Catalog Auction info Auction #144 - Two Day Sale, November 23rd & 24th (#144) 11/23/2024 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/23/2024 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #255Very Fine & Important Mauser Large Ring Flatside C96 Semi-Auto Pistol Retailed by Von Lengerke & Detmold and Inscribed To General James H. Wilson with Matching Stock & Very Rare Retailer Case Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - unsold Estimate: $25,000 - $30,000 Description Description: serial #21158, 30 Mauser, 5 1/2” barrel with a bright excellent bore. This handsome 1899-made pistol is finely inscribed along the right side of the frame “General J. H. Wilson / U.S.A.”, attributed to the long-serving and distinguished General James Harrison Wilson. He graduated sixth in the USMA class of 1860 out of 41 graduates, initially serving as an engineering officer during the Civil War before transferring to cavalry. Wilson rose very quickly through the ranks, already a brigadier general by 1863. Before transferring to cavalry, he served as inspector general in Grant’s army, and after his transfer he showed great combat efficiency and skill routing the famed Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest and his elite cavalry at both the Battle of Franklin in 1864 and later during Wilson’s Raid in 1865. At the end of the war Wilson’s troops were responsible for capturing Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Andersonville camp commandant Captain Henry Wirz. After the war, Wilson’s rank reverted to lieutenant colonel and he would resign in 1870 to work in the railroad industry. A consummate patriot however, Wilson volunteered once more for service in the Spanish-American War in 1898, serving as major general of volunteers, and then again in 1901 during the Boxer Rebellion serving as brigadier general. In 1902 he had the honor serving as President Theodore Roosevelt’s representative at the coronation of Edward VII. James H. Wilson died in 1925 at the age of 87 after such long and distinguished service to his country. Given the time frame it is equally possible that this pistol was presented to Wilson around 1902 in appreciation for his service or it was actually purchased by Wilson himself before his leaving for China to deal with the Boxer Rebellion. In any event it is fascinating to consider the career of such a general, serving during the American Civil War where in some cases even flintlocks were still in use, and ending his career with a semi-automatic pistol firing high-powered smokeless powder ammunition. Wilson’s 1912 book “Under the Old Flag: Recollections of Military Operations in the War for the Union, the Spanish War, the Boxer Rebellion, Etc.” will no doubt prove for some more interesting reading. The pistol itself remains in very fine condition showing a bit of light honest use, retaining about 90% original blue with scattered toning to mild gray-brown patina under bright light, a little oxidation speckling and a few small dings along the right side of the frame. The trigger shows pale straw color while the remaining small parts retain about 90% brilliant fire blue showing just a little mild oxidation staining. The bolt is mostly bright and the hammer and fire control group are a mix of pale gray-brown and smooth gray case-hardening. All markings remain crisp and clear showing the proper period German proof marks, stamped VL&D New York retailer markings on the left side of the frame and the aforementioned fancy inscription along the right. The 23-groove walnut grips are stamp-numbered to the gun and remain in excellent condition showing just some scattered light handling marks. All of the serialized parts are matching and the lanyard ring is intact. The included original walnut holster-stock is properly stamp-numbered matching with the full serial number along the attachment hardware and remains in very fine condition showing some scattered light dings, two thin 1 3/4” hairline cracks back from the hinge hardware and a small flake and crack at one corner near the grip opening. The hardware shows some old oxidation mostly toning to plum-brown patina with flashes of original bright blue in the more protected areas and the wood exhibiting some subtle areas of handsome grain figure. Naturally, the stock fits the pistol perfectly. The included fine black leatherbound period retailer case features double lockable catches and remains in very fine condition with scattered light flaking and edge wear along the exterior. The interior is lined in buff chamois that shows some mild honest soiling and discoloration from the years. It is fitted for the pistol housed in its stock along with a fitted area for a cleaning rod and stripper clip, a covered compartment, pair of keys, five black leather-covered ammunition cases and a thinner purple leather-covered case likely for a loaded stripper clip. Only a handful of these cases are known with other examples pictured on pages 187-189 of “The Mauser Self-Loading Pistol” by Belford and Dunlap. This is a truly superb ensemble that would make a fabulous addition to the most advanced of martial or semi-automatic pistol collections. (13F11770-4) {C&R} (25,000/30,000) Categories: firearm Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 20% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Additionally, the 2.5% cash discount will only apply to invoices paid promptly, within 14 calendar days of the auction. Buyers should be aware of common delays in the mail and if that is a concern they are welcome to call our office to receive wire transfer information. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Because we do not open at the absentee bidder's top bid (unless that is the next competitive bid) there is a chance that the absentee bidder's bid may tie with a bidder using a different bidding method (live, Proxibid or telephone bidder). If an absentee bidder wishes to guard against this occurring, they may complete an absentee bid form with a "+" after the bid amount and forward that bid sheet to our office to be entered by Amoskeag. When a "+" is added after the bid amount, the bidder authorizes Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. to make one additional bid in order the break the tie. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag On-line bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. On-line bidders should be aware that the sale sometimes proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All absentee/telephone bidder invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale; all invoices are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or by credit cards listed above. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. SHIPPING • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will make every effort to ship items in a timely fashion. All items, with the exception of Modern and C&R handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All Modern and C&R handguns are shipped via UPS Next Day Air service. • Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and for insurance on the items being shipped. Purchasers who self-insure can forego insurance charges if Amoskeag Auction is notified of your intent to self-insure. PICKING UP MERCHANDISE • Pickup will be by appointment only. • OUR OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY AND TUESDAY FOLLOWING THE SALE. No merchandise will be delivered on those days. We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday. • Our office hours are Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:00pm.
