A Catalogue of Early Pennsylvania and Other Firearms and Edged Weapons at Restless Oaks
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Henry W. Shoemaker >> A Catalogue of Early Pennsylvania and Other Firearms and Edged Weapons at Restless Oaks
A CATALOGUE _of_
EARLY PENNSYLVANIA
_and other_
FIREARMS _and_ EDGED
WEAPONS
_at_
"RESTLESS OAKS"
McELHATTAN, PA.
[Illustration]
_Collected by_
HENRY W. SHOEMAKER
Lieut. Col., Res., U. S. A.
_Compiled by_
H. BEAM PIPER, _of Altoona, Pa._
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE LAST OF THE PENNSYLVANIA WAYSIDE GUNSMITHS BUSLER
BROTHERS, CLINTON COUNTY, PA.
(Frontispiece)]
_"Aerataeque Micant Peltae, Micat Aereus Ensis."_
--VIRGIL, Aen. VIII, 743
DEDICATED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA FOLK-LORE SOCIETY,
BY THE COMPILER
CONTENTS
PAGE
THE SHOEMAKER COLLECTION OF EARLY PENNSYLVANIA AND
OTHER FIREARMS AND EDGED WEAPONS. RIFLES, MUSKETS
AND OTHER SHOULDER WEAPONS. 1
PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS. 12
THE SETH NELSON GROUP OF EARLY PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING EQUIPMENT. 19
EDGED WEAPONS, POLEARMS, CLUBS, ETC. 23
ACCESSORIES, ETC. 31
A PARTIAL CATALOGUE OF THE PIPER COLLECTION. (ALTOONA, PA.) 38
[Illustration]
INTRODUCTION
For years this writer's aim was to visualize the armed Pennsylvanian
of earlier days; how he went forth to fight his Indian foe, to slay
the bison, moose, elk and smaller game, and on his expeditions to the
fields of love: where his firearms and edged weapons originated. To
create the living man his arms must be secured, and gradually the
present collection was assembled. And he lived again, dark, grim,
bearded, the spirit of lofty pines and hemlocks among which he spent
his days, always plotting to kill something. Many of the arms, if they
could speak, what tales of war, the chase, and love adventure they
could tell! The Pennsylvania woodsman was filled with the romance of
slaughter, a heritage of mingled Continental origins, Huguenot,
Spanish, Portuguese, Swiss, Waldensian, Levantine, with the strains of
Ulster Scot, Alsatian, Palatine, Hollander and Moravian, cooling cross
currents in his veins. No wonder that the women of this blended race
were the most darkly beautiful in the world, and a group of the
curious edged weapons they carried to destroy men who annoyed them
might well be the subject of another separate collection. But the arms
stacked in silent panoply, or the daggers, dirks and powder flasks,
would not suffice to give the collection the answer to the questions
it involved. Along with a group of daring Alpinists to "Restless Oaks"
came H. Beam Piper, of Altoona, Pa., a modern master-of-arms, who
patiently set to work to describe the collection from its oldest to
its newest examples. As the results of his intelligent energy and
research the following catalogue has been prepared which gives us the
skeleton figure of the armed Pennsylvania mountain man, from the
frontier days until later and more prosaic times ensued. While many of
the arms listed are in imperfect condition and some of the more
important ones are lacking, they give the idea of his times. Other
pieces of later periods, and a few of foreign use, are included for
purposes of comparison. To these are added Mr. Piper's catalogue of
his own collection, all in perfect order, to show similar types of
weapons at their best. While, as stated, there are many specimens
missing, these vacancies emphasize the wide range of weapons used by
the old-time Pennsylvanians. The frequent wars kept bringing new types
of arms into the wilderness and new ideas for weapons among the
woodsmen themselves, and this was most noteworthy after the Civil War,
which was also the end of the grand romantic period of the
Pennsylvania wilderness. The mountaineer of Pennsylvania was of
martial blood, his ancestors had fought in every state of Continental
Europe--and the science of armorer was his birthright. David Lewis,
the "Galloping Jack" or highwayman of Central Pennsylvania, used new
pistols every year, and weapons which he is said to have carried are
as plentiful as Ole Bull's violins. The frontiersmen of British
origins always named their favorite rifles "My Friend," "My Brother,"
"Sure Shot," "Confidence," "Never Fail," "Carry My Wish," "Kill Deer,"
and "Kill Buck," and cherished them almost as living things. Many of
them camped out at the wayside gunshops until a specially ordered
weapon was begun and finished, so as to supervise every detail of its
fabrication. Quaint and full of historic lore were these mystic
wayside shrines of arms, which are alas with a few exceptions no more.
Billy de Shera's on Larry's Creek near Jersey Shore instilled the love
of arms in several generations of mountain boys, and the last gunshops
in existence, those of Seth Nelson, Jr., near Round Island, Clinton
County, and David C. Busler, near Collomsville, Lycoming County, have
had arms loving pilgrims of note from all over the State to learn the
last dying secrets of the Kentucky rifles, which, despite their name,
were mostly made in Pennsylvania. Often the backwoods arms enthusiast
would insist that the shutters be closed and the smith's work carried
on by candle-light, lest a passing hechs cast a glance upon the
barrel, which would ever afterward be deprived of the power to kill.
The proud owner of a cherished gun would never leave it near a hechs,
lest she run her cold trembling hand along the barrel and forever
destroy its accuracy. There were also spells or pow-wowing to make a
gun shoot perfectly, and these were put on before a foe was to be
removed, and more especially with the heavy rifles used at shooting
matches. Needles and papers written full of incantations were slipped
under the barrels where they joined the stocks to keep away the
witches. The writer has seen Robert Covenhoven's rifle with thirteen
notches on the under side of the stock. His scalping-knife has seven
notches, where this merciless scalp-hunter enumerated his red victims
prior to collecting the scalp bounty at Harris' Ferry. The Covenhoven
rifle was latterly owned by the old deer-hunter Miller Day, of English
Centre, Lycoming County, but is now in Philadelphia, while the knife
is at the James V. Brown Library, Williamsport, together with his
Ketland pistol. As symbols of a bolder and broader day the firearms of
backwoods Pennsylvania will always exercise a peculiar charm,
typifying as they do the period of trackless forests, Indians,
panthers, wolves, unbridled romance. Also, that strangely picturesque
period of the Civil War, when the sharp-shooting Pennsylvania mountain
boys (and older ones) went forth to snip; for did not Jake Karstetter,
of Sugar Valley, Clinton County, enlist as 37 when he was 57 and
compass the death of seven Confederate general officers? Notched on
the walnut stock of his favorite weapon, the work of Henry Barner, a
wayside Sugar Valley gunsmith, were seven sets of minute carvings in
the form of collar insignias in all the grades from a Lieutenant
General to a Lieutenant Colonel. And when they led him haltered
through the streets of Richmond they labelled him "a wild Yankee from
the North," because of his unshorn hair and beard, which he swore he
would not cut until he had "set Jeff Davis cold." It is a pity that
the science of ancient arms is not more popular in inland
Pennsylvania, and that more of the curious specimens of arms have not
been retained, but were allowed to be shipped away to collectors
elsewhere before their local value was recognized. It is with a hope
that it may stimulate other collectors at home to assemble ancient
weapons before it is too late that this catalogue has been published.
It is as a fragment, and not as a complete collection, but it puts
before the reader the picture of an arms loving race, in the glorious
ante-mollycoddle age, which was the golden age of Pennsylvania
manhood. But in truth there has been very little, if any, decline,
when one thinks of the valor of the boys of the 28th, the 79th and
other outfits where Pennsylvanians were most in evidence in the World
War. Many of these had old Civil War grandfathers, who could tell of
Fredericksburg or Petersburg, of how earlier they barked squirrels on
tall hardwood trees, or shot into the flocks of wild pigeons "which
darkened the sun" in their great flights. And to welcome in the
"apostolic succession" of arms new lovers among our boys, even the
least of them, this collection stands catalogued, thanks to Mr.
Piper's perseverance. It is an invitation and appeal to carry on all
that is boldest, bravest and best of that fearless company that bore
their spears along the dark warpaths of obscurity, and stacked them on
the campgrounds of eternal night.
HENRY W. SHOEMAKER.
"Restless Oaks,"
McElhattan, Pa., July 30, 1927.
[Illustration]
THE SHOEMAKER COLLECTION OF EARLY PENNSYLVANIA
AND OTHER FIREARMS AND EDGED WEAPONS.
RIFLES, MUSKETS AND OTHER SHOULDER WEAPONS.
1. EXTREMELY HEAVY SHARPSHOOTER'S OR TARGET RIFLE. L. 52-1/2"
Full length stock with small cheek-piece and flattened at muzzle for
shooting from a rest. Weight, about 40 lbs. .50 Cal. Double set
triggers. Rare. Flintlock. Made by Pennebacker, Berks County.
2. PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE. L. 47-3/4"
Octagon barrel, half stock, small brass patch-box, brass and German
silver mountings. Peep-and-globe sights, rear sight missing. Fitted
with false muzzle for loading. Lock marked "Warranted". About .38 cal.
Complete with tin box containing all original accessories, mould,
bullet-starter, patch cutter, combination screwdriver and nipple
wrench, patches, tow for cleaning, etc. Rare with original
accessories. This is the type of gun used at the old-time "turkey
shoots." Made in Berks County, for John Lebo, of Clinton County.
3. DOUBLE BREECH-LOADING SHOTGUN. L. 48"
Side-lever action. Fitted with rifle sights for shooting round balls.
Mark on lock, "Wm. Moore & Co." On barrel, "Fine Laminated Steel".
12-bore.
4. VERY SHORT PERCUSSION GUN. L. 36-1/2"
Full length black walnut stock. Iron ramrod. About 60 Cal. No marks.
Probably used for hunting buffalo.
5. KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 57"
Percussion. Stock originally full length, but has been shortened
11-1/2 inches. Brass mounts and long brass patch-box. Ramrod missing.
About .36 Cal.
6. OLD AND BADLY BATTERED FOWLING PIECE. L. 57"
Lock gone. A cheap gun when new.
7. HEAVY KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 56"
Curley maple stock and brass mountings, including long brass
patch-box. Fairly good order.
8. SMALL-BORE PERCUSSION FOWLING PIECE. L. 59"
This gun is of the cheapest sort, with painted stock of some soft
wood. Guns of this kind were sold by Indian traders and by country
merchants to farmers' boys and others unable to afford better arms.
Due to the almost uniform abuse which these weapons received, this
specimen, which is in good condition, is somewhat of a rarity. Mark on
lock, "Henry Parker, Warranted".
9. U. S. ARMY MUSKET, 1822 MODEL. L. 57-1/2"
Altered to percussion by Government system of screwing on new breech.
Mexican and Civil War service possible. Good order.
10. DOUBLE OVER-AND-UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE. L. 47-1/2"
Rigid barrels and two locks. No marks. Ramrod and trigger-guard
missing. Small round patch-box, and German silver figure of spread
eagle inset in cheek piece.
11. SHORT PERCUSSION RIFLE. L. 49"
This rifle is of the type used on the plains, period of 1845-'50 and
in Pennsylvania period of 1850-90. No marks. Long brass patch-box.
About .44 Cal. Fairly good condition.
12. SHORT KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 48-1/2"
Stock has been broken and repaired several times and the whole gun is
crudely made and was evidently the work of an unskilled local
gunsmith. Without doubt, this is an authentic Pennsylvania Mountain
relic. Now a smooth-bore.
13. CUT-DOWN KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 45"
Barrel has been smooth-bored and stock shortened to half-length. Rear
sight of peculiar and artistic design. This was at one time a very
fine gun, and has several interesting features.
14. U. S. ARMY MUSKET, MODEL OF 1822. L. 57-1/2"
Has been varnished all over and is in good condition, but hammer is
missing.
15. PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 52"
Brass mounted, with considerable brass and silver inlay. Good
condition. Maker's name illegible, but "Philadelphia", on lock can be
easily made out. Probably a Tryon.
16. SPRINGFIELD MUSKET. L. 55"
Model of 1861, caliber .58, percussion. Marks on lock, "U. S.
Springfield. 1862." Good condition, with original bayonet. Gift of
General F. D. Beary, The Adjutant General, N. G. P., Harrisburg, Pa.
17. TWO U. S. SPRINGFIELD ARMY RIFLES. L. 52"
Model of 1884. Fitted with ramrod bayonets. In the best of condition,
like new. Gift of Gen'l F. D. Beary.
17A. Another, which has seen considerable service. Formerly the
property of Jacob Bierly, a famous early Pennsylvania hunter.
18. KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 55"
Stock shortened to half-length and smooth-bored. The maker of this gun
imported his lock from England, as it is stamped "London, Warranted".
Percussion.
19. U. S. MUSKET, 1822 MODEL. L. 53"
Altered to percussion by a rare and rather crude civilian method, and
barrel shortened to the end of the forestock. Evidently used by some
mountaineer soldier and retained at the end of his military service as
a sporting arm. A Kentucky type rear sight has been added and other
changes have been made. _This gun is not reliable as a source of
information on U. S. military arms_, owing to its numerous
alterations.
20. GERMAN-AMERICAN TARGET RIFLE. L. 45"
Beautifully checkered stock, octagon barrel. No ramrod, nor is the gun
provided with fittings for one. In the best of condition. Almost new.
This gun was made for use by a member of some early German "Scheutzen"
rifle club, period of 1855-'75. Mark on lock, "Rein, New York".
21. DOUBLE OVER-AND-UNDER RIFLE. L. 43"
Patch-box gone, and rear sight not original and badly used. No marks.
22. FRENCH CHASSEPOT ARMY RIFLE. L. 51"
Marks, "Manufacture Chatellerault. _Mle_ 1866". Almost perfect. May be
a Franco-Prussian War weapon.
23. GERMAN BOAR RIFLE. L. 43"
Heavy octagon barrel, sliding wooden cover box in stock containing
worm, sling-swivels, bayonet-stud. This gun has a most excellent
adjustable rear sight, and is in splendid order. Caliber, about .70.
24. REMINGTON ARMY RIFLE. L.
Rider system action. .50-70. Good.
25. U. S. KRAG RIFLE. L. 49"
1898 Model. Five shots, .30-40 Cal. New condition.
26. REMINGTON CARBINE, CAL., .50-70. L 37-1/2"
27. SHARP'S CIVIL WAR CARBINE. L. 39"
Model of 1859. Good. With Lawrence primer magazine and patch-box in
stock.
28. DOUBLE OVER-AND-UNDER RIFLE. L. 49"
Good order. Round patch-box. German silver figure of deer inlaid on
cheek-piece. No marks. Good.
29. PERCUSSION BUFFALO RIFLE. L. 32"
Some illegible lettering on barrel, which is octagon and extremely
heavy. Ramrod under barrel. Stock extends only to breech and is inlaid
with German silver. Extremely rare. This type was used on the western
plains, 1840-'55.
30. U. S. FLINTLOCK MUSKET. L. 58"
Model of 1798. Cheek-piece hollowed into stock. Complete with flint
and ramrod and in fine shooting condition. Mark, "J. Henry, Phila."
31. FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 56-1/2"
Curley maple stock. Brass mounts, including long patch-box. Original
striped ramrod, which has been re-tipped with an exploded pistol
cartridge. This gun has been restored, though so skillfully as to pass
for original condition. Fine shooting order. Mark on lockplate,
"Tryon, Philada."
32. U. S. 1822 MODEL ARMY MUSKET. L. 57-1/4"
Altered to percussion, apparently by civilian gunsmith. Good
condition.
33. DOUBLE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN. L. 46-1/2"
About 12-bore. Back action locks. No marks. Has been abused.
34. DOUBLE PERCUSSION SHOTGUN. L. 46"
Stock cracked and both locks and one nipple gone.
35. PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 55"
Inoperative and both sights gone, otherwise good. No marks.
36. "MULE-EAR" DOUBLE SHOTGUN. L. 49"
Superposed barrels. Side action lock. Two ramrods, both original.
Working order. 12-bore. Very rare. No marks.
37. OVER-AND-UNDER RIFLE. L. 50-1/2"
One lock, barrels revolving by hand. Mark on lock, "Jos. Golgher,
Phila." On plate opposite lock, "I. L. Beck." This rifle was once the
property of Imanuel Beck, a noted Sugar Valley hunter, and has
probably killed much big game. A rare and historic piece, in the best
of condition. (These double rifles with revolving barrels are much
rarer than the rigid type.) This gun was not made by Golcher, as he
made and furnished to other makers more locks than he made rifles. It
was his custom to stamp his name on the barrels of his own guns.
38. WINCHESTER REPEATING RIFLE. 30-in. Barrel.
Model of 1873. .38-40 Cal. Good order.
39. U. S. ARMY MUSKET. L. 55"
1808 Model. This specimen has been fitted with a Civil War type rear
sight, evidently having been issued in 1862, when arms were scarce.
Initials "L. H." cut in stock, while brass plate is marked "J. E. S."
Sling-strap not original and jaw-screw is obviously home-made, with
square head. Several inches have been cut off of barrel. This gun is
not reliable as a source of data on U. S. military arms. A curious
mountaineer gun, in fine order.
40. "ZULU" SHOTGUN. L. 50-1/2"
Made from old French army rifle. These guns were sold in great
quantities to the poorer farmers in Pennsylvania. In the stock is a
small piece of wood which was blessed by the French priests and placed
in the stock at the arsenal. It was supposed to insure accuracy. A
curious outcropping of medieval superstition in modern times.
41. CIVIL WAR AUSTRIAN PURCHASE CARBINE. L. 30-1/2"
"During the first part of the Civil War the United States purchased a
great quantity of these arms, and before their worthlessness became
apparent a considerable number was issued. The calibre of most of them
was .75; the rifling was very deep; the recoil and trajectory were
abnormal, and accuracy of shooting was conspicuous by
absence."--Sawyer, "Our Rifles." Page 235.
42. MOORISH SNAPHAUNCE GUN. L. 62-1/2"
Captured from Riff tribesmen early in 1920. A fine specimen of its
type, inlaid with ivory and showing native repair-work. This is a
genuine snaphaunce, not to be confused with the Spanish or Moorish
Miguelet or outside-lock flintlock. Rare.
43. SHARP & HANKINS CIVIL WAR CARBINE. L. 39"
This is the Navy type, though the leather jacket is missing from the
barrel. Rare.
44. VOLCANIC CARBINE. L. 35"
The forerunner of the Henry and the Winchester. Finely polished walnut
stock and engraved brass receiver, the latter showing traces of
silver plating. Used hollow-bore bullets which contained powder and
cap. Good condition and excessively rare.
45. U. S. 1863 MODEL ARMY MUSKET. L. 55"
Good condition, with sling-strap.
46. LONG FLINTLOCK FOWLING PIECE.
Good condition, but lacks ramrod.
47. ORIENTAL FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS. L. 21"
Some traces of checkering on stock and damascening on barrel,
otherwise plain.
48. ORIENTAL FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS. L. 21"
A much more ornate piece than the preceeding. The stock is carved and
the metal parts engraved. Dummy ramrod carved into stock. English
lock.
PISTOLS AND REVOLVERS.
49. DOUBLE BARREL IRISH PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL. L. 6-1/2"
Superposed barrels, revolving by hand. Disappearing trigger.
Mark:--"Kavanaugh, Dublin".
50. MARSTON 3-BARREL PISTOL. L. 7"
Breech-loading, .32 calibre. Indicator on right side of frame.
Inoperative, but in good condition otherwise.
51. FIVE-SHOT MANHATTAN ARMS CO. PEPPERBOX. L. 5-1/2"
A close replica of the Allen. In excellent condition. .31 Cal.
52. SMALL PHILADELPHIA DERRINGER. L.
Checkered grip, cap-box in butt. A facsimile of the pistol used by J.
Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.
53. COOPER FIVE-SHOT REVOLVER. L. 10"
Percussion. Double action, .31 Cal. This is the early Pittsburg
revolver, not to be confused with arms of the same type made at
Philadelphia. Rare. Resembles the Colt 1849 Model, except that trigger
is in center of trigger-guard.
54. PECULIAR DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER. L. 5"
Percussion. Similar in action to a pepperbox. Marked "Ell's Patent."
The cataloguer has never before seen a pistol of this type. Good
condition. .31 Cal. Purchased in a Philadelphia pawn-shop, and said to
be a favorite arm of the Negroes in that city at one time.
55. REID'S "MY FRIEND" KNUCKLE-DUSTER.
Seven shots, .22 Cal. Good order, except that cylinder does not
revolve.
56. ANOTHER.
Similar except for a slight difference of engraving and a catch under
cylinder.
57. UNDERHAMMER PISTOL. L. 11-1/2"
Has seen rough service. No marks.
58. DOUBLE BARREL PERCUSSION PISTOL. L. 8"
Broken, rusty and with all working parts except one spring missing.
Barrels side by side.
59. TINY .22 PISTOL. L. 4-1/2"
One of the lightest pistols the cataloguer has ever seen. These
ineffectual weapons are sold in large numbers on the waterfront of
Genoa, where the owner acquired this specimen.
60. HEAVY DOUBLE BARREL PERCUSSION PISTOL. L. 11-1/2"
Superposed barrels, two hammers and nipples. Bronze frame and steel
barrels. About 10-bore. Excellent condition. Evidently French, though
it was bought in a Philadelphia pawn-shop.
61. DERRINGER POCKET RIFLE. L. (over all) 28"
Shoulder-stock attached. Quite similar in design to the ordinary
pocket Derringer, but has a long barrel (octagon), a ramrod and ramrod
rib. Peep rear sight. Front sight missing. Very rare. In good
condition.
62. PAIR OF ENGLISH POCKET PISTOLS. L. 6"
Silver butt-plates, silver lion-masque butt-caps, much of original
blueing remains. In the best of condition. Mark, "Doody". From
Krider's Gunshop, Philadelphia.
63. OLD PINFIRE REVOLVER L. 7-1/2"
64. FINE SILVER-MOUNTED TURKISH PISTOL. L. 18"
Barrel and lock of English manufacture, the later having a sliding
safety and being stamped "Mortimer", but the rest is Turkish. Stock is
of some dark, hard Oriental wood, probably olive, and is covered with
fine silver-wire inlay. All mountings are of silver, beautifully
sculptured and engraved and bear curious Turkish hallmarks. As the
ramrods for these pistols were carried about the neck to facilitate
loading on horseback, they were frequently made without ramrods
attached. This pistol, like the following one, is furnished with a
dummy or imitation rod. English proof-marks on barrel. Gold
breech-band. In the best of possible condition and a really beautiful
specimen. From the Austin collection.
65. SILVER-MOUNTED ARABIAN FLINTLOCK PISTOL. L. 16"
Mountings entirely of silver. Stock covered with silver inlay in wire,
dot and leaf-and-flower design. Arabian armorer's marks in gold on
barrel. Fine. From the Austin collection.
66. FRENCH ARMY PISTOL, MODEL OF 1777. L. 13-1/2"
Flintlock. Calibre, 11/16 inch. Mark on lock, "Mauberge". This pistol
may have come to this country with Lafayette's expedition. It has been
neatly though incorrectly restored and is hence unreliable as a
source of information.
67. COLT PERCUSSION REVOLVER, CAL. .31. L. 10"
1849 Model, five shot, bright finish, trigger-guard and back-strap
silvered. Mark, "Address Samuel Colt, etc." Note the absence of title
"Col." in mark. Rare with this omission. Good order.
68. U. S. PERCUSSION ARMY PISTOL, Model of 1842. L. 14"
Marks on lockplate illegible, but enough can be deciphered to show
that it was made by H. Aston, of Middleton, Conn. Ramrod not original,
and swivel is missing, but otherwise the pistol is in good shooting
order.
69. UNUSUAL SET OF DEVISME REVOLVERS.
Contained in ebony case, 13" x 7", lined with purple velvet. Fitted
compartments, containing a large six-shot belt revolver of Devisme's
invention, about .45 calibre, a seven-shot .22 calibre Smith & Wesson
pocket revolver and accessories and ammunition. On the inside of the
lid, in gold letters, "Devisme, 56, Boulevard des Italiens, Paris."
This is a most unusual combination of a belt and a pocket revolver in
the same case. The little pistol is marked with the name, address and
patent dates of the Smith & Wesson company and also with "Claudin,
Brevete a Paris, Boulevard des Italiens, 38". Extremely rare and in
almost new condition.
70. PAIR OF PERCUSSION HOLSTER PISTOLS. L. 13"
Silver name-plates and key-plates, beautifully checkered grips, twist
steel barrels and ramrod ribbs, swivel ramrods. Barrels are
extraordinarily heavy, of about .50 calibre. Smooth bore. Spur
trigger-guards and horn tipped fore-ends. Mark, on lockplates and
barrels, "Champion, Chichester." These pistols were apparently at one
time cased, for they are accompanied by cleaning rod with detachable
head, nipple-wrench, bullet mould and combination powder and cap
flask. All in new condition.
71. SINGLE-SHOT BREECH-LOADING PISTOL. L. 13"
The only one of the sort that the cataloguer has ever seen. Probably
an inventor's model. No marks anywhere on it. Stud on the left side of
barrel opens the piece when pushed forward. About .40 cal.
72. U. S. ARMY LUGER AUTOMATIC. L. 9"
Calibre, 7.65 mm. A thousand of these arms were purchased by the
Government in 1901 for experimental purposes, with the view of making
them standard army equipment. They were found to be deficient in
stopping power, due to their small calibre, and were for the most part
sold to Bannerman & Co., of New York. Differences from the ordinary
commercial Luger are as follows:--one inch longer barrel, grip of
black walnut, U. S. coat of arms stamped on receiver, and thumb-safety
is reversed. Curiously enough, this particular pistol was purchased
from a gunsmith by W. Fall Gardner, of New York City, while at
Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1920, and while with the American Army of
Occupation. It is interesting to speculate how the weapon found its
way back to the country of its origin. Rare.