December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2024
Approximately 700 of this type re-manufactured circa 1870-71. This is a type 1 using a converted percussion straight breech action chambered to 50-70 and restocked to a full length military rifle configuration. By most accounts, these rifles featured a case color receiver, lever, breech block, lever and catch with balance of metal in the white. This is an example where the barrel, bands and butt plate were finely blued and appear of the period and commensurate to the overall high condition on balance of gun. It is conjecture that this was made for presentation or sold off as surplus after loosing the trials to the new 45-70 1873 Trapdoor's. Schuyler, Hartley and Graham purchased numerous guns from the government and may have been finely finished after procurement. In either case, finish is of the same period and the overall condition appears to be near new. Rifle features the two bands, iron ramrod, sling swivels, post front sight, folding ladder rear sight with nitre blue adjusting disc. Top of blue butt plate is stamped US. The oil finish walnut stock features the ESA (Erskine Allen) in oval on left side and P at base. The left side of receiver legends are faint but are there. Right side legends are crisp. CONDITION: Excellent. Overall, this gun appears to have seen almost no use. The stocks show only minor impressions. The ESA and P are sharp. The forearm is equally as nice. The case colors on right side of receiver are bold with more toning on left side. The primer bar, screws, and firing pin retain majority of the bright peacock nitre blue. Screws are true. The barrel shows some toning at breech ring and muzzle along with some light handling marks but retains nearly all the fine rust blue. The barrel band retaining springs retain nearly all the nitre blue and the bands themselves show only minor storage wear. The butt plate shows wear at top of heel. The sling swivels show almost no wear. The bore is mirror bright. Stunning and scarce rifle.
Manufacturer
Springfield / Sharps