Sporting and collectors guns

The next firearms auction at Rock Island is on 22-24 June and covers both classic collectable firearms and sporting guns.

First up then, Lot 1 and an antique Special Order Winchester Deluxe Model 1873 lever action rifle with factory letter. Manufactured in 1883, the left side of the lower tang marked ‘XX 1054 S’, with ‘1054’ repeated in the stock inlet. The included factory letter lists the rifle with a half octagon barrel, plain trigger, checkered pistol grip stock, shotgun butt, Lyman and Beach sights when received at the warehouse on 25 October 1883 and shipped on 27 October 1883. The estimate is $3,500-$5,000.

Here’s an interesting one, it’s a Civil War era New Haven Arms

Co. Henry lever action rifle. Only around 14,000 Henrys were manufactured in 1860-1866, and around half of them are believed to have been used by Union soldiers, mostly purchased by the men themselves, some using reenlistment bonuses. Estimate is $12,000-$18,000.

Next, something a bit different, it’s a metal Winchester Trademark advertising sign. The imagery features the Winchester factory in the centre background, a Model 1892 rifle in the middle, an array of cartridges at the bottom, and the large Winchester trademark at the top in bright red letters. A wood grain like border surrounds the outer perimeter of the sign. There are five holes on the sign for mounting to a wall in a gun shop or gun room. Very good overall with vibrant colour some scattered mild wear and chipping. Estimate is $2,500-$3,500.

Some British weaponry now with two Snider-Enfield single shot, breech loading military rifles. The first one is an Enfield Snider Mk. III rifle with pearl inlaid stock. Has ‘Crown/VR’ and ‘1871/ ENFIELD’ marked lock, ‘3926’ marked on underside of breech block, ‘4282’ marked on right breech of barrel. It includes a leather sling. The other one is a London Armoury Co. Snider Mk. II** rifle. There are ‘Crown/VR’ and ‘1862/L.A. Co’ marks on the lock and

‘3745’ marks on the right breech of barrel. Estimate for the pair is $800-$1,300.

Let’s finish off with a cased, factory-engraved, Colt Model 1849 pocket revolver. Manufactured in 1856 and almost certainly engraved by Gustave Young’s shop in his classic German-American style. With fitted case, cap tin, brass mold, L-shaped combination tool, and small eagle powder flask. Estimate is $3,000-$5,000. ■