Back
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$1,500 – $2,500
.54 caliber. 34.25" pinned octagon barrel. SN: NSN. Heavily oxidized metal, brass furniture, hard wood full-stock with raised cheek rest. Barrel with weak two-line "LEMAN" marking and marked "WARRANTED". Lightly engraved single-screw percussion lock marked "LEMAN/LANCTR, PA" is likely a period of use replacement and is ill-fitting. Mounted with an oval brass patchbox, brass buttplate and toe plate, brass ramrod thimbles and entry pipe and an oversized iron triggerguard that appears to be a period of use replacement. Wrist with a very old sheet copper repair, secured by screws. Barrel with dovetailed notch rear sight and dovetailed Rocky Mountain brass front sight blade. Barrel secured to the stock with pins and two old sewn and shrunken leather wraps that are identified as buffalo hide in Mr. Ness' notes. Mr. Ness' notes also say that this gun was previously part of the Rock Island Arsenal collection and was collected from Bigfoot's people at the Wounded Knee massacre. A very old and damaged small descriptive card, now in two pieces, is included with this information. Mr. Ness obtained the gun from Marty Ingram circa 2012. If this is identification of the gun is correct, this gun was witness to one of the most horrific massacres in American history. On December 29, 1890 troops from the 7th Cavalry attempted to disarm a group of Miniconjou and Hunkpapa Sioux on the Pine Ridge Reservation. It is not exactly clear what went wrong or how the first shot was fired but in the immediate aftermath between 250 and 300 Native American men, women and children were killed and many wounded and 25 soldiers killed and 39 wounded. This tragic event was the last major action of the Indian Wars period. An important piece of American history that needs to be preserved so that such disgraceful events of the past are never forgotten.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Good. Gun with no finish, a thickly oxidized brown patina, scattered surface crust and pitting and heavy wear. Repairs to gun as noted above, lock replaced and not functional, bore poor. Wood with heavy wear, old sanding, scattered drying cracks, substantial slivering and wood along along the upper edge of the forend and numerous bumps, dings and mars. A well used and completely honest frontier gun that clearly had a hard working life.
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.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
To request further details about this lot, please email conditionreports@freemansauction.com
Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
