Featured: Superlative early American longarms, Class 3 rarities including only fully civilian-transferrable Fabrique Nationale M249 Minimi, 1888 Lancaster shotgun built for Annie Oakley
DENVER, Pa. – No matter how extensive a collector’s historical gun display may be, there’s always room for one more high-quality firearm if it’s on par with those being offered at Morphy’s, September 5-7. Over the span of three days, more than 1,440 lots of firearms and militaria will be auctioned, including 182 antique rifles, 188 modern rifles, 70 antique and modern shotguns, more than 400 antique and modern handguns, and dozens of coveted NFA arms. Additionally, there are 63 swords, six cannons, a variety of firearms accessories and an exemplary array of militaria, including flags, uniforms, medals and field gear.
The collector market for Class 3 weapons – a special group that includes machine guns – has skyrocketed as the supply of these strictly controlled firearms has dwindled. Morphy’s will offer several very rare and desirable Class 3 guns, each requiring BATF approval prior to transfer. The top entry is an extraordinary Fabrique Nationale M249 Minimi (Squad Automatic Weapon) light machine gun confirmed to be the one and only fully transferrable specimen of its type listed in the National Firearms Act Registry. It has never been fired except during factory testing. Remarkably, it retains its original box and will convey with an original BATF-signed letter documenting the gun as being legally transferrable to approved individuals.
“Those who are knowledgeable about NFA weapons are well aware of this iconic gun, which is known as ‘Number 37.’ Now they will have the unique, possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bid on it. We expect very strong competition on auction day,” said Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions. A pre-sale estimate has been set at $600,000-$1,200,000. Another noteworthy lot is a Colt U.S. Model 1904 Maxim machine gun in Springfield .30-06 caliber, which has a VSM tripod on an attractive carriage mount. Its estimate is $85,000-$100,000.
In cataloging each of their firearms sales, Morphy’s team of experts goes the extra mile to provide thorough, authoritative descriptions and as much background as possible about each lot. If a firearm is linked to a historical figure, every effort is made to explain the connection between the gun and its famous owner. Such is the case with the catalog description pertaining to a rare and important Charles Lancaster (London) shotgun built for Annie Oakley in 1888 and likely used by the exhibition-shooting legend during a significant period of her career.
The 12-bore double-barreled hammerless model with 28-inch barrels was gifted to Oakley by Charles Lancaster himself, who reportedly had observed the petite sharpshooter at a gun club in England, struggling with a shotgun that appeared too heavy for her. On that occasion, Lancaster offered Oakley advice on wingshooting and, at a later date, presented her with four shotguns: two 20-bores and two 12-bores. The 12-bore in Morphy’s sale, Serial No. 05970, is accompanied by a 2012 letter from Charles Lancaster Gunmakers Ltd, documenting its history and signed by the company’s director, Ronald Wharton. Morphy’s will offer the shotgun with a pre-auction estimate of $200,000-$400,000.
There are many desirable entries in the 19th-century American gun selection, starting with an extremely fine and original golden age John Armstrong signed percussion Kentucky rifle. Made circa 1835, it is one of only four known Armstrong rifles made in percussion as opposed to flintlock. Boasting super condition and ornate engraving, it was formerly held in the Louie Parker collection. Those hoping to acquire this exceptional longrifle built by a revered Maryland gunsmith, are guided by a pre-sale estimate of $50,000-$100,000.
A Samuel Hawken (St. Louis, Mo.) marked percussion Plains rifle made circa 1840 is a full octagon .58 caliber model with Rocky Mountain sights. An outstanding example of an iconic Western rifle, it is accompanied by an original-looking hardwood ramrod and carries a $30,000-$40,000 estimate.
A tremendous special-order half-nickel Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 lever-action rifle that shipped on June 15, 1887 is loaded with deluxe options as outlined on the included copy of a 1998 letter signed by the curator of the Winchester Repeating Fire Arms Cody Firearms Museum. Marked with Serial No. 5522. The description includes its striking and very rare “Blued barrel / Balance Nickeled” finish. A connoisseur’s gun, it is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.
Another very fine Winchester production is the extremely rare Model 1876 open-top lever-action rifle in .45-75 caliber and bearing the Serial No. 758. Its number designates it as one of the first 3,000 Winchester made with the open-top feature. Estimate: $30,000-$40,000
British-made to absolute perfection, a cased 1896 Holland & Holland Double Hammerless Express rifle in .500 caliber BPE (Black Powder Express) is marked Serial No. 19008. If a longarm could be described as “fit for royalty,” it would be this one. It was the Winner of Double Gun Journal Award for Best Double Rifle for North American Game at the second Gold Medal Concours d’Elegance held at the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds. With its fitted case, included ammunition, and paperwork, it comes to auction with a $40,000-$60,000 estimate.
Those who seek rarity and historical importance in an antique gun need look no farther than the documented .36 percussion-caliber Navy revolver produced for Confederate use by J.H. Dance & Bros., at their Columbia, Texas factory. This very early gun bears Serial No. 48 and is of the type known to have been used by the 35th (Brown’s) Texas Cavalry and Sutton’s Cavalry (Graham Rangers), who used the revolvers to defend the Texas frontier and Gulf Coast. Depicted in Gary Wiggins’ reference Dance & Brothers; Texas Gunmakers of the Confederacy and mentioned by serial number in in a John Sexton article appearing in Military Antique Collector Magazine, No. 48 will be up for bid with an estimate of $40,000-$80,000.
A Colt .45 single-action Army revolver of great importance is marked with Serial No. 162 and displays the distinctive “pinch frame” sighting feature that was discontinued following an 1873 letter written by Ordinance Inspector Captain J.R. Edie. It is believed that fewer than 100 “pinch frames” were manufactured. The rarity of the auction gun is further enhanced by its description in A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver (Graham, Kopec and Moore), which denotes it by serial number as being one of only three known pinch frame revolvers with a US marking but no inspector marks. This fine firearm comes with provenance from Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona, an esteemed and widely respected collector. Estimate: $40,000-$80,000
Morphy’s Sept. 5-7, 2023 Firearms & Militaria Auction will be held at the company’s Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting each day at 9 a.m. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.
CAPTIONS:
All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions
1007
Extraordinary Fabrique Nationale M249 Minimi (Squad Automatic Weapon) light machine gun, the only fully transferrable example of this model in the National Firearms Act Registry. Serial No. E00037. Accompanied by original BATF signed letter documenting the gun as being fully transferrable to individuals. Near-mint condition. Estimate $600,000-$1,200,000
1020
Highly desirable Colt U.S. Model 1904 Maxim machine gun, Springfield .30-06 caliber, with VSM tripod on attractive carriage mount. Estimate $85,000-$100,000
1109
Extremely rare and documented J.H. Dance & Bros. Navy revolver, one of approximately six known with a recoil shield, .36 percussion caliber, Serial No. 48. Estimate $40,000-$80,000
1162
Rare and important Colt single-action Army revolver, Serial No. 162, with ‘pinch frame’ sighting feature that was discontinued following an 1873 letter written by Ordinance Inspector Captain J.R. Edie. Provenance: Collection of Dr. Jim Watson of Scottsdale, Arizona. Estimate $40,000-$80,000
1197
Extremely rare Winchester Model 1876 open-top lever-action rifle, .45-75 caliber, Serial No. 758 indicating it is one of the rare first 3,000 made with the open-top feature, Estimate $30,000-$40,000
1208
Tremendous special-order half-nickel Deluxe Winchester Model 1886 lever-action rifle shipped June 15, 1887. Serial No. 5522. Comes with copy of signed letter from curator of Winchester Repeating Fire Arms Cody Firearms Museum letter. Estimate $20,000-$30,000
1302
Rare and important Charles Lancaster (London) shotgun built in 1888 for Annie Oakley (1860-1926) and likely used by the exhibition-shooting legend at a celebrated period of her career; 12-bore double-barreled hammerless with 28in barrels. Serial No. 05970. Paperwork: Charles Lancaster letter. Estimate $200,000-$400,000
1303
Cased Holland & Holland (London) double rifle, 500 BPE (Black Powder Express), manufactured in 1896 per letter from the gunmaker. Serial No. 19008. Winner of Double Gun Journal Award for Best Double Rifle for North American Game at the second Gold Medal Concours d’Elegance. Royal paperwork. Estimate $40,000-$60,000
2111
Extremely fine golden age John Armstrong signed original percussion Kentucky rifle, made circa 1835 and one of only four known Armstrong rifles made in percussion rather than flintlock. Ornately engraved and in super condition. Provenance: Louie Parker collection. Estimate $50,000-$100,000
2144
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/_A__S__HAWKEN_MARKED_PERCUSSION_PLAINS_RIFLE_-LOT569349.aspx
Circa-1840 Samuel Hawken (St. Louis, Mo.) marked percussion Plains rifle, full octagon .58 caliber, with Rocky Mountain sights. Great example of an iconic Western rifle. Accompanied by original-looking hardwood ramrod. Estimate $30,000-$40,000
