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.      

 

 

  WATCH FOR FREQUENT POSTINGS TROUGH APRIL.

 

 

 

NOTES FROM THE FIELD:  AFTER YEARS OF WANTING TO, I'VE FINALLY DONE IT!

     I've written a novel!  I've had the idea for a number of years and decided if I didn't write it now, it'd never happen.  Much of it was written very, very early in the mornings before the phone starts ringing and I start packing guns for UPS.  And a lot of it was written on planes or while hanging around airports going to-and-from gun shows.  Anyway, it's been published and is available on Amazon.com in standard print book or you can download it as an e-book.  It's called DESERT SUNDAYS and, of course, I'm listed as the author, William T. Goodman.  You can find out more about it - synopsis, about the author etc.- by going to: www.williamtgoodman.com  Yes, there are guns and knives and some hunting in the novel (how could there not be?) and I promise you IT IS ACCURATELY PORTRAYED!  Nothing worse than reading a novel where guns are used or discussed and everything is wrong- like one I read that took place in the 1940s and the bad guy used a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum revolver- except the .44 mag. caliber wasn't even invented yet... or one in which a young hunter looks through the scope on a bolt action .270 and the author writes "...he put his eye to the scope. The eyepiece felt clammy against his skin." OUCH!  Man, this author obviously never fired a high powered rifle! Anyway, you won't read anything like that from me.  Also, there is a great scene in the novel in which one of my main characters takes on a whole room of anti-gun college professors at a wine and cheese party- let's just say he shocks some sense into them. Since you are on this website, I know you'll like that part.  But seriously, it's NOT a gun/hunting/guy novel.  And I have to warn any potential readers, there is seriously graphic adult content in parts of the book.  So, check out DESERT SUNDAYS by William T. Goodman on Amazon.com.  If you buy it and like it (or don't like it), I'd like to hear your comments.  And please, pass the word around.  Novel number two is already in the works!  Thanks for your support.  Bill Goodman

ADDITIONAL NOTE ABOUT ABOVE (3/23/14): If you ordered or downloaded a book, there was a printing glitch in the very first batch- just some minor line errors & typos mainly in chapter 1 and the margins weren't set properly. The text was okay so it'll read fine.  Sorry about this.  Problem has been fixed.  Thanks for your understanding.

 

 

 

COLT FIRE ARMS (click text for photos)

 

  1. BISLEY .38-40, 4 3/4" WITH FACTORY LETTER SHOWING SHIPMENT TO STAUFFER ESHELMAN, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA IN JUNE OF 1911, overall good blue that is ageing and mixing brown with brighter blue in the protected areas like the barrel side by the ejector and underneath, cylinder flutes, butt etc., fine markings including the correct two line barrel address, exc. grips show light wear only, tight action, bore will clean fine or better, front sight has not been altered, attractive, unfooled with and a great letter, $1995.

  2. SINGLE ACTION ARMY .45 COLT CALIBER, 4 ¾” BARREL, MADE 1916, this is a well used revolver from the last of the cowboy period, this one was obviously carried in a holster for many miles as there is wear to the outside of the muzzle on the left side and the front tip of the ejector housing- takes a lot of drawing from a holster and probably riding horseback to achieve this kind of wear! Totally uncleaned with a nice even dark brown patina overall with traces of aged blue in the most protected areas, front sight has not been filed or altered, grips are worn almost smooth with a glued crack running across the left grip at the screw and an almost indiscernible crack on the right grip at the lower front edge- hard to see, normal light handling marks on the metal, fine two line barrel address on the barrel top, frame markings getting worn, but readable, nice screws, fine four-click action, bore will clean exc., this one has a really good look and feel to it, $2150.

  3. OUTSTANDING SINGLE ACTION ARMY IN RARE .38 COLT CALIBER, 51/2” BARREL, FACTORY LETTER SHOWS SHIPMENT TO SCHINDEL, ROHRER AND CO.,  HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND, JAN. 27, 1928 AS A 1 GUN SHIPMENT, overall beautiful deep blue with only some thinning on the back strap and a little on the front strap, slightest of edge wear only, nice case colors fading on the outer-most parts like the left recoil shield, loading gate and top strap sides, fairly vivid on the rest, near perfect grips are numbered to the gun’s other matching numbers, screws still show some good fire blue, exc. cylinder pin with most blue intact, tight action, bright bore, even the front of the cylinder face shows most of the blue indicating this gun was shot little if at all, rare caliber, interesting letter and all in truly investment quality and condition and priced realistically at  $5300. (4 photos)

  4. LIGHTNING .32-20 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1900, aged and freckled blue on mag and barrel, buckhorn rear sight with Rocky Mountain blade front, receiver aged to mainly brown with light but legible rampant colt stamping on left side, legible barrel markings, bore dark with good rifling (when I got this one the bore was clogged- I ran a brush through it a few times and black crud came out revealing pretty decent rifling) that should clean out much better to fine or fine+, action locks up tightly as it should, dust cover intact, exc. forend, butt stock has a couple very small chips by the rec. tang juncture and a couple slight age cracks coming back from the receiver on the left side and going nowhere- all very minor, but I want to mention it, nice screws, overall a correctly functioning Lightning with a decent bore and appearance, $1295. ``

  5. VERY HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT  MODEL 1900 .38 AUTOMATIC PISTOL!  This one is serial number 36 and is one of the lowest numbers known to still exist.  According to COLT’S .38 AUTOMATIC PISTOLS book by Douglas Sheldon, the following numbers are known: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 25, 33, 34, 45, 51 etc. He lists sixteen numbers below one hundred. This one makes seventeen.  A Colt factory letter shows #36 was shipped in May of 1900 (first 60 days of production) to Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett Co., Chicago, IL.  Interestingly, there were ten of these in the shipment.  So, basically, this is the grandfather of ALL U.S. made auto pistols!  With a number this low it is the equivalent of an iron frame Henry rifle, a Colt Walker or a “pinched frame” first production Colt Single Action Army.  This pistol turned up at a small Montana gun show.  I wish I knew more about it.  That’s all the good news.  The bad news is that I got this gun in a bag!  Someone took it apart and couldn’t or didn’t bother to put it back together.  I’ve done nothing with it since receiving it.  I can say it appears all the main parts are present- slide, frame, hammer, trigger, pins, grips, wedge etc. but some minor parts may be missing- I really don’t know.  The Magazine is of a later type as it doesn’t have the patent dates on the bottom but it fits correctly.  The barrel, which is numbered 36 (as is the slide) appears to have had the last inch or so broken off- that’s hard to figure.  I’m pretty sure if parts are missing, they are minor and I would think parts from the more common later Model 1902 would fit.  Overall metal on frame and slide is dark and worn with some scattered pitting mainly on the slide.  Markings are legible on the slide.  The sight safety shows the typical Colt factory alteration to the later style of dovetailed rear sight and has the little VP proof mark in the left trigger guard side showing it had been returned for this alteration.  The firing pin is still in the slide and the correct convex plug and spring are still in the frame.  Front sight has not been altered.  It shouldn’t be too hard to put this one back together.  I’m not big on restorations, but this one might be a good candidate for a first rate Doug Turnbull restoration.  The folks at Colt were pretty excited about lettering this one as it is truly an important piece of Colt (and all automatic pistol) history.  $2950.

  6.  ALMOST NEVER SEEN .32 CALIBER OFFICERS MODEL HEAVY BARREL TARGET REVOLVER, WITH CORRECT BOX AND END LABEL, MADE 1939, it is my understanding that only a small batch of these were made right before Colt stopped production of all models for World War II, this one has seen light use only, retains nearly all the blue with just a light cylinder drag line and another couple very light lines barely in the finish on the cylinder at the back of the flutes- minor, checkered back strap and trigger, target sights, exc. checkered walnut grips, retains all the blue on the hammer back etc., exc. inside, tight action, box has good hinge and is missing only the top front flap and one side flap, nice end label, one of the rarest of the prewar double action Colts, $2150.

  7. COLT DERRINGERS AND POCKET REVOLVERS- SEE NEW CATEGORY BELOW.

                            

 

MARLIN  (click text for photos

1) EXCEEDINGLY RARE MODEL 1889 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN .32-20 CALIBER! MADE 1892, all 1889 carbines are rare and this is the first I've ever seen in anything but .38-40 or .44-40, almost all I've seen have been very hard used and often abused, this one is quite nice with overall metal a soft, uncleaned plum/brown with some good blue on the loading gate and some on the bolt, generally fine wood with two small filled chips on each side of the butt plate top- minor, lever catch intact- these often missing- tight action, fine bore shows good rifling but is a little dark with some light scattered roughness, rear carbine sight replaced with a heavy full buckhorn, ring intact, the .32-20 was made in the least number of all model 1889s and until this one surfaced, I thought none of the carbines were made in this caliber even though they were listed in the Marlin catalogues of the time, about as rare a standard Marlin carbine as I've encountered and I'll probably never see another!  $2150.

2)VERY RARE DELUXE M-94 .44-40 CALIBER ROUND BARREL RIFLE, MADE 1906, any ’94 deluxe is really scarce, but one in .44-40 is very rare as most of the deluxe rifles were in small calibers, exc. deep barrel and mag blue with minor thinning mainly on the bottom of the mag tube, receiver case colors are light and silvering, but still there and more vivid in the protected areas, still some good blue on the back portion of the bolt, on the RARE HEPBURN RECEIVER SIGHT, on the loading gate and even on the forend cap, bright exc. bore, tight action, still some case color on the lever fine+ wood overall with nice checkering on the forend, checkering on the wrist shows more wear, this rifle had factory sling eyes as the forend cap is flat on the bottom and drilled for the swivel stud and there is a corresponding filled hole in the butt stock- these would be easy to replace and worth the effort,  dovetail filler in rear barrel slot with small blade/bead front sight, super scarce model in any caliber but especially in .44-40,  $2750. ``

3)EXTREMELY RARE AND NICE CONDITION MODEL 27 PUMP RIFLE IN .32-20 CALIBER, NOTE: THIS IS THE ORIGINAL MODEL 27 "FLATSIDE" ONLY MADE FROM 1909-1911 AND NOT THE LATER MODEL 27S THAT WAS MADE FROM 1911 TO 1932, the difference in these is that after only a couple years of production, Marlin added a push button on the right side of the frame to allow for unloading the rifle without having to let the hammer down after each pump of the forend, most of this model saw hard use and this is a fine one with exc. barrel and mag blue showing only the lightest of age, fine receiver blue that shows a bit more age and is thinning/mixing a little with some plum and brown, exc. wood shows light handling only with one tiny hairline crack coming back from the receiver for less than an inch on the left side of the wrist and goes nowhere- hardly worth mentioning, exc. sharp bore, tight action and takedown, 24” oct barrel, exc. markings including the “Marlin No. 27” on the upper tang, interesting and rare first couple year’s production variation.  $1395. `

 

                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.

4) 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) 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

5) 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. SOLD

6) JUST IN: MODEL 1894S .44 MAG. OR SPECIAL, this is the carbine with the diamond checkered wrist and forend, has quick detachable swivel studs, about like new, $795.

7) JUST IN: MODEL 1894CB "COWBOY LIMITED" IN .44 MAGNUM AND SPECIAL, 20" OCTAGON BARREL, a little nicer than standard wood usually seen, very hard to find and like new, $1195.

8) JUST IN: VERY RARE 1895 LTD-III .45-70 WITH 18 ½ INCH OCTAGON BARREL AND FULL MAGAZINE!       This is the first one of these I’ve seen.  Apparently they made the LTD series from I to V (5) for Davidsons Distributors I believe in the 1980s to 1990s.  I’m not sure how many were made, but this is the first one I’ve seen or even heard of, It is in very lightly used condition (near new) with a blued screw going into the right side where the cross bolt safety is, I don’t know if someone wanted to deactivate the safety or whether it was done at Davidsons or maybe the factory (doubtful), but the cross bolt can be seen on the left side, but there is no movement in it and it does not protrude.  I imagine it would be easy enough to return to the normal cross bolt, also has a Redfield receiver sight with the normal Marlin folding buckhorn rear sight and blade/bead front, this model had the normal or “Ballard” style rifling as opposed to the regular Micro-groove rifling normally used- these are better for cast bullet shooting, a very rare Marlin that should appreciate in value over the years to come, $1195.

 

 

 

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

  1. SUPER RARE U.S. GOVERNMENT MILITARY ISSUE SHARPS 1853 SADDLE RING CARBINE ALSO KNOWN AS THE MODEL 1857 MILITARY CARBINE AS THAT IS WHEN THEY WERE ISSUED IN VERY SMALL QUANTITIES FOR WESTERN CAVALRY USE BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR! This is one of the first of these I've seen, they saw very hard use on the frontier and later in the civil war, surviving examples are very rare, these differ from the usual 1853 carbines in that they have the shorter Civil War Carbine style saddle ring bar (as specified by the military) instead of the long bar usually associated with the 1852/53 carbines, the 1857 also has the very early style Lawrence ladder rear sight with short staff and script Lawrence marking on the base, this model also had a small "J" government inspector mark on the bottom of the breech block and a small "T" inspector mark on the left side of the barrel by the breech, this is a truly fine example with fine+ wood that shows normal use/carry wear and exc. wood to metal fit, no cracks and never sanded or messed with- minor dings only, brass patchbox and barrel band, uncleaned gray/brown metal, exc. markings, bore will clean to about exc., fine action, Flayderman's Guide- 9th edition (now several years old) lists these in antique good condition $4500 and antique fine condition at $9500.  I think this one falls easily in between and closer to the higher end, my price $3450.

  2. SHARPS 1878 .45-70 BORCHARDT MILITARY MUSKET, these are getting very hard to find, fine aged blue on barrel and receiver, generally excellent stock and forend with one small hairline crack coming back from the right side of the receiver by the upper tang- about an inch long and is really minor, exc. screws and markings including the "Old Reliable" barrel stamp, original Lawrence rear sight with slide intact, correct cleaning rod (these often missing), sling swivels intact, bore will clean about excellent with good deep rifling, very tight action, safety functions correctly- again, these often don't- small rack number stamped in stock behind upper tang and another tiny one just ahead of the top of the correct checkered steel butt plate, one of the better ones, $2650.

  3. CLASSIC BRITISH “LEE SPEED” .303 SPORTING RIFLE BY B.S.A. (BIRMINGHAM SMALL ARMS), typically purchased by British officers who were stationed in Africa and India, this one shows normal hunting wear, but no abuse or alterations, 24 inch barrel with sling eye on the bottom, three leaf express sight marked “100,” “200,” and “300,” with flip up ladder (needs slide), small blade front sight with protective “wings” on each side,  ebony forend tip, fine checkered pistol grip with grip cap and checkered forend, better than standard grade of walnut- needs a good clean as it looks like it has over a hundred years of grime on it, dark aged blue metal has never been cleaned, looks like there has been some very light surface rust on some of the receiver top- probably just from being hunted with in tropical climate and held with sweaty hands- but not really pitted or unsightly at all, border engraving on receiver, great single stage trigger pull, smooth steel butt plate with trap and silver initial oval plate in bottom of stock, matching numbered bolt, bore is fairly bright and maybe a little worn, but NOT pitted which is very unusual as usually these are found with terrible bores- in fact I just looked at one recently whose bore was so bad it looked as if it were a rough smooth bore!, a classy British sporter with lots of history! $1695.

  4. ODDITY UNDER-BARREL FOLDING  KNIFE OR DAGGER HARRINGTON AND RICHARDSON .38 S&W CALIBER REVOLVER, also known as the "H&R Automatic Eject Revolver with Knife Attachment," or "Automatic Bayonet Revolver,"  these were made in limited numbers from 1901-1917, 4" barrel with 2 1/4" double edge spear point folding dagger that locks into place when extended, this one has an UNSHARPENED AND UNBROKEN BLADE in excellent condition with good latch retaining spring (these are often found  with the blade either missing, broken or heavily sharpened), original nickel finish flaked to an aged gray patina with good nickel scattered and in the more protected areas- nickel and metal blend nicely, fine markings and grips, double action works fine, single action a bit stiff- perhaps made to function only in double action mode- overall a fine example of one of the more bizarre (and cool!) firearms made at the turn of the last century, $1295.
  5. WONDERFUL, NEVER CLEANED, ATTIC CONDITION RARE SIX SHOT DRAGOON SIZE ALLEN PEPPERBOX, .36 CALIBER 6" BARRELS, MADE LATE 1830's TO MID-1840s.  Has the early "Dog Leg" sharp angle walnut grips with silver ovals, engraved frame and nipple shield, early fluted ribbed barrels, overall deep brown patina with ancient uncleaned inactive surface rust/crud that is ON the metal as opposed to "IN" the metal.  I believe a good, long oil soak would remove most of it, fine grips, action works fine, these big holster size pepperboxes were very popular with the gold rush 49ers in California as well as many seeing use on the frontier and later in the Civil War.  These dragoon size ones are hard to find and this one is really untouched with a great look and feel!  $1295.

  6. MAUSER PRE-WORLD WAR II .22LR SINGLE SHOT BOLT ACTION RIFLE, I believe this is the model 420 with 25.5" barrel and checkered pistol grip stock, sharp Mauser circular stock stamping, exc. bright bore, exc. barrel blue, exc. Oberndorf markings, bolt handle only mixing plum, exc. mech and trigger pull, correct tangent rear sight with bright fire blued slide, wood shows light handling only and has one very slight crack coming back from the bolt indent on the right side- just an age crack in the grain of the wood that goes nowhere- minor and not very apparent, a classy rifle from the Golden Age of pre-war German manufacturing, $575.

  7. GREAT OFFERING! CLASSIC CUSTOM VARMINTER BY LEONARD & HYDE, NEW YORK, .257 ROBERTS CALIBER, MAUSER 98 ACTION, 27" MEDIUM HEAVY VARMINT BARREL, 12X UNERTL SCOPE AND MOUNTS.  Here's what I found on the internet: George J. Hyde Sr. (born "Heide") was a German-born American machinist, gunsmith and gun designer best known for his submachine guns. He was born in Arpfingen, Germany on January 4, 1888. Already a skilled machinist, he emigrated to the United States in 1927. His family followed, the next year. Before 1935 George J. Hyde was a machinist and shop foreman at Griffin & Howe.[1] He quit Griffin & Howe and went on to become the co-owner of Leonard & Hyde in New York. He partnered with Samuel A. "Harry" Leonard, an expert shotgun and rifle stock maker, who had trained at James Purdy & Sons of London. Hyde also did contract gunsmithing work for Roberts and Kimball in Woburn, Massachusetts. (The latter was an early semi-custom maker of rifles chambered in .257 Roberts.) So what we've got here is the shop foreman for Griffin & Howe teaming up with an expert stock maker from Purdy in England and building rifles with influence from Ned Roberts and his "new" .257 Roberts Caliber!  It should also be known that Hyde is the inventor of the famed M-3 Grease Gun  and the unusual .45ACP Liberator pistol of World War II (among other inventions and patents).  The rifle is near mint with classic straight grained select grade English Walnut stock, cheek piece with shadow/accent line, fine checkering on forend and pistol grip, fully machine turned action and magazine follower, custom altered Mauser safety with checkered up-down tab for scope use, no dovetails for iron sights and no cut in the stock for any receiver sight- this one was made for this scope, one really outstanding touch is the butt plate treatment- there is an inletted stylized steel heel and toe plate with checkered walnut in the center- a true class act and one that would cost a fortune today, swivel studs are set into small oval ebony inlays, barrel marked "No. 1937 Leonard & Hyde, New York,"  silver initial plate in stock bottom, exc. optics in scope, finely checkered bolt handle, beautiful and graceful stock design around the action and floor plate, weighs about 11 1/4 lbs., like getting a rifle built by Griffin & Howe, stocked by Purdy, influenced and chambered by Ned Roberts and scoped by Unertl!  A custom rifle of this quality would cost a fortune today and not many gunsmiths could even do this kind of work! Superb condition overall.  $3950. (click underlined text for 3 photos )

  8. ONE OF THE BEST OF THESE I'VE SEEN: STEVENS M-80 GALLERY RIFLE, .22 SHORT, LONG AND LONG RIFLE, these scarce guns were only made from 1906-1910 and when found are usually in hard used condition, this one retains nearly all the deep barrel and receiver blue, mag tube and trigger guard blue ageing/mixing brown, exc. wood with barely a tiny chip at the toe under the butt plate- minor, EXCELLENT BORE! exc. markings including the barrel stamping "GALLERY No. 80," retains the single gallery swivel in front of the trigger guard, really exceptional, $795.

  9. BERETTA MODEL 1934 .380 AUTO PISTOL WITH ITALIAN ARMY PROOFS MADE 1938, lots of World War II history in this one! Fine blue overall with minor thinning/ageing on the slide and edges, exc. original grips, matching numbers, tight action, exc. inside, $595.

  10. PARTICULARLY FINE WORLD WAR II WALTHER P.38 MARKED "AC 43" INDICATING WALTHER MANUFACTURE DURING 1943, all matching numbers, fine blue overall with just normal light wear to the front strap and a little on the bottom of the trigger guard, exc. action, exc. bore, exc. correct magazine unaltered, fine brown grips show light wear only, correct proofs and Nazi markings, one of the better ones I've seen in a while, these are still bargains, but rapidly going up in value (as are all WWII guns), still cheap at $895.

 

 

 

 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 2ND. 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.  SOLD

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 2ND. 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)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.

2) CUSTOM/RESTORED REMINGTON No. 1 ROLLINGBLOCK OCTAGON BARREL SPORTING RIFLE IN .45-70 CALIBER, this rifle was originally a .44-77 caliber that was relined to .45-70, has the original (uncut) 28” medium heavy barrel with original buckhorn rear sight and small globe pinhead front sight, fine Remington markings on the barrel which has been reblued, barrel and receiver serial numbers match, butt plate and receiver have been re-case hardened, wood has been  nicely refinished and fits well, tang is drilled for tang sight, exc. bright bore, has a filled sling swivel stud hole in the bottom of the stock and a filled dovetail in the bottom of the barrel (hard to see) that should be replaced with swivel studs, tight action, lots of potential in this one or just leave it as it, weighs just over ten pounds, $1795.

3) RARE MODEL 1901 ROLLING BLOCK TARGET PISTOL IN SCARCE AND DESIRABLE .44 RUSSIAN CALIBER!  Remington made less than 750 of these fine pistols and most seem to have been in the small rim fire calibers, exc. correctly checkered stock and forend, exc. barrel blue showing one or two very tiny spots where some rust was wiped off- you have to look carefully to see it, fine high polish receiver, trigger guard and grip strap blue with some scattered brown freckling, exc. blue on hammer and breech block, nice screws, exc. markings, tight action, correct original rear target sight in the receiver ring with half-moon and ivory bead front sight,  bright exc. bore! $3450.

4) No. 1 ROLLING BLOCK SADDLE RING CARBINE IN SCARCE/DESIRABLE .50-70 CALIBER, this is NOT a New York Contract carbine or a military order, appears to be a civilian example with normal and correct carbine sights (rear is a flip up leaf)  and saddle ring bar (ring removed, easily replaced), fine Remington markings on the upper tang with the last patent date of 1874, basically aged brown metal, tight action, bore has scattered pitting that ought to scrub out to VG or better, fine forearm shows normal handling with no chips or cracks, butt stock appears to be a very old replacement- possibly hand carved- that fits fairly well and is aged to the rest of the gun, interesting frontier carbine with lots of history in a rare U.S. caliber! $895.

5) SCARCE CORRECT 18 ½” CARBINE VERSION MODEL 14 PUMP RIFLE IN 32 REMINGTON CALIBER, MADE C.1918, easy to tell carbine versions as they don’t have pistol grip stocks and have 18 ½” barrels with milled-in ramp front sights, this one also retains the desirable “wheel” adjustable rear sight (these often missing and replaced with elevator bar type buckhorn sights) and the correct Marbles tang sight made just for this model, wood shows normal handling with correct Remington marked butt plate, small crack just behind trigger guard- minor, fine forearm with probably one replaced retaining screw, fine aged barrel blue, receiver shows about half the aged blue with the balance turning silvery, tight action and takedown, exc. bore, ammo/brass can still be had, seldom encountered model and has great sights! $1295.

6) RARELY SEEN MODEL 25 FACTORY THREADED FOR SILENCER,  WITH KNURLED THREAD PROTECTING CAP INTACT, .25-20 PUMP ACTION RIFLE, I've seen a small number of guns by various major makers (Winchester, Marlin etc.) with this special order feature, in fact, Teddy Roosevelt had a lever action rifle threaded in the same manner, fine deep receiver blue, ageing barrel and mag blue, exc. markings, fine, solid wood with no cracks and correct Remington marked crescent butt plate, small buckhorn rear sight with blade/bead front, sling swivel stud added to stock and front barrel band, exc. mech., exc. bore, $995. (three photos)

 

RUGER (click text for photos)

1) SCARCE LIMITED PRODUCTION BLACKHAWK "BUCKEYE" CONVERTIBLE IN .38-40 AND EXTRA CYLINDER 10 MM AUTO CARTRIDGE, I believe these ALL STEEL special run Blackhawks were made in the 1980s for Buckeye Sporting Goods in Ohio, very difficult to find now, this one looks unfired in the yellow Ruger box with manual etc., $995.

 

SAVAGE FIREARMS (click text for photos)

 

1) ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST UNUSUAL 1899s I’VE SEEN! THIS IS A MODEL 1899-A 22” SHORT RIFLE, TAKEDOWN, IN .38-55 CALIBER, MADE 1907, the Savage 99 book by Murray is not exact and has errors in it, I think this rifle proves another small mistake as he states the takedown in the 1899-A was introduced in 1899 but the takedown was not offered until 1917- well this one has a matching number on the takedown forend and it was made in 1907!  This is the first of these I’ve ever seen in .38-55 which is rare in any model, aged barrel blue, mostly gray/brown receiver with good blue on upper lever section, fine wood with tight wood to metal fit and only the beginnings of the usual cracks coming back from the upper tang (all Savage 1899s seem to have these), correct tang sight with blade front sight and later folding barrel sight, tight action and excellent sharp bore! Correct Savage marked steel shotgun butt plate with both wood and butt plate matching numbered to the forearm and receiver, $1895.

2) MODEL 1917 .380 AUTO PISTOL, scarce item as only as only about 14,000 of these were made between 1920 and 1928, this is an early production example probably made first year, overall a solid gun that has seen use and carry, overall aged blue mixing plum/brown, never cleaned or steel-wooled, grips show wear but complete, correct magazine, exc. markings, tight action, exc. bore, $495.

 

 

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! $950.

1-B SAME AS ABOVE, ABOUT NEW, BUT NO BOX, $895.

2) BROWNING 1885 .45-70 "BPCR" SILHOUETTE RIFLE, basically new in original box, 30" heavy half oct. barrel, nicely figured walnut with cheek piece and checkered steel shotgun butt plate, case colored receiver,  checkered pistol grip and forend, long range Soule tang sight with spirit level globe front sight with interchangeable apertures (included), original sight box with two extra eye discs, owners manual etc., these have won matches right out of the box! $1895.

3) SHILOH SHARPS MADE IN BIG TIMBER, MONTANA No. 3 SPORTING RIFLE IN .40 2.5" (40-70 STRAIGHT) CALIBER, 28" standard half octagon barrel with Hartford Collar, semi-buckhorn rear barrel sight with globe with pinhead front sight and fully adjustable Lyman style tang sight, double set triggers, nice rich straight grain walnut with a little extra figure in the stock, weighs right at 10 lbs., about like new, should make a nice hunting rifle, $2150.

4) CUSTOM/RESTORED REMINGTON ROLLINGBLOCK .45-70 OCTAGON SPORTER (see above in Remington section).

 

 

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,  $4850.

2) FABULOUS SMITH AND WESSON FIND WITH SUPER FACTORY LETTER!! RARE .38-40 CALIBER DOUBLE ACTION FRONTIER, #1XX, ONLY 276 OF THIS DISTINCT MODEL WERE MADE AND NUMBERED 1 - 276, this one has a 6 1/2" barrel (longest offered) and the factory letter verifies all aspects of this revolver and shows it was shipped on October 27, 1904 to J. A. ANDERSON CO., FORT WORTH, TEXAS, aside from some M-1926 .44 Hand Ejectors that went to Texas, this is one of the only early S&Ws that went anywhere but to a major dealer/distributor in the northeast- usually New York, much less to Texas which was pretty much still a frontier in 1904!  No doubt, the person who ordered this .38-40 was probably a cowboy who wanted to pair it up with his .38-40 Winchester or Marlin rifle/carbine, overall aged blue to brown with some good blue in the more protected areas- like ahead of the cylinder and on/around trigger guard, never been steel-wooled or cleaned, the patina on this revolver is very attractive and took 110 years to achieve, exc. markings including the "38 WINCHESTER CTG" marking on the barrel, matching numbers, exc. hard rubber grips (stated in the letter) show light handling wear only,  tight action, exc. bore, you could look for years and not find one of these in any condition and certainly a letter with shipment to Texas is a big plus!  $4950.

4) .44 DOUBLE ACTION WITH 6 ½” BARREL, this is the standard 1 7/16” cylinder chambered for the .44 Russian cartridge, overall a dark, uncleaned brown, really “attic condition” and looks like it provided long service on the frontier, action works fine both single action and double action, fine markings, right grip is a wood replacement, left grip is heavily worn rubber, looks like some of the forcing cone at the back of the barrel in front of the cylinder is worn or shot away- fairly typical in these frontier guns and you have to look closely to detect this, bore will clean out fine or better, $595

5) GREAT FACTORY LETTER WITH THIS 1891 SINGLE SHOT .22LR TARGET PISTOL WITH BLUE FINISH AND SCARCE 8" BARREL, the S&W factory letter shows this revolver as being shipped to Andre, Schaub & Pioso Co., New York City and Paris, France on March 11, 1901. This company was also an agent for the French government in procuring American arms during World War I, it can be assumed this one went overseas, matching numbers, correct hard rubber stocks (mentioned in the letter), fine deep blue overall with some flaking on the side plate on the left side and some dulling/ageing of the blue on the barrel bottom and front strap etc., exc. mech and bore, nice case color on the hammer, only 862 of these were made in .22LR and of those most had the ten inch barrel and many were nickel finish, very rare S&W with even rarer barrel length and intriguing factory letter! $1395.

6) ONE OF THE RAREST TARGET S&Ws:  1899 FIRST MODEL .32-20 HAND EJECTOR TARGET REVOLVER, #9XX AND SHIPPED TO FAMED S&W DEALER PHIL BEKEART & CO., SAN FRANCISCO IN 1900! In the last twenty years I think I've only seen a small handful of these, this is a scarce model in standard non-target version and super scarce in with target sights, Phil Bekeart was instrumental in getting S&W to make the .22/32 Target Model, factory letter also lists this revolver with checkered wood grips, fine frame blue that is thinning and has heavy edge wear, also thinning/flaking barrel blue, cylinder shows good blue in the flutes with the balance thinning and ageing brown, mostly gray brown grip straps and bottom of trigger guard, exc. screws, still shows minor case color on hammer and trigger, exc. action, bore should clean out about exc., exc. sharp grips, pinned front sight blade only a replacement, $1895.

7) FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION, RARE FIVE SCREW PRE-29 .44 MAGNUM WITH 4” BARREL, #S 156XXX, MADE 1956, this one has been used a little, but still retains fine deep blue with some normal holster wear at the muzzle, on some of the cylinder sharp edges etc. grips are missing, tight action, exc. inside, target trigger and hammer, white outline rear with red ramp front sight, exc. screws, matching numbers, rare gun with rare barrel length, $1895.

 

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

1) EARLY 1873 TRAPDOOR SADDLE RING CARBINE, .45-70, CUSTER SERIAL NUMBER RANGE  44XXX, MADE 1875, has the correct early high arch breech block with correct early markings, this was one of the typical early guns that was sent back to the arsenal for updating/refurbishing, has the later style stock with compartment in the butt stock for cleaning rod, later lock, retains the early barrel band, rear sight is of the first model rifle style, fine bright bore, even aged dark brown patina, solid wood shows honest sling ring wear and saddle wear,, tight action, neat Indian Wars cavalry carbine with a long frontier history, $1395.

2) SUPER RARE AND SELDOM SEEN MODEL 1886 EXPERIMENTAL SADDLE RING CARBINE, .45-70 CALIBER, ONLY 1,000 OF THESE WERE MADE AND ISSUED FOR TRIAL PURPOSES TO CAVALRY TROOPS STATIONED IN THE WEST! This is an all correct example with 24" barrel, full stock, correct curved forward sling swivel (made this way to help the carbine slide into a scabbard easier), "XC" marked Buffington rear sight, ring and bar intact, and in the correct serial number range of 340XXX, surviving examples usually show they were used very hard, this is one of the best examples I've seen, solid stock shows light handling marks only, cloudy gray/brown breechblock and upper tang show dark traces of case color, fine deep blue on the trigger guard, most of the deep inky  blue water quenched case color remains on the lock plate and hammer, aged and thinning barrel blue mixing a little with brown, fairly bright bore should scrub out about exc., rare U.S. issued carbine with great history relating to the last years of the Indian Wars! Even some of the best Springfield collections lack one of these!  $5200.

3) ONE OF THE FINEST 1899 KRAG CARBINES I’VE OFFERED, this one has a sharp and crisp 1901 stock cartouche, correct M-1901 fully adjustable carbine rear sight with correct humped handguard, generally exc. wood overall with just minor handling marks and a light ding or two, fine lightly aged barrel blue, mottled gray receiver, correct headless cocking piece, tight action, exc. bore, exc. wood, very hard to find this nice, $1795.

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

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

6) WINCHESTER 1894 U.S.& FLAMING BOMB MARKED SRC ( see below in Winchester section)

 

 

 WINCHESTER  RIFLES  and  SHOTGUNS (click text for photos) .

  1. SPECIAL ORDER 1873 .32-20 OCTAGON RIFLE WITH SHOTGUN BUTT, MADE 1889, overall fine appearance, aged dark receiver and barrel with exc. markings, original dust cover, mellow brass lifter, fine screws (mag. screw a replacement), original sights, exc. butt stock with correct smooth steel shotgun butt plate and tight wood to metal fit, fine forearm with thin age crack beginning  to come back from the forend cap on the right side for a couple inches- minor, has some evidence of light surface rust that was wiped off (not buffed or steel wooled) mainly on the mag tube bottom and a little around the lever- you have to look for this to find it and it really blends in and isn't a problem, bore is a bit dark with strong rifling and ought to scrub out fine+ or better, tight action, attractive special order early 1873 rifle! $1795.

  2.  1885 HIGHWALL .38-55, 30” OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1889,  early standard rifle with No. 3 barrel, fine aged barrel blue, mostly gray/brown receiver, generally fine+ to exc. wood, tight wood to metal fit, tight action, fine bore with good rifling needs a good scouring out, buckhorn rear sight with Rocky Mountain blade front, exc. screws, retains the ebony wedge inlay in the forend tip, fine appearance, $2150.

  3. 1885 HIGHWALL 2ND. MODEL MUSKET IN .22 SHORT, particularly nice example as most of these seem to have seen hard use, exc. barrel blue that shows just a trace of ageing, fine receiver blue that is mixing/flaking a little plum & brown, fine+ blue on lever, tight action, bright bore shows just a little corrosion ahead of the chamber area and in general should clean out about exc., bores on these usually in terrible condition, this one is one of the better I've seen, exc. wood overall, correct Krag style rear sight with windage adjustment, correct swivels, much more rare than the Lowall variety, $1495.

  4. 1886 .40-82 CALIBER OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1889, this one came out of right here in Montana, VG aged barrel and mag blue that shows age and is mixing with brown but never cleaned or scrubbed, original sights, bright blue on bolt, mostly silvered receiver, fine+ wood, VG bore has scattered roughness, tight action, good appearance, $2700.

  5. FABULOUS 3-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER (5XX) FULL DELUXE 1887 12 GA. LEVER SHOTGUN! Gorgeous XXX grade burl walnut with checkered pistol grip and correct uniquely checkered double diamond pattern forend panels, checkered steel butt plate, BORDER ENGRAVED ACTION SIDES AND 30" DAMASCUS BARREL, these just don't get more rare than this one! First year production, possibly made to showcase the new model, exc. Damascus pattern on the barrel, exc. wood is dark from never being cleaned or steel wooled (fortunately!), receiver is a deep brown patina, fine bore shows some light surface pitting, an incredible Winchester offering, $3450.(photos didn't do this one justice- wood is magnificent etc.)

  6. FIRST FULL YEAR PRODUCTION SOLID FRAME MODEL 1890, .22 SHORT, WITH THREE-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER 6XX, solid frame 1890s are rarely encountered and most I've seen have been hard used and often abused, this one is much better than usually seen, overall metal a very dark aged blue to brown, exc. markings, fine wood (there is a short crack inside the stock between the upper and lower tang that was once glued and should be re-done- no cracks appear on the outside and this is minor and easily corrected), fine action, bore is dark and heavily frosted but still shows rifling, original sights including the small gallery style rear, not many earlier than this one. $2350.

  7. 1892 .44-40 SADDLE RING CARBINE, #829XXX, MADE 1916, fine receiver blue that is deep but ageing/mixing with some brown, fine barrel  mag blue also mixing brown, loading gate and bolt getting silvery, exc. walnut stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit, original and complete carbine sights, exc. markings including the late style "MODEL 1892 WINCHESTER .44 WCF" stamping on the barrel, saddle ring intact, BRIGHT EXC. SHARP BORE, $2350.

  8. SPECIAL ORDER 1892 .32-20 ROUND BARREL, HALF MAGAZINE RIFLE WITH FANCIER THAN STANDARD WOOD, MADE 1917, exc. sharp bore, exc. slightly aged barrel blue, mostly gray receiver with exc. blue on the loading gate, exc. screws, exc. wood with tight wood to metal fit, tight action, fancier than standard walnut in butt stock- typical on special order rifles, $1395.

  9. 1892 .44-40 FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION OCTAGON RIFLE WITH GREAT SERIAL NUMBER: 11111 (YES, FIVE ONES), exc. fancier than standard attractive walnut with reddish tinge, aged receiver blue mixing brown with good blue in protected areas and on the loading gate, exc. blue on the bolt, exc. screws, nice aged barrel blue, mag tube mixing more brown, original sights, fine+ bore with good rifling should scrub about near exc., fine un-messed with ’92 with great caliber, serial number, first year production and fine condition! $2750.

  10. 1892 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN .32-20 CALIBER, MADE 1911, nice appearance carbine surprisingly difficult to find in this caliber, very good aged blue on barrel and mag tube that is thinning a bit on the barrel sides, mostly brown receiver with good blue on the loading gate, fine screws, original complete carbine sights, fine wood showing light handling wear, bore retains fine rifling with scattered light roughness- ought to still shoot fine, ring intact, $1295.

  11. THE RAREST 1892 VARIATION I'VE SEEN! FACTORY 32" OCTAGON BARREL WITH DOUBLE SET TRIGGERS AND CORRECT TWO MAGAZINE RETAINING BANDS! MADE 1907, longer than the standard 24" barrels were only offered until 1908 and according to the Winchester Handbook by Madis only 744 rifles had longer  than standard barrels- in my experience 26" seems to be the most common and even these are of course rare, this is the only 32" I've ever seen, barrels in all models over 30" (32"-36") were made with two magazine retaining bands, close coupled double set triggers are also rare, caliber .25-20, standard buckhorn rear sight with Beech folding globe front sight, mottled uncleaned gray/brown barrel and mag, mag tube has a few dents just ahead of the forend cap,  fine markings, receiver mostly gray with some replaced screws and one minor screw missing on the top left side of the receiver, set triggers function fine, fine wood, dark bore should clean out good to VG, tight action, Winchester couldn't have made more than a small handful of this barrel length! $4950.

  12. EXCELLENT CONDITION LATE PRODUCTION 1892 OCTAGON RIFLE IN .25-20, #996XXX, MADE 1929, ONE OF THE LAST OF THE 1892 RIFLES!  Correct very late barrel markings including the “MODEL 92” stamping, retains nearly all the barrel and mag blue with only the lightest of handling marks, receiver retains most of the late 1920s style of blue that looks more dull black- these late guns almost always have the receivers flaked to silver, this one shows only very minor thinning/freckling, exc. wood shows only light handling, tang sight with blade/bead front sight, filler in rear dovetail- doesn’t look like it ever had a rear sight, bright minty bore, late rifles like this especially in octagon are quite scarce, $2450

  13. FIRST YEAR PRODUCTION 1892 .32-20 OCTAGON RIFLE, SERIAL NUMBER 8700, MADE 1892, mostly gray barrel and mag with some thin blue remaining, gray/brown receiver with some blue on the left rear side, exc. wood, original sights, action a little stiff but fine, bore dark with fine rifling and a shallow ring about 3-4 inches from the muzzle, $1295.

  14. FINE CONDITION 1894 25-35 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1908, hard to find combination, fine receiver blue that is just starting to mix a little plum toward the front and shows some edge wear but still fine blue fine barrel and mag blue with just some edge wear, original buckhorn rear sight, blade/bed front sight, fine wood with one hairline crack coming forward from the top left side of the butt plate and goes nowhere- minor and looks like the grain in the wood- tight action is a little sticky probably from dried grease inside (and still a little outside- must have been in storage for a long time, exc. bore has sharp rifling and only is slightly dark, exc. screws, really nice appearance and lots of blue, $1895.

  15. VERY EARLY 1894 OCTAGON RIFLE IN .32WS CALIBER, #196XXX, by serial number the receiver was made in 1900 but the caliber wasn't introduced until 1902- I've seen this before in this model, no doubt this was one of the first made in this caliber and surprisingly hard to find in a standard octagon rifle configuration- more seem to have been made in carbine form- exc. bright sharp bore! exc. barrel and mag blue showing very slight age only, exc. markings, receiver shows good dark blue that is mixing brown toward the middle of the receiver sides with sharper blue in front and back protected areas, original front sight with rear buckhorn a replacement, exc. wood with tight wood to metal fit, tight action, very attractive overall appearance and one of the first in this caliber plus a great bore, $1495.``

  16. SPECIAL ORDER 1894 IN RARE .32-40 CALIBER WITH HALF OCTAGON BARREL AND FULL MAGAZINE, MADE 1912, half octagon barrel rifles were standard with half magazines, so one with a full magazine is actually two special features, exc. sharp bore, fine deep barrel and mag blue showing slight age only, mostly gray receiver with traces of blue in the more protected areas and on loading gate, original sights, exc. screws, fine+ wood shows light handling only and good wood to metal fit, tight action, scarce configuration in the rarest 1894 caliber, $1795.``

  17. SCARCE U. S. AND FLAMING BOMB MARKED 1894 .30WCF SADDLE RING CARBINE, CORRECT WORLD WAR I RANGE OF #842XXX,  these are often called “Spruce Guns” as they were given to U.S. Troops toward the end of World War I to guard lumber operations/cutting in the Northwestern U.S., relatively scarce guns that are usually seen in hard used condition, this one still retains some aged blue on the barrel and magazine- mostly in the more protected areas, receiver mostly silvered with some brown around the ring and some on the rear portion of the right side, good blue on loading gate, original carbine rear sight with slide intact, front sight blade replaced with a higher blade/bead, fine markings including the U.S. and flaming bomb on the receiver ring, fine wood shows normal light handling and has a small chip at the right tang/receiver juncture, exc. screws, tight action, bore a little dark and needs a good scrubbing to be fine+, rare 1894 variation with historical significance,  $1595.``

  18. FINE CONDITION 1894 .38-55 OCTAGON RIFLE, MADE 1908, fine+ deep barrel and mag blue showing just some very  minor age to the barrel blue, original sights, fine deep receiver blue with gray edge wear, fine+ wood with tight wood to metal fit, bore will scrub out exc., $2150.

  19. CLASSIC 1894 SADDLE RING CARBINE, .30WCF, MADE 1922, fine deep barrel and mag blue showing slight age only, receiver mostly flaked to gray/brown (typical of 1920s vintage 1894s) with exc. blue on bolt, loading gate and around the saddle ring, fine wood shows normal handling marks/dings, exc. screws, original sights- rear ladder sight needs slide only, fine blue on lever and assembly, exc bore, $1195. ``

  20. 1894 .38-55 SADDLE RING CARBINE, MADE 1900, fine aged dark barrel and mag blue, mostly brown receiver with good blue in the more protected areas, original complete carbine sights, generally excellent walnut stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit, bore a little dark with good rifling and some scattered light roughness that might scrub out better, tight action, ring intact, very hard to find caliber in a carbine especially one this early, nice unfooled with appearance, $1895.

  21. 1894 SADDLE RING CARBINE IN .25-35 CALIBER, MADE 1922, overall aged blue mixing brown, original and complete carbine sights, exc. walnut stock and forend with tight wood to metal fit, tight action, dark bore is heavily frosted but may scour out better, uncleaned example, in a desirable caliber, $1295.

  22. DESIRABLE .405 WCF CALIBER MODEL 1895, MADE 1920, fine example with exc. bore and (much needed) shotgun butt with Winchester embossed hard rubber butt plate, exc. wood and butt plate, tight wood to metal fit, shows light handling only, generally exc. barrel blue, receiver blue is good on the magazine sides and lower parts of the receiver with the balance turning an uncleaned gray, fine blue on bolt, exc. screws, tight action, original sights, no extra holes, these are really getting hard to find, $3950.

  23. EARLY HIGH CONDITION 1895 STANDARD RIFLE IN .30 US (.30-40 KRAG), SERIAL NUMBER 20XXX, MADE 1899, fine+ deep receiver and mag blue that shows just some age and edge wear, exc. bright blue on the bolt, exc. barrel blue, original sights, exc. screws, exc. wood with tight wood to metal fit, exc. sharp bore, one of the better ones I’ve had in a long time and especially fine for such an early example! $2350.  

  24. 1897 BLACK DIAMOND TOURNAMENT GRADE 12 GA., MADE  1911, 30” full choke and special order MATTED BARREL TOP, straight stock with checkered wrist and forearm, fine receiver blue with normal heavy edge wear with good blue on the sides and top, fine barrel blue showing normal handling and a little age, solid wood with good checkering that is all there but showing a little wear, tight takedown, bright exc. bore, has a very old vintage Hawkens ventilated recoil pad, (note: photo light reflection on bottom photo- receiver blue is like top photo)  $795.

  25. MODEL 55 TAKEDOWN, .30WCF, MADE 1927, only about 20,000 of these were made between 1924 - 1932 when it fell victim to the Great Depression, they are actually getting quite difficult to find because of the limited production, this one has exc. wood and retains nearly all the wood finish, correct steel butt plate, tight wood to metal fit, original sights, tight takedown, exc. barrel and mag blue, fine receiver blue that is getting flaky and thinning- typical of 1920s receiver blue- usually these are found with no blue at all remaining on the receiver, exc. bright blue on bolt and loading gate, tight action, exc. bright sharp bore, even the forend cap shows most of the fine bright blue, these are still under-priced for their scarcity & short production time, $1795.

  26. EARLY MODEL 63 .22LR SEMI AUTO RIFLE, MADE 1942, exc. barrel blue, exc. bore and action, exc. receiver blue with wear to the extreme front sides, the upper tang and the forend cap- all could be touched up to look better, fine wood, stock has a thin crack coming back from the receiver on the right side for a few inches that would be easy to reinforce- wood still basically solid and stable, has the early tang drilled for tang sight, original barrel sights, correct early smooth steel butt plate, $595. ``

  27.  MODEL 64 STANDARD RIFLE IN .30WCF CALIBER, WORLD WAR II PRODUCTION, exc. barrel blue, mag tube turning/mixing plum, receiver and forend cap blue fine but showing some age, fine walnut stocks show normal handling, correct checkered steel butt plate, exc. bright bore, tight action,  these are going up rapidly in value, $875. ``

  28. SUPER RARE MODEL 71 .348 WCF  DELUXE 20” CARBINE, BY THE WINCHESTER POLISHING ROOM SERIAL NUMBER LIST, MADE 1942, very difficult variation to find, this one shows light use only, exc. barrel blue with a few minor scuffs to the blue, mag tube end only showing some light blue wear, exc. receiver blue with light edge wear and some thinning by the serial number on the bottom, lever blue flaking/mixing silver, correct checkered steel butt plate, super grade swivels and sling intact, a little blue flaking on the forend cap, front sight hood intact, no extra holes, has an almost invisible repair to the wrist from a hairline crack inside the stock between the tangs, in fact the previous owner didn’t even know there was a repair- that’s how hard it is to see, really scarce variation, $4850. ``

 

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

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 THESE W WERE SUCH  GOOD NOTES FROM THE FIELD I'M KEEPING THEM 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 inves.