number “1” on the eagle front plate, interior has a maker’s label and leather sweatband.  The last helmet has a New York state front plate with an applied regimental number “10,” interior with a maker’s label an d leather sweatband.

.31 caliber, 5″ barrel, S/N 201817 (mfg. ca1861). Blued and color case hardened finish with silver plated brass backstrap and triggerguard, varnished one-piece walnut grip. Matching numbers throughout including wedge, two-line Hartford address, 6-shot cylinder with stagecoach holdup scene. Contained in a modern casing with an early pattern brass COLT’S / PATENT marked mold made without a sprue cutter, an “Eagle & Stars” powder flask, a later period UMC cap tin and a reproduction false packet of cartridges. 

.44 caliber. 33″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with target sights, octagon to round tapered heavy barrel, double set triggers, and what appears to be a bayonet mount. Blued metal finish with plain straight-grip Monte Carlo-style stock. Target sights include an aperture rear sight, half-hood front sight, and adjustable mid-barrel sight. Features a Swiss-style metal buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, forend cap, and front swivel sling mount. “J. SCHMID IN ONSTMITTINGEN” is marked to top of barrel. Schuetzen-style rifles are single-shot competition guns that were used widely in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period or by Bavarian immigrants. This item in particular is attributed to gunsmith J. Schmid from the town of Onstmittingen, Switzerland. The town itself has documented origins going back to 500 b.c., and during the 18th century had an abundance of skilled metalsmiths inhabiting the town.  

.50 caliber. 32″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with target sights, double set triggers, and a heavy octagon barrel with a rounded muzzle attachment. Blued metal finish and a fine checkered walnut stock, with silver plated buttplate and patchbox. Target sights consist of a rear aperture tang sight, adjustable hooded front sight, and a chess piece-style bead to muzzle attachment. Marked “M.S. HENDRICK AURORA ILL/1875” and “HITCHCOCK MUZZY” both to left side of barrel. Merton S. Hendrick was a renowned maker of target rifles and worked out of Aurora, Illinois from about 1868 up until his death in 1930. 

1.) U.S. Model 1841 Naval Cutlass. 21″ blade length. 28″ overall with scabbard.  Double edged blade and brass hilt stamped with a crested American Eagle to both sides of pommel. Item has a plain unmarked knuckle guard and a scale-patterned grip. Blade appears to be marked “USN 1843” to left side ricasso, and “N.P.” to right side ricasso. Blade features center ridges to both sides, extending full length of blade. Includes black leather scabbard with brass locket and chape. 

2.) U.S. Model 1860 Naval Cutlass. 25.75″ blade length. 32″ overall with scabbard. Single edged, single fuller blade with unmarked brass bow, leather grip wrapped with copper wire, and brass pommel. Blade is marked “(anchor)/P/J.R.G./1862” to right side ricasso, and features a partial sharp boxed Ames-Chicopee, Massachusetts manufacturer mark. Also marked “6M/780” under guard. Includes leather scabbard with copper fixtures to throat area, and extending length of blade to chape. 

.44 caliber. 35″ barrel length. SN: NSN. Single-shot percussion rifle with heavy octagon barrel, target sights, and double set triggers. Blued metal finish with a perch belly Monte Carlo-style stock made from premium walnut. Features a Swiss-style buttplate, serpentine trigger guard, and a safety toggle to right side lockplate. Target sights include a rear aperture sight and a hooded front sight. Marked to top of barrel is the gunmaker name and city of origin, “J.J. SCHLAEPFER IN GLARUS” along with the steel-type “GUSS:STAHL”. Schuetzen rifles are single-shot competition guns that were used widely in Europe from about 1875-1945. Most are custom made by independent gunmakers of the period, and this particular schuetzen was made by gunmaker J.J. Schlaepfer of Glarus, Switzerland sometime during the 19th century.