Catalog Auction info Auction #124 - Two-Day Sale, November 23 & 24 (#124) 11/23/2019 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/23/2019 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #299 Amazing Nathaniel Whitmore Percussion Halfstock Rifle from the Bill Ruger Sr. Collection Click image to enlarge PreviousNext Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$11,750 Estimate: $10,000 - $20,000 Description Description: .40 cal, 28'' part octagon, part round Muzzy cast steel barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is a stunning rifle exhibiting the highest degree of craftsmanship and remaining in exceedingly fine condition and is astonishingly unmarked. The rifle is identified as an unmarked Nathaniel Whitmore by R.L. Wilson, this very gun pictured in Ruger and His Guns by Wilson on page 304. The barrel retains about 95% original plum brown, toning to pewter on the sharp edges and fading a bit. It started life as a 1 3/8'' across the flats Muzzy barrel, 1'' forward it was turned to round, for about 1/4'' then is reduced again to a gently tapering octagon, culminating in a turned medial about 9'' from the reduction, and then is a tapered round barrel the balance of its length. The patent breech exhibits nearly all its original color case-hardening which is muting slightly, with nice quality open flowing scroll and three engraved inlaid gold bands. The back action lock and hammer show some lovely open flowing scroll with background punch-dot shading and exhibit 95% original color case-hardening, with similar treatment on the tang, it too with much original color case-hardening. The arm is appointed with German silver furniture, with simple turned ramrod thimbles and tailpipe with lightly engraved rear extension, the wedge escutcheons are unadorned. The triggerplate and trigger exhibit stunning fire blue with a nicely engraved front extension. The triggerguard has a single forward spur and rearward-curving grip flourish, with nice open scroll engraving on the bow, flourish and rear extensions. The arm has a nice crescent buttplate of German silver or heavy plated brass. Its tang shows the same exquisite open flowing scroll as does the lovely 7 1/2'' toeplate. The arm is fitted with a handsome flowing open scroll pendulum-style patchbox with a rearward-opening door, it is pierced and engraved and all the screws registered. Left side of the arm shows an open scroll lock screw escutcheon and a generous cheekpiece inlay of a leaping stag being narrowly missed by an arrow, with wide open flowing scroll and foliate decoration. The English walnut stock rates excellent showing much original varnish and a small refinished section which was exceedingly well done, with extremely close examination showing a repair to crack from the triggerplate running along the left side to the screw escutcheon, it is missed at first glance and perfectly executed. The rifle is very finely checkered in the wrist and features a flared left side shadowline cheekpiece showing some stunning grain figure in the butt. The rifle comes cased with numerous accessories and is fitted with an unmarked Malcolm-style telescopic sight. The scope shows a bit more wear than the rifle but still retains some good plum brown, and has crisp bright optics with a crosshair reticle. In addition to the scope mounts, the rifle includes a globe front sight with tiny lollipop insert, adjustable for windage, and a midrange Vernier rear sight showing some strong remnants of fire blue. What is likely the original ramrod is present with a wad pull end and there is an ivory-handle loading rod, along with a nice smooth leather bodied Bartram patent fireproof screw-off-top flask, a small smooth bodied priming flask, brass single cavity conical bullet mould, patch cutter, capper, small spares and oil bottles. The lid of the walnut case has a silver presentation plaque which reads ''Presented to/Brig. Gen. R.A. Peirce/1865'', Peirce being the Assistant Quartermaster General of the State of Massachusetts. Within the case we find a small business card which reads ''Mr. Bernie Salem Pierce'', a famous gun collector and collector of tomahawks and powderhorns and doubtless a descendent of the general (evidently the general spelled his name with E before I whereas the latter gentleman spells his I before E). An absolutely top-shelf percussion target and sporting rifle, from this esteemed Gentleman’s collection, beautifully executed showing the finest quality materials and workmanship. (38937-210) {ANTIQUE} [Cletus Klein Collection] Categories: Terms and conditions GENERAL STATEMENTS • All bidders must register and obtain a bidding number in order to participate in the auction; in so-doing they agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the sale. Absentee/Telephone bidders must register by filling out and signing an absentee bid sheet, online bidders must register per the online terms of registration. • The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall become the owner upon the fall of the hammer. The auctioneer has sole discretion in the case of a dispute among bidders. • 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 consignors interests. • Reserves: A very few lots will be offered with reserve. In cases where items are reserved, a bid of the low estimate will always exceed the reserve. Reserves will be bid by the auctioneer as an opening bid so any bid taken from the floor or the phone is a live bid above the reserve amount. • Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. PAYMENT POLICY • Invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment will now be available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. • 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 17.5% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paying with check or cash . This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. • Customers without prior credit approval who intend on making purchases in excess of $10,000 must provide credit information such as a bank letter of credit prior to bidding. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM PURCHASES • All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be observed. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm on day of sale providing the proper paperwork is filled out and the transfer has been approved either through the NH State Police or the FBI NICS System. While most NICS and State approvals are immediate, approvals could take up to 3 days. Most non-residents may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check; modern handguns will need to be 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. CLASS III WEAPONS • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. is a licensed Class III S.O.T. and handles transfers of Machineguns, Suppressors, A.O.W.’s and short barreled rifles and shotguns in-house. Class III invoices are expected to be paid upon receipt, no transfer paperwork will be executed until the invoice is paid. Know that class III transfers take a good deal of time for Federal approval and we are at their mercy. Firearms are marked as follows: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required 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. Firearms that are not marked with one of these notations are considered to be “MODERN” and all proper paperwork is required unless you are an FFL Dealer. 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. 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 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 mailed within a few days of the sale, on-line 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. WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, we recommend 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.
