October 2016 James Julia Auction

CUSTER BATTLEFIELD INDIAN USED RIFLE IN “AS FOUND” CONDITION.

SN NSN. Cal. 50. This wonderful, old Plains rifle sat in some unknown museum with a heavily weathered tag which reads “THIS RIFLE WAS SURRENDERED BY THE SITTING BULL INDIANS AFTER THE CUSTER MASSACRE. THE STOCK HAS BEEN REPAIRED WITH…SIOUX INDIAN”. Portion of tag describing repair is missing, however it is obviously done with old screws, nails and rawhide, no doubt orig and contemporary to era. Once tacked around periphery, now only shafts and holes remain. Very similar Plains rifles are found pictured in Custer Battle Guns by John S. Dumont. Regardless, this is a no doubt a Plains Indian used rifle. 

CONDITION: Sound and solid as a relic. Iron pitted overall, uncleaned. Bbl is maker marked forward of sight, but is indiscernible due to rust. Stock has erosion on top comb. Bottom of buttplate broken a long time, well patinaed wood and brass. Stock has numerous small scuffs and blemishes, but overall a wonderful “as found” relic with orig pasted tag easily discerned. 

50327-1 JS (4,000-6,000) 

SILVER TRIMMED AND SIGNED KENTUCKY FLINTLOCK LONG RIFLE.

SN NSN. Cal. 42. 38″ oct bbl with partially discernible initial signature on top of bbl flat. Nicely trimmed with cut-out brass furniture and silver inlays, including eagle and two birds. 

CONDITION: Very good and sound overall. Stock has inset 6″ repair forward at above, probably re-conversion, is missing 1 of 21 individual silver inlays. Gun is functional, including patchbox with clean bore and crisp rifling. 

51046-3 JS (3,000-5,000) –

PAIR OF “AS FOUND” ORIGINAL 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN INDIAN DAG KNIVES.

These two early to mid-20th century have good patinas and the shorter has a partial makers mark in blade that is not discernible. This pattern is highly reproduced, but this pair appear orig. Shorter knife attached with iron pins, and the longer with brass. Blades are quite hefty with the shorter knife being .31″ thick at ricasso, 2-1/8″ wide and about 8″ long. The longer knife is 9-3/4″ long, .28″ thick at ricasso and 1-5/8″ wide. Longer of two knives has file branding and punch dot edge design. Smaller knife has file branding and flat copper wire added to grip. 

CONDITION: Good to very good overall. Both knives are sound and solid with lead reinforcement between blade and wood. Both knives show considerable filing and resharpening, staining and pitting, fairly heavy on longer knife which exhibits tag “Rare dag knife with hand forged blade from the South Dakota area 1820’s-1840’s”, partial makers mark in cartouche starts “JUN…”. Brass wire has mixed copper/brass patina and is loose from apparent shrinkage of wood. 

51008-1 JS (6,000-8,000) 

 

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Revolutionary War Minuteman "Francis Carr" Powder Horn

This exact horn is pictured in Tom Grinslade’s Powder Horns: Documents of History. Grinslade properly describes this historic horn as follows: The caption on the horn reads, “MARCH * 14 * 1775 * FRANCIS CARR*,” a date which indicates that the horn was made prior to the conflict at Lexington and Concord, perhaps when Carr first joined the Minutemen. The Royal British Coat of Arms, a hell-horse, a panel with the bust of a man labeled “CARR,” along with several birds, a snake and a deer decorate the horn. Pvt. Francis Carr marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775, in the Minuteman Company of Capt. Ebenezer Colby in Col. Johnson’s Regiment. During his service of six days, he went from Haverhill to Cambridge, a distance of about 35 miles, as listed in theMassachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War. The total number of men who are reported in the records to have marched on the Lexington alarm was about four thousand. Francis Carr, 1751-1821, was the father of U. S. Congressman James Carr and the founder of a Bangor, Maine political family. Carr was born in Newbury, MA moving to Haverhill and represented Haverhill in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He is buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Bangor. A copy of text referenced where this horn is pictured is also included. There is a similar Revolutionary War horn with a much later 19th Century brass spout from powder flask on display with Revolutionary War arms at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The word “Washington” appears to be a later addition on “freshened” inscription. 

SIZE: 13″ l x 2-3/4″ d at base. 

CONDITION: Very good overall. One iron tack slightly raised. Minor insect damage as can be seen in photos. 49851-1 

(6,000-9,000) 

"Citizens Fire Co." Scenic Decorated Fire Bucket

New England first quarter 19th century. The leather fire bucket with handle on iron rings, nicely decorated depicting a fireman fighting a fire in a 3 story building beneath a band marked “Citizens Fire Co.” in fine black calligraphy on oyster white ground within black perimeter above the word “RELIEF” in a foliate banner. The bucket in age darkened salmon red paint, the interior in early gray/green over original black. 

SIZE: 11-3/4″ h x 81/2″ d. 

PROVENANCE: Wayne Pratt, Woodbury, Connecticut to a private collection. 

CONDITION: All elements original, one lug appears restitched, all other stitching original and intact. Excellent untouched dry original paint with age appropriate minor abrasions, very good overall. 49974-6 

(5,000-10,000)

Queen Anne Cherry Flat top Highboy

1740-1780, probably north coast of Connecticut. Cabriole legs with creased knees and pad feet. Apron of lower case deeply scrolled with foliate center device. Lower case consisting of a full width drawer over 3 box drawers. Upper case with 5 graduated drawers below a bold projecting cornice with an attached acceptance molding which corresponds to the acceptance molding of the lower case. Brasses and locks are original. Secondary wood is white pine. Apron scrolling and secondary wood predict a Stonington, CT area origin. Inclusion of double acceptance molding with outset aspect indicate an early date. 

SIZE: Lower case 39-1/4″ case w 19-1/2″ d. Upper case width 36-1/4″ w 18-1/4″ d. Overall 75″ h. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: Very old, possibly original finish. Two applied returns to proper left side of cabriole legs not present, otherwise highly intact with some age shrinkage to sides of upper case. Lacking 3 locks in upper case. 49597-2 

(15,000-20,000)

Queen Anne Cherry Tilt top Tea Table

Circa 1775. Chapen scroll with turned shaft with suppressed ball at base with tripod type cabriole legs with pad feet. Constructed with three board top. Materials are cherry with ash cleats (probably replaced) and maple top block. 

SIZE: 27-1/2″ h, 33″ dia. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: Older refinish. Cleats probably replaced and replacement to pad feet. Significant wear to pad feet. Old refinish. 49476-45 

(800-1,200) 

Queen Anne Heart Decorated Pipe Box with Drawer

Mid 18th century coastal Connecticut. This poplar example with heavily scrolled sides, front and back carved with an inverted pierced heart hanger above the deep well. The box fitted with a single dovetailed drawer joined by rose head nails on an overhanging base with molded edge. The box with original Spanish brown wash. 

SIZE: 19-1/4″ h x 5-3/4″ w x 4″ d. 

CONDITION: Proper crest left ear restored. Old crack repaired, re-glued on base, otherwise good. Painted surface original as noted. 49974-21 

(2,000-4,000)

Copy and photos from James Julia.

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Below are some of the items that were offered this week at the James Julia Auction, Session2.

Revolutionary War Era Tricorn Hat

A difficult object to find for the Revolutionary War collector is an original tricorn hat. The cocked hat was the most popular form of gentleman’s headgear circa 1750-1800. This particular piece of headgear is in fine condition with a hand sewn polished cotton liner, hand sewn leather sweatband, cockade, ribbons and felted edging. The cockade device exhibits a hand embroidered six-pointed star sewn over most likely a brass or pewter button. There is an old pasted ink label inside crown which reads “ASEL STEERE’S PROPERTY”. The research included locates an Asel Steere born 1780 in Gloucester, RI, dying in 1871. Asel had two older brothers William and Richard who would have been 16 and 17 years old at the close of the war. Asel’s father, Stephen, was a Quaker and pacifist and did not serve during the war. Also in records is listed in the 1777 military census the names of 15 different Steere’s including an Asa all aged 16-50 that were able to bear arms. Regardless of who originally owned this hat, if not Asel, the hat still appears to be correct and of the era and we have never see another contemporary tricorn offered for sale and overall condition is excellent for display. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: Very good overall. Insect damage to scattered areas. Nap on velvet ribbons and edging worn and only about 50% intact. Lining and sweatband both fairly sound. 49476-125 

(6,000-8,000)

Two Indian Axes and a Pipe-Tomahawk

This grouping consists of 1) a forged pipe-tomahawk, 18-1/2″ overall, with stamped decoration (head 6-3/4″, 3″ wide). Haft is old, but probably a later addition with brass band at mouthpiece and teardrop-shaped piece at eye along with two long triangular brass insets below head. 2) spiked hatchet on 21-1/2″ haft, head measures 7-1/2″, appears hand forged. 3) Celt with good patina 4-1/2″ long, 3″ across with later attachment to haft with repaired rawhide strapping 18″ overall. 

PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. 

CONDITION: 1) head has iron patina with rust and pitting. Is loose and slides back on haft. Mouthpiece appears to be a more recent addition. 2) chipping and reductions to one upper corner. Haft exhibits hand worn patina and is well fit. 3) Celt appears to be excavated relic with patina and some chipping on cutting edge as can be seen in photos. Rawhide and wood banding for attachment are broken and re-glued to affix as a tight unit for display. 49476-80 

(2,000-3,000)

Revolutionary War Powder Horn Used by Minuteman Oliver Buttrick at the Battle of Concord, April 19, 1775

In untouched, original condition and inscribed “Oliver Buttrick, OCT. 1774”, this important powder horn was carried at the first battle of the American Revolution. Early in April, 1775 word was passed on to the British command that rebel colonists had amassed arms and powder now hidden in Concord, MA. Lt. Col. Francis Smith was commander of about 700 British army regulars in Boston and on the morning of April 19th an expedition would march from Boston to Concord to capture and destroy these arms. Word of this action was discovered by the colonists and immediately spread to local militias. ...See more here.

PROVENANCE: Oliver Buttrick, 1774, James P. Hughes, Windham, NH before 1883, Robert Thayer, 1994. Exhibited at the Concord Historical Society Museum, 2014 at the “Shot Heard Round the World” Exhibition. 

CONDITION: Very good with original surface, minor cracking and chipping near lip. Wood bezel has two chips which are well patinated as can be seen in photos and glass cover lens has a vertical crack. Original bailing wire loops are still present with smooth iron patina. 49789-5 

(20,000-50,000)

Copy and photo from James Julia.

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James Julia Auction is having 3-Day winter Fine Art, Asian and Antique Auction. Below are some items from Day 2, February 4, 2016.

Rifleman's Pouch and Powder Horn

Attributed to the York, PA., area, circa 1800. 7" x 8" leather pouch having a flap decorated with stylized tulip, belt having a strap holding a 13" screw top powder horn. Horn is nicely polished with fine turned screw top and domed button top end. SIZE: As noted above. PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. CONDITION: Small leather accessory straps have breaks and repair, main strap is intact, pouch has some cracking and leather loss but generally intact for its age. 49488-8

Estimated Price: $800 - $1,200

This hunting rig was bought from John G. W. Dillin, author of The Kentucky Rifle published by the NRA in 1924. There is a series of letters 1942-1943 with Dillin stating "The bag will be in your possession in a short time, and it's fine. The best old horn & bag I ever saw on any bag". Dillin also sold a copy of his illustrated 1924 book which also accompanies this lot. The fringed brown leather bag has a large over the shoulder strap with iron roller buckle. The bag has attached brass powder measure, vent pick and brush along with a primitive skinning knife which is brass mounted from old sword parts, bone grip with rusted 7-1/4" dagger point blade. Accompanying this lot is an old tag which reads "The late Capt. John G.W. Dillin, author of THE KENTUCKY RIFLE, once owned this outfit and used it in the field for squirrel hunting". Also included is an 8x10 photograph of Dillin holding a Kentucky rifle. PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. CONDITION: Bag is fairly sound, though much of fringe is dry and portions missing. Strap holding horn has glued repairs as does over the shoulder belt. Knife exhibits highly rusted and pitted blade. Horn has bulbous top, measures 13" with a wood, acorn-shaped plug, horn with good age patina. Accompanying book has page marked with a similar rig pictured. Book is sound with good decoration on cover, faded spine with foxing. 49488-2

Estimated Price: $2,000 - $3,000

Last half 18th century. Lot includes: 7" x 9" leather bag with strap holding pick and another accessory all held on by chain. 9" powder horn is also attached by straps and is decorated with circles, bird and pinwheel type design. Accompanying the lot is a 4-1/2" priming horn, 5-1/2" bullet mold, and 7-1/2" handled knife. SIZE: As noted above. PROVENANCE: Estate of Siro R. Toffolon, of Old Lyme, CT. CONDITION: Some repair, generally intact, very good. 49488-7

Estimated Price: $1,000 - $2,000

Copy and photos from James Julia, Day 2.

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Below are just two of the examples of items that will be for sale at the James Julia Auction in mid-March 2016.

A.S. Beck Kentucky Rifle (Paul Tudor Jones II Collection)

Fine Set Of Jacob Kuchenreuter Target/ Holster Pistols Converted To Percussion in Fine Case with Accessories

Along with these items are Confederate made revolvers, Bowie Knives, Colt from “Johnson County Wyoming Range Wars”, English stopping rifles. More information can be found here.

Circa 1780 Bullet Molds

Early bullet molds of the Revolutionary War to Federal Period are quite scarce and difficult to find that were used by American made rifles or pistols. This little collection of six fine American brass molds each make a single ball from about 42-50 Cal. Five molds still retain wood handles which are rarely found. American frontier’s men would have typically had such a mold as and accoutrement for their Kentucky rifle or pistol. Also included in this lot is an early iron pistol ramrod measuring 7″ with an integral worm forged at tip. 

PROVENANCE: Collection of John Montague. 

CONDITION: Very good to fine overall. Brass surfaces have varying patinas as can be seen in photos. Three sets of handles and ferrules appear orig to their time of manufacture. One mold has at least one replaced handle as wood dia are different and one arm has pewter ferrule and the other is brass. Handles are loose on the other mold and are most likely more recent additions. Ramrod appears “as found” with iron patina and pitting. 4-53768 JS267 (1,500-3,000) – Lot 3317

Copy and photos supplied by James Julia Auction.

Eastern Pennsylvania Kentucky Pistol

4 Cal. 8″ oct to rnd bbl. Not only was this pistol made by a significant Kentucky rifle maker, by his careful workmanship, if not evident from the exterior alone, all one needs to do is remove the lock and see that the entire interior is fully inletted for each internal part of the lock. Also the interior of the lock cavity shows the “dry” oxidation that occurs when it is unsullied by darkening agents such as oil or grease). This pistol gives the appearance of having been made in Eastern Pennsylvania, notably the Northampton/Bucks County region. The unique engraving on the trigger guard bow (and also the shape of the finial) is reminiscent of the early imported European brass hardware. The very same aspect applies to the dog (or lion) butt mask. The pleasing stylized “tulip” escutcheon for the lock-bolt screw certainly ties in with that region as well. This pistol likely was made sometime in the later part of the 18th century, judging by the shape of the panel enclosing the flat, beveled lockplate and also the panel on the reverse side. 

PROVENANCE: Collection of John Montague. 

CONDITION: The curly maple stock appears to have been re-finished at one time, but quite possibly, the orig varnish was not heavily tinted, thus giving one that first impression. Otherwise this fine pistol is in excellent condition with no significant flaws or repairs. 4-54358 SDH39 (10,000-15,000) – Lot 3389

Copy and photos supplied by James Julia Auction.