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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$1,000 – $1,500
.55 caliber. 35.875" pinned octagonal barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass and iron furniture, full-length walnut stock. Top of barrel marked weakly marked "H.E. LEMAN WARRANTED" and with "P" proof at breech. Modified military-style percussion lock secured by a single screw, cut flat at the tail, lightly engraved and marked "H.E. LEMAN/LANCASTER, PA". Heavy barrel measures approximately 1" across the flats at the muzzle and is equipped with a drum bolster, Leman fixed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain German silver front sight blade. Other furniture includes the same type of iron triggerguard and buttplate that Leman used on his less than successful line of military style Militia Rifles. Brass lock screw escutcheon, nose cap and ramrod pipes, wooden ramrod. Stock also of military pattern, adapted to the use of pins instead of bands and an octagonal barrel. It appears that Leman took advantage of a left over supply of his military style hardware and parts from his militia rifle venture and used them in the construction of this Plains-style trade rifle. An interesting variation on the theme from one of the most prolific American arms makers during the 19th century.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Very good. Barrel heavily oxidized with a rich, dark brown patina. Metal with scattered surface roughness and some pitting, partially obscuring the barrel markings. Lock mechanically functional and apparently made without a half cock notch. Bore has been bored smooth with no rifling and is lightly oxidized with some scattered light pitting. Stock crisp with scattered bumps, dings and handling marks.
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Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
