May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
This very unusual and unique crank-fired rifle could accurately be called the pre-cursor to the crank-fired guns such as the Gatling and Hotchkiss, as well as the later designs such as the Nordenfelt and Gardner guns. This gun utilizes a detachable hand-crank to actuate a bolt which strips cartridges from a gravity-fed box magazine which drops the rounds into the feedway in the same manner as a Gatling Gun. The action is contained between two steel sideplates, and the massive wood stock is attached like a clamshell around the outside of these plates. There are four contemporary produced magazines included with this lot. There is also an adjustable wood-legged tripod with a contemporary produced head designed to hold this rifle as it is being fired. A crew of three is ideal for the firing of this weapon, which can be seen in a posted YouTube video. The bore of this rifle measures .585 inch and it has 3-groove left hand rifling. There is a crown proof mark over “16” on he ladder of the rear sight, which is graduated out to “8”. This rifle was brought to the attention of both Dolf Goldsmith, and Herbert Woodend years ago, and both of these renown researchers were very interested in it, and its origins. The rifle was disassembled, detailed photos taken and forwarded to first to Dolf, and then on to Herb Woodend. Herbert Woodend was long associated and curator at the Royal Small Arms Factory Pattern Room at Enfield north of London, and a top authority on British Small arms. Herb requested an X-ray of the barrel so that he could determine whether it was purpose-made as it is, or was a cut-down barrel. The consignor acquired and provided the X-rays, and Herbert Woodend declared the barrel to be a one-off manufactured at Enfield, and there is an Enfield Inspector’s stamp on it. Before Herb Woodend could follow-up in his research of the Enfield records, his health declined and prevented him from doing so. Dolf Goldsmith’s energy for travel and research had declined by this time as well. A chamber casting has been taken, and it is for the .58 Morse cartridge. It will also digest the .577 steel base paper cartridge round. Dolf Goldsmith was of the opinion that the design of this gun provided inspiration to Hiram Maxim and John Browning. The consignor states that he has fired over 100 rounds of .58 Morse, and over 100 rounds of .577 Snider out of this rifle. He had the magazines fabricated following the suggestions made by Dolf Goldsmith, and other gun experts. The consignor also had the tripod yoke and crank handle fabricated. He states that the gun is 100% original and has had nothing replaced or refinished except for stabilizing the 4” jagged crack on the left side of the stock. PROVENANCE: Letter from consignor in which he states that he purchased this gun from a dealer at the Denver gun collector’s show in the mid 1980s. The dealer had no information but put the consignor in touch with the person he had acquired it from in Florida. This prior owner in Florida stated he had purchased it in the mid-1950s from a small museum in Canada, which was closing and deaccessing/auctioning off all their assets. This Florida owner said there was a small plaque (now lost) which stated this was a “Confederate Gun for Bridge Defense”, and that was all that he knew about it. This Florida owner sold the gun in order to pay medical bills. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine overall. Beautiful brass shroud over the steel barrel. Massive wood stock has beautiful figure but also a 4” jagged crack on the left side. This does not appear to have affected function. Bore is fine, starting to get dark, with strong rifling. The tripod and crank handle are near excellent. Whether you accept the possibility that this rifle has some connection to the Confederate States of America or not, this rifle is still a remarkable piece regarding its design and place in historical development of repeating arms. One cannot overstate the potential significance, nor ignore the effort and quality of design and manufacture of this specimen from the 19th century. JWK 2025-05-086.
CORRECTION: According to the consignor’s notes regarding communication with both Dolf Goldsmith and Herb Woodend about this gun, they both agreed that this was the first gun either had observed that used a trunnion and sideplates in its construction. From a developmental standpoint this is a significant fact, and one that needs to have attention brought to it. It is one of the major reason that both were so interested in it. It is a shame that Woodend’s declining health prevented his completing his research on this gun. Additionally, this rifle is in .58 Morse, not .50 Morse as previously stated.
Accessories
Tripod, Crank, Magazines, Brass Deflector
Paperwork
Letter from Consignor