Morphy’s Field & Range Firearms Auction Preview

DENVER, Pa. – Bidders are already setting their sights on more than 2,500 lots of coveted rifles, small arms, and quality accessories in Morphy’s Field & Range Firearms Auction slated for September 10-12. The comprehensive live gallery event will be held live as well as by phone, absentee bid, or online as the sale is being conducted, through Morphy Live.

One of the undisputed stars of the three-day firearms bonanza is Lot 3028, a Merwin & Hulbert .44 caliber cartridge revolver with lavish factory engraving and an 1873 serial number. The 2nd Model open-top, six-shot, single-action gun displays sharply engraved images of the Mexican Eagle with a snake on the left side and a partridge on the right side, as well as scrollwork, chick tracks and punch dots that retains 98% of its original factory nickel plating and with near-mint grips.

Another top-shelf revolver is Lot 1386, an engraved and gold-inlaid Colt single-action Army Revolver made in 1998. This full-blued gun was exquisitely decorated by master engraver Tim George, who apprenticed under Colt Firearms master engraver Ken Hurst before establishing his own business. Described in Morphy’s catalog as “an absolute treasure and work of art,” the revolver is offered with its original factory box.

Also among the many revolver highlights is Lot 3340, a Texas Gun Collectors Association factory-engraved and gold banded Colt Third Generation single-action Army Revolver with a relief-carved steer-head grip. A special gun that would be a prize for any Colt collection, it comes in its original hardwood display case and is entered as Lot 3340.

In the antique flintlock category, there are several especially fine pistols. Lot 1005 is a 1807-1808 Joseph Henry (Philadelphia) contract single-shot secondary martial pistol from the Robert Sadler Collection. Immediately following at Lot 1006, a scarce US North Berlin (Conn.) Model 1811 Transitional is highly coveted by collectors of US martial pistols, being one of only 550 that were made.

Collectors of long guns can choose from a stellar selection of rare and historically important rifles, muskets, shotguns and carbines. The lineup is led by Lot 2064, an early Custer 7th Cavalry Range US Model 1873 Springfield trapdoor carbine in .45-.70 Government caliber. Extremely clean, with 100% original, correct parts, it boasts very early features such as a thick, long wrist; an 1873 pinned rear sight, and a US carbine buttplate. The bolt is stamped “MODEL 1873.” The catalog description notes that it “never went through 1879-1880 rebuild,” a point that would be significant to antique gun historians and collectors.

Lot 1251, an Ansley H. Fox (Philadelphia) A Grade Double side-by-side was made in 1916 and features Krupp blued steel barrels. It comes with a hang tag and Callahan factory letter. Lot 1849 is a Winchester Model 23 two-barrel shotgun set with two beavertail forends carved with a fleur-de-lis and wave checkered pattern. Both barrels are of monoblock manufacture, with Set No. 1 in 20 gauge and Set No. 2 in 28 gauge. The firearm appears to have been factory test-fired only. It will be offered in the original Winchester fitted case.

In the semi-automatic category, standouts include Lot 2121, an extremely early and rare US Marine Corps Colt Model 1911 pistol from the second shipment dispatched to the Marines in 1913; and Lot 1115, a factory-engraved Colt Government MKIV Series 70 .45 ACP pistol that was shipped in 1984. It comes with documentation and its original Colt velvet-lined display box.

The Sept. 10-12, 2019 Field & Range Firearms Auction will be held at Morphy’s gallery in Denver, Pa., starting at 9 a.m. Eastern Time each day. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880, email info@morphyauctions.com. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.