Not to be confused with their modern counterparts, Henry rifles have long been an indispensable part of firearms development and, therefore, America itself. Their Winchester lineage is well-known, but there's more to these iconic lever actions than serving as some firearms patriarch. They have seen the best and worst of times, as both an ornate presentation to Abraham Lincoln and in their limited service during that terrible war which threatened to tear our country asunder. In Rock Island Auction Company's 2017 May Premiere Firearms Auction is a supremely rare Henry rifle whose provenance can be traced back to that very conflict.
At first glance, you may notice something strange about this Henry rifle. Aren’t Henry rifles usually yellow in color courtesy of their brass receivers? You are correct, but the key word is “usually.”
Reunions with old friends can be a time filled with nostalgia, laughs, and more than a few old yarns to tell. In our business, the phrase, "if this old gun could talk," is a desire commonly expressed. Firearms with rich histories find their way through our doors on a regular basis, and I've had questions on more than one occasion that I would've like to have posed to one or two of them as they passed through our hallways as part of their grand journey. The grouping of items in this article is no exception. The reunion of these trusty arms would undoubtedly result in a whirlwind of stories, knowing nods, and a list of accomplishments that require no exaggeration in their retelling. These arms all have ties to members of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and even the ol' scout himself, William F. Cody. Their backgrounds are as varied as the people they belong to, but time and circumstance have brought them back together at Rock Island Auction Company's 2016 September Premiere Firearms Auction for one last reunion. If only they could talk.
In this case, the headline for our item is so long it almost tells the story itself. Medal of Honor recipient William F. Cody began his own wild west show in 1883, which toured annually in the United States and Europe. He had already earned a solid reputation as a prolific bison hunter, as well as a scout and Indian fighter in the Army, and his reputation continued to grow. However, it was an encounter with author Captain Edward Zane Carroll Judson that began Buffalo Bill's road to stardom. Capt. Judson often wrote under many pseudonyms, but his best known was Ned Buntline. It was a combination of Buntline's dime novels about Buffalo Bill's adventures, as well as Cody's proficiency he displayed in front of top men, such as General Sheridan, Grand Duke Alexis of Russia, and New York Herald publisher James Gordon Bennett, that resulted his star's continued rise.
In that first year, Buffalo Bill's Wild West was such a popular attraction that it was able to take its act indoors to the first iteration of Madison Square Garden, built in 1879. It had no roof since P.T. Barnum converted it into an open-air "Great Roman Hippodrome" in 1873. It was a large oval-shaped arena where he presented circuses (naturally) and other forms of entertainment and performance. It was a fantastic space that traded hands several times, and each owner had a new vision for what the space should offer: events catering to high brow clientele, illegal boxing matches, indoor track and field, dog shows, concerts, religious revivals, and one of the first indoor ice rinks in the nation. Most importantly, people knew of the venue and its attractions. The boxing matches had long drawn crowds over the venue's capacity, and an elephant purchased by P.T. Barnum from the London Zoo in 1881 readily drew enough onlookers to earn back its purchase price of $10,000. So when Buffalo Bill took his show there in 1883, he had no trouble finding crowds willing to fill its seats. Having names such as James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok, Buck Taylor, Captain Adam Bogartus, Doc Carver, and Texas Jack Omohundro on his payroll couldn't hurt either. it was a time of transition for Buffalo Bill from small exhibitions and reenactment performer to an arena-filling showman and master entertainer.
He no doubt gave partial credit for the fine attendance to the man producing the publicity pamphlets for his shows at Madison Square Garden. This same man was also a partner in the Beadle and Adams publishing house, well known for producing the "yellow-back" dime novels of the day. Not to be confused with the publisher Street & Smith, also located in New York, that had published "The Buffalo Bill Stories" which led to a large part of his fame. To thank Mr. Adams for his support in several areas, Buffalo Bill presented this Winchester Model 1873 to his son 12-year old Robbie Campbell Adams. Rock Island Auction President Kevin Hogan says it best, "This is akin to receiving Michael Jordan's sneakers." It was a prized gift from one of the finest performers of the day.
The gun is a remarkable presentation grade gun with a grocery list of special order features:
On the right side of the frame is a panel scene depicting a hunter peering out from behind a tree to shoot a bull elk. The left side also bears masterfully done floral scrollwork along with the inscription that reads, "Presented by Buffalo Bill (W. F. Cody) to Robbie Campbell Adams ~1883~"
Besides being lavished with presentation grade features, the gun was clearly chosen for the boy to be able to use it if he so chose. It's a short rifle for easier handling by a lad, it is chambered in the relatively mild yet still effective 32 WCF, and the 22-inch barrel would also not have been unwieldy for a 12-year old. Obviously, the gun never saw the typical boyhood use and it remains in very fine condition.
This remarkable rifle's provenance is extensively documented, as it has been in the public eye for quite some time, appearing in numerous books and magazines. Rock Island Auction Company is proud to offer this rifle to the public, taking this oft dreamt-about gun and making the possibility of owning it a reality.
Phoebe Ann Moses, better known as Annie Oakley, is a woman that needs no introduction to most Americans, let alone those interested in shooting. However, much fewer folks know about her husband, Frank Butler, or the story of how they met. First things first, there is much debate over the exact significant dates of the young couple. That in mind, precise dates will be avoided as much as possible in an effort to stick to the story.
Frank Butler was a dog trainer and exhibition shooter who, like many others, toured the country taking on challengers in shooting competitions for money, bragging rights, and an increase in reputation. On one of those trips he placed a $100 wager with Jack Frost (yes, that's his real name) who owned a Cincinnati hotel. Butler stated that he could best any local who dared to challenge him. When a challenger was found and the match was set, imagine Butler's surprise when out from the crowd walked a young lady. "The last thing Butler expected was a five-foot-tall... girl named Annie," recalled Frost. As was customary at the time, they would shoot live birds, and both sides agreed to a best-of-25 contest. Frank Butler lost that contest by a single bird, but both lives would be changed forever. Frank had fallen for the then-shy young lady, while Annie seemed more interested in his French poodle named George. Frank courted Annie by sending her postcards and letters signed by George. The two would be wed within a year.
It was 1885 when Annie Oakley and her husband, Mr. Frank Butler, became part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West. Annie's stature earned her the nickname "Little Sure Shot" in Cody's publicity flyers and ads, a name given to her by Lakota leader Sitting Bull, himself a participant in the early years of Buffalo Bill's Wild West. There is no need to recount her numerous feats and popularity. However, she is an intriguing personality, known for fierce independence, an advocate for suffrage (as was William Cody), as well as a kind heart, a gentle word, a strong desire to maintain her sterling reputation, and to always portray herself as a lady despite her involvement in what was then a very masculine sport.
The first time Annie and Frank tried to settle down was in 1901, an attempt to alleviate Annie's terrible back pain suffered during a train accident, but such joie de vivre could not be tamed for long. Defeating an early diagnosis of paralysis after five spinal operations, Annie left the Buffalo Bill show in 1902 and began a less travel-intensive career in stage acting. She would return again to another show in 1911, "The Young Buffalo Show," while consecutively serving as a representative for Union Metallic Cartridge Co. Annie never lost a step as she aged, with one reporter quoted as saying, "Annie Oakley looks as though she had discovered the secret that Ponce De Leon sought so long in vain...She is as bright and alert, as when I saw her a slip of a girl with long braids 25 years ago when I was a kid." However, it didn't last long and the couple "retired" once again in 1912, even though Annie toured sporadically with another show.
For the most part, the Butlers were finished with life as performers (until Annie attempted a comeback in 1922). Perhaps as a retirement gift for his wife, Frank purchased this Remington Model 12-B on February 28, 1912. Designed by J.D. Pedersen, the model had been introduced three years prior and Annie would have already been familiar with it. Later she became quite prolific with the model using it to shoot apples off of the head of their beloved dog, Dave, and another Model 12 of Annie's (SN 600125) still resides in the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming.
The example in Cody, while in excellent condition, is relatively plain compared to the Model 12-B currently offered by Rock Island Auction Company. The example purchased by Frank Butler has a highly grained, fancy stock, checkered forearm, half octagon-half round barrel, a folding peep sight, and is finely factory engraved with panel scenes of rabbits and squirrels.
The rifle may have been a perfect retirement gift for Annie, but it didn't help her desire to settle down. Annie often gave pointers on shooting to those around her, be it at trapshooting tournaments, impromptu exhibitions, or even fellow guests at the Caroline Hotel of Pinehurst, NC. "The lessons [at the hotel] began by accident when the shooting star had overheard a wealthy New Yorker comment to another in the hotel's ballroom, 'My, how I wish I were a man so that I could shoot.' Oakley replied, 'Your sex does not prevent you from learning to shoot.'" It is documented in numerous sources that her skills had not faded in the slightest even into her fifties and sixties. In 1922, in a shooting contest in Pinehurst, the 62-year old hit 100 clays in a row at 16 yards. Unfortunately, her sixties was as long as Annie would live. She passed on November 3, 1926, at the age of 66, of what the doctor termed "pernicious anemia." Frank Butler went into intense mourning and refused to eat. He followed Annie in death 18 days later.
This is not only an incredible rifle with numerous special order features, but it remains an incredible piece of memorabilia tied to arguably the greatest American exhibition shooter from the sport's Golden Age. Opportunities like this may never arise again, and any collector or museum would be extremely fortunate to acquire this little rifle.
Buck Taylor
This remarkable Colt Single Auction Army owned by Buck Taylor, the true "King of the Cowboys" has already been covered in depth in a previous article. If you'd like to find out more about this incredible cowpuncher, his history with Buffalo Bill's Wild West, and how the important provenance of this beautiful revolver was almost lost forever to history, please read our story "Buck Taylor: The True King of the Cowboys."
Memorabilia of William F. Cody
There is also a fascinating lot in this auction that contains two items with intimate ties to Buffalo Bill. Frankly, with all the items shown above, also with ties to the man, it could not have arrived at a better time. These items were consigned to us by someone who purchased them from an estate sale 25 years ago. The sale was being held by the niece of a man who had worked for Cody in Wheaton, Illinois. With the birthplace of Buffalo Bill a short drive away from Rock Island Auction Company, it is not surprising to hear of artifacts of the man in nearby areas. The first item is a briefcase with his name clearly printed on the closing flap. It is likely no coincidence at all that the case is designed to resemble a saddle bag. The second item is a tri-fold mirror that, according to its inscription, was a Christmas gift from Cody to "my darling wife Louisa."
Both items are a simple reminder of the wonderfully ordinary life of a man more known for his spectacle, crowds, and showmanship. They would be welcome in any accomplished collection of the man or his storied show.
These marvelous items revolving around the America legend that is Buffalo Bill's Wild West, are only the beginning of the historic and presentation grade items available in the 2016 September Premiere Firearms Auction. With items from celebrated figures such as President Teddy Roosevelt, to infamous Nazi leaders, the selection has never been better. Two juggernaut groupings among several other accomplished collections lead the way, but they are accompanied by hundreds of single gun consignments from around the country. They all combine to make a sale that collectors will be talking about for years to come. Visit www.rockislandauction.com today to browse the items and see for yourself.
Not many people today know the name of Ira A. Paine. No further proof of that fact is needed in this information age than when the man doesn't even have his own Wikipedia page. Now that's obscure! He has no biography, official or otherwise, and few readily available materials exist on the man outside of a handful of early 20th century articles of his contest results and his eventual obituary. Even information as basic as the man's middle name is disputed (Anson? Albert? Abner?). Unsung as Ira Paine is today, he was far from some nobody off the street. In his day, he was nicknamed, "The Master Shooter of the World" and "King of the Pistol." His feats with rifle, shotgun, or pistol were legendary and seldom has such proficiency existed then or since. He was showered with awards and heralded by heads of state and royalty the world around. Truly a forgotten master of the shooting arts, Mr. Paine has largely gone the way as his hobby and descended into obscurity.
Ira Paine
In the limited materials available on Paine, it is never specifically mentioned that he was born into
wealth, however, this is no doubt the case. On February 11, 1837 he was born in Hebronville, Massachusetts to Ira Sr. and Elizabeth Paine. Hebronville was a mill village in southwestern, Attleboro, very near the larger towns of Pawtucket and Providence, both located in nearby Rhode Island. This has often resulted in some confusion as to the man's true birthplace. Little is mentioned of Paine's young life other than he became an accomplished plumber and gas fitter, specifically mentioned in his obituary as "one of the finest in the state." Granted, this does not initially sound like a blue blood upbringing, but soon his interested ventured into solo voice and young Ira became a highly educated professional vocalist with an outstanding tenor sound. His professional performances with a vocal quartet are documented and brought him further acclaim. It is claimed in several sources that Paine performed in minstrel shows, but this author has not seen any evidence to either confirm or deny.
His education already varied from plumbing to vocal technique, yet Paine was satisfied by neither. He took a strong interest in the outdoors, which branched into firearms. He would retreat to the woods and practice shooting voraciously when not at work, resulting in his rapid ascension at a local yacht club's pigeon shoots. At the time, target shooting was considered a refined sport for gentlemen and ladies. Most universities fielded shooting teams and the popularity of the sport was immense. Such popularity has not escaped the eye of history; noted Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks once wrote, "The rivalry between the Harvard and Yale pistol teams was as great as it was in football."
Young Paine quickly became a top member and the club would pit him against the top shots of other clubs, earning both the yacht club and Paine many accolades. Not just satisfied with his proficiency with the shotgun, he quickly also became a crack shot with the rifle as well as the pistol. Paine took a particular delight in his expertise with a pistol, because while numerous sharp shots existed with a rifle or shotgun, very few showed mastery over the pistol. Ambidextrous with any firearm, Paine was performing shots that witnesses had previously thought impossible and this was to be a common theme throughout his illustrious career. Around this time Paine married his wife who would play a large role in his early shows. Not documented until now, vital records from Massachusetts show that Paine was married to Margaret E. McLaughlin on August 21, 1856 in the city of Worcester. The very next year, they had their first child, a daughter named Marietta F. Paine.
It was at this time of incredible local success that Paine decided forgo his career in the arts to take his guns on the road to become a professional exhibition and competition shooter. The transition from competitive shooter to exhibition shooter may be lost to time, but it is easy to assume that Paine went on to experience further success at larger, regional contests to further build his fame and draw. A 1917 copy of the Nation Rifle Associations "Arms and the Man" magazine states the following of Paine's first tour.
"During his first tours of this country he used a Stevens pistol exclusively. Some of his favorite shots at that time included breaking a small glass ball at 12 yards; shooting glass balls the size of a walnut from the top of a helmet worn by his wife while she walked about the stage; smashing swinging balls; shooting the "spots" from playing cards held by his wife, and then splitting the card, when held edgewise by a single accurate line shot."
These dangerous and outstanding exhibitions of skill with his Stevens Lord Model pistol earned Paine his well-deserved fame and he was soon holding performances in every major city across the country. This new career began in 1860, but it is not documented how the 23-year old Paine avoided service in the Civil War.
In this early stage in his career, the .22 caliber sized holes in his targets from his Stevens pistol were often too small for the audience to clearly see. Even though using a smaller caliber was more difficult, he switched to a larger cartridge. He first used a dueling pistol made by fine Parisian gunsmith Gastinne Renette, but apparently found it unsatisfactory. Historian Roy Jinks states that Paine worked tirelessly with the manufacturer to determine the most accurate revolver. Reportedly after the two had fired thousands of rounds and carefully documenting their results, they came to the conclusion that the Smith & Wesson New Model No. 3 would be Paine's new tool of his trade. Renette and Paine shared a mutual respect and would remain friends.
By 1866 he had traveled to Europe to take on the top shots of the British military in head-to-head competition. He bested their Captain Patten and Captain Skelly and now the fame of the one-time plumber spanned nations. He would spend the next several years in Europe performing and showing his skills before kings, queens, czars, military men, and other sharp shots. Paine remained in Europe for over six years performing in every capitol city and royal palace, astounding his audiences along the way.
From available sources one infers that Paine then returned to the states to give his homeland another taste of the shows his European audiences had so enjoyed. His obituary states that the same year of his return, 1872, that Paine "became champion pistol shot of the United States." Throughout the 1870s he enjoyed a good many challenges and rivalries, most notably against Captain Adam Bogartus, an expert with the shotgun. The exploits of the two and their competitions defines a level of expertise that defies comprehension. Bogartus won the majority of the matches, but even those were seldom by more than 2 birds. The high publicity matches between the two, dating back to 1871, were also an excellent chance to develop some of the new inventions of recreational shooting such as the glass ball, the trap, and the clay pigeon. Both Cpt. Bogardus and Paine made contributions to the trap device and ball, but neither can claim either invention, despite claims in both camps to the contrary. Paine took to the glass balls early, as did audiences, and he would often fill them with feathers that would erupt in a spectacular burst that thrilled the crowds that still liked to "see the feathers fly" from when live birds were used in the shooting exhibitions.
However, it is also in the 1870s that Paine's life takes some unexpected personal turns. After hiatus from census records for some time, he pops up on the 1870 Federal census with his wife Margaret and their daughter Marietta F. Paine, as living in Rhode Island and with Ira's occupation listed as "gas fitter." On August 12, 1872, Marietta married one Mr. Albert Henry Wakefield in Johnston, RI where the marriage certificate lists her age as a tender 15. Mr. Wakefield was 23. A quick scan for marriage licenses reveals that the Ira Paine married Annie Ratlidge Parker Collins, a 29-year old widow from Massachusetts. The two were married on January 20, 1875, in Brooklyn. Unfortunately there was not adequate time before this article published for a proper investigation for the result of Mr. Paine's first marriage to Margaret. It may have ended in her death, a divorce, or may have even been supplanted by the beginning of a second family during Paine's many travels. No death record exists for Margaret in Massachusetts, so she may have died in nearby Rhode Island, or the two could've simply divorced. To muddy the waters even further, Paine's obituary also mentions a marriage to "Miss Anna Marchant while abroad," around 1883. No further information could be located on this potential third marriage (or confusion of his second marriage) at this time.
Unclear personal life aside, Ira Paine left the United States again in 1881, and set out again once more to thrill the crowds of Europe. He again made appearances in nearly every major city "such as Brussels, Paris, Berlin, Bordeaux, Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, Hanover, Breslau, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Warsaw," and many English cities. However, it was General Von Kameke, the German Minister of War, who on March 12, 1882, "in the presence of the Royal Family and 4,000 troops, pronounced him 'the most wonderful shot the world has ever seen.'" On December 8 of that same year, "he was knighted and decorated by the King of Portugal at Lisbon in the presence of the American Minister," - a reward for Paine's fine exhibition for the King who joined Paine in some shooting after the show. It was during this same performance that the King of Portugal made Ira a chevalier of an ancient military order. When researching Paine it is impossible to not find him referred to as Chevalier Ira Paine.
He would shoot at the most prominent European armorers and manufacturers of the day. He defended his honor in Paris after accusations flew that his wife was little more than a magician's assistant, and aiding Paine's "shots" via trickery or slight of hand. He bested famed duelist Henri Cartier at the Gastinne Renette gallery, and demolished Josef Schulof in Vienna. It is documented that when leaving Vienna, Paine, "was fairly loaded with souvenirs" and that "the five judges of the great pistol match... presented him with a magnificent gold medal, inscribed, 'The Master Shot of the World; from Vienna Friends.'" After four years abroad, Chevalier Paine again returned home to the United States and began plying his exhibition shooting act in a traveling circus known as "Frank A. Robbins' New Shows, Museum, 2-Ring Circus, and Monster Menagerie."
The general manager of this circus was one Mr. William L. Loper. According to Mr. Loper's descendants, one summer around 1888, "Robbins and his girlfriend absconded with the season's receipts and fled to Canada," leaving Loper to "pay off the performers and help get what was left of the circus to Frenchtown, New Jersey, where the circus wintered." Robbins would go on to form other circuses and carnivals until his untimely death in 1920 after falling through a skylight and plunging 20 feet to his doom.
William Loper on the other hand would become a fast friend of Paine. It could've been the two were natural colleagues or perhaps Paine was showing his appreciation to Loper for holding the circus together after Robbins' ill-advised departure, but whatever the case, Paine gave this Winchester to Loper at that time and it has remained in the family ever since - approximately 128 years. Loper passed this incredible rifle on to his daughter, who in turn bequeathed it to her grandson. This rifle has never been seen or offered to the public in that time.
Chevalier Ira Paine passed away suddenly the very next year, in 1889 while in Paris, France. It is thought to have been heart trouble attributed to his stout figure and obesity, though a conclusive cause of death is not documented for history.
The Gun
This incredible Winchester likely began its life in 1870 based on its 36200, hand engraved serial number. The notes of its factory record state that it is a
"Special gun transferred from back book
Received in warehouse on (no date recorded)
Shipped from warehouse on May 6, 1878"
This may indicate that this gun was held and maintained at the factory and was likely used as an exhibition piece. One look at the rifle clearly shows that this is a distinct possibility. Upon first glance, the gun may appear to have a silver plating. However, after careful inspection Rock Island Auction Company is astounded to reveal that this 1866 rifle possesses a solid German silver frame, one of two known. Engraving is attributed to Gustave Young and is some of his finest work. Not coincidentally, it could be considered a companion piece to Winchester 1866 serial number 26283, also attributed to Young by R. L. Wilson. SN 26283 is generally considered Young's masterpiece and one of the finest Winchesters ever created. Both unsigned rifles appear to be cut by the same master, a distinction inferred from their scroll similarities, the light hand used in each, and the unique depth of field utilized in the panel scenes. Both rifles are also marked by a distinct rear sight.
A comparison between the Ira Paine rifle and Winchester SN 26283. Top photo taken from
R.L. Wilson's book "Winchester Engraving"
Floral scrollwork covers nearly every surface of the silver frame, creeping up the barrel and forend before reappearing at the muzzle in abundance. In fact, barrels featuring this level of work are frequently seen on the vaunted "1 of 1,000" rifles. While solid German silver comprises the frame, cartridge elevator, and forend cap, other parts are plated in nickel such as the barrel and lever. The loading gate remains a vivid nitre blue and the hammer still displays hues of its case hardening.
But enough of what can be shown to you in photos. What makes this gun so incredible? Why is it so benchmark breaking? Besides the aforementioned solid German silver frame, a barrel that would not look out of place on a 1 of 1,000, and some of Gustave Young's finest work?
1. This is one of 24 Winchester 1866 rifles that letters.
2. Factory letter also states this gun has "3x checkering"on its "varnish finish" and highly figured walnut stock.
3. Not listed on the factory letter is the shotgun buttstock, another highly desirable, special order feature.
4. After Paine gave this rife to William P. Loper (circa 1888), it remained in that family ever since. That's 128 years! It has not been photographed or offered to the public in over a century!
5. Did we mention that Chevalier Ira A. Paine is actually photographed with this wondrous Winchester? With the abundance of silver, nickel, and the presence of a shotgun butt, the rifle offered by Rock Island Auction Company is unquestionably that seen in the below photo.
The Mystery
There are also some curious markings on this Winchester. The collector fortunate enough to take this masterpiece home will have some interesting detective work ahead of them.
1. Working hours?
When disassembling the firearm to verify its solid German silver frame, Rock Island Auction Company came across some utterly fascinating markings located on the side of the tang. Not visible when the gun is fully assembled, they indicate a daily occurrence in the month of July. Is this is a list kept by Gustave Young himself of the time spent on this gun? It is unknown at this time, but that certainly seems a reasonable speculation. If that is the case, it is also interesting to note how Young worked so diligently for so long, but then began taking breaks from this work before finishing it toward the end of that same month (the last scratching indicates July 27).
2. Roman Numerals?
Under the forestock is another curious marking: what appears to be the Roman numeral 14. Were this marking done in an area that disassembly was not required to access, one could safely assume it would have been "added" after it left the factory. After all, why would Winchester visibly mark one of their prized exhibition rifles in such a way? However, since this resides in a "hidden" area of the rifle, this author feels it safe to assume that the marking was placed their during its creation or time in the factory. Also, given some of the other markings in hidden areas, this could be yet another marking by Gustave Young. Debating its meaning is another matter entirely.
3. C 20?
Opposite the Roman numerals, on the corresponding barrel flat, under the forestock, appears "C 20." Is this another factory designation? Another message from Young? All the other markings on the gun, including the serial number and address, are hand engraved, yet these are clearly stamped, especially when one sees the faint "0" behind the clearly stamped one. But were these stamped over Young's original markings? Looking closely at the "2" we can see a more "ghosted" two behind it. Is this another missed strike of a stamping or an attempt to clarify Young's writing, which in #1 was shown to have been quite informal at times?
This is truly an exceptional rifle, owned by a man nearly lost to history, that sets a benchmark all its own when it comes to rare, fresh, and absolutely incredible high end Winchester rifles. It's unclear what determines whether a famous shooter will be remembered. Why do we know names like Annie Oakley, the Famous Topperweins, Bob Munden, Jelly Bryce, or Herb Parsons and not sharp shots such as Paine or several of his contemporaries also mentioned in this article? The floor is open for theories and suggestions, but one thing remains certain: this ground breaking Winchester, finally revealed to the collecting public, will not be forgotten anytime soon.
-Written by Joel R. Kolander
SOURCES:
Himmelwright, Abraham Lincoln Artman. Pistol and Revolver Shooting. New York: Macmillan, 1915. Print.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24Z2-8JH "Ira Paine Dead." Evening Bulletin [Providence] 1889: n. pag. Print.
Jinks, Roy G., and Sandra C. Krein. Smith & Wesson: 1852-1965. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Pub., 2006. Print.
"Thirty Years Ago With the Hand-Gun, Part 2 - The Story of Ira Paine." Arms and the Man 16 June 1917: 225-26. Print. Vol. LXII, No. 12.
By now many of you have already heard the news. It has been seen in Maxim magazine, the Washington Times, American Rifleman, GunsAmerica, TheFirearmBlog, ABC News, and a myriad of other media sources. Bringing to market "The Geronimo Gun," as it is becoming known, and selling it for a world record $1.26 million dollars is the runaway story of the auction. However, there is more than one interesting story and trend to come out of this sale. For one, it was the most successful auction in RIAC history posting a sales total of more than $17.5 million dollars. As usual, we're here to break it down for you and show you some of the top performers, rising stars, and most popular items of the sale. Also, this is a friendly reminder that these items are not cherry-picked what-so-ever. These are not intentionally selected in any way, but instead are solely determined by the numbers in an attempt to give a honest reflection of what is happening in the collecting market.
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000 Realized Price: $13,800 Number of Sealed Bidders: 50+ Number of Live Phone Bidders: 24
It might not look like much, but to a savvy gun collector, this is a tremendous investment. This is the receiver for an M1 Tommy Gun. A complete, run-of-the-mill Thompson machine gun can sell for $30,000 - $60,000 and up. However, these are the federally registered, "fully automatic" part of the gun. Plug this into a readily available surplus parts kit, and you've got yourself a lot of fun for relatively little cash. It was this possibility of owning a Thompson at less than half the cost that raised an incredible amount of interest in the piece. There were 35+ sealed bids on it before it ever crossed the podium, plus 25 live phone bidders also ready to throw their hat in the ring. The bidding was fast and furious, and it took little time for the receiver to end up at its $13,800 realized price. The previous lot 877, was a barreled receiver, that likewise had 25+ sealed bids and 19 live phone bidders. That's a lot of interest in owning a "shooter" Thompson at a great price!
This 1886 Winchester set a world record for the most expensive single firearm ever sold at auction, so it's no surprise that it takes the honor of "Top Dollar" for this auction. What a humbling and exciting experience to have this gun entrusted to RIAC, to educate the collector community about it, and finally to place it with a steward who will keep it in just as pristine condition as it has been the last 130 years. If you haven't read both parts of the remarkable story behind this rifle, you may do so at our blog.
There were three canes decorated with quartz and gold in this sale, but the two that heralded from San Francisco in the mid-1800s took the cake. Undoubtedly created in the prosperity stemming from the 1849 gold rush, these walking sticks are finely sculpted, inscribed with historical context, and this particular example depicts several panel scenes of a prospector mining for gold. It's an absolutely stunning time capsule of a significant event in the American west.
Highest Performing Genre: German Broomhandle Pistols
In the interest of full disclosure, there were a handful of other genres, such as canons and Bowie knives, with higher performances than German Broomhandles. However, they offered too small a sample size and don't really give a good indication of a strong performance for an entire genre, which is rather the point of this section. German broomhandles performed remarkably well this auction as a whole. Many sold within their estimates, but several more obviously surpassed those figures to make this a fine time to be selling a C96.
Simply an incredible piece of history, this Colt 1849 Pocket was consigned to Rock Island Auction Company from the direct descendants of Brigham Young, to whom the revolver is inscribed. The second leader of the Mormon Church and the first governor of Utah, he played an immense role in the settling of the Utah territory. He influenced an entire state during the days of the Old West when a young country was expanding her borders every year. Had this revolver achieved this price in 2013, it would've tied for RIAC's most expensive gun ever sold. Our records may have gone upward since then, but this is still an extremely handsome price for a wonderful piece of history.
Highest Selling Winchester
It was also the top dollar item of the entire auction, so we won't cover it again here (no matter how much we'd like to). However, if you'd like to know about the runner-up, a Model 1876 One of One Thousand consigned to us all the way from Australia, then please view our YouTube video on it. You can also see what we had to go through to get it here in a mini travelogue filmed by our own Rick Henley. The One of One Thousand realized $207,000!
Big firepower in a small package made these howitzers a prize possession on the battlefields of the Civil War. The same reasons, and their use by cavalry troops, make them highly collectible today. This particular gun was manufactured in 1863, at the height of the Civil War and all but ensuring it saw use in combat. While this is the highest priced Civil War item, the best performance in the genre belongs to an extraordinary Warner carbine in lot 1072, that trounced its $8,500 low estimate to sell for $17,250.
The vaunted Bretherton Collection had more than its share of outstanding German and European military arms, so it was a true mystery which one would take the bragging rights of the highest price tag. In a bit of a surprise, the prototype Walther "Armee-Pistole" in lot 1540 claimed the top spot, despite not having the top estimate for the genre. The highest estimate of $160,000 belonged to a historic and ornate engraved and gold finished Walther PP in lot 1452. Fortunately for this Walther AP, its incredible condition, matching accessories, and significance in the development of the P38, gave it the edge and placed a world-class collectible into the hands of one very pleased and dedicated collector.
There you have it, folks. The top guns in their respective genres and small glimpse into what people want most as measured by their participation or by the bids they were willing to make. Keep on eye on these post-auction columns and see if you can start noticing any trends on your own. You can make some very savvy buys and avoid paying too much by knowing what the market supports and by making educated guesses on where it might go. Please be sure to browse and search the catalog for our upcoming 2016 June Regional Firearms Auction. I guarantee you'll find some promising prospects in its over 3,400 lots and nearly 6,800 firearms.
In 1889, a structure was constructed from a lattice-work of iron and placed in Paris squarely at the entrance of the 1889 World's Fair. At 1,063 feet tall, it was likely not lost on many Americans that the newly built Eiffel Tower now eclipsed the Washington Monument as the tallest man-made structure in the world. Such is the scenario that prominent architect Daniel Burnham found himself in during 1890. He was given the responsibility of transforming an entire square mile of marsh into a showcase of beauty, ingenuity, architecture, prosperity, and invention. Burnham was overseeing construction and exhibit selection, and with the spectacle and success of the Paris Universal Exposition looming behind him, failure was a very real possibility.
The Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair that was off to a bad start. Intended to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's landing, the event had to be postponed a year in order to make the proper accommodations. However, those efforts would prove to be worth the wait. Burnham had assembled a "who's who" of architects, designers, landscapers, and planners and gave one commandment to precede all others, "Make no little plans." The full quote reads,
"Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone be a living thing, asserting itself with ever-growing insistency. Remember that our sons and our grandsons are going to do things that would stagger us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon beauty."
Taken to heart, this prime directive gave rise to a White City filled with neoclassical architecture, high brow art, frivolous entertainment, national pavilions, and a list of inventions so long, it reads like a tome of American contributions. It includes items such as: the Ferris Wheel (arguably the fair's premier attraction), the zipper, Cracker Jacks, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer, Aunt Jemima's pancake mix, Juicy Fruit gum, cream of wheat, shredded wheat, the telautograph (an early, analog fax machine), AC power, the movie theater, the dishwasher, phosphorescent lamps, Hershey's chocolate, spray painting, Gold Medal baking flour, elongated souvenir coins, moving walkways, the debut of harry Houdini (a then unknown Ehrich Weiss) and much more.
The exhibits chosen for this monumental event had to be the very best. The decree of "no small plans," had apparently extended far beyond the planners, and worked its way to the inventors and exhibitors themselves. Even firearms manufacturers held themselves to the task to bring forth their most elegant, finely decorated firearms. The results are spectacular: remarkable engraving executed by the most esteemed Master engravers, lush and expertly applied gold inlays, and outsourced embellishments from the likes of Tiffany & Co. Some of the most outstanding work being done on firearms in the world at that time was present in that single square mile in Chicago, Illinois.
In Rock Island Auction Company's 2016 April Premiere Firearms Auction, we are extremely fortunate to have no less than four guns with direct ties to this prestigious and historic event. Here is a brief look at each one.
It's no secret that famed New York jeweler and silversmith Tiffany & Co. was known to make wonderful embellishments for firearms. Some were done for Colt, but the largest grouping known are those decorated for Smith & Wesson in the 1890s. Unlike those done for Colt, the Tiffany work on Smith & Wesson firearms were all individually completed by commission or special order by wealthy clients.
These remarkable handguns were commissioned by D. B. Wesson specifically as show pieces for the Columbian Exposition, but their glory days extended far beyond. Many were also exhibited at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris as well as the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. This revolver is accompanied by its factory letter which details its shipment with four other Tiffany decorated revolvers. It is unknown how many Columbian Exposition guns survive today, but only nine Tiffany-commissioned Smith & Wesson revolvers were created specifically for the Columbian Exposition (others were made as special orders). Four of which are currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, plus twomore located at the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA, making this revolver one of only three that are potentially available to private collectors if they aren't already behind museum glass or if they still exist at all.
An exquisitely crafted gun, it is a masterpiece of silver and steel. It was shipped to Tiffany & Co. with a nickel finish and hard rubber grips, but what resulted is truly stunning. The geometric acid etching on the barrel extends to the cylinder and top strap, but even these angular designs are not without nods to the floral vines that wrap themselves around the grip and come to a spine on the front and back straps. The grip's vine embellishment is elegant and simple, ending with in a crown-like finial. It is given its shape by what is made to look like a small cord binding the grip, so that cold, solid sterling silver grip appears as if it might have the same texture as a soft curtain, bound up to better let in the sun.
Greener was once king of the world when it came to hunting shotguns and rifles. During the time of the Columbian Exposition his 37,000-square foot facility located at St. Mary's Row in Birmingham was dubbed by W.W. Greener, a fantastic self-promoter, as the "largest and most complete sporting gun factory in the world," which turned out 1,000 hand-built shotguns and rifles annually. Unlike many competitors, Greener had sales agents and retail locations around the world in cities such as new York, London, Paris, Berlin, St. Petersburg, Montreal, and Buenos Aires. He had legitimate geniuses in his employ, working to invent and popularize features that are still used in modern sporting guns to this day. The following year, nine of the top 11 shooters in the 1894 U.S. grand Nationals were using Greeners.
With his marketing prowess and international savvy, Greener was not going to miss the chance to showcase his finest wares to a nation of shooters who were simultaneously experiencing an era of economic prosperity. To that end, he spared no expense at his booth showing off a high number of firearms in a variety of styles: shotguns, rifles, double barrel, hammerless, automatic ejectors, external hammers, a "locking lug" which better secured the break action arms, safeties, large bore safari guns, small bore guns for small game, double and quad barrel smooth bore pistols, and so on. Greener also took it upon himself to help educate the throngs on the technical aspects of the firearms displayed, by showing bits of the steel and iron used to make the arms, dissected actions, cross-sectioned barrels to illustrate the chokes and rifling, locks for hammer guns, wooden models of the guns, and models from other manufacturers for comparison. The Committee on Awards for the event is quoted as saying, "Altogether, it was a very complete exhibit."
The shotgun in this auction is no exception to the high quality arms that were on display for the exposition. The wood is well-figured and finely checkered, the forearm piece being tipped with a inset made from horn. The buttstock continues forward up the checkered pistol grip where it meets an intricately engraved tang, trigger guard, and box lock action, all of which, in addition to the tiny floral scroll engraving is dotted with wild game panel scenes. Just over the serial number on the tang is an engraved pheasant rooster on the wing, and the trigger guard features two hunting dogs on a point, The safety switch on the left shows another ring-necked pheasant beneath it, with the word "Safe" in gold inlay, and the box lock on the same side has a hunting dog running after two sprung game birds. The opposite side lock has a more disciplined dog still holding his point on two quail that have burst from cover. Atop the opening lever is gold inlaid crown and full coverage of the same engraving. The underside of the action has two engraved rabbits, as hidden as they would be during a hunt. The engraving extends up the scalloped lock and on to the side-by-side barrels, the rib between which is engraved with an egret and a maker's mark before continuing into its matte finish. The inscription reads, "W. W. Greener. Haymarket London & St. Mary's Square, Birmingham, England. Winner at the London Gun Trials, 1875, 1877, 1878, & 1879." The muzzles are punctuated with a single brass bead between them.
It is of note that this Greener shotgun is also a Greener's best grade "G-Guns," officially known as a Royal Grade G60, and shows many of the same features such as the chiseled fences, gold crown and "Safe" marking, the fine floral "bank note" engraving, and so on. Vic Venters in his book Gun Craft" gives the quote, "Outside of a small group on connoisseurs, virtually no one realizes these guns exist or the level of craftsmanship they embody. For all intent, they are lost to history." Barely more than 20 craftsmen were trusted to manufacture these best-grade G-Guns from 1880 to 1916. Venters further quotes, "They were Greener's elite, a workforce hand-picked for its skills and experience. For 45 years the same surnames appear in the archives under each of the 14 major stages in building a G-Gun... Unfortunately, we know very little about these men - not even their first names - other than that they were among the best craftsmen of their day and that they spent their entire working lives in the employ of Greener's. We do know that they were extraordinarily well paid for their era. It was quite normal for them to earn 100 shillings per week in the 1880s, when the average Birmingham trade worker was only taking home about 20."
Some extra research into this shotgun could yield big results for one lucky collector.
If this Winchester's ties to the Columbian Exposition weren't enough to endear it collectors, its assortment of special order features and embellishments would seal the deal. It has an octagon barrel, half magazine, Lyman front sights, and a fancy checkered walnut stock. The combination of the full octagon barrel and the half magazine is a rare one indeed.
Then there are features that are above and beyond even a special order Winchester. Mentioned first and foremost in the accompanying Madis letter are the "very special silver inlays." Adjacent to the receiver at the top of the grip, these silver pieces, accented with a large fleur de lis are also engraved and would have been added at the same time as the rest of the gun's engraving. Madis writes, "Collectors have named these inlays 'Tiffany inlays,' after the New York jeweler who did most of this work." Despite this flattering title, the engraving on the receiver, barrel, forend tip, and buttplate were instead masterfully executed by L. D. Nimschke, "...one of America's foremost engravers of his period." Lush scroll work covers every surface of the receiver sans two areas that have been reserved to panel scenes of a hunting dog in pursuit of its quarry and a majestic stag. This work goes far above and beyond typical Winchester engraving. Both it and the checkering are considered "extensive" and alone earns this rifle a prized status among collectors.
Perhaps even more distinguishing than engraving and special order features, if it could be so, are two features especially unique to this rifle. One is an inlaid, still-functioning compass that has been inset into the right side of the stock and given a handsome, engraved, brass frame to better hold in the recessed compass. It is similar to one seen on the Winchester Factory Presentation Model 1873 given to Edward Stabler, inventor of the Stabler cut-off system. The second is an inscription on the left barrel flat that reads, "Made for Helen A. Foster. Prize Rifle Columbian Exposition."
It may initially seem unusual to see such a rifle inscribed to a woman, but at the Columbian Exposition women were particularly active in the event. So much so that the Women's Building was said to be slightly less popular than the prominent and extremely well-received Ferris Wheel. Born as Helen Foster, Helen Foster Barnett was the wife of Dr. James P Barnett of Brooklyn, New York, but she is far from being known by virtue of her husband. Dr. Barnett passed in 1886 leaving her with their children and a considerable fortune. She turned into a well-known and generous philanthropist, mostly via her appreciation and support of art. It is unknown (even by Madis) how Mrs. Foster is associated with the rifle. Was the rifle made as a prize for her to present? Was it made as a prize for her personally thanks to her love of the aesthetic or perhaps some charitable act or donation on her part? Madis says it best, "Research continues on the inscription, Mrs. Foster, and the history of the rifle."
This little gem of a Smith & Wesson revolver appeared side-by-side with the opulent Tiffany-embellished handguns that were on display for those six months in 1893. The rich dot and scrollwork engraving should be familiar to Smith & Wesson collectors and is unquestionably done in the hand of one of the Young engraving dynasty: Gustave, Oscar, or Eugene. It is noted in the factory letter that this revolver was "offered by Smith & Wesson for sale at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, but did not sell and was sold after the close of the World's Fair." With its provenance and embellishments, this revolver should have no such troubles at Rock Island Auction. It wouldn't take long for it to find a home even after the exposition; the letter further indicates that it was shipped within months on January 15, 1894 to Hartley & Graham Co, in New York City. It still matches all of its factory original specifications: 4-inch barrel, factory engraving, nickel and gold finish, and pearl grips.
The dot and scroll engraving finds nearly every corner of the revolver, starting on the butt and backstrap, it resumes on the sides of the frame and hinge, the top strap, the cylinder, and down the barrel. The pearl grips are bright and iridescent, while the trigger guard retains traces of the original finish. Once regarded as one of the finest guns that Smith & Wesson had to offer, this revolver would resume a place of honor in any collection in which it resides.
All in all the event was a huge success for Daniel Burnham and the city of Chicago. The bustling metropolis was now associated with all the luxury, innovation, beauty, spectacle, and entertainment that the Columbian Exposition had packed into its six short months. Historian David Nasaw writes of the world fairs and their purpose that reached far beyond mere entertainment, "The world's fairs were paeans to progress, concrete demonstrations of how order and organization, high culture and art, science and technology, commerce and industry, all brought together under the wise administration of business and government, would lead inevitably to a brighter, more prosperous future."
In an age of economic prosperity, expansion, innovation, industrial might, and melding nationalities, the Columbian Exposition was perhaps the best physical manifestation of a nation bursting at the seams to grow in every direction at once. The firearms present at this show are also a perfect representation of the era from which they come, a physical time capsule that can be held in the hand, contemplated, and returned gently to a collection until the next time it is called upon to tell its tale of a time in American when nothing was impossible.
The Hall of Fine Arts at the 1893 Columbian Exposition
Venters, Vic. Gun Craft: Fine Guns & Gunmakers in the 21st Century. Camden, ME.: Shooting Sportsman, 2010. Print.
World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, Ill., 1893: Report of the Committee on Awards of the World's Columbian Commission. Vol. 2. Washington: G.P.O., 1901. Print.
