Lot 327: The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle And Morse Double Hammergun Of Judge George Washington Swain Of Tombstone Arizona

Name: The Winchester Model 1876 Rifle And Morse Double Hammergun Of Judge George Washington Swain Of Tombstone Arizona
Brand: Amoskeag Auction Co
SKU: 1e64a6d923
Price: 3000 USD

Est: $5,000 USD - $7,000 USDPassed

Amoskeag Auction CoManchester, NH, USApril 02, 2016

Item Overview

Description

serial #3340, 45-60 WCF, 24" barrel with a good bore which shows evident rifling but with minor pitting and oxidation its full length. This is a rather interesting pair of guns that belonged to a storied public servant, settler and silver miner in Tombstone Arizona in the period 1880-1911. The rifle is primarily a smooth plum brown patina with some trace original blue in the protected areas. It shows some minor oxidation, scattered light dings and handling marks that come from a frontier-used firearm and perhaps a widely scattered pinprick pit or two here and there. The lever shows some silvery case-hardening with the hammer showing some muted colors on its right side, the trigger is single set. The walnut buttstock rates about very good with the expected overall dings and handling marks from the years, there are two or three prominent dings and the wood has worn at the toe, the buttplate being slightly proud. The forend as well is in a similar state of condition showing a number of minor impact marks along its left edge and a good deal of wear from carry. There is an 8" crack along the belly of the forend which appears tight and will not flex. The rifle retains its original sights and thumbprint dust cover. The included factory letter shows shipment in July 1880 and confirms the configuration and single set trigger. Also included is a Wm Morse & Co. British double hammergun with left-side lever, 10 ga., 32" barrels with about good bores which show pitting their full length. The metal surfaces are an overall plum brown patina with pewter undertones, showing near overall light surface oxidation. The top of the barrel is marked "London fine twist" and the lockplates and frame show loose, sparse open scroll, the lockplates maker marked. The straight grip English walnut buttstock rates good showing a good deal of wear, minor dings and handling marks from the years and an antique copper wire-wrapped and soldered repair to a crack through the wrist. The splinter style forend shows heavy wear as well, with the checkering worn smooth, the bone forend tip still in place. Both barrels and water table exhibit British proofs but no serial number. Included with the two arms is a signed and notarized narrative-affidavit written by the grand-nephew of Alice Swain Ames, daughter of Judge Swain, detailing his move to Tombstone, Arizona in 1880 in a covered wagon from Julian, California. Initially he worked in the silver mines but was elected Justice of the Peace in 1883. He would eventually become City Attorney, County Attorney and then Judge. The narrative mentions a Colt revolver by serial number that was the property of the Judge, this Winchester 1876 rifle by serial number, also as the property of the Judge, and a double barrel hammer shotgun with "London Fine Twist" on the barrels. In a signed but un-notarized document, the shotgun is referred to as "a double barrel shotgun with wire wrapped around the wrist", this also signed by the same descendent who signed the notarized affidavit. Among the notable trials presided over by the Judge was the trial for the Shootout at Wilson Ranch which ended in the last and most famous hanging in the history of Tombstone, Arizona. On April 7, 1899, two brothers, Thomas and William Halderman, shot and killed Constable Chester Ainsworth and his deputy Teddy Moore, the circumstances surrounding the shootout and killings, very suspect. After a disputed trial the men were found guilty and hanged in November 1900 after two separate stays of execution, one by President William McKinley himself, the second by the governor of the state Nathan Murphy; Constable Chester Ainsworth was the brother of the prosecutor at the trial, Attorney General Charles L. Ainsworth (the slain deputy, Teddy Moore, had threatened to kill one of the Halderman brothers earlier in a dispute over a woman the two were both attempting to court). The Judge would continue prospecting and actually was killed in a fall down a mine shaft about

Artist or Maker

George Ferdinand Jr Of

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Auction Details

Auction No. 109 - Session 1

Amoskeag Auction Co

April 02, 2016, 09:00 AM EST

250 Commercial Street #3011, Manchester, NH, 03101, US

Explore This Auction

Terms

Buyer's Premium

20.5%

Bidding Increments

From:	To:	Increment:
$0	$99	$10
$100	$499	$25
$500	$999	$50
$1,000	$1,999	$100
$2,000	$4,999	$250
$5,000	$9,999	$500
$10,000	$19,999	$1,000
$20,000	$49,999	$2,500
$50,000	$99,999	$5,000
$100,000+		$10,000

Terms and Conditions

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.

GENERAL STATEMENTS
• All bidders who attend the sale must register and obtain a bidders card in order to participate in the auction. Absentee/Telephone
bidders must register by filling out and signing an absentee bid sheet.
• 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
• Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa and American Express as payment for items purchased by
those customers who attend the sale [WE NO LONGER ACCEPT DISCOVER]. 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.
• Items that have not been viewed in person may not be paid for by credit card.
• There will be a Buyer's Premium of 17.5% added to all purchases. A discounted Buyers Premium of 15% will apply to all purchases
paid by cash or check.
• 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.
• There will be a $35 bank service fee charged to all international payments made by wire transfer.
GUIDELINES FOR FIREARMPURCHASES
• 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 IIIWEAPONS
• Transactions are handled through Mr. James McLoud at Manchester Firing Line - 603/668-9015.

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.

Shipping Terms

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

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