April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This one of a kind Civil War carbine prototype is attributed to the work of gunsmith Dustin F. Mellen of New Hampshire, whose only recorded dated of activity was 1864. Information on him is found in the three volume German set of worldwide gunmakers on page 790. Features round barrel with no markings, double leaf folding rear sight, single band with forend cap, post front sight, 1" bolt handle. This bolt action saddle ring carbine has an interrupted thread locking system similar to the Palmer and other carbines. The release for the bolt is a push button on the rear of the bolt and it must be pushed forward to either open or close the action. The hammer strikes through a notch cut in the right side of the barrel with ejection to the left. The extractor is missing. This carbine was never finished and is in the white. We have disassembled it down to every part and there is not a single maker stamp, number, or any kind of stamp anywhere on this carbine. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the manufacturer. We only mentioned the similarities to the Palmer. It is unusual that it has such exquisite wood, which would have been preferential for eye appeal when appealing to a manufacturer or government contractor to produce this firearm. CONDITION: Fine with a smooth grey patina overall and average age spots. Wood was finished in commercial quality in deluxe grain. Wrist has been completely cracked and repaired from one side to the other. Action is fine. Near mint bore.