November 3-4, 2017 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
One of the great inventors of the early 20th century was Charles Newton. The first Newton sporting rifles of the Newton rifle group were imported from Germany. These were expensive guns in their day, costing as much as $100 in 1914. The majority of these rifles were manufactured in the Newton custom calibers, although this example is in the much scarcer .30-06. They are referred to as the Buffalo Newton, as they were manufactured in Buffalo, New York, but a more proper designation would be the First Model 1916. This rifle remains in excellent condition. Features a full tapered blue round barrel with unusual peep front sporting sight that can be seen in the book by Lawrence Wales. Barrel retains 98% original factory blue finish as does the frame. Has a folding leaf rear sporting sight. Barrel is stamped "NEWTON ARMS COMPANY BUFFALO, NEW YORK" on top of barrel. This sleek, checkered walnut stock features a Newton exclusive roll-over cheek piece, blued metal grip cap, and Schnabel forend tip. This is a takedown rifle; takes down by means of a rotating floorplate that is basically grey patina. Features double set triggers, a replaced solid black rubber recoil pad, long slide Lyman 48 receiver sight, case colored A.O. Springfield type barrel mounts for scope, and currently sports a pre-war Lyman 438 tube scope with adjustable mounts. Also has a 1918 dated J.J.O. leather sling. Strong, rifled bore and fine action. Newton is famous for inventing many of the early high-speed small caliber cartridges. Very little is known about these early, scarce rifles but there is a very good book written on them titled "The Newton Rifle" by Lawrence Wales. Beautiful, early World War I era sporting rifle equivalent to the quality to the early Adolph's, Owen's and Griffin & Howe's.