GUN FALL 2016
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
EXTRAORDINARY AND FINEST KNOWN ENGRAVED EARLY BRASS FRAME WARNER REVOLVING PERCUSSION RIFLE. WARNER CARBINE NSN 40 Cal. 40. 24" part oct bbl, browned and case hardened. The total production on these revolving rifles with the automatic revolving cylinder and brass receiver for the bbl has been estimated at approx. 25 guns, making this extremely rare. These self-revolving carbines were considered an infringement of Colt's patent and their production was stopped shortly after it began with Colt's intervention. Engraved lockplate marked "WARNER'S PATENT / JAN. 1851" in two banners. Reverse side of frame is engraved with a panoply of American flags, stars and a patriotic shield, possibly made as exhibition piece as the only other example I have found (SN 7), was blued not browned, plated and frame un-engraved. This is a beautiful and unique example of Warner's finest work made prior to the Civil War. PROVENANCE: Ex-South African collection, 2002; Estate of Tig Sogoian. CONDITION: Extremely fine overall. Bbl retains over 95% orig thinning brown finish. Cyl retains 98% of its orig bright blue with etched scroll decoration. Frame retains over 80% of its thinning brown finish, with light pitting at top of breech ring and front top of lock. Trigger guard retains about 1/2 of its orig brown with balance gray, and has a small casting flaw visible on left side near rear. Buttplate, hammer and loading assembly are mostly silver/gray with strong areas of bright and muted case colors. Buttstock is sound, solid and well fit, retaining virtually all its orig bright factory varnish. Mechanically sound with crisp bright rifling in bore. 50763-5 JS (20,000-30,000)