GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXCEPTIONAL SPECIAL ORDER DELUXE LARGE FRAME BULLARD LEVER ACTION RIFLE IN A SCARCE CALIBER.BULLARD188661540-90 BULLARDCal. 40-90 Bullard. Wonderful deluxe large frame Bullard with 28" oct bbl, first year production, full magazine half nickle front sight with screw and a 1000 yd Winchester-style rifle ladder rear sight. Left top edge of receiver is marked "BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY / SPRINGFIELD, MASS US" Cal marking is over the front receiver ring and SN is on the top tang behind the hammer slot. Mounted with very highly figured American walnut with deluxe checker forearm and serpentine grip buttstock that has Bullard embossed hard rubber buttplate with a bull elk in the center. Receiver, lever and hammer are color case hardened. According to the Blue Book of Gun Values, Fjestad there were about 1700 large frame rifles produced 1882-1891 very few had color case hardened receivers, extremely few were produced with deluxe features and of those an extremely small number were in caliber 40-90 Bullard. The Bullard rifle design was the smoothest and strongest of all the lever action rifles produced, having a rack & pinion action which, unfortunately required a much longer receiver making for a very long rifle overall. In addition to the extra length, the Bullard rifles were produced in proprietary calibers which ammunition was not readily available to the average buyer which limited sales and ultimately led to the demise of the company. The company was bought out by Winchester and the design shelved, never to be seen again. Few of these fine rifles remain today, especially with orig finish. CONDITION: Very fine, all matching. Bbl & magazine tube retain about 98-99% strong orig blue with only faint sharp edge wear. Receiver retains about all of its strong orig case colors, brilliant in sheltered areas, lightly to moderately faded elsewhere. Lever retains most all bright case colors on the sides, slightly faded on outer faces. Hammer retains strong case colors, bright on left side moderately faded elsewhere. Dust cover, carrier and breechblock retain 75-80% glossy orig blue mixed with flaking which is a light patina. Wood is sound with a few light nicks and scratches, a bruise in one diamond on the forearm otherwise retains about 95-96% strong orig varnish. Toe of the butt stock has a nearly undetectable professionally repaired chip. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore.This is the finest Deluxe Bullard rifle to appear on the market in recent times and would be difficult to improve upon. 52176-1 JRL (25,000-35,000)