June 25-28, 2018 Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/25/2018
Round barrel with beaded front sight and Express three leaf rear sight. Top of barrel marked "50EX" next to receiver. Standard two line address at right top of barrel. Forearm cap is case colored. Receiver is case colored. Loading gate is of high nitre blue finish. Hammer and lever is case colored, trigger is blue. Stock is high grade American walnut marked with 2X with an assembly line number on lower tang "450" and upper channel of stock with the same number. "H" style checkering on both stock and forearm with a black ebony insert in pistol grip. Stock is of a shotgun style with metal buttplate and it has the same assembly numbers. Sling eyes mounted to bottom of stock and forearm cap. The barrel is 95-96% original blue and marked with British proofs with some scratch marks on the bottom of the barrel indicating that nosecap and magazine tube were disassembled. Forearm cap retains 95-97% orig vivid case color. Left side of receiver 95-97% original case color with light discoloration at front of receiver also with British proof mark. Breech bolt has 98% blue with a British proof on the rear of the breech bolt. Right side of receiver 97% original vivid case colors, loading gate has 98-99% bright nitre blue. Bottom of the receive retains 90-95% case colors. The earliest .50 caliber known is in the 19000 serial number range. Accompanied by a Cody Firearms Records research indicating the rifle was shipped as a round barreled rifle and chambered for the .40-82 cartridge with deluxe checkered pistol grip stocks. Buffalo Bill Historical center research personnel have confirmed that other rifles with this order where returned to the factory by Jas, Kerr & Co. for return and repair. This could explain the caliber change. Wood is 2X grade high grade American walnut with a few compressions and scratches on both sides. No bruises indicated in the checkering on the stock or forearm. Small slivers of wood missing on both sides of the tang next to receiver. Black ebony insert. Buttplate about 80-90% blue. Bright shiny bore with sharp rifling. Cycles properly, mechanics are fine. From the Ray Bentley Collection.