Catalog Auction info Auction #132 - Two-Day Sale, November 20th & 21st (#132) 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #125Fine Whitworth Rifle Company Percussion Target Prize Rifle Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$5,400 Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 Auction #132 - Two-Day Sale, November 20th & 21st (#132) 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/20/2021 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Description Description: serial #B319, .50 cal, 32” round barrel with a bright excellent Whitworth-rifled bore. A very interesting and obviously quality-made rifle, it retains some lovely case colors and overall condition and has a circular silver presentation plate inletted into the left side of the butt. The barrel itself is an overall soft plum brown patina, showing some remnants of original browning in the protected areas, the barrel now with remnants of light pinprick pitting about its surface. The bands have primarily flaked to a smooth brown with some generous trace bright original blue toward their rears. The rifle is sighted with a windgauge adjustable Goodwin patent flat-top platinum index line front sight and Whitworth service style target rear, also with platinum index lines. The left side of barrel features appropriate British proofs and the serial number with “Whitworth Patent” atop to the rear of the sight. The breech shows very light borderline engraving and lovely brilliant original color case-hardening, as does the lockplate. The lockplate shows Whitworth’s Crown over W at rear with “Whitworth Rifle Co. Manchester” along its bottom edge with light borderline engraving. In addition to the nice case colors the sliding safety still exhibits some pale purplish temper blue. The bottom metal has toned to a plum with some trace case colors on the bow but the patchbox still shows a very nice color case-hardening along with a bit of toning and sparse oxidation staining. The stock rates excellent with crisp checkering at the wrist, forestock and the thumb rest area to the rear of the hammer. There is some nice fiddleback grain in the area of the butt and as-mentioned there is a silver presentation plate which reads: “National Rifle Association/1863” “Queens First Thirty”, sadly due to someone’s overzealous polishing over the years the gentleman’s name cannot be made out, but the capital letter “C” and the capital letter “B” can be made out. Some diligent research from a good friend “across the pond” turns up the recipient as a “Captain Benning” of the 2nd Bedfordshire Rifle Volunteers. The actual “Queen's Prize” (1st place) that year was won by a Sgt Roberts; the reference source of this information the Volunteer Gazette of July 18th, 1863. The plate shows some dings and dents from the years and there is a small dent in the wood at its bottom edge where it appears as though someone contemplated prying the plate off, thankfully unsuccessfully. What appears to be the original Whitworth ramrod with hexagonal rotating head is present and the lock is crisp and functions very well mechanically. The buttplate is a bit proud at the heel and toe but this is likely due only to shrinkage as the wood appears completely unmolested. Interestingly an old paper tag within the patchbox reads “No 319/800 yards 2° (minute marking is faded and lost to the years)/900 yards 2° 35' /1000 yards 2° 56' ” and there is a small plastic container which holds a tiny barleycorn style dovetail front sight which would fit into the raised base at the muzzle were the current front sight removed. Really a very lovely, very handsome Whitworth rifle in a fine state of condition. (3D9670-53) {ANTIQUE} [David & Lore Squier Collection] (5000/7000) 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 17.5% 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. 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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 handguns, are shipped via UPS Ground unless other arrangements have been made. All merchandise is shipped Signature Required. • All modern 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.