November 18, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2020
Hooked patent breech with protected bead front sight, notch rear sight, and tang mounted aperture sight. Heavy octagonal barrel with front turned down for bullet starter, right side of barrel with bayonet lug. Two ramrod ferrule half stock with German silver nosecap and escutcheon. Back action lock with "W.L. Hudson / Maker (upside down) / Cin. O.". Simple cock. Double set trigger in a flowing Germanic trigger guard. Buttplate with top prong. Accompanied by a Bahn Frei (Trans: Clear the way!) bayonet with "Bahn Frei" cast into brass handle, small "12" stamped at base of handle. Yataghan blade with fitting on hilt for attaching to barrel. Sling eyes just in front of trigger guard and front ramrod ferrule. One side of blade engraved "Bahn Frei", other side engraved "Fr. Reqerlein / 1855" Associated contemporary case with accessories comprising bullet mold, nipple wrench, bullet starter, oil bottle, pick, cleaning rod, and a small wooden box with Joyce's cap tin with threaded ball and string with pads. The Turnerverein (Turners), was a German American sporting club / paramilitary group that consisted of German Americans in the United States that practiced German culture and sports, including target shooting. A number of Turners joined the Union during the Civil War. Interestingly, a number of Turner unions were present in Ohio, further enhancing the likelihood of this being a Turner gun. CONDITION: Barrel has acquired a pleasing chocolate patina with some silvering at high edges. Barrel breech truing strike is slightly askew and breech is also very slightly off. Lock, trigger guard, hammer, with chocolate patina and some flashes of silver underneath. Stocks are very good with some minor marks and rubs throughout, an extra layer of varnish has been applied at one point. Action works appropriately when cycled by hand, bore is very good with visible but slightly softened rifling and some abrasion in grooves. Bayonet is very good with a freckled blade and some darkening of brass. Case is fine as contemporary, accessories are very good with some evidence of use; nipple wrench has one break on one flange. Please note that this rifle does NOT have a retaining wedge. EW
Item Dimensions: 37 x 7 x 5"