Catalog Auction info Auction #121 - Two-Day Sale, March 23 & 24 (#121) 03/23/2019 9:00 AM EDT Closed Starts Ending 03/23/2019 9:00 AM EDT Auction Info Lot #102Extraordinary Cased American Percussion Buggy Rifle by William Billinghurst of Rochester, New York Click image to enlarge PreviousNext Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$34,500 Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000 Description Description: .32 caliber, 12'' part round part octagon barrel with a bright excellent bore. This is without a doubt, one of the very finest William Billinghurst buggy rifles in existence. The gun is gold appointed with the butt of the grip bound in gold and with an oval gold monogram plate at center which is engraved ''N. Rawson'' purportedly William Billinghurt's son-in-law, for whom the gun was originally made. Additional gold appointments include small oval inlay on either side of grip, there are 1/8'' thick gold borders on either side where the grip meets the frame and there are gold borders inlaid around the stock mounting hole. The stock on this gun is actually secured by a gold washed screw which enters the nose of the stock from the front of the grip and holds the stock firmly in place, most Billinghurst buggy rifle stocks are friction fit. There is a gold washed plug which fills this hole when the stock is off, the same screw holds the filler in place. The only other gold washed components are the heads of the screws which affix the ''buttplate'' to the stock. The condition of the gun is stunning with the barrel and telescopic sight retaining 95% original brown finish with loss just on the high edges and perhaps a bit of loss where the gun contacts the case. The scope is stepped or ''two-diameter'' being a smaller diameter on the ocular end and is most likely a Billinghurst product. The frame shows 95% original color case-hardened finish which is faded to a lovely mottled pewter color and is more vivid in protected areas and on tang extension. The one-piece walnut grip rates excellent with 95% original finish remaining with most loss in a small area below the screw escutcheon on the left side. The gun comes cased in its original deluxe rosewood case with lid secured by five hinges and with bullet molds and nipple wrench resting in beautifully recessed holders. The two molds cast a two-piece bullet and there is an additional brass disc which would be used to cast the bullet as one piece. The interior of the lid and the interior bottom of case are lined in leather and additional accessories include a small powder flask, a turn screw, cleaning rod which fits in a recessed impression, bullet starter, bullet swages and an interesting German silver spring loaded patch holder, also stamped ''N. RAWSON'' on one end. A small hinged tin container within the case holds the original hooded front sight, windage and elevation adjustable lollipop rear sight, a spare nipple, and a worm which threads into the barrel mounted ramrod. The telescopic sight has tiny open sights mounted to its top at front and rear, this small tin also contains an extra rear sight aperture for the rear scope mounted sight. Of all the accessories there was only one that we could not definitively identify, a 4'' long hollow oak rod with brass fittings on either end. This rod or tube and particularly the brass fittings at either end slide over the cleaning rod perfectly, they are clearly meant to fit together, it may be a tool to clean fouling off of the cleaning/loading rod. We thought it could be a device for setting the bullet at an exact pre-determined point but the spacing does not correspond when the false muzzle in place, with the false muzzle removed it looks like it would seat the bullet at the correct point and once the bullet is started the false muzzle has technically already done its job. The condition of the case is excellent. The scope optics are quite dirty however both the front and rear original friction fit lens covers are present. Oddly, the case-hardening on the hammer is more modern and bright, there are no evident repairs and if one so chose this could be very easily remedied by a qualified antique gunsmith. The case is very deluxe in nature with a thin inlaid border around the perimeter of the lid and with ivory or bone handle mounted to front edge of lid and two layers of the same material as the keyhole escutcheon. According to Cletus, he first saw this gun when a gentleman collector was showing it to some other collectors and Cletus happened to be present, the year was 1955 and Cletus was 15 years old. When everyone was finished admiring the gun, Cletus said that he would like to buy the gun when the gentleman collector was ready to sell it, this comment was met with a collective chuckle amongst the group. Years later, the collector contacted Cletus and sold the gun to him. This set was awarded the NRA 10 Best Weapons Silver Medallion at the 1991 NRA National Convention in San Anotniio Texas. The certificate and Medallion #305 accompany the set. This cased set is stunning, worthy of the finest private or institutional collection of antique American arms and it is being offered publicly for the very first time. A very rare opportunity to acquire one of the very finest Billinghurst Buggy Rifles in existence. (18937-99) {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. 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