Morphy’s Dec. 20 Firearms auction features 1863 Colt .44 Army revolver

DENVER, Pa. – Since Morphy’s first opened its Firearms division, the company’s specialty sales of antique, vintage and modern guns have drawn strong interest and very active bidding. The next offering of firearms is set for Saturday, December 20th, with a cataloged auction that contains 980 lots of handguns, rifles, swords and knives. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Topping the list of anticipated highlights is Lot 104, a Colt Model 1860 Army .44 caliber percussion revolver, cased with accessories. The gun is in spectacular condition and retains virtually all of its finish and as much of its profuse engraving as any collector could ever hope for. This exact gun was the subject of an article written by noted expert Herbert Houze in his book titled Colt Factory Engravers of the Nineteenth Century. The gun was one of a shipment of 1,000 Model 1860s that were sent to the US Government on May 22, 1863. A Civil-War-era treasure, it is estimated at $25,000-$40,000.

Another important revolver is Lot 483, a Smith & Wesson 1st Model Schofield, with matching numbers on the frame and cylinder. Fewer than 3,050 such revolvers were manufactured, and only in 1875. “Most of these guns saw hard use, and it will probably be a long time before you see another First Model in such fine, all-original, untouched condition, let alone with a complete and rare military cavalry rig,” said Dave Bushing, who heads Morphy’s Firearms division. The estimate on Lot 483 is $12,000-$15,000.

Also worthy of note among the handguns is Lot 418, a Mauser C96 flatside broomhandle pistol manufactured in 1900. In fine condition, this unusual German-made firearm is expected to make $3,500-$4,500.

A fine array of rifles and shotguns will be available to bidders. Lot 185 is a Parker SA trap single-shot shotgun that was manufactured in 1929. A clean gun with a tight working action, it is entered in the auction with a $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

Lot 518, an Underwood M1 carbine has an M3 sniper infrared scope. It is one of about 3,000 such guns produced in 1943. A very nice example, it retains its original army green storage case with stenciled identification. Estimate: $3,500-$4,500.

Manufactured in 1909, a Winchester 1897 trench-pump 12-gauge shotgun is outfitted with a bayonet and sling. Affordable to almost any collector, Lot 619 is estimated at $250-$400.

Lot 535 is a scarce 1882 Winchester Model 1876 full-stock carbine. The action works perfectly on this gun, which is estimated at $1,800-$2,500.

An item not seen every day is Lot 970, an all-metal Winchester signal cannon, which would have been used to fire the starting signal at yacht races or other events. The cannon uses 10-gauge blank shells and comes complete with its original Winchester-marked wood crate. Its auction estimate is $700-$900.

All items in Morphy’s December 20 Firearms Auction are expertly described in both the hardcover and online catalogs by Dave Bushing, a renowned authority in his field.

The auction will begin at 9 a.m. Eastern Time. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 717-335-3435 or email info@morphyauctions.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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