GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
FINE MAINE FAMILY ESTATE GROUPING OF CIVIL WAR MEMORABILIA INCLUDING FINE COLT ARMY WITH HOLSTER AND FINE MODEL 1860 SPENCER CARBINE. COLT/SPENCER 1860 ARMY/CARBINE 89999/34909 44/56-56 Cal. 44/56-56. This is a most unusual grouping brought in to our auction by a Portland, Maine family whose deceased father had donated two orig fine military photographs (copies can be seen on web) of unknown family members to the Portland Historical Society. Both photographs are officers and at least one family member according to consignor was in the famous 1st Maine Cavalry. This grouping is all in remarkable "as found" condition. 1) Spencer Carbine SN 34909 is early production retaining orig finish and good inspector cartouches, well above average for surviving specimens. 2) Martial Colt Model 1860 SN 89999 Army Revolver with regulation holster in very fine condition, Colt retains much of its orig finish. 3) Fine Ames Model 1840 cavalry saber with excellent grip wrap. 4) Sword belt with eagle buckle with applied silver wreath complete with two hangers. 5) Spencer Carbine box in excellent condition with 7 orig. cartridges, as found in rifle's magazine. 6) Regulation Civil War percussion cap box with large inspector stamp on front in oval "R.WHITE SUB INSPECTOR US ORD. DEPT". 7) Regulation pistol cartridge box in very fine condition, maker marked "H.A. DINGEE NY". 8) Fine officers regulation silk sash with unusually large knotted tassel ends. A bit heavier than most. Measuring 12" long including knots. CONDITION: 1) Spencer, Very good to fine overall. Bbl retains strong traces of orig thinning blue with balance a mottled plum. Other metal components are grey/brown overall with areas of staining and pitting. Some muted case colors are still seen on protected areas of frame, breech and cartridge tube latch. Stocks are sound and solid and well fit with typical scattered light storage blemishes. Two cartouches are still discernible "MMJ" (Martin M. Johnson) and "DAP" (Daniel A. Perkins). The last line of patents under manufacturers mark is lightly struck as can be seen in photos. Mechanically, carbine is well functioning with crisp discernible bore. 2) Colt Army, very good to fine overall. Bbl retains 10% plus orig bright blue finish, especially in protected areas with balance grey/plum. Cylinder retains strong traces of bright blue finish, especially in protected areas with balance grey/plum. Cylinder scene is crisp and well defined. Frame exhibits about 80% muted case colors with balance grey/silver. Loading arm and hammer have strong traces of darkened case colors. Backstrap retains over 80% thinning bright blue color. Frame and bbl screws retain about half of their thin fire blue color. All SNs are matching externally, gun was not disassembled as it appears so untouched and orig. Stocks are sound, solid and well fit with thin applied shellac or varnish, inspector cartouches are only visible in silhouette with light edge wear. Mechanically, revolver functions well with crisp well defined bore with areas of pitting. The accompanying holster is sound, supple, complete with tab and plug. There is a large set of inked initials inside flap which possibly read "SBP". Surface of holster has crazing, scuffs and loss of color in areas. 3) 35-1/2" blade, full firm marked "AMES MFG CO / CABOTVILLE / 1849", inspected "US" and "WD" opposite firm name. Blade is grey overall with scattered areas of staining and pitting. Retains orig protective leather washer. Grip is tight, retaining virtually all of its orig leather with orig "shine", complete twisted wire. Brass hilt has mustard colored patina with old cleaning, scabbard is solid with iron patina. Grey/brown overall. 4) Buckle and keeper fit fairly well, though bench numbers do not match. Belt is supple and as noted with unusual tooling, more like an officers with two sword hangers attached by leather loops that are not sewn. One of these leather loops appears much more recent than the other but sewn the same. 5) Early Spencer cartridge box maker marked "E. GAYLORD CHICOPEE MASS". Wood block insert contains 20 drilled holes for cartridges. Box overall in fine condition retaining both roller buckles wit. Box has crazing and scuffing but retains most of its finish. Tab is worn and crazed; missing above half of its finish, but intact. 6) Very good to fine. Easily read inspectors marks, missing lambs wool and pick. 7) Very good to fine overall, retaining most of its orig finish with scuffs and crazing where flexed. Tab is solid and intact retaining about 75% of its finish. 8) Very good to fine overall. Sash appears relatively intact with small reductions. One knot heavily frayed over wooden top, but tassels on both appear complete and intact. 49629-1 JS (6,000-10,000)