June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
H.H. Wolcott was the President of the Starr Arms Company in the 1860's. Mr. Wolcott developed his post Civil War carbine for the military trials of 1865. He received a patent on June 13 1865. An example of this developmental carbine is pictured in the famous Francis Bannerman "RING OF CARBINES" that was use through 1938 in his arms catalogs. Two variations where produced a .50 cal, military carbine and a .44 cal, civilian sporting rifle. This rifle is a single shot falling block that features octagon barrel, folding rear ladder sight, case colored frame, walnut stock, and carbine style buttplate. The only marks on the gun is "H.H. WOLCOTT" on top of barrel and rear tang. Can find no mention of H.H. Wolcott rifles in the Grant Single Shot book series, nor is he mentioned in Flayderman's, nor is there any information under Starr Arms regarding this rifle. This rifle was the subject of a wonderful article published in the November 2001 "GUN REPORT" on pages 34 through 37 and written by the owner Thomas Pruett. Very little is known about these post war firearms as it was a turbulent period for American arms manufactures. The introduction of new cartridge development and sudden loss of arms consumption due to the end of hostilities saw the collapse and failure of many of Americas arms manufacturers'. Barrel retains 98% original blue. Frame retains 75% case colors, not bright. All screws are true with fire blue finish. Stocks are excellent. 30% case colors on buttplate. Bore is near mint. Action is like new. It is not known how many prototypes were manufactured but if you are a collector of single shots, you will probably never see another example. From the G. Thomas Puett Collection.