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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$600 – $1,000
.60 caliber. 40" wedge-retained barrel. SN: NSN. Browned finish, brass furniture, hardwood half-stock with raised cheek rest. A neat example of the post Civil War recycling of obsolete guns and their parts. The barrel is from a U.S. Model 1863 or 1864 Rifle Musket with the eagle ground off the bolster and the faint remnants of the "V/P/{Eagle Head}" proofs at the breech with "LEMAN" stamped over them in individual dies. Single-screw percussion lock with simple engraving is marked "LEMAN/LANCTR PA". Simple commercial brass furniture include a crescent buttplate, a plain toe plate, a finger extension triggerguard, a forend cap and an entry pipe. Barrel with half-length lug added underneath with a pair of plain iron pipes with a brass tipped wood ramrod. Iron blade front sight. While the most common variant of the post-Civil War longarm altered to "shotgun" is the half-stocked, shortened and smooth-bored rifle musket, this is a much more elegant variation of the same concept. Guns like this were made in huge quantities for sale to settlers heading west in the post-Civil War period. While made in huge numbers, the survival of these inexpensive settler guns is uncommon in anything but well worn condition. Nice ones like this rarely appear on the market.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Good to very good. Metal moderately oxidized with some surface roughness and scattered pitting. Mechanically functional, hammer loose on the tumbler and its geometry suggests it is an old replacement. Bore moderately oxidized and pitted. Stock with scattered bumps, dings and mars.
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
