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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$3,000 – $5,000
.60 caliber. 42" three-stage pinned octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions and a slightly flared muzzle. SN: NSN. Thickly oxidized brown metal, brass furniture, maple stock. Lock marked "WHEELER" in an arc at the tail, barrel with pre-1813 London commercial proofs and the "*/RW" mark of Robert Wheeler. Gun has been restocked during the period of use in the form of a "Kentucky" rifle and altered to percussion. The three-screw serpent side plate has been retained, as have the original barrel and lock but the other furniture appears to be contemporary to the restocking of the gun, rather than the original trade gun furniture. A commercial brass finger extension triggerguard was added during the alteration as were simple round ramrod thimbles rather than the more common corrugated trade gun pipes. Fixed rear sight and brass blade front sight, wood ramrod. Robert Wheeler was from one of the long-time London gun making families with at least four generations of Wheelers being involved in the business. Wheeler was one of the sixteen Board of Ordnance contractors who delivered trade guns to the British Native allies during the War of 1812 and manufactured trade guns for sale to various buyers from at least the 1790s through the first quarter of the 19th century. This is a very attractive and somewhat unique example of a Northwest Trade Gun restocked and percussion altered to allow it to continue in use well past its original lifespan.
The Collection of Larry Ness
Very good as altered and restocked. Metal with a thick, untouched and heavily oxidized brown patina, with markings still legible. Lock altered to percussion and remains fully functional. Bore heavily pitted, dark and dirty. Stock with scattered bumps and dings, showing use and loss of some of the period applied striped finish due to wear.
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Tim Carey
Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria
