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Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness
|
- Sale 1987
Live
| Cincinnati
Jun 8 | 10:00 AM EDT
Live
| Cincinnati
Sale 1987
| Cincinnati
| Cincinnati
Estimate$2,500 – $4,000
.60 caliber. 44" pinned three-stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transition. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass furniture, walnut stock. Slightly rounded reconverted flint lock with pronounced teat at rear shows light engraving at the tail and is marked "WILSON" under the pan. Skillfully reconverted with pan almost impossible to recognize as having been replaced, but the lower quality of the completely correct pattern rounded swan neck and frizzen, as well as the aged modern screws are tell tale signs of the work. Top flat of barrel engraved "MINORIES LONDON" with the upper left angled breech stamped with pre-1813 style raised London commercial proof marks in a sunken oval and the initial "RW". Three-screw serpent side plate with the rear screw being functional indicative of earlier production guns, moderately sized brass triggerguard a precursor to the later large iron guards, nailed flat brass buttplate. This example has a particularly "Roman-nosed" profile to the stock with a wide 1.625" butt, suggesting it is an early production gun. While most Wilson marked guns are marked in an arc on the tail of the lock, at least a few were marked as this one is, with two in the collection of the Museum of the Fur Trade. Wilson, his sons and later his grandsons would provide guns to the various fur trading companies for roughly a century, from the 1730s through the 1830s and is largely responsible for classic pattern known as the Northwest Trade Gun today.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Good as reconverted to flint with some restoration. Barrel with moderate oxidation, a brownish-gray patina and scattered pitting. Markings remain legible, lock is not functional as the tumbler and sear are both very worn. Bore is heavily oxidized and pitted. Stock with moderate wear, scattered bumps, dings and mars. Forend with numerous cracks and repairs, both middle and upper ramrod pipes are aged modern replacements.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
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Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
