Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze
of variations and qualities of the “Drop Breech” rifle in the P. Henry work; see Biblio.):
5A-098
| 5A-098 | Values—Good $325 | Fine $1,200 |
Rifle with special “Allen Patent 1860” (marked) rotary disk tang peep sight:
| 5A-098.5 | Values—Good $475 | Fine $1,400 |
Allen & Wheelock Lipfire Revolving Rifle
Lipfire Revolving Rifle by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. 1861-1863; total estimated less than 100.
44 lipfire. 6-shot round cylinder with cuts to allow projection of lip at breech for firing. Barrel length approximately 26" to 28", round with octagon breech section.
Iron mountings; blued, with casehardened frame, hammer, and trigger guard. Walnut buttstock and forend; note crescent shaped buttplate. Trigger guard operates the ejector rod for cartridges.
Serial numbered. The few specimens known do not bear marker’s markings.
Based on the Army Model Center Hammer Lipfire revolver, Allen & Wheelock was attempting to add still another variation of firearm to their diverse line. The result for today’s collector was one of the scarcest of revolving rifles:
5A-099
| 5A-099 | Values—Good $5,500 | Fine $20,000 |
Allen & Wheelock Percussion Revolving Rifle
Percussion Revolving Rifle by Allen & Wheelock. Made c. 1861-1863. Estimated less than 20.
44 caliber percussion. 6-shot. 26" and 28" round barrels known, but lengths can vary. Rammer operated by moving forward the trigger guard. Variations noted in few known specimens and all are considered as experimental pieces.
On the few specimens known no maker’s markings appear. Very rare:
5A-100
| 5A-100 | Values—Good $8,000 | Fine $22,500 |
Allen “Hinge-Breech” Double Shotgun
Breech-Loading Double Barrel “Hinge-Breech” Shotgun by Ethan Allen & Co. Made c. 1865-1871; quantity estimated at several hundred or more.
10, or 12 gauge; barrel lengths about 28" (an 8 gauge reported and would be rare). These unusual arms, covered by Allen patents of 1865 and 1868, had the novel feature of a trapdoor breech fitted with a locking lever/handle.
Serial numbered. Breech trapdoor marked ETHAN ALLEN & CO./WORCESTER, MASS. On barrels: FINE LAMINATED STEEL.
Walnut stocks, checkered.
Produced in three grades, the pricing provided herein is based on the standard, lowest production type, which will be rather plain, and lacking the fancy features of deluxe engraving and checkering as found on the best grade pieces. An unusual accessory, and extreme rarity if proven original, is a steel chamber insert or short (auxiliary) rifled barrel for use in this piece allowing for the use of rifle cartridges:
5A-101
| 5A-101 | Values—Good $450 | Fine $1,500 |
(*) Preceding a title indicates the book is currently in print.
Chapter V-B
Colt Firearms
In the world of antique arms collecting, there is no name more illustrious than that of Colt. In the hearts of many it is synonymous with the American revolver. From their beginnings in 1837, the guns of this maker have a proud and distinct association with virtually every event in American history in war and peace where weapons were used and carried. The quality of the product which led to its ultimate great and lasting success, joined with the fact that many models were manufactured in large quantities, are two major reasons in making Colt collecting vie for top honors as one of the most actively pursued specialties in the arms field. More simply stated, the commercial success of Colt, their longevity and the high production quantities, have afforded more collectors an opportunity to acquire specimens of a broad range of models. Not a few rare American handguns will bring less than half the price of a common Colt merely because the demand has yet to be created for them, nor may they offer either the collecting possibilities or historical associations that the often far commoner Colt does. The collector may well ponder this simply stated fact; it affords interesting possibilities for the future-looking collector on a long range basis.
The lure of Colt collecting is a strong one, pointed out by both the sheer numbers of collectors and the quantity of published works on the subject. Competition for specimens is spirited and very minute variations of seemingly minor points can often cause very great price fluctuations within a single type. Undoubtedly the broadest spread of values can be found within Colt collecting with prices for the commonest specimens starting around $100 and a few extreme rarities and ultra fancy historic specimens achieving prices in the high six figures! By far, the majority of Colts are valued in the three to lower four-figure price range.
Of no small significance in this field is the amount of published data available to the serious collector. Writers have been more prolific about Colts than any other antique weapon. There are a number of extremely fine reference works easily available to verify all major points on every model as well as a vast wealth of related minutiae. The two necessary classics in the Colt field are The Book of Colt Firearms (Sutherland and Wilson) and Colt Firearms From 1836 (Serven). The field is so vast that the collector often specializes within it, e.g., by collecting only percussion Colts or cartridge models; he may even limit himself further by pursuing only Model 1849 Pocket revolvers or Model 1851 Navies, or Single Actions. In each of these three fields a very large and interesting collection is possible. Each also has a number of well documented and researched reference works available dwelling at great length on the most finite of details. Surprisingly, with all the known facts about Colts, published and otherwise, there is always new and fresh information appearing on the subject. Here is an endless source for the researcher; veritably a bottomless mine allowing for extensive and varied investigation.
As