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BILL GOODMAN, 305 DONEGAL DRIVE, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715

TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415

Bill Goodman has been a collector of antique/collector firearms for well over 40 years and a full time dealer for over 28 years. Traveling around the country constantly seeking good quality collector arms at REALISTIC PRICES, Bill sells exclusively by mail order. He has advertised in every issue of The Gun List (now Gun Digest the Magazine) since it's first small issues in the early 1980s (as well as The Shotgun News before that). All items are photographed. To view them just click the text of the item you want to see. Be sure to scroll down as most items have more than one photo. All guns are sold as collector's items, not shooters. If you wish to shoot an item listed here, it is strongly recommended that you have the item checked out by a competent gunsmith who specializes in antique firearms. All items are sold with the usual three (3) day inspection. If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, call to say you are returning the item and you will receive an immediate refund when the item is received back in the same condition it was originally shipped. This list will be constantly updated as new items become available. Use the above phone number to call to check availability and for further info on any item you wish to purchase. Prices do not include shipping. All federal/state laws concerning the transfer of firearms are strictly followed. Modern firearms must be shipped to an FFL dealer (or "Curio & Relics" license holders where applicable). Pre-1899 antiques may be shipped to non-FFL holders. All Layaway sales are final.

NOTE: WE WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL DECEMBER 9. PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR TRY TO LEAVE MESSAGES. JUST CALL AFTER 12/9. THANKS.

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED NOVEMBER 26, 2013. WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH DECEMBER.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: (11 JUNE 2013) It's been quite a while since I've written a NOTES FROM THE FIELD, but something just happened that got me thinking and I thought I'd share these thoughts. For the last week we've been without water. Got electricity and everything else, but no H2O. We should have things back to normal in a day or two. Well, we dug out the 5 gallon folding Reliant water containers and filled the Coleman Solar Shower Bags with water to heat in the sun (they work great on sunny days or just add heated water for a pretty decent shower), we had a couple 100 gallon water tanks delivered for easy filling from the driveway etc. So a week of lugging 5 gallon/50 pound folding jugs of water to fill the backs of toilets so they'd flush, hanging shower bags off the dry shower heads for weak showers, watering plants in the same manner, and washing dishes in a like way can get old. This is what really got me thinking about the pioneers who settled this area after the Civil War. Forget the electricity and cars and super markets for a moment, these folks had wood or metal buckets and outhouses (or none). Showers didn't exist in any form unless you stood under a waterfall! If 5 gallons of water in a weightless plastic container weighs about 50 pounds, how many heavy buckets would you have to haul to fill a bath tub? And then heat it! And then empty it! Certainly this would not be an everyday occurrence. The grubbiness and dirt must have been awful by our standards, not to mention the stench- deodorant? probably not. Okay, so what does all this have to do with guns? A few days ago I was ready to go to the range. I had some smokeless loads to try as well as some black powder .45-70 and .50-70 loads. I really like to scrub out black powder fired cases soon after shooting as well as clean my black powder cartridge guns right away. Hot, soapy water is a must for the cases. It's also a bit of a mess, but not an unpleasant one under normal running-water circumstances. Under my present circumstances I decided to give it a pass and wait for the water to return to my pipes and hot water tanks. As we who like antique guns tend to be historians, at least to some degree, this current water situation has been a time to reflect on those hardy souls who ventured to the West with their Hawken muzzleloaders or Sharps, Remington, Ballard or Springfield single shots, or early Winchester or Marlin repeating rifles- all of which fired black powder cartridges. And all those rifles (pistols & revolvers too) had to be cleaned- without hot running water, without modern black powder solvents packaged in convenient plastic bottles, without electric lights to see by etc. etc. etc... And what about the Civil War soldiers living in floorless tents for a year or two (more for Confederates!) under the worst of conditions and have to care for their black powder firearms (on which their very lives depended). It's a wonder any of these guns- that we cherish today- ever got cleaned! Anyway, it's fun to do a little mind-tripping and fantasize about being a mountain man or being on a wagon train or being a buffalo hunter or maybe being a frontier lawman. For me, I'll keep these thoughts in their proper perspective and be damn glad I have gas heat, A/C, electricity, Delta jets to get me to distant gun shows and home again in a few days, cars, phones, UPS, this computer and yes... running water! (This "Notes from the Field" will be my way of communicating with you- on an opinion basis- topics pertaining to gun collecting and related subjects as I see them. I'll update it from time to time. Thanks for reading- Bill Goodman)

COLT FIRE ARMS (click text for photos)

MARLIN (click text for photos)

1) ONE OF THE BETTER 1889 MODELS I'VE OFFERED; .44-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, MADE 1893, excellent overall with deep original barrel and mag blue with barely a hint of plum starting, receiver shows fine blue overall with again just a little plum mixing, bright bore should scrub out to near exc., original sights, exc. walnut with tight wood to metal fit and showing only a few very minor handling marks, still has some nice case color on the receiver sides, very hard to find this nice especially in the most desirable .44 caliber! (looks much better than photos show) $1895.

2) OUTSTANDING MODEL 93 .32-40 OCTAGON RIFLE MADE 1920s, WITH GREAT SERIAL NUMBER 9000, this is one of the rifles with the “star” inspector stamp on the upper tang and according to the Marlin book: Literature published in 1926-1927 states that when a Marlin gun leaves the factory bearing the Marlin star stamped into the metal, it is ‘as near perfection as the finest of materials, equipment, and skill can make it.’ This one is excellent inside and out with fine, rich case color on almost all the receiver with minor fading on the lever bottom and upper tang, exc. wood with one shallow ding in the left side of the stock that would probably steam out, exc. blue on the mag and barrel, perfect bore, original sights, This is a rare caliber “Special Smokeless Steel” marked octagon rifle in super condition with neat serial number! $2650.

3) 1894 RARITY!! .44-40 WITH EXTRA LONG 32" OCTAGON BARREL AND FULL MAGAZINE! MADE 1900, This was the longest length Marlin offered and is rarely encountered especially in .44-40 caliber- most extra length barrels were in .25-20 and .32-20 calibers- plus, the longest magazine offered was 28" making this a most unusual rifle. PLUS, it's got condition! Barrel retains most of the deep blue with minor freckling and a little age, mag tube bottom mixing plum/brown, fine vivid case colors on the receiver that are dark in nature, but still there with only the front part of the right side of the receiver turning dark, fine case on the lever sides, still some good color on the butt plate, fine deep blue on the bolt and loading gate, exc. forearm, butt stock seems to have had a little sanding done to it a very long time ago- as if a spot on the right side had a mark that was removed- it's minor, but did leave some gaps at the butt plate (which is numbered to the gun), original sights, may have had a tang sight at one time as one filler screw is missing, looks like there are a couple lightly scratched letters (initials "NW") on the right barrel flat- all really minor, bright bore will clean exc., very few of these 32" .44-40 octagon rifles produced, ( four photos ) $3250.

4) EARLY 1895 .45-90 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1896, aged and thinning barrel blue mixing gray/brown but not cleaned or steel wooled, mostly gray/brown mag tube and receiver, original sights, exc. markings, fine butt stock shows normal light handling, forearm has a long shallow sliver out of the left top side, fine+ bore with good rifling should scrub out to near exc., tight action, great caliber, $2650.

A NOTE ABOUT "MODERN MARLINS:" Marlin has closed its doors for good in North Haven, Connecticut and been bought out by the folks who own Remington. It looks like some models have been put back into production with the barrels marked "Utica, New York." I did see one of the new ones with the old North Haven barrel address so I assume they had left over barrels they were using up. Quality in wood to metal fit was fair at best and trigger pulls were off the scale heavy! I doubt if any of the octagon barrel "cowboy models" will be produced again, although their online catalogue does show a model 1894 cowboy-type with octagon barrel in .45 Colt caliber only. I believe these traditional Marlins made in limited runs in North Haven, CT are going to be tomorrow's sought after Marlins. Already prices for them are escalating rapidly.

5) RARE "MODERN" MARLIN MODEL 336CB COWBOY 24" OCTAGON RIFLE IN .38-55 CALIBER, now discontinued an with Marlin being bought out by Remington, probably never to be made again, this was a limited run and few are found for sale now, fancy checkered with traditional diamond in the middle of the wrist and forearm, Marbles tang sight and globe front with apertures, original barrel sights included, very lightly used, $1150. SOLD

6) TWO MORE SCARCE NEW IN THE BOX "MODERN" MARLIN 1894s: COWBOY LIMITED- ONE IN .44 SPECIAL AND MAGNUM CALIBER AND ONE IN RARE .357 MAGNUM CALIBER, like the above rifle, 24" octagon barrels and fancy checkered with traditional diamond in the middle of the wrist and forend, nicely figured walnut, new and unfired in Marlin boxes with correct booklets, $1150 for the .44 mag and $1195 for the .357 mag (BOTH SOLD).

7) YET ANOTHER SCARCE "MODERN" MARLIN VARIANT: 1895 .45-70 COWBOY WITH 26" OCTAGON BARREL, this one is flat new, unfired in the original box and still even has the Marlin tag on the lever and all paperwork in the box with serial numbered end label! $1195. SOLD

8) JUST IN: LIMITED PRODUCTION AND VERY RARE 1895 .45-70 24” HALF OCTAGON BARREL FULL MAGAZINE RIFLE, the barrel is stamped “1895 LTD” and these were made some years ago in one small run, I don’t believe I’ve seen another, about new condition overall, $1195.

ANTIQUE & CLASSIC RIFLES, SHOTGUNS AND PISTOLS (click text for photos)

OUTSTANDING AND UNUSUAL COLLECTION OF POCKET PISTOLS, DERRINGERS & REVOLVERS- the following collection was assembled over several years and most were photographed for an upcoming article about these interesting arms and their low-powered ammunition in The Black Powder Cartridge News magazine (yes, I wrote the article. It is called DELAYED LETHALITY and should be published in the next quarterly issue). Please note I refer to the book Flayderman's Guide in a number of these descriptions. This classic book is now in its 9th edition, yet was last published in 2007. All are antique. I have tried to price all of these attractively. As always, click text for photos.

1. COLT No. 1 ALL METAL .41 RF DERRINGER, ONLY 6500 MADE 1870-1890, a seldom seen Colt that was actually one of Colt's first non-conversion cartridge guns, made to be used as "knucks" presumably after the first and only shot was fired! Much better than normally seen with fine bright blue mixing a little gray on the right side and bottom of the barrel, left side shows some aged blue mixing gray/brown, iron frame is an uncleaned mottled gray/brown with some nickel in protected areas, exc. mechanically with bright sharp bore, exc. screw (only one), sharp markings and checkering on back strap and sides, exc. simple factory engraving, #2XXX, (Flayderman's Guide 9th edition- now SIX YEARS OLD shows these in fine condition at $2750), rarely seen with any original finish remaining, my price $2250.

2. COLT No. 2 .41 RF DERRINGER, ONLY 9000 MADE 1870-1890, another scarce early cartridge Colt that is rarely found with any finish remaining, this one much better than normally seen, fine aged blue mixing dull on the barrel, exc. markings and mech., uncleaned brown iron frame with nice simple factory engraving, exc. single screw, exc. checkered walnut grips, bore will clean about exc., #5XXX, (Flayderman’s shows these in fine at $2,000), My price $1795.

3. COLT No. 3 .41 RF DERRINGER, MADE 1870-1912, this was Colt’s most popular derringer with 48,000 being made yet good examples with original finish are hard to find as like most derringer/pocket pistols they were carried extensively and wore fast, this one is the more scarce full nickel and shows wear on the high edges of the frame sides with grip straps retaining all of the nickel, barrel also retains nearly all the nickel except for a thin wear line at the highest/sharpest edges and slightly at the muzzle, exc. screws and mech, exc. markings, nice walnut grips show good finish and only slight handling marks, good fire blue on the hammer back, exc. mech and the bore should scrub out fine or better, again, much better than normally seen, $895.

4. VERY EARLY COLT NEW LINE .32 RF POCKET REVOLVER, ONLY 22,000 TOTAL MADE 1873-1884, #5XXX nickel finish with rosewood grips, retains fine bright nickel finish with just the most minor of freckling/peeling/scratches that must be closely examined to really detect clearly, some evidence of light rust that at some time in the distant past was wiped off, exc. highly finished grips, $450. (note: top gun in photo sold)

5. OUTSTANDING AND VERY RARE COLT NEW LINE 2^ND. MODEL IN .41 CENTER FIRE CALIBER WITH BLUE AND CASE COLOR FINISH, #4XXX MADE 1876, only 7,000 of these were made in .41 for five years between 1874-1879 with the majority being nickel finish and rim fire chambering, this is a great one with nearly all the slightly aged blue on the barrel and cylinder, beautiful sharp acid etched “COLT NEW 41” barrel marking, exc. high finished rosewood grips, frames on these were case colored and some still remains (!) in front of cylinder on both sides and some nice color can be seen on the left side in the more protected areas around the cylinder and side plate with less on the right side, but still good color in the loading flute, exc. markings, exc. mech and bore, fine fire blue on the hammer back, super rare and the best I’ve seen! $1695.

6. EXCEEDINGLY RARE C. H. BALLARD IRON FRAME (!) .41 RF DERRINGER, ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MADE 1870 AND MOST WITH THE BRASS FRAME, all of these are scarce and this is the first I’ve seen with iron frame, overall mostly gray/brown patina with some pin prick pitting scattered on mostly the underside of the barrel- minor, nice walnut grips, correct only marking for iron frame models “BALLARD’S” on the barrel top, hammer spring weak but holds hammer at full cock fine, tips down to load, (Flayderman’s shows these in good/fine condition at $700/$2000), this one is priced at $1295.

7. EARLY BROWN MANUFACTURING “SOUTHERNER” .41 RF SCARCE IRON FRAME DERRINGER, #4XXX WITH 1867 PATENT DATE, MADE 1869, a really fine example with what I believe is a full silver plate finish (looks too dull to be nickel and many were silvered), barrel finish thinning somewhat and aged to an attractive silver/gray, frame retains good silver with some thinning/ageing on the edges and grip straps all of which blends beautifully, sharp markings including the classis “SOUTHERNER” marking on the barrel top, exc. mech, exc. highly finished rosewood grips, bore will clean exc., rare variation and really sharp example of one of the earliest and most popular cartridge derringers usually found in hard used/hard carried condition, $1295.

8. LARGE CONNECTICUT ARMS HAMMOND PATENT “BULLDOG” .44RF SINGLE SHOT PISTOL, IN VERY RARE NICKEL FINISH, MADE 1866-1880s, only about 8,000 of these big caliber guns were made and nearly all were blued, Flayderman's Guide says "a few known with original nickel finish..." I’ve encountered only a very few in nickel over the years and this is one of the best, fine nickel with wear to brown around the high parts of the breech block left side and bottom and around the right side of the trigger, and around the muzzle of the barrel- looks like this one might have been carried in a holster, still good nickel on most of the grip straps and barrel and left side of frame, exc. hard rubber “gutta percha” grips, exc. mech, bore will clean fine or better, a relatively big early cartridge derringer/pocket pistol in a rare finish in nice condition, (Flayderman’s shows these in exc. with standard blue finish at $1500) I have this one priced at $1495.

9. THE SMALLEST REVOLVER EVER MADE IN THE U.S.! SUPER RARE “GEM” POCKET REVOLVER, MADE BY THE BACON FIREARMS COMPANY LATE 1870s TO EARLY 1880s IN “LIMITED QUANTITIES” (according to Flayderman’s Guide), this is only the second or third of these fancy little guns I’ve seen in twenty years and this is a great example of this 5 shot .22 RF with 1 ¼” barrel and overall length of just 3 7/8.” Nickel plated with special extra thinly gold washed/plated cylinder and fully engraved with the only marking “GEM” on the top strap over the cylinder, nearly all the nickel remains with only the tiniest spot of freckling on the extreme bottom edge of the bird's head butt, only traces of the gold wash remain on the cylinder face, in the chambers and in the engraving with the balance silver/gray and blending with the rest of the metal, special fancy scrimshawed ivory grips are mellow from age, but exc. and not chipped, exc. mech., truly an outstanding rarity with extra fancy finish! Most advanced collectors have never seen one! A rare beauty! $2250. (SOLD)

10. SAFETY HAMMER DOUBLE ACTION .44 CENTER FIRE BY HARRINGTON & RICHARDSON, MADE C.1880s – 1890s, these under-appreciated yet widely popular inexpensive handguns saw lots of use in the east and west, this one is in relatively scarce blue finish, 2 ½” octagon barrel, top strap marked “SAFETY HAMMER” and “DOUBLE ACTION” overall aged blue mixing plum, exc. hard rubber fancy grips, mech works fine, big caliber in a small package and quite rare in this big bore chambering! $275.

11. EXCELLENT REID 7 SHOT .22 CALIBER “MY FRIEND” KNUCKLEDUSTER, MADE 1868-1882, complete with matching number cylinder pin (these often replaced or with the tips that contain the serial number broken off because they have a REVERSE thread for removing and people, being creatures of habit, try to remove the pin by turning it counter-clockwise… with pliers… until the end breaks off!), fine nickel frame with brass showing through only along the edges from normal carry wear, very thin/aged blue cylinder (some were nickel plated, some blued), tight mechanically, exc. markings including the very tiny “MY FRIEND” and patent markings on the edge of the top strap, you gotta love this kind of stuff! $1895.

12. TINY REMINGTON SAW HANDLE No. 1 SIZE “VEST POCKET” .22 RF DERRINGER IN SCARCE AND DESIRABLE BLUE FINISH, #8XXX, MADE 1865-1888, exc. blue on the sides and top of the frame with edge wear only, barrel blue ahead of the trigger thing and mixing an uncleaned gray, grip straps aged to gray/brown, still some nice fire blue on the hammer sides and back, exc. mech., exc. high finished grips, exc. screws, exc. Remington markings on the receiver top, again, these tiny vest pocket arms were often carried lots and show considerable wear with the blue ones wearing faster than nickel examples, finding one with original blue is difficult and this is a particularly fine example. $1195.

13. VERY EARLY LOW NUMBER 1XX, FACTORY ENGRAVED AND IVORY STOCKED BIG REMINGTON No. 3 SIZE SAW HANDLE .41 RF DERRINGER, ONLY 14,000 MADE 1865-1888, overall blue finish aged and thinned to an attractive uncleaned gray/brown patina with good aged blue on the hammer and breech block, fine Remington markings on the receiver top, fine scroll engraving on the receiver sides, bottom of grip straps (butt) and a little below back strap hump, tight mech., some light dings just behind the back strap top hump only, exc. un-chipped ivory grips are mellow with age, must have belonged to a successful gambler, politician or expensive/desirable lady of the evening! $2350. SOLD

14. FRANK WESSON MEDIUM FRAME SUPERPOSED .32 RF 2^ND. TYPE OVER/UNDER SWIVEL BARREL DERRINGER, ONLY 3,000 MADE 1868-1880, mellow uncleaned brass frame with small “H D” barely scratched into the left side below the hammer (could be easily rubbed out or just left as is- minor), mostly gray/brown patina barrels, exc. mech., tight barrel lock up, exc. rosewood grips, fine markings with patent date, these have lots of appeal, nice example, $1195.

15) FOLDING KNIFE REVOLVER BY H&R (see above in Antique/Classic section)

REMINGTON (click text for photos)

1) SCARCE No. 1 ROLLINGBLOCK SPORTING RIFLE IN .40-70 CALIBER (BOTTLE NECK), all of these big sporters are hard to find and of those this is one of the least common of the big calibers, correctly caliber marked on the bottom of the barrel, matching numbers on barrel, forend, butt plate and receiver (#5XXX), 28” tapered octagon barrel, very aged blue to brown/gray barrel mottled gray/brown receiver, still some good blue on hammer and breech block, generally exc. wood with light handling only, original front sight with replaced fixed rear sight (old), bright fine+ bore may clean out better, as an aside, of those few No.1 sporting rifles I do encounter, most have been altered by having lined or re-bored barrels, extra holes/dovetails in the barrels, non-matching numbered major parts etc. etc., this one is an honest and original No.1 Sporter, $2750.

2) ROLLINGBLOCK FACTORY SHOTGUN, MADE 1870s-1890s, this is the big No.1 action made for the 16 ga. brass or 20 ga. paper shotshell, known as the "No.2" model with military style butt plate, unaltered and uncleaned, exc. wood with tight wood to metal fit, correct fluted receiver ring top, bore will clean out fine to exc., 32" steel barrel, mostly aged dark receiver with Remington markings on the upper tang, tight action, I've always wanted to break some clays with one of these! $695.

3)VERY UNUSUAL ROLLINGBLOCK TWO BAND MILITARY MUSKET IN DESIRABLE .50-70 CALIBER WITH FULL FACTORY NICKEL FINISH, this is the third one of these I’ve seen in about 20 years and all I’ve seen were in hard-used condition, this is the best condition one, There are no foreign proofs or markings and also no U.S. markings indicating that this was a commercial model sold in the United States as this cartridge wasn’t available any place else- except maybe Mexico, I have a copy of a the 1877 Remington catalogue that shows a similar rifle called “United States Model caliber .50” yet is shows a photo of a three band musket with 32 ½” barrel while this one has two bands and a 30 ½” barrel, nickel plating was very common on the “Baby Carbine” in .44-40 caliber and it’s my opinion this was just a civilian version that shooters wanted in nickel finish as black powder fouling cleaned off easier than blue, this was especially popular in the early southwest and Mexico, fine attractive aged nickel on the barrel and receiver with some flaking/browning on the bottom of the receiver and trigger guard, hammer and high edges of the butt plate, minor peeling/browning at the muzzle, original sights (small slide missing from rear sight- should be easy to replace), needs cleaning rod only, fine wood with a small sliver out of the left side of the forend by the receiver, fine bore will clean near excellent, a rare American frontier variation in a great caliber! $1295.

5) FACTORY ENGRAVED AND NICKEL PLATED ROLLINGBLOCK SADDLE RING CARBINE, probably went to Mexico as many nickel plated carbines went there, this one has seen use, but still retains half the nickel on the barrel, some on the butt plate and action, original sights, beautiful profuse scroll on the receiver sides, top, bottom, tangs, trigger guard, top of butt plate, breech and muzzle of barrel, barrel band, breech block and hammer! I believe this one is in 43 Spanish Caliber, fine action bore and wood, thumb tab on breech block cracked/repaired, no doubt saw lots of frontier use! (Photos don't do this one justice- looks much better in person) $2450.

5) No. 2 ROLLINGBLOCK SPORTING RIFLE IN VERY SCARCE .44 HENRY RIM FIRE CALIBER, very few were made in this early caliber, 28" octagon barrel with original buckhorn rear sight and probably later Marble ivory bead front sight, I believe this was a near mint rifle that saw some poor storage as the bright blue on the barrel has some patches of on-top-of-the-metal surface rust that has been partially cleaned off, fading case colors on the receiver and forend tip with exc. blue on the hammer and breech block, VIVID CASE COLORS REMAIN ON THE BUTT PLATE, exc. wood, bore will clean about exc., matching numbers on barrel and receiver, a rare gun that could be improved upon with some careful cleaning and touching up, $1195

6) VERY SCARCE 20" CARBINE VERSION KEENE .45-70, standard rifles have 24 1/2" barrels, but a few carbines with 20" barrels were offered, this one has fine aged barrel/receiver blue that is mixing a bit with some brown, mag tube ageing to plum, some scattered light patches of old rust that has been wiped- minor, exc. wood with correct swivels and has the usual cracks coming back on each side from the front of the trigger guard to the back of the upper tang- probably a horse roll-over crack (see my Notes from the Field section at the very end of this website for a discussion of this topic), tight action, correct original sights, bright exc. bore, $2650.

7) HEAVY BARREL HEPBURN SPORTING RIFLE IN CALIBER .40-90BN, 28 inch octagon barrel with the octagon edges just slightly larger than the receiver! Weighs 11 1/4 pounds, matching numbers on the barrel and receiver, exc.+ walnut with sharp checkering at the wrist and very tight wood to metal fit, mottled gray/brown receiver shows a few shallow surface dings on the right side that are almost invisible unless looked for- really minor, bright case color under the lever, tight action, fine deep barrel blue showing light age only, original buckhorn rear sight with folding globe Beach combination front sight, exc. markings, exc. bright bore, the barrel is marked ."40 1 7/8" which normally is the .40-50BN caliber, so at some time (very possibly by the Remington Factory) this one had the chamber lengthened to take the bigger "Buffalo" cartridge, hard to find sporters this nice especially with such a heavy barrel, $3250.

RUGER (click text for photos)

1) OLD MODEL BLACKHAWK .357 MAG REVOLVER WITH 6 1/2" BARREL, MADE 1972, seen light use with minor edge wear only, tight action with nice trigger pull, $450.

2) VERY LIMITED PRODUCTION M-77 .30-06 18 1/2" ULTRA LIGHT CARBINE WITH LAMINATE STOCK WITH EBONY FOREND TIP, I believe these were only offered for a year or two in the 1980s and rarely show up these days, open sights (rear sight needs screw), a few minor scuffs to the aluminum blacking on the floor plate and a few light scuffs in the wood, great brush or mountain hunting rifle, $795.

3) HISTORIC, FANCY FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION 10/22, SERIAL NUMBER 64, BELONGED TO CHARLES A. ROGLER- FRIEND OF BILL RUGER AND EXPORT REPRESENTATIVE FOR STURM, RUGER AND CO. IN THE EARLY 1960s, I got this one a man who either knew the family or Rogler himself (I have a short statement from him). Charles Rogler passed away 8/19/11 and this came from his estate (A copy of his obituary is included which mentions the above), Apparently Charles Rogler chose this rifle to be his own and since the model was introduced in 1964 he chose the appropriate serial number “64” for himself, no doubt he also chose the fancy grain walnut for the stock, Mr. Rogler retired to Montana which is where I found this one, basically the gun is in near new condition, I sent for a factory letter from Ruger and received a letter back stating that the gun was delivered in 1964, but as a policy they do not mention the recipient- perhaps a follow-up letter explaining the historical nature of this 10/22 might loosen them up a bit and provide more info… A truly key and historical Ruger firearm! $1895.

SAVAGE FIREARMS (click text for photos)

1) RARE UNALTERED MODEL 1895 .303 CALIBER ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #59XX, mostly gray/brown overall with exc. bore, Savage marked buckhorn rear sight, Rocky Mountain blade front sight, fine correct forend, butt stock has the usual age cracks/small chips coming back from the upper part of the receiver, exc. markings, $950

2) RARE UNALTERED MODEL 1895 .303 CALIBER SCARCE OCTAGON RIFLE, #78XX, mostly gray/brown overall, correct forend has a shallow chip/sliver out from the right side near the tip, stock has the usual couple age cracks/chip coming back from the upper receiver, front of the stock comb may have been lightly rounded, buckhorn rear sight (needs elevator bar only), blade front sight, bore a bit dark but will clean about exc., exc. markings, $695.

3) MODEL 1899B .303 CALIBER SCARCE OCTAGON BARREL RIFLE, #39XXX, MADE 1904, fine deep barrel blue, receiver aged to mostly gray/brown, Marbles tang sight with small blade/bead front sight, fine solid wood with normal hairline age crack coming back from the receiver top and some staining by the butt plate- should be easy to remove, nice grain in butt stock, exc. markings, exc. bore, $695.

4) MODEL 1899 SADDLE RING CARBINE MADE 1915, caliber .303 Savage, this is an outstanding example with fine deep blue on the receiver sides and top with only some thinning on the bottom, saddle ring staple intact with ring removed- easily replaced, fine thinning barrel blue, original sights including the Savage marked windage adjustable rear sight, exc. forearm, butt stock has a repaired crack on the right side from the upper tang back and around to the lower tang with a one inch chip out from the back of the upper tang- typical horse roll-over break- see my “Notes from the Field” on this at the end of the website, exc. bore and mech, a really fine example that could use a replacement stock, or just leave it and enjoy as it is, $995.

SHILOH SHARPS AND OTHER REPRODUCTIONS (click text for photos)

NOTE: I am also a Shiloh Sharps dealer. In fact, I am the only stocking dealer of Shiloh Sharps rifles. I frequently have a selection of NIB stock on hand for immediate delivery AT CATALOGUE PRICE WITH NO ADDITIONAL PREMIUMS OR FEES! For further info and lists of available rifles, see my other website, www.shiloh-ballard.com

1-A) HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON .45-70 TRAPDOOR 1871-1971 OFFICERS MODEL CENTENNIAL RIFLE, a near exact copy of the rare and valuable original Springfield 1875 Officers Model rifle that was built by Springfield and sold to officers stationed in the West, checkered wrist and forend, correct tang sight, engraved butt plate, lock plate, hammer, breech block, trigger guard, barrel band, pewter forend cap etc., beautifully blued and case colored, about new in the original box, made in the USA in the 1970s, as I always say when I get these in, these are a bargain on today's market! $1050.

1-B SAME AS ABOVE, ABOUT NEW, BUT NO BOX, $995.

2) JONATHAN BROWNING MOUNTAIN RIFLE, .50 CALIBER PERCUSSION, BRASS MOUNTED, these were made in the late 1970s to perhaps early 1980s and are of the highest quality made in the USA, I bought one new back then and still have it- mine's not for sale, nice tight grained dark walnut stock and brass mounts, about new condition, bright bore, original sights, single set trigger, these are great guns never to be made again, $895.

3) SHILOH SHARPS, MADE IN BIG TIMBER, MONTANA, No. 3 SPORTER, .45-70, 30" heavy octagon barrel, pewter forend tip, semi-fancy walnut, case harden steel military butt plate, long range soule tang sight with globe front sight, about new condition, $2395.

4) SHILOH SHARPS, MADE IN BIG TIMBER, MONTANA, GORGEOUS HARTFORD SPORTER IN .50-90 CALIBER, I actually sold this rifle to an individual a few years ago who never shot it and has sold it back to me, It is in the original box with hang tag, warranty card etc. and is new and unfired, 32” heavy octagon, Hartford collar on the barrel, pewter forend tip, checkered steel shotgun butt plate, extra fancy walnut with AAA finish, brass escutcheons, bone and charcoal pack harden case colors, fire blued screws, polished barrel, full buckhorn rear sight, a knock-out! Priced nearly $500 below catalogue! $3250.

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

1) FIRST MODEL SCHOFIELD, UNALTERED, U.S. MARKED, ALL MATCHING NUMBERS, #1XXX, MADE 1875, only 3,000 of these first models were manufactured and issued to the cavalry (it is known that several were used at Custer’s Little Bighorn battle in 1876), many if not most were later sold as surplus and had their barrels cut to 4 to 5,” finding an unaltered first model is difficult, this one has all matching numbers including the frame, barrel, latch, cylinder and grips, all markings and inspector initials are fine, sharp U.S. on butt (this often ground off), overall an aged brown patina with light blue in protected areas, fine mech and extractor, half cock only not catching- minor, bore will clean exc., grips show some wear/handling but fit well, are not chipped, and are numbered to the gun, great example, really hard to find all matching and complete, $5800.

2) SCARCE LADYSMITH 3RD MODEL .22RF REVOLVER MADE 1910-1921, only 12,200 of these were made making them difficult to locate today, most saw hard use and carry wear as they were so small and easy to toss into a tackle box or stick in a jacket pocket, they are also delicate mechanically and are often found in non functioning condition, this one is basically plum/brown color overall with some good blue in the more protected areas, original wood grips with S&W gold medallions show wear but fit perfectly, matching numbers, fine mech. and markings, only the forcing cone ahead of the barrel is gone- the result of firing high speed .22 ammo which this gun was never made for- most well used Ladysmiths suffer this condition or at least split/chipped forcing cones, exc. screws, unaltered front sight, good example, $495.

3) PRE-WAR .22/32 6" BARREL REVOLVER WITH TARGET SIGHTS, fine example that has seen some normal use, .22LR caliber, fine blue overall that is showing a little thinning and edge wear from holster and handling, fitted with very comfortable Herrett checkered walnut grips, matching #253XXX, fine action and bore, $450.

4) HIGH CONDITION TRIPLELOCK .44 SPECIAL, 6 1/2" BARREL AND BRIGHT ORIGINAL NICKEL FINISH WITH S&W FACTORY LETTER VERIFYING CONFIGURATION AND SHOWING SHIPMENT IN 1915, superb condition overall with the only wear being a light cylinder line and a miniscule freckle/edge wear here and there that you would have to look closely to detect, nice case color on the hammer and trigger, exc. walnut grips, exc. mech, markings and bore, nickel guns in this bright condition are both stunning and rare! (note: lots of photo light reflection in bottom photo- it should be like the top one) $2350.

5) OUTSTANDING PRE-WAR TARGET .38-44 OUTDOORSMAN REVOLVER WITH CORRECT TWO-PIECE BLUE BOX, MADE 1934, all correct, a cylinder drag line and a few minute scuffs are the only think keeping this one from being mint, box shows edge scuffs but is solid with the picture on cover scuffed, end panel and lid correctly marked “38-44 OUTDOORSMAN’S REVOLVER” ETC, a rare big N-frame with target sights from the Great Depression era, (anything that looks like blue wear in the photos is just photo reflection) $2350.

U.S. MILITARY AND SPRINGFIELD (click text for photos)

1) A FULL BOOK OF HISTORY IS PROBABLY IN THIS ONE! 1866 TRAPDOOR SPRINGFIELD .50-70 RIFLE THAT HAS "BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT" MORE THAN A FEW TIMES! Has a wonderful untouched and unmessed with look from a rich life. These were the first widely issued center fire cartridge rifles and nearly all of them were shipped West for the Indian Wars just after the Civil War, When the famed 1873 .45-70 replaced the earlier .50-70 models, many were issued to civilians in dangerous frontier areas and many also found their way into Indian hands- loads of .50-70 fired cases were found after Custer's Little Bighorn Battle in 1876. This one has a very deep uncleaned brown patina on all metal parts with fine markings, original rear sight, front sight correct with a small blade added in the original base, uncleaned and unsanded wood is very heavily worn from carry and saddle use, easy to see the wood worn away by miles and miles when you see the swelling of the wood in the protected areas of the barrel bands etc., surprisingly decent bore that should scrub out fine, needs cleaning rod only, fine action, old cloth sling, I was told by the previous owner that this rifle came out of the Mexican side of the Tex/Mex border many years ago, $695. ``

2) EXTREMELY RARE MODEL 1881 TRAPDOOR FORAGER SHOTGUN, SERIAL NUMBER 8XX, ONLY 1,376 MADE 1881-1885, these are seldom seen U.S. arms that were issued to frontier forts and outposts for foraging or hunting purposes, this one is all correct including the 20 ga. 26” barrel and 1881 dated breech block, deep uncleaned patina metal very faint outline of a stock cartouche (gotta look carefully for it!), usual dings and scrapes to the stock as one would expect of such a gun, tight action, scattered light surface pitting in bore, light traces of red paint (?) on the stock make me wonder if it was an Indian gun at some point in its history, all correct and really an unusual and rare U.S. military shotgun, $2250.

3) VERY RARE UNALTERED 1898 KRAG SADDLE RING CARBINE, ONLY 5,000 MADE IN 1898 AND NEARLY ALL WERE LATER CONVERTED TO MODEL 1899s WITHOUT THE SADDLE RING, one of the most difficult of the Krags to find, this one with serial number 136XXX retains a faint but visible cartouche and "circle P" stock stamping, saddle ring intact, fine markings, thinning barrel blue mixing to gray, some blue remains on the trigger guard, fine wood and handguard, "C" marked rear sight, exc. sharp bright bore, tight action, $2250.``

4) SHARPS 1853 U.S. CARBINE (see above in Antique/Classic section)

5) STEVENS M-620 WORLD WAR II RIOTGUN (see above in antique/classic section)

6) S&W SCHOFIELD 1ST MODEL U.S. REVOLVER (see above in Smith & Wesson section)

7) COLT 1917 US ARMY REVOLVER (see above in Colt section)

WINCHESTER RIFLES and SHOTGUNS (click text for photos) .

BILL GOODMAN, 305 DONEGAL DRIVE, BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715 TEL. (406) 587-3131 FAX (406) 219-3415

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THIS WAS SUCH A GOOD NOTES FROM THE FIELD I'M KEEPING IT HERE.

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: (27 April 2011) CRACKED STOCKS! Seems like an odd thing to write about, but this is something I've not seen in print before. I've observed a lot of rifles with cracks coming straight back toward the butt plate from the upper and lower tangs. Sometimes the cracks are severe enough to warrant repairs (like cross bolts etc. through the wrist or extensive gluing) and other times the stock remains pretty solid as is. So what caused this condition in the first place? I've hunted with all kinds of rifles in all kinds of weather and terrain and never had a gun get damaged like all these I've seen. And I've taken some pretty bad falls too. Once, on ice I couldn't see beneath a couple inches of fresh snow, my feet went out from under me and my rifle landed a number of yards away! Still, no cracks like these. So I've been puzzled by this for some time. Then it hit me, since these guns all seemed like Western big game rifles- large lever actions like 1876 and 1886 Winchesters or Marlin 1881 and 1895s as well as all over while the rifles were in saddle scabbards- fairly common in icy winter conditions, especially in the mountains. Also, sometimes horses will walk so close to trees that they rub against them. If a rifle is in a butt-forward position scabbard, the rifle can go on one side of the tree and the horse the other causing a stress cracked stock. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so. The wrists are fairly strong on most rifles and it takes a lot to crack one. If anyone else has a different theory about this condition, I'd like to hear it!

NOTES FROM THE FIELD: (24 OCTOBER 2011) "GUNS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION YEARS" When the Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 America was taken by surprise. Prior to this pivotal event, in the gun industry production was high and sales were brisk. Almost overnight sales fell off hugely. The Winchester Handbook by George Madis shows production numbers by years of some of the major models. This is pretty illuminating. Here are some examples: Model 1890 .22RF had 12,367 produced in 1928 and 696 made in 1932; Model 1892 saw 64,833 produced in 1910 and 491 in 1930; Model 53 had 2,861 produced in 1925 and 30 made in 1937; Model 1894 had 29,967 made in 1927 and only1,192 made in 1934; Model 55 had 3,064 made in 1927 and 42 made in 1936. Colt, Marlin, Savage, Remington and Smith & Wesson etc. all f elt the same pressure. With production down to a fraction of what it was, the big manufacturers had no choice but to fire employees. Those lucky enough to be retained were the most highly skilled and experienced craftsmen. They also had time to put extra fine fitting and finishing into each firearm. Generally, the quality of these guns is truly exceptionally. With production numbers of these late pre-war arms relatively small and quality without peer, their value should be assured. Some of the scarce large frame Colt and S&W handguns- especially the target sighted versions- are almost breathtaking in their fit and finish. This has been an under-appreciated niche in arms collecting/investing. It is my belief Great Depression era arms are often "sleepers" on the antique market today and are bound to increase in value at a rapid pace making them excellent long term investmens

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