BILL GOODMAN,  P.O. BOX  3269,  BOZEMAN,  MONTANA  59772 

                                                    (406) 587-3131

 

      Bill Goodman has been a collector of antique/collector firearms for well over 35 years and a full time dealer for over 20 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.                                

 

 

 

 

MORE GUNS WERE POSTED 3/21/10   WATCH FOR MANY FREQUENT POSTINGS THROUGH  MARCH.

 

 

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:  27 February 2010.  AN OVERLOOKED AND PROMISING FIELD OF GUN COLLECTING: I've been observing the entire gun industry for several decades now and there has been a major shift in modern firearms.  This, of course, is the shift toward synthetics and hi-tech metallurgy. I think it's pretty safe to say that gone are the days of standard production rifles sporting polished blued steel parts and figured walnut stocks.  Also gone are the days of Colt and Smith & Wesson mainly producing REVOLVERS with blued or nickel finish on their steel frames with checkered walnut grips containing inletted logo medallions. Thus, the topic of a new field of interest for collectors and investors. It is my opinion that classic Colt and S&W double action revolvers of the 1900 to approx. 1960 time period are a new and fertile field for collectors.  This was the golden age of beautiful and functional products that simply are no more.  This time period also contained several wars in which our armed servicemen relied upon Colt and S&W revolvers in many different models and various calibers. Automatic pistols have pretty well replaced the revolver and those double action revolvers that are still being made today share little of the hand fitting, polishing and general overall panache of their predecessors. The revolvers made during this earlier time couldn't be produced today simply because of the skilled man-hours required to manufacture them. The cost of a pre-war Colt Officers Model Target revolver or S&W Hand-Ejector Target revolver for instance would be astronomical! Yet, these and other superb arms are often available on the used gun market at a price actually less than the cost of many new handguns! The models made by each company during this time are many and in each model there are variations- some quite rare- that offer the collector a wide field of endeavor.  And nearly all at a very reasonable price.  Another plus is that not only can these arms be enjoyed for their fine workmanship, rarity or individual "personality," but in most cases can be shot and used with readily available common ammo or reloads.  In my experience, most of the Colts and S&Ws of this era were meticulously built and sighted at the factory so that even fixed sighted service revolvers usually shoot right to point of aim with standard ammo. Another plus is the recent supreme court ruling (Heller-Washington, D.C. case of 2008) which has eased the minds of many gun owners (including me!)  concerning the future of gun control laws especially with regard to handguns. It will be interesting to watch the prices on these guns over time.  I've already seen prices start to move higher.  It's my opinion that they will continue to escalate for the foreseeable future. (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

  1. RARE SPECIAL ORDER SINGLE ACTION, MADE 1927, letter states this unusual revolver is a .32-20 with 5 1/2" barrel, with special features listed as: checkered walnut grips (fleur-de-lis with deep dish medallions), CHECKERED STRAP AND TRIGGER (back strap and trigger guard), and shipped to A. Baldwin, New Orleans, Louisiana on December 3, 1927.  I've seen only a very few SAAs ordered with checkered back straps, but NEVER seen one with a checkered front strap or trigger guard!  Interestingly, it was the engravers who usually did this work and they added a little scroll engraving to the top and bottom of the checkering pattern on the back strap and the bottom of the pattern on the front strap, overall, just a gray/brown gun with some small dings and marks from bad storage, still retains a good appearance with exc. screws and action, fine bore, uncleaned, front sight as not been filed, grips show a little wear and barely one tiny, worn-in chip at the bottom left corner, still retains some traces of dark case color in the most protected areas and on the hammer back, one of the more interesting single actions I've encountered with a great shipping destination! cheap for such a rarity, $5850.

  2. SCARCE LONG FLUTE VARIATION SINGLE ACTION ARMY IN .45 COLT, 4 3/4" BARREL IN CORRECT SERIAL NUMBER RANGE #331XXX, all matching numbers including inside the grips, front sight has NOT been filed down, correct two line barrel address, correct hammer, exc. bright bore, tight action, overall aged blue mixing brown with deeper blue in protected areas around ejector housing, cylinder flutes upper grip strap, front of trigger guard etc. frame is mostly a mottled brown, grips are solid and show moderate wear only with a rub spot on bottom of right grip, COMES WITH A FLORAL TOOLED WESTERN STYLE HOLSTER, this gun should have a letter as many of these long flute SAAs were shipped to the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), not often seen variation, $3650.

  3. RARE CALIBER SINGLE ACTION ARMY .38 COLT, 4 3/4" MADE 1907, only a little over a thousand of these made in all barrel lengths, fine cylinder blue that is thinning a little with exc. deep blue in flutes, good aged barrel blue and blue in ejector housing flutes, some minor case color in front of frame with the balance an even gray, grip straps mainly gray with some aged blue in protected areas and on the butt, exc. screws and markings, grips show normal handling wear, matching numbers, fine action and exc. bore, $3650.

  4. ANTIQUE SINGLE ACTION .45 COLT, 7 1/2" SHIPPED TO MEXICO IN 1892, factory letter indicates this revolver was nickel plated with rubber grips and shipped to Wexell & De Gress in Mexico City as a shipment of one gun, traces of nickel remain with the balance of the metal a deep gray/brown patina, shows evidence of some scattered light rust, markings good with the barrel address getting weak, left side of muzzle shows wear from being drawn endlessly from a holster! VG worn eagle grips, matching numbers,  fine bore and action, pretty much uncleaned and unfooled with, lots of history in this one, cheap at $2850.

  5. BISLEY .38-40, 4 3/4", ONE OF THE LAST ONES MADE, #326XXX, MADE 1913, exc. bright barrel and ejector blue with gray on left side of barrel from holster wear and same on outside of ejector housing balance bright blue, exc. markings, front sight has NOT been filed, fine blue on back strap behind hammer and on trigger guard sides and bottom protected areas with the balance aged and mixing plum, cylinder blue aged and mixing gray/brown with good blue in flutes, frame mostly an uncleaned attractive brown, exc. screws, exc. grips, matching numbers including grips (initials scratched on inside of grips), fine bore should clean out better, exc. mech, exc. cylinder pin head, much nicer than usually encountered, $2450.

  6. ABSOLUTELY SUPERB BLUE AND CASE COLOR SINGLE ACTION ARMY SHIPPED TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS IN 1917, .32-20 CALIBER, 4 3/4", RUBBER GRIPS, (FACTORY LETTER INCLUDED),  this outstanding Colt shows almost no use, full bright blue overall with just a cylinder drag line and some tiny barrel blue thinning and muzzle wear, even the grip straps and trigger guard show about 98% + bright blue, gorgeous vivid case colors on hammer and frame with thinning to silver only on the loading gate and dulling colors on the top strap,  very slight edge wear to cylinder, perfect inside, tiny almost invisible chip on right back corner of grip (you have to look carefully to find it), untouched screws and cylinder pin with all the blue, as nice as possible plus a great factory letter to Texas! A real prize. $6850. (note: photos don't do this one justice as the bright lights make the side shots look like the blue is washed out and thin.  The blue is deep and rich like the photo of the top of the revolver)

  7. BEAUTIFULLY DONE, CUSTOM BISLEY IN .218 BEE CALIBER WITH 8 1/2" BARREL, built on a 1907 vintage Bisley, this revolver features a new cylinder (not a sleeved one) with counter-sunk chambers, frame mounted firing pin in a bushing, and overall the gun shows a gorgeous rich Colt high polish blue, exc. Colt markings on the frame, barrel is unmarked except for ".218 BEE" on the left side, screws are perfect and beautifully fitting, perfect cylinder pin, Correct Bisley trigger and case colored hammer, very tight fitting cylinder and light trigger pull with great action job, whoever built this unusual Colt knew his stuff!  Polymer ivory grips (I'd put nice checkered walnuts on this great sixgun!), to have this work done today would cost a fortune on top of the cost of the Bisley frame etc.  $1495. (note: the bright photo lights make the blue on the frame look thin and washed out.  It is not.  The blue is rich and deep.)

  8. EARLY SINGLE ACTION ARMY .44-40, 43/4", FACTORY LETTER SHOWS BLUE FINISH, STOCKS NOT LISTED, AND SHIPPED TO J.P. MOORES SONS, NEW YORK, IN 1886,  a really appealing unfooled with frontier Colt with fine markings, matching numbers including the cylinder, exc. one piece walnut grips showing minor edge wear, overall metal an uncleaned "chocolate brown" color, fine original screws, front sight not filed down, an  old scratch  or so on barrel top near front sight- minor and you have to look closely to see it, tight action, fine bore, correct "44 CF" marking on front side of trigger guard. This one has "been there and done that" without being abused, really handsome frontier appearance. $3250.

  9. VERY EARLY 3-SCREW 1860 U. S. ARMY REVOLVER, .44 PERCUSSION, MADE 1862, The most classic Civil War revolver and the most widely accepted and used, this one is Number 53XXX (the three screw variation began at number 50XXX), No doubt this one saw real use, yet it retains all matching numbers (including the wedge), fine walnut cartouched grips that are NOT chipped (cartouche a bit lighter on the right side), tight action, VG markings, about 75% cylinder scene remains, overall metal a deep brown patina with some very light scattered pitting that blends in well and is minor- typical of these early issued Colts that saw a lot of fighting, has a couple of correct replaced screws only, a nice, honest example that hasn't been fooled with. When you hold this one you know it's "been there and done that."  Great appearance. $1950.

  10. EARLY PRE-WAR "BULLSEYE" MATCH TARGET WOODSMAN .22LR, MADE 2ND. YEAR PRODUCTION 1939, #MT35XX, beautiful example of one of the finest Colt auto pistols ever made, only a little over 15,000 of these were made between 1938-World War II, this one has nearly all the finish with just the most minor edge wear, about perfect "elephant ear" grips, original mag,, exc. markings, amazing style and quality never to be seen again. $1695. (note: photo lights reflected off the muzzle on right side in bottom photo- there is about full blue to end of barrel)

  11. SUPER RARE FLAT TOP TARGET NEW POLICE .32 CALIBER REVOLVER, MADE 1902, one of the most difficult of the target sighted double action Colts to locate, this one is in great condition with most of the early high polish Colt blue intact with just a little freckling on the back strap ,and a little blue beginning to flake on the right side of the barrel, couple small spots of freckling on the cylinder, beautiful fire blue on trigger and hammer back, exc. grips, tight action, bright exc. bore, of the few of this model I've seen over the last 20 years, this is one of the best, still under priced and under appreciated (see my NOTES FROM THE FIELD above) $1295.

  12. WELLS FARGO MARKED POLICE POSITIVE .38 SPECIAL, WITH ORIGINAL FLAP HOLSTER, MADE 1918, this was the last of the contract Colts with the Wells Fargo Markings, butt correctly stamped " W. F. & Co."  Exc. mech, exc. grips, fine bore, fine blue that is mixing with brown and some gray from holster wear, leather holster is in fine condition and appears to have always been with the gun, nice historical outfit! $995.

  13. FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION BIG LIGHTNING EXPRESS RIFLE, CALIBER 40-60-260, #5XX MADE 1887, a really fine example of a very difficult rifle to find, standard 28" round barrel and full magazine, exc. markings including the rampant colt on the receiver side, exc. forend with sharp checkering, exc. butt stock with only a tiny chip from each side at the upper tang juncture, exc. screws, exc. action and lock-up, fine aged blue mixing plum and brown overall, totally uncleaned and un-messed with, bore should clean about exc., you won't find one this nice for this price! $3950.

  14. FIRST MODEL LIGHTNING .38-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, #6XXX, MADE 1885, fine barrel and mag blue ageing a pleasing dark blue mixing lightly with plum, receiver shows good blue in protected areas with the balance turning brown and plum, exc. rampant colt stamping on receiver, exc. markings, generally exc. wood with only minor wear to checkering on forearm, fine bore, nicer than usually seen for such an early example, $1695.

  15. SAN FRANCISCO POLICE MARKED LIGHTNING .44-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, MADE 1898, CORRECT "S.F.P. 3XX" LOWER TANG MARKING, excellent barrel and mag blue with just slight ageing, bright receiver and tang blue that shows some edge wear and light freckling- should clean off or left as is, exc. wood with one small chip at toe that should be easy to fix, original sights, exc. screws, exc. rampant colt on receiver side, MINT BORE,  $3650.

  16. FINE CONDITION BURGESS LEVER ACTION .44-40 OCTAGON RIFLE, #4XXX, MADE ONLY FROM 1883-1885, another hard to find Colt with limited production of only 6,403 being made in rifle, carbine etc. variations together, only 2556 octagon rifles were produced, most saw hard frontier usage and examples with any blue remaining are rare, this one shows fine deep blue on barrel that is only slightly ageing, mag tube shows good blue mixing with plum and brown, good aged and thinning blue on receiver with gray/brown on edges and bottom, exc. rampant colt stamping on receiver side, one screw in left side of receiver appears to be a replacement, fine wood shows normal handling and has the usual hairline crack on right side just ahead of receiver (this is a weak spot where the sliding loading gate moves under the forend and almost all Burgess models are cracked- or worse- in this area), fine+ bore may scrub out near exc., fine action, much better than normally seen $4850.

  17. RELIC DUG-UP BURGESS .44-40 ROUND BARREL RIFLE, 6403 made in all models  from 1883-1885, only 1219 made as round barrel rifles, only missing wood and mag tube, heavily rusted/pitted, sights intact, receiver bent slightly away from the barrel, never cleaned, great appearance, not the best condition nor the prettiest Burgess, BUT certainly the cheapest!! Great display! For those who collect relics, this is a prize! $695.

  18. UNALTERED MODEL 1900 SIGHT SAFETY .38 ACP AUTO, MADE 1902, #21XX,  Colt's first auto pistol with only 3500 made from 1900-1903 and many of these were later altered  with the rear sight-safety removed etc., this one shows honest holster wear/use and is mostly an uncleaned gray/brown with traces of blue in the protected areas around the walnut grips etc., markings fine on the right side of the slide with the left side weak but visible- probably just worn from heavy holster carry, correct 1884 patented magazine, fine mech. and bore, front slide serrations, unaltered front sight, very rarely encountered, here's an honest one without paying an astronomical price! $2950.

  19. 1902 U.S. .45 COLT "ALASKAN" OR "PHILIPPINE" DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER, one of the better of these I've seen in a while, generally fine high polish blue overall with gray only on the back strap, bottom of trigger guard and outside of ejector housing, front sight has NOT been filed, exc. inside, strong main spring, fine grips, good fire blue on trigger sides and hammer back, two small spots of gray/freckling above grips on each side of frame- minor, $1995. (looks better than photos)

  20. TARGET .22 LR POLICE POSITIVE, MADE 1928, fine slightly aged blue overall with gray/brown on grip straps and trigger guard bottom, obviously a gun that saw some normal use, but still fine, exc. bore and tight mech., fine checkered walnuts with some dings on the bottom (not in the metal), These fine target .22s would be too costly to manufacture today as the parts and action were hand fit, polished, timed and finished.  Great stuff that can still be shot and enjoyed for less than most recent manufactured used revolvers! $495.

  21. EARLY SQUARE BUTT BANKERS' SPECIAL .38, BUTT MARKED "N.P.D. No. 15XX" (NEWARK, NJ), MADE 1931, these early square butt models were only made from 1928-1933 after which the round butt was used, exc. inside and mech, fine blue showing some minor edge wear only, correct checkered walnut grips may be replacements, $950.

  22. SCARCE NICKEL FINISH VERY EARLY 1908 .25 ACP AUTO PISTOL COMPLETE WITH RARE FITTED SUEDE/LEATHER PURSE CASE, MADE 1910, correct early markings and grips, exc. nickel with just some minor freckling/wear, exc. mech, case is in excellent condition (these often are torn or have holes worn in them- this is one of the best cases I've seen), $795.

  23. OUTSTANDING CONDITION  U.S. MODEL 1901 ARMY .38 DOUBLE ACTION,  has brilliant early Colt high polish blue overall with only the most minor edge wear and a little back strap wear, exc. walnut grips are R.A.C. inspected on bottom, lanyard ring intact, beautiful fire blue on hammer back and trigger, assembly numbers match, frame has correct inspector stamps, exc. inside and mech., difficult to find this nice, $1150. (Note: difficult to photograph as the blue is so bright that it reflected light badly and made every almost unseen scratch stand out!)

  24. U. S. ARMY MODEL 1909 .45 COLT NEW SERVICE, exc. markings, exc. action and bright bore, fine inspected walnut grips showing edge wear, front sight has not been filed, overall metal is a mixture of aged blue to gray patina, some evidence of past rust- very surface and minor probably from holster carry, these big Colt double actions were almost all shipped to the Philippines for our army's use there, $795.

  25. VERY EARLY PRE-WAR SQUARE BUTT DETECTIVE SPECIAL MADE 1930, one of the first of this famed model, exc. action and bore, fine blue overall with most of the ageing and wear on the grip straps where it has dulled from handling and on the edges, VG checkered walnut grips, exc. blue on hammer back and on checkered trigger, most of these early snubbies were carried frequently and used hard. $795.

  26. NEAR MINT SCARCE PRE-WAR .22 LR OFFICIAL POLICE REVOLVER, 6' BARREL, MADE 1932, one of the less common of the standard double action Colts, shows only the most minor edge wear/handling, even the face of the cylinder shows nearly all the original blue indicating that this revolver was hardly shot, exc. grips, a scarce Colt that is sure to appreciate in value. $695.

  27. CHALLENGER .22 AUTO PISTOL MADE 1952,  shows only normal handling/holster wear to edges, 6", top of front sight only filed slightly, too expensive to build today, lots of fun shooting for not much money! $295.

  28. NEW SERVICE .44-40, 7 1/2" IN RARE FACTORY NICKEL FINISH! MADE 1920.  Almost never seen in factory nickel.  Really excellent example with almost all the bright original nickel remaining- just a  touch of peeling at the muzzle and some freckling/peeling on a few small spots to the front of one side of the cylinder, exc. mech. and bore, one chip out of the back corner on right grip, lanyard ring intact, front sight has NOT been filed or altered, a big impressive Colt .44-40.  $1195.

  29. EARLIEST STYLE "LEFT WHEELER" OFFICERS MODEL .38 SPECIAL, MADE 1905, called the left wheeler as the cylinder is the early M-1895 DA style that turns to the left, these early target sighted models are very scarce and when found are usually well used, this example has excellent correct checkered walnut grips, checkered steel back strap and trigger, exc. high polish blue overall with some thinning/flaking on the barrel sides only, nice fire blue on hammer back, tight action, exc. inside, exc. markings, $895.

 

MARLIN  (click text for photos)

1) 1881 .38-55, 26" OCTAGON BARREL RIFLE, MADE 1889, one of the more difficult to find calibers in this model, uncleaned  receiver gray mixing plum, , fine aged blue on barrel, mag. tube turning brown patina, fine wood, crescent butt, fine bore is a little dark with strong rifling, blade front sight, rear sight is the long sporting ladder variety with slide intact, exc. mech., $1895.

2) VERY EARLY 1881 .45-70 OCTAGON RIFLE, #11XX, MADE FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION,  fine deep receiver blue on sides with gray/brown mixing on edges, top and bottom, 28" barrel with aged and thinning blue that has never been cleaned, exc. markings, excellent butt stock with original steel shotgun butt plate shows just a little honest saddle scabbard wear on right side just ahead of butt plate (really adds to the frontier appearance), exc. forearm with usual hairline crack on right side ahead of the loading gate which is barely visible, original sling swivels (front swivel in forend cap needs the wire bail only- easily replaced), good blue on lower tang under lever and on loading gate, bore is fairly bright with good rifling and should clean out about excellent, original sights, hard to find one in .45 Government caliber this early with this much condition, $3250.

3) MODEL 1889 SPECIAL ORDER EXTRA LONG 28" OCTAGON BARREL WITH 1/2 MAG. .44-40, MADE 1891, Standard length for these was 24", of the over 55,000 model 1889s made only 2268 were made with 28" length.  Being .44-40 and half-mag. makes this even more unusual as most extra long barrel guns were in small calibers like. 32-20. Surprisingly exc. bore, original sights (rear needs elevator bar only), exc. screws, gray-brown receiver, barrel/mag blue thinning and mixing with gray-brown, exc. mech, generally fine+ wood with exc. wood to metal fit and one shallow chip by the receiver on the right side, $1595.

4) YET ANOTHER  SPECTACULAR M-93 16" TRAPPER SADDLE RING CARBINE!  From the same collection as the one I had a few months ago.  I didn't know there was more than one when I got the first!  Came out of Canada about 15 years ago. This one is even better than the last!  I had several people who wanted that one and unfortunately I didn't retain names and phone numbers- I'm sure I'll be in trouble with at least a couple of guys on this one.  Anyway, it's about new with vivid case color and bright blue even on the butt plate, just shows no use at all, a couple hairline "grain checks" from dryness in the butt stock that you have to look very carefully to detect, doubly rare as it has the "Marlin Firearms Corporation" barrel marking that was only used 1922-1924, priced a few hundred dollars more than the last one, but this one has richer case color than the other one plus I had to give a lot more for it! A truly remarkable offering. $7250.

5) SCARCE .38-55 MODEL 1893 SADDLE RING CARBINE, MADE 1907/1908, this one has lots of character and western flavor as it came right out of here in Montana, very dark aged barrel and mag blue mixing brown/gray, Special Smokeless Steel marked barrel, gray/brown receiver with some spots of light pitting around the edges of the bolt and on the right side of the barrel bands- minor, bore is dark but should scrub out fine, half cock notch on hammer weak, fine action, fine forearm, butt stock has the classic "horse roll over" crack coming back from the upper and lower tang- did not break, but was solidly fixed with three wood dowels visible on right side, three leaf express sight with all leaves intact, this saddle gun has probably taken tons- many tons- of game! A difficult model/caliber to find. $995.

6) EXTRA LONG 28" ROUND BARREL .38-55 CALIBER 1893 RIFLE WITH RARE HEPBURN RECEIVER TOP SIGHT, MADE 1905, a really fine example with good case color in the more protected areas of the lever and receiver (more on the right side) good case color on bolt, exc. barrel and mag blue, exc. Marlin marked receiver sight, Special Smokeless Steel marked barrel, exc. wood showing minor handling, even the forend cap shows good blue, exc. screws, bore will clean out exc., Rare barrel length, sight and caliber- all in sharp condition.  $1695.

7) 1893B .38-55 RIFLE WITH PERFECT BRIGHT BORE, 24" round barrel, full magazine, exc. barrel blue, thinning blue/brown mag., gray receiver, fine wood, has an extra small hole in the upper tang (a tang sight would cover this), black powder marked barrel, $695.

8) 1894 15' TRAPPER SADDLE RING CARBINE, .44-40, WITH RECEIVER TOP MARKED "POLICIAS FISCALES CHILE," made about 1907, most of the trappers from this contract to the Chilean government saw extremely hard use/abuse, this one was obviously hard used, but not altered or abused, overall metal is a dark aged blue/brown patina with some evidence of old light rust, fine markings, fine action and bore, original carbine sights and saddle ring intact, fine+ wood with "shield' professionally carved or stamped in left stock )about the size of a quarter), comes with ATF clearance papers making this perfectly legal to own, $2950

9) ULTRA RARE EXTRA LONG 32" ROUND BARREL, FULL MAGAZINE, M-94 RIFLE, .38-40 CALIBER, MADE C.1907/08.  This was the longest barrel offered by Marlin and is rarely encountered.  All have the longest mag. tube provided which was 2 inches shorter than the barrel, aged thinning barrel and mag blue mixing brown (appears to have some very old dried grease on a good portion of the barrel and mag. which I have not tried to clean off), the receiver is mostly gray with good case color in protected areas, good blue on loading gate, exc. wood with only minor handling marks, exc. screws, MINT BRIGHT BORE, super rare especially in larger calibers (most extra long barrel lever guns were .25-20 or .32-20) and with a mint bore.  $2650.

10) 1895 .45-90 OCTAGON RIFLE MADE 1896, fine barrel blue, mag tube turning brown, fine wood showing light handling, mostly gray receiver with good blue on loading gate, original sights, fine+ bore will clean out better, big impressive Marlin! $2850.

11) 1895 .38-56 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1898, actually a much better and effective cartridge than most people know as this is a necked down .45-70 case, fine barrel blue showing minor age,  fine mag tube blue mixing with some plum, dark attractive receiver with  fine loading gate blue and some traces of case color on back 1/3 of receiver, probably had a tang sight at one time as there is no rear sight and the tang screw is a poor replacement (NO extra holes), exc. markings, bore a little dark and shows some wear, but should clean to fine+ or better, fine wood showing normal handling only with tiny chip repair to toe- hard to see and barely worth mentioning, scarce,   $2450.

12) DELUXE FACTORY GAME SCENE ENGRAVED 1897 .22RF,  24" OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1906, fancy walnut pistol grip butt stock with correct Marlin marked hard rubber butt plate, wood lightly sanded/steel wooled, exc. forend, classic engraving pattern with deer in circle on left side with scrolls around, scroll engraving on tang, receiver top and bottom and right side of receiver, two leaf Lyman rear sight, overall just gray patina metal, surprisingly excellent bright bore! tight action, Cheap at $2475.

 

 

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

  1. REMINGTON MODEL 1871 U.S. SPRINGFIELD .50-70 ROLLINGBLOCK, brown patina barrel and action, exc. markings, rod intact, fine forend, stock has storage dings and a couple cracks coming back from the receiver/tangs- basically solid, but could easily be epoxied or left as is, bore should scrub to exc., $1195.
  2. THE RAREST, MOST DIFFICULT TO FIND REMINGTON I'VE OFFERED! HEPBURN NO. 3 LONG RANGE MILITARY RIFLE, DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MILITARY COMPETITION AT THE CREEDMOOR RANGE!  very little is written about these never encountered rifles, and according to Flayderman's Guide they were made in the 1880s in "extremely limited numbers.' In 25 years this is the second one I've ever seen.  Caliber .44-75-520 (again, according to Flayderman's Guide), this one has seen some use, wood basically solid with a small chip at the upper tang juncture on each side, a very old worn sliver out of the left side of the forend just ahead of the receiver and a crack in the same area on the opposite side, 1879 style Springfield military rear sight with extra sight hole with filler screw ahead of the sight- I believe this was so the sight could be moved either to the forward position as needed, military style front sight, cleaning rod, sling swivels, steel butt plate, overall very dark patina metal that shows some evidence of very light rust in areas-minor, Remington markings on barrel, bore needs a good scouring out and should clean to about fine, you'll probably never see another! $3850.
  3. REMINGTON ROLLINGBLOCK NEW YORK STATE .50-70 MUSKET, nice unfooled with example that has never been cleaned, fine dark wood with good clear cartouches, rack numbers etc., metal an uncleaned brown patina, tight action, bore will scrub out to exc., correct swivels, has incorrect too-short cleaning rod only, these are still under-priced on the collector market.  $995.
  4. FIRST IN THIS SCARCE CALIBER I'VE SEEN! No. 2 ROLLINGBLOCK SPORTER IN .44 RIM FIRE CALIBER, .26" OCTAGON, I have seen that this caliber was offered in Remington's early advertisements for this model and then dropped sometime in the early 1880s, until this one I've never encountered one.  Actually makes sense as the .44 rim fire cartridge was barely adequate for deer at very short range (I think the .44RF Henry rifle was more of a self defense repeating comfort-rifle than a game stopper) and wasn't particularly practical for small game compared to the lesser rim fires or typical .25-20, .32-20 etc. type cartridges of the day.  In a lightweight single shot sporter like the No.2 Rollingblock the .44RF just doesn't fill any need that I can see. Anyway, this is one rare rifle! overall metal is a brown patina, early serial number 10XX is matching on barrel under forearm, original sights (rear buckhorn needs elevator bar only), exc. markings, ".44" stamped on barrel bottom, exc. wood, exc. action, bore is a bit rough but still has most of the rifling, there can't be many of these around!  $895.
  5. RARE HIGH CONDITION REMINGTON ROLLINGBLOCK .50-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE, NEW YORK STATE CONTRACT, one of the best of these I've seen, mint bright bore, fine deep barrel blue with only minor mixing brown from age, original carbine sights, exc. wood with light cartouche, correct rack numbers stamped into the top of the butt plate, mottled gray receiver, hard to find in any condition, $2450.
  6. VERY SCARCE REMINGTON ROLLINGBLOCK .44-40 BABY SADDLE RING CARBINE, seldom offered Remington model, this one has been in my personal collection since the 1990s, full nickel plate (I think this is one of the only long guns offered in full nickel as a standard offering), correct sights, fine bore, left side of wrist is stamped "44 C.F." Exc. bright barrel nickel with minor flaking at muzzle, fine nickel on bottom of receiver and receiver ring, upper and lower tangs flaked from handling, receiver sides nickel flaking/mixing brown, saddle ring intact, many of these went to Mexico and few are still here in the U.S.  Very difficult Remington model to find. $2450.
  7. REMINGTON 4-S MILITARY MODEL .22 MUSKET, still shows some light case color on receiver with the balance cloudy gray, fine barrel blue, original sights, fine wood, needs simple single hole sling swivel in butt stock, fine bore, much better than most, $895.
  8. CLASSIC WORLD WAR II REMINGTON M-11 U.S. AND FLAMING BOMB MARKED RIOTGUN, RECEIVER CORRECTLY MARKED "MILITARY FINISH," correct serial number range for these (#495XXX), exc. inside and outside, very very faint stock cartouche, few minor dings in stock only, correct Remington marked butt plate, going up in value fast with all the other W.W.II guns.  Still cheap at $875. (note: bright photo lights make the military brush finish blue look washed out and thin.  It is not.)
  9. FRANK WESSON 1870 MEDIUM FRAME .22 RF POCKET RIFLE WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK, #2XXX, MADE 1870-1893, 15" oct. barrel shows some scattered spots of light pitting, fine+ bore! fine nickel on frame and stock with some very small areas of wear/peeling, tight action, original sights including globe front sight, exc. grips, only about 5000 made, $875.
  10. CLASSIC CUSTOM HIGHWALL VARMINTER BY GRIFFIN & HOWE IN CALIBER .225 WINCHESTER, WITH LYMAN 6 POWER JUNIOR TARGET SPOT SCOPE,  beautiful richly grained and finished walnut stock with oversized varminter style forend with forend tip, butt stock with shadow lined cheek piece and shadow lined pistol grip with metal grip cap, exc. blue overall with barrel starting to mix plum, 24" barrel top marked "Griffin & Howe, Inc., New York, tight action, perfect inside, exc. optics, metal end caps with scope, previous owner replaced the "dried out" original recoil pad which should be replaced with a better fitting one- minor, comes with RCBS dies, 3 1/2 boxes factory ammo and unfired brass, would cost a fortune to build today! $3450.
  11. PERCUSSION CANE GUN BY PERRY, BREECH LOADING, MADE 1854-1856, I've only seen a couple examples of these, they are also written up & photographed in Winant's book FIREARMS CURIOSA, lever drops down to expose the chamber for loading, this one has a 26" barrel (like the one in the book) and is a nice uncleaned brown patina, good markings and patents on breech block, bead front sight, serial number 45 on back section of barrel, fine walnut grips, usually these were used as a cane with a wood or rubber tip to protect the muzzle. One of the few known-maker cane guns of the percussion period.  $2450.
  12. A. H. FOX STERLINGWORTH 12 GA. SIDE BY SIDE SHOTGUN, MADE 1919, 30" barrels, choked full and full, fine wood shows normal handling only, tight action, perfect inside, border engraved receiver mostly an uncleaned sliver gray with case color in the most protected areas only, uncut stock and unaltered, $595.
  13. CLASSIC ITHACA SIDE BY SIDE 12 GA. DOUBLE MADE 1916, barrels marked "SMOKELESS POWDER STEEL" perfect bores choked Improved Modified and Full, exc. wood that shows carry wear only as checkering on pistol grip is getting smooth, receiver mostly gray, exc. markings, fine barrel blue, tight as new! $475.
  14. SCARCE IRON MOUNTED HEAVY BARREL SHARPS 1853 SLANT BREECH SPORTER, DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS, 26" OCT. BARREL, .40 CALIBER, WEIGHS 11 LBS, most of these were brass mounted and only some of the last ones made in the 1850s had iron butt plates, patch boxes etc., matching numbers on barrel, receiver and patch box, fine dark and uncleaned wood, fine action and bore, triggers function fine, only the tang sight filler screw is a replacement, original sights with rear ladder sight missing slide only, barrel blue is thinned and mixed heavily with a natural gray/brown patina, sliver-gray patina receiver, exc. markings, $2950.
  15. EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION SHARPS 1868 .50-70 CONVERSION OF NEW MODEL 1863 SADDLE RING CARBINE, rarely found this nice, exc. deep barrel blue showing just some normal ageing, New Model 1863 barrel marking intact, original sights, breech block top shows some dings, receiver dark with fine case color in the more protected areas and on lever bottom etc., bright bore will clean exc., needs lever spring only- easy fix, exc. wood with sharp stock cartouches, hard to fine this nice.  $3250.
  16. HIGH CONDITION SCARCE STEVENS MODEL 34 1/2 HUNTER'S PET, IN RARE .25-20 SS CALIBER, SPECIAL ORDERED WITHOUT REAR SIGHT DOVETAIL ON BARREL, MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK, only about 1200 of these were made- basically the same as the more common M-34 Hunter's Pet but fitted for a tang sight, this one has a Lyman tang sight with matching Lyman half-moon with ivory bead front sight, exc. deep barrel and hammer blue with only slight ageing, exc. bright nickel on receiver showing just a tiny amount of freckling that is even hard to see, full nickel on matching number shoulder stock with minor freckling only, tight action, exc. bore, exc. wood grips, 18" octagon to round barrel, these are usually found in rim fire calibers.  No doubt, this was a special order caliber and special order without rear barrel sight, rare model, rare caliber, rare features, great condition.  $2350.
  17. EXCELLENT STEVENS NEW MODEL POCKET RIFLE, 2ND. ISSUE IN RARE .32 CENTER FIRE, WITH MATCHING SHOULDER STOCK, MADE 1875-1896, really nice example rarely found in center fire, 15 inch barrel with exc. barrel blue showing just a little plum from age, exc. nickel on receiver and stock with only the most minor or edge wear, exc. wood grips, original globe with pin-head front sight, original ladder rear sight missing slide only, fine bore may scrub out better, tight action, $1295.
  18. MARBLES GAME GETTER .22LR/.44-40 SHOT, LEGAL 18" BARRELS, folding stock locks firmly, fine aged blue overall with some minor spots of brown spotting etc.- what you would expect from one of these "trapper guns." exc. shot barrel bore, VG+ .22 bore that will probably scrub out better, rear sight needs elevator bar only (minor and easy to find), tight action lock up, $1795.
  19. UNUSUAL "KNUCKLE-RING"  IVER-JOHNSON .38 S&W CAL.  3 1/2" BARREL NICKEL REVOLVER, rarely seen and when found usually hard used and abused, this one shows exc. nickel with only a couple tiny areas of peeling on the left side of barrel, exc. grips, bright bore, blued trigger guard, exc. markings on gun and knuckle ring attachment, exc. correct original owl embossed hard rubber grips, fine mech., $595.
  20. REID "MY FRIEND" .22 KNUCKLEDUSTER, MADE 1868-1882, one of the most distinctive pocket "defenders" ever made, this one has a beautifully uncleaned mellow brass engraved frame with plum color cylinder, fine mech., numbers match including the cylinder pin (these usually broken or replaced), wonderful aged appearance, $1350.

 

SAVAGE (click test for photos)

1) 1899-B OCTAGON BARREL RIFLE IN DESIRABLE .30-30 CALIBER, MADE 1910, nice example with fine even barrel blue, bore a little dark but will scrub out about exc., original buckhorn rear sight and blade with bead front sight, tight action,  generally very fine wood with normal handling marks and a few small dings near the forend tip with one typical hairline crack coming back for an inch or so- minor and easily reinforced with wood glue, receiver shows good thinning blue on sides and upper tang with gray bottom and edges, some traces of light case color on lever, octagon and 1/2 oct. 1899s are getting really hard to find, especially in Winchester calibers, $995.

2) FANCY WALNUT STOCKED 1899 .30-30 CARBINE, MADE 1923, excellent solid, un-cracked walnut with nice fiddle back grain in the butt stock (needs a good clean to wipe off 87 years of grime and reveal the grain better), deep plum receiver, dark aged barrel blue, some indication of light rust that could be easily cleaned, original sights, correct carbine style steel butt plate, bore a little dark but should clean about exc., 20" barrel, just needs a good clean, $795.

3) VERY EARLY 1899-B OCTAGON BARREL RIFLE IN RARE .38-55, MADE 1903, exc. barrel blue with bright, sharp perfect bore, matching numbers, Marbles marked buckhorn rear sight and Marbles No.5 marked front sight- appear to be original on the gun, receiver blue aged to a dull gray/brown with blue in the more protected areas, fine wood with the usual couple hairline cracks coming directly back from the upper tang, really hard to find in this caliber, octagon and with a perfect bore! $2250.

 

 

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.  For further info and lists of available rifles, see my other website,  www.shiloh-ballard.com  

 

 

SMITH AND WESSON (click text for photos)

1) UNTOUCHED/UNCLEANED 44-40 FRONTIER DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER WITH 6" BARREL, this one came out of a case in a dusty little gun shop in the mid west where it looked like it had been sitting for years! I love to find them like this!  Full blue finish has turned a natural aged plum with bright blue in protected areas, steel wool never toughed this one! Excellent grips, very tight action, BRIGHT EXCELLENT BORE, early example with patent dates on barrel top (pre-1900), matching numbers, has the desirable "44 Winchester Ctg" marking on the left side of barrel, really unfooled with attic condition. $1295

2) S&W RARITY!  DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER IN .38-40 CALIBER! ONLY 276 MADE AND NUMBERED IN THEIR OWN RANGE, THIS ONE IS #1XX, 6 1/2" barrel, markings sharp including ".38 WINCHESTER CTG" on rear side of barrel, fine mech and bore, nickel plating still decent on the grip straps and protected areas of the frame and barrel with the balance a nicely blending gray, some evidence of light rust that was cleaned off, fine blue on trigger guard, fine grips with the left panel showing abrasions near the top. All matching numbers, I've only seen about three or four of these in 20 years.  (Flayderman's Guide- now a couple years old- lists these at antique VG to Exc. $3500-$6000) my price $3250.

3) SPECIAL ORDER FACTORY GOLD PLATED FIRST MODEL SAFETY HAMMERLESS .32 REVOLVER, factory letter states this revolver was shipped to E. K. Tryon Co., Philadelphia, PA on Dec. 15, 1891 and was a SPECIAL ORDER, but the invoice is not readable to verify the barrel length or finish, however, Roy Jinks (S&W Historian) who provided the letter continues "I would assume that since it is a special order that the finish was gold plating."  This gun was obviously carried a bit as the soft gold has worn from much of the cylinder and edges, but still retains a good portion of the gold, fine gold on grips straps,  matching numbers, fine pearl grips, exc. mech. possibly a special Christmas gift as it was shipped ten days before that date almost 118 years ago!  $975.

4) TRIPLE LOCK .44 SPECIAL, 6 1/2" NICKEL, WITH FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED 1914, fine example with exc. bore and mech., fine nickel with wear to the back of the frame on both sides- were the nickel is gone the metal has aged dark, this can be polished out lighter to match and blend with the nickel- fine cold medallion walnut grips, surprisingly fine nickel on grip straps, exc. markings, matching numbers, a fine old Triple Lock that was carried and used, but not abused.  Hard to find.  $1150.

5) UNUSUAL .44 SPECIAL HAND EJECTOR 2ND. MODEL WITH SCARCE 5" BARREL (STANDARD WAS 6 1/2") MADE 1924, according to The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 3rd. Edition "barrel lengths other than 6 1/2" will bring a substantial premium" and states the 5" length is "scarce". This one was obviously carried and used, but not abused.  Overall blue is good in the more protected areas and holster/handling worn on grip straps, barrel sides etc., overall a fine appearance and finish blends nicely, fine mech and bore, grips are numbered to the gun and show similar wear, lanyard ring intact, exc. markings, $895.

6) TARGET  .32-20 H-E MODEL 1905 4TH CHANGE, very hard to find these .32-20 Target models, this one has excellent walnut grips with deep-dish gold medallions that show minor wear only, fine blue overall with brown mixing on grip straps, some normal blue thinning/mixing brown from handling and holster wear, but overall very nice, tight action and bright excellent sharp bore, correct pre-war target sights, $1195.

7) RARE ALUMINUM CYLINDER PRE-37 CHIEF SPECIAL AIRWEIGHT 2" ROUND BUTT REVOLVER, #28XXX, MADE 1952, supposedly over three thousand of these were made with aluminum cylinder in the first year or so of production, but the fact that they are almost never encountered leads me to believe that most were re-fitted with "safer" steel cylinders.  I haven't seen more than a couple of these in the last dozen years.  They were intended for ultra-lightweight carry guns, but for use only with mid-range .38 Special ammo.  Apparently problems occurred when higher pressure ammo was used and the aluminum cylinders were quickly discontinued. This one is exc. inside and tight mechanically, shows normal carry wear but no abuse, grips are correct, but very slightly oversized at the bottom edge only (could easily be made to fit perfectly) so are no doubt replacements, a great S&W collectible at a still cheap price! $695.

8) SUPER RARE FIRST STYLE CHIEF'S SPECIAL .38 SPECIAL CALIBER 2" SNUBBY WITHOUT BARREL RIB HAVING THE PRE-WAR STYLE HALF MOON FRONT SIGHT! MADE FIRST YEAR 1950, SERIAL NUMBER 1XXX, soon after production began the barrel was changed to the standard full length rib style only the very first guns were made like this one, I've only seen a couple of these over the years, built on the 5-screw "I" frame (later to become the larger "J" frame, all parts matching numbers including the grips, exc. overall with the grip straps mixing plum and some overall edge wear, most of these early pre-36s saw daily carry, $1150.

9) GREAT SERIAL NUMBER EARLY 1899 .38 SPECIAL FIRST MODEL MILITARY & POLICE, 4" REVOLVER, matching #8888, only made 1899-1902 and seldom seen today, a used and carried revolver but still presentable, tight action and exc. bright bore, fine+ grips, good case color on hammer and trigger sides, cylinder blue getting thin, typical holster and handling wear, only the first model had no under-barrel lug, the first of one of the most successful models in firearms history! $595.

 

 

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

1) 1879 TRAPDOOR RIFLE, .45-70 WITH CLEAR 1885 CARTOUCHE, AND BRIGHT EXC. BORE, correct 1873 dated breech block that still shows some case colors in the more protected areas, good aged blue on barrel and barrel bands with some mixing brown from age, correct rear sight, stock shows only normal handling/storage marks, cleaning rod intact, fine deep case hardened blue on hammer, much better than average, these are still a bargain on the antique market. $1150.

2) 1888 SPRINGFIELD TRAPDOOR "ROD BAYONET" .45-70 RIFLE, fine 1891 dated cartouche, exc. bright bore, exc. attractive reddish-brown walnut with unit or rack numbers stamped in stock (as about all 1888s have), fine aged barrel blue mixing plum-brown, good blue on trigger guard, some case color remains in the breech block, exc. markings, rod-bayonet intact, last of the famous Trapdoors and better than usually seen, $1150.

3) 1898 KRAG RIFLE WITH 1900 CARTOUCHED STOCK,  cartouche date matches production date by serial number, exc. uncleaned wood with only minor handling, fine bore a little dark, but should clean up nicely, fine aged barrel blue, exc. markings, exc. mech, nice appearance,  $695.

4) EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE "BOWIE KNIFE BAYONET" FOR THE KRAG RIFLE, very limited production on an experimental basis and issued to troops in Cuba and the Philippines.  They were deemed no better than the standard bayonet and not produced further, Dated 1900, this is one of the finest examples I've seen, many/most saw hard use as tools and since the blades are surprisingly thin, many suffered broken points as well as rust, pitting, over-sharpening etc. etc.  This one is as issued with bright blade, fine handles, exc. sheath that still shows some good blue, seldom seen and rarely this nice. $2250.

5) COLT MODEL 1901 ARMY (see under Colt section above)

6) COLT 1909 U.S. ARMY (see under Colt section above)

7) 1871 U.S. ROLLINGBLOCK .50-70  & SHARPS 1868 .50-70 SRC (see under Antique section)

8) REMINGTON M-11 U.S. RIOTGUN (see above under Antique section)

 

 

 WINCHESTER  RIFLES  and  SHOTGUNS (click text for photos) .

 

  1. ONE OF THE FINEST 1866 MUSKETS I'VE SEEN AND CERTAINLY THE BEST I'VE EVER OFFERED! 3RD. MODEL, MADE 1870, retains nearly all the deep/rich barrel and mag blue with just some very minor freckling/ageing, original sights, exc. wood with only the most minor of handling, perfect wood to metal fit, uncleaned mellow brass, fine blue on loading gate, exc. bore, lever spring only weak- easily replaced, exc. screws that still retain blue! sling swivels intact, a fabulous 1866!  Amazing for 140 years old. Expensive sure, but I'd rather have this outstanding example than two average no-finish ones at $5800 each.  Think about it.  This would bring a much higher price at any decent auction.  $11,600. (note: bright photo lights reflected off bottom photo of barrel/mag blue. The blue is better than photo shows.)
  2. EXCELLENT 1873 .38-40 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1904, this one shows little use and retains about all the deep barrel and mag blue with only a hint of ageing, receiver also shows about all the blue with minor plum starting to mix in the forward section and edges, uncleaned mellow brass lifter, exc. bore, mech, screws and wood, original dust cover intact,  a great investment piece, really sharp! $3250.
  3. EARLY 1873 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN UNCOMMON .38-40 CALIBER, WITH FACTORY LETTER, SHIPPED IN 1888, original sights including the correct 1873 dated ladder carbine rear sight with slide intact, exc. wood, retains original dust cover, fine action, bore is dark with some roughness that should clean VG+, exc. screws (a couple look like correct factory replacements), uncleaned plum/brown patina metal overall, fine markings, great appearance, $2250.
  4. 1873 FACTORY .44-40, 20" OCTAGON SHORT RIFLE, SHIPPED IN 1910 TO THE AMERICAN TRADING COMPANY, NEW YORK, FOR EXPORT!  Has the correct short forearm used on Short Rifles, fine markings, exc. dark walnut stocks with only minor handling marks, plum/brown receiver with fine blue on loading gate, original dust cover, brown barrel and mag tube, fairly bright fine bore should clean to near exc. Most of these saw very hard use and abuse (inside and out), this is a nice one much better than normally encountered, Cody Firearms Museum call in letter included, $2350.
  5. UNUSUAL AND RARE SPECIAL ORDER 1873 .44-40 SADDLE RING CARBINE, WITH SET TRIGGER (ALMOST UNHEARD OF ON A CARBINE), CRESCENT "RIFLE BUTT" AND SHIPPED TO DURANGO, MEXICO IN 1908! Truly an amazingly rare combination on a '73 carbine plus the included factory letter lists shipment to "Peters y Cia, Sin C Durango Mexico."  This was all Pancho Villa times and wildness south of the border.  For a Mexican shipped Model 1873 this one is in remarkable condition. Overall metal is a smooth soft plum, mellow uncleaned brass lifter, correct original sights, fine wood with "J E A" very very lightly scratched in left side of forend ahead of receiver (very worn and you have to look closely to see it), good blue on loading gate, good screws, set trigger works fine, good to very good bore shows wear with some scattered roughness toward the middle, this is a great '73 carbine complete with factory letter, priced right at $3450.
  6. RARE 1876 26" OCTAGON SHORT RIFLE, .40-60 CALIBER, MADE 1884, a call to the Cody Museum confirmed the factory shorter than standard 26" length (28" was standard), according to the Winchester Handbook by Madis only 79 rifles were made with barrels shorter than standard.  fine bright receiver blue that is thinning somewhat and mixing plum and brown, some scattered pin-prick light pitting on left receiver side- minor, fine slightly aged barrel blue with minor freckling, gray/brown mag tube, original dust cover with good blue, fine wood showing some wear to the forend sides, hardly visible hairline crack coming back from upper tang on right side that goes nowhere and doesn't detract, exc. blue on loading gate, Marbles buckhorn rear sight, bright bore will clean about exc., fine action, rarity and fine condition overall, $4250.
  7. 1876 OCTAGON RIFLE, .40-60 CALIBER, MADE 1885,  overall uncleaned metal is a soft plum/brown patina with good blue on the loading gate and in protected areas, original 1876 dated ladder rear sight with slide intact, fine wood that someone cut a neat diamond pattern outline (not filled in) on forearm and each side of wrist- should be easy to rub out or just leave as is, fine mech, dust cover intact, VG bore, un-polished mellow brass lifter with correct engraved caliber designation, $2895.
  8. FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION, SERIAL NUMBER 4XX 1879 FIRST MODEL HOTCHKISS .45-70 SADDLE RING CARBINE, made 1879, exc. bright bore, exc. UN-CRACKED stock (these almost always are cracked at the wrist from people trying to remove the barreled action without FIRST REMOVING THE BUTT PLATE AND TAKING OUT THE MAGAZINE TUBE), aged barrel blue mixing heavily with plum-brown, correct sights, saddle ring intact, exc. mech., safety works fine, stock has remnants of a stenciled rack number on the right side which could be left as is or easily darkened to match- minor either way, probably a prison or guard gun, much better than normally encountered especially as there are no stock cracks! Winchester's first bolt action. $2150.
  9. 1885 HIGHWALL .32-40, 30" #3 octagon barrel with perfect bore, this one has been used/modified for Schuetzen matches as the receiver and butt plate have been re-blued and the lever modified very neatly with loop style, mid range vernier tang sight with spirit level  globe front sight (will take apertures), barrel shows fine original blue with minor thinning, drilled for scope blocks- filler screws intact, exc. wood with correct ebony wedge inlay in forend tip, tight action, $1495.
  10. CLASSIC HIGHWALL VARMINTER  (see above in Antique/Classic section)
  11. VERY UNUSUAL 1886 SEMI-DELUXE .33WCF WITH PLAIN PISTOL GRIP, RARE RIFLE/CRESCENT BUTT PLATE AND FULL MAGAZINE, any one of these features is rarely seen in the .33 caliber as standard was straight stock, shotgun butt plate and half-mag, factory information from the Cody Museum further states that this rifle wasn't shipped until 1918 to a "Mr. Manning and charged to sample consignment account" with further info.  Research ought to turn up something on "Mr. Manning."  flat top buckhorn rear sight with Lyman half-moon with ivory bead front sight, exc. deep barrel and mag blue, fine blue on bolt, receiver ageing to a  pleasing plum, exc. bore, exc. wood, correct pistol grip cap, this is a great late model 1886 with super rare and unusual features! $4350.
  12. EXCELLENT 1886 TAKEDOWN, .38-56 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH FANCIER THAN STANDARD WALNUT, MADE 1903, has MINT BRIGHT BORE, tight takedown, still retains some nice case color on lever sides, and hammer, fine bright receiver blue with gray mixing in on receiver bottom and some light wear/freckling to the left side, right side of receiver, upper tang and bolt retain about all the bright blue, exc. barrel blue with some minor edge wear, exc. mag blue with typical blue wear from takedown section at retaining band, original sights, exc. wood with nice figure that was usually reserved for special feature guns (like takedowns etc.), $5300.
  13. VERY EARLY FINE CONDITION 1887 12 GA. LEVER SHOTGUN, MADE 1888, excellent wood with only minor handling marks, correct checkered steel butt plate, tight action bore will clean to about excellent with only a light trace of corrosion, fine barrel blue is ageing and mixing with plum and a little brown, receiver still shows traces of case color and is a very pleasing silvery color, much better than normally encountered especially for such an early one! One of the last bargains these days of the lever action Winchester line. $1795.
  14. DELUXE SPECIAL ORDER 1892 .25-20 RIFLE WITH FACTORY LETTER, #265XXX, letter states: rifle, cal. 25-20, 1/2 octagon barrel, checkered stock with pistol grip, Lyman front with Winchester High Velocity, 1/2 magazine, plain pistol grip, rifle butt, sporting sight, black powder, rec'd in warehouse 10/30/07 and shipped 7/31/08 (letter also mentions shotgun butt with rubber butt plate- contradicts earlier mention of rifle butt which this rifle has!) Anyway, that's the good news.  The bad news is that this rifle has been completely reblued, the barrel cut about 1 1/2 inches and relined in .25-20. Still retains the tang sight, has Lyman blade/bead front sight and Marbles buckhorn rear sight, fine wood with correct Winchester grip cap, perfect bore, tight action, Rare gun to enjoy for $1450.
  15.  1894 .38-55 ROUND BARREL RIFLE WITH EXC. SHARP BORE, MADE 1900, excellent barrel and mag blue with just some minor thinning/ageing on the barrel, fine deep blue on receiver sides, bolt and loading gate with mixing gray/brown on edges and upper tang, exc. wood with the beginning of a hairline crack coming back from receiver on left side- have to look closely to see it, good case color on lever in protected areas, tight action, original sights, $1895.
  16. 1894 SADDLE RING CARBINE, .30WCF, MADE 1927, one of the last of the SRCs, perfect bright bore, exc.+ walnut stock and forend, good barrel and mag blue that is thinning- more thinning on the mag than barrel, mostly gray receiver with good blue around the ring and on the bolt, fine blue on loading gate, original carbine sights with only the pinned in front sight blade a higher replacement- no doubt for sighting in better, these are going up in value fast.  $1150.
  17. DELUXE 1894 .25-35 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH CHECKERED PISTOL GRIP AND FOREARM, CRESCENT BUTT, TANG AND BEACH FOLDING GLOBE SIGHTS, MADE 1899, needs full length mag tube only as someone shortened the existing one and put a plug in the mag retaining band dovetail in the bottom of the barrel- should be an easy replacement job, fine barrel blue, good receiver blue with about half the balance aged and turning gray/brown, fine stock with normal handling wear, forend shows more handling with more wear to the checkering, bore is a little dark but will clean out near exc., exc. screws, tight action, Marbles buckhorn rear barrel sight, $2450
  18. HIGH CONDITION STANDARD 1894 ROUND BARREL RIFLE IN .32WS CALIBER MADE 1901, exc. bright blue overall with light edge wear only and thinning to silver on forend cap, exc. wood, exc. bright bore, exc. screws, some minor case color remains on the hammer and lever, nice 109 year old 1894. $1795.
  19. EXCELLENT EARLY SPECIAL ORDER DELUXE TAKEDOWN 1894 WITH CHECKERED PISTOL GRIP AND FOREND, SHOTGUN BUTT, ROUND BARREL AND HALF MAGAZINE, .32WS CALIBER, CORRECT SPECIAL SMOKELESS SIGHT, MADE 1902, all in really excellent condition with excellent barrel and mag. blue, exc. receiver blue with normal light edge wear, exc. screws, wood, butt plate, and bore, $3850.
  20. 1894 .38-55 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH TANG SIGHT AND CHECKERED STEEL SHOTGUN BUTT, MADE 1907, exc. barrel and mag blue, fine+ wood with one ding in bottom of forend-minor, exc. bore, fine receiver blue with just some edge wear- a little silver on upper left receiver edge from normal handling, sling swivel in butt stock contemporary, but probably not original, attractive and hard to find with this much blue and an exc. bore.  $2150.
  21. EXCELLENT 1894 OCTAGON RIFLE IN .30WCF, MADE 1902, fine deep blue overall that shows normal edge wear and some brown mixing, original sights, fine+ wood, tang screw only buggered- easily replaced or just left, bore is dark and heavily "frosted" but may clean VG - fine, sharp appearance with this much blue, $1395.
  22. A PAIR OF EXPERIMENTAL MODEL 94s: ONE .25-35 CARBINE MADE 1948 AND THE OTHER A .30-30 MADE 1958, both have the "X" marking at the end of the serial number indicating it was a factory experimental rifle in some way.  I've only seen a small few of these, similar examples are pictured in Renneberg's book on the 1894, probably Winchester was experimenting with finish or some new manufacturing technique, the .30-30 is near mint overall, the .25-35 has seen some use and shows normal hunting wear to the blue overall and has very small initials lightly scratched on left side of stock- easily rubbed out or just left, minor, both have  fancier than standard wood, exc. inside on both, cheap at $2450 pair.
  23. NATIONAL GUARD OF COLORADO MARKED 1895 MUSKET, .30-40 caliber, KSM inspected hammer and stock, made1899, fine receiver blue mixing with brown from age, fine bore a little dark should clean out near exc., thinning fine barrel blue, fine wood with normal handling and storage marks mostly on forend and handguard, original sights, sling swivels, bayonet lug etc., correctly National Guard of Colorado marked on right side of receiver (very distinct, but couldn't get it in the photo), a rare and interesting piece of Western history in nice condition.  $3450.
  24. 1895 SADDLE RING CARBINE, .30-40 CALIBER WITH HANDGUARD INTACT, MADE 1905, fine example and difficult to find with top-wood, mostly gray receiver with minor aged blue in the most protected areas, barrel blue mixing heavily with some brown and gray, original sights, bore should scrub out at or near exc., one tiny chip out of wood at tang and receiver juncture- minor, has the extra hole for the correct long Lyman 21 receiver sight (hole not in barrel address)- sight missing, but these are being reproduced now at reasonable prices! $1895.
  25. RIGHT OUT OF MEXICO! 1895 SADDLE RING CARBINE .30-40 CALIBER, AMAZINGLY STILL RETAINS THE HANDGUARD, A PANCHO VILLA ERA CARBINE MADE 1915, these were very popular in the Southwest and in Mexico (I found this one in Arizona and the owner said he got it in Mexico), VG wood shows lots of handling, but not cracked and basically solid, surprisingly fine bore! fine action, string pull-through cleaning rod in butt trap, metal an uncleaned brown with some pitting on left side of receiver on top half and a little on bolt, great frontier appearance and appeal.  I really like this kind of stuff and almost kept this one myself! $1395.
  26. 1895 TAKEDOWN IN RARE .30-03 CALIBER,  WITH LONG LYMAN 21 RECEIVER SIGHT, MADE 1915,  this was a special order caliber after 1908 and is even more rare in takedown configuration, a recent article published in the Gun Report magazine on the rarity of Takedown M-1895s attests to this and a copy goes with the gun, fine barrel blue showing light ageing only, fine receiver blue in the more protected areas with the balance mixing gray/brown, exc. wood  with typical small swivel holes, bore a little dark, but should clean out fine+ to near exc., two leaf folding rear barrel sight, $2150.
  27. EXTREMELY RARE SPECIAL ORDER 1895 CARBINE IN .30-40 CALIBER MADE WITHOUT A HANDGUARD, SHOTGUN BUTT AND NO SADDLE RING IN 1901! All verified in the Cody Museum records.  No "cuts" for the handguard clips in the forend, the records list this carbine as being ordered with "no barrel cover."  Fine receiver blue showing wear/browning on the upper sides and edges with the balance bright, exc. markings, exc. wood with one tiny  1/2 inch crack near right upper tang- you have to look carefully to even detect it and it goes nowhere, smooth steel shotgun butt plate, exc. bright bore, exc. barrel blue, correct military style carbine sight, no extra holes, unaltered.  This one has it all- rarity and condition.  Special order 1895 rifles are scarce, but special order carbines are almost never encountered.  $3250.
  28. HISTORIC 1895 .405 WCF TAKEDOWN WITH SHOTGUN BUTT, MADE 1920, RECEIVER ENGRAVED MANTON & CO. CALCUTTA, These were often used to hunt tigers in India, often from the backs of elephants! Top of barrel engraved in block letters "RUTLAM" which is a major rail junction and agricultural center in central India. This has been seen on other similar .405s with this Manton & Co marking. Overall metal on receiver is gray-brown, good blue on barrel, bright excellent bore, has the special order very long one fixed and three folding leaf express barrel sight, shows some light dings on the receiver by the takedown juncture- minor, wood basically sound with one tiny chip at the tang on the right side and a very small chip at toe held back in place by a tiny pin or tack- hard to see, correct checkered steel butt plate, tight action, good blue on bolt, has a mark on the barrel where it looks like a barrel band once was affixed- better blue on this spot and apparently others marked as this one display the same thing- perhaps for a sling or a ring to attach a cord to the seat on the elephant to avoid dropping and loss?  Aside from the engraving etc. on this one, takedowns in 1895s are rare as explained in a recent article in the Gun Report magazine- a copy goes with this rifle.  Lots of adventure in this one! $3450.
  29. ANOTHER HISTORIC 1895 .35WCF WITH BARREL SIDE MARKED "WALTER LOCKE & CO. LTD. CALCUTTA & LAHORE" MADE 1913, used for tiger hunting in India (often on elephants) during the Golden Age of Asiatic/Colonial big and dangerous game hunting, correct special three leaf rear sight, sling swivels may or may not be factory- the front swivel also acts as the forend screw, fine wood shows normal handling, mostly gray receiver with minor traces of blue only, good dulled barrel blue, sharp markings, bore a little dark, but should clean out to fine+, $2250.
  30. 1897 TRENCHGUN, I've had a number of these before and really think this is about the end as the individual who originally got them has passed away.  All have been  identical as they are heavily arsenal reblued without much metal polishing, these were both the solid frame W.W.I style and the later W.W.II takedown type- some U.S. marked, but most not, that were shipped to China (interesting, Bruce Canfield's new book on Combat Shotguns lists a load of serial numbers found in the archives that are very close to this one as being shipped to "Shanghai Volunteer Corps"), found their way to Vietnam, got imported through Canada some years ago and made their way back to the U.S.!  This one is the early solid frame style with serial number in the 677XXX range, six-hole handguard, commercial receiver, correct swivels, arsenal replaced stock, hard rubber Winchester marked butt plate, exc. mech and bore, sling, some areas of pitting covered by the usual heavy blue/black finish.  Lots of history in this old war horse, $1295.
  31. SPECTACULAR FACTORY DELUXE MODEL 1905 SELF LOADING .32 CAL. AUTO RIFLE MADE 1907, this was Winchester's first center fire automatic, only about 30,000 were made before it was discontinued in 1923.  Very rarely are they found in special order deluxe configuration.  This one has magnificent burl walnut with the special high gloss "piano finish," that is in exc. condition overall, correct pistol grip with cap and checkering, superb condition overall with just a little thinning of the blue on the top and edges of the receiver, exc. barrel blue, original semi-buckhorn rear sight with W.F. Sheard marked front, original magazine, mint bore etc. $2350.
  32. GREAT LITTLE MODEL 58 .22S L LR BOYS RIFLE, one of the more difficult of these little single shot bolt actions to find as they were only made from 1928-1931 (an obvious casualty of the Great Depression), This one still retains good aged barrel blue that is mixing with some plum, original sights and amazingly it still has a perfect bright bore! exc. wood with most of the original wood finish with just the beginning of a little crack on the left side of the receiver that goes nowhere-minor , exc. action, very very tough to find like this, $575.
  33. FIRST 1897 LIKE THIS I'VE EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF!  12 GA. BLACK DIAMOND TRAPGUN, WITH 26" FULL CHOKE BARREL!  MADE 1907, When I first saw this unusual shotgun my immediate reaction was that the barrel had been cut down from the standard 30" to 26."  Then I checked the choke and it was still full. I called Cody on this one and sure enough it letters as a "Trapgun, 12 ga., 26" takedown, shipped 9/11/06."  I don't know how many other full choke 26" Trapguns Winchester made, but there couldn't be many! Fine receiver blue showing mainly normal wear and edge wear, fine barrel blue with minor normal ageing and a little thinning, solid un-cracked wood (looks a little only dry only) with good checkering that is a bit worn but all distinct, black diamonds in straight stock, tight action, matching numbers, bright bore, original Winchester logo butt plate is exc. with no chips.  I doubt I'll ever see another- especially one early enough to verify through the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming.  A true Winchester rarity!  $1495.
  34. PRE-WAR DELUXE MODEL 64, .30WCF, WITH FANCY WALNUT, MADE 1941, a beautiful example with about all the blue remaining- just some very minor dulling on edges, forend cap and lever, exc. inside, front sight hood intact, wood shows the most minor of handling, correct checkered steel butt plate, a beauty, $2350.
  35. EARLY PRE-WAR LONG TANG MODEL 71 DELUXE .348 WCF RIFLE, #7XXX, MADE 1937, overall excellent plus with only the most minor of barely thinning blue on the bottom of the receiver, upper tang and front of the mag tube- gotta look carefully to see any receiver blue thinning, sharp checkering, correct grip cap and swivel studs, the only flaw is that someone lightly scratched initials and a heart with arrow through it etc. in the butt stock (someone was spending a little too much time alone in the woods!)- could very easily be rubbed out and refinished so as to be undetectable, missing front sight hood only, tight action, perfect inside, $2850. (note: photo lights reflected off the receiver to make it look like the blue was thinning or worn- it is bright deep rich blue overall)
  36. MODEL 71 .348WCF STANDARD RIFLE, made 1956-one of the last of this great model produced, exc. bore, overall the rifle shows just minor handling/hunting wear with nearly all the blue remaining- just a few small light areas on the barrel etc., even the forend cap shows about all the blue, correct receiver sight with filler in the rear sight dovetail on the barrel, correct checkered steel butt plate, $1795. (note: photo lights reflected off receiver in bottom photo- blue is full and deep)

 

 

    BILL GOODMAN,  P.O. BOX  3269,  BOZEMAN,  MONTANA  59772           (406) 587-3131

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