October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/1/2018
Features full octagon barrel, full magazine, knife blade front sight, sporting rear sight, blued finish, "S" lever, walnut stock and rifle butt. Barrel is stamped "GW MORSE PATENTED OCTOBER 28 1856". Caliber is stamped "45 CAL 70 GR C.F.". Tang is stamped "A. BURGESS PATENTED JANUARY 7 1873 OCTOBER 19 1875". This is the first model with the barrel wedge. Collectors have recorded a total of 100 rifles and 40 carbines thus far identified. The last shipment of Burgess rifles left the factory in 1880. The famous Native American Chief Joseph carried a 1st Model 1878 Burgess rifle that is currently in the Smithsonian. All of the information obtained, along with photographs and diagrams can be found in the book "The Burgess Long Range Repeating Rifle Model 1878" by Dale Olson. CONDITION: Rifle has a couple of replaced screws in the frame, otherwise it is all there with great markings. It has been completely refinished. There is a splice on the right forearm. Stock is a replacement that has been altered and spliced at lower tang; does not fit particularly well. Metal has approximately 95% of the reapplied blued finish but still retains fairly sharp edges. Markings are good. Strong defined rifling. Fairly handsome rifle as it sits, but another gun that is so rare it is well worthy of an expert restoration.