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Outstanding Bullard Repeating Arms Co., Large Frame, Lever-Action Rifle Documented in "Bullard Arms"

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,250.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 6,500.00 USD
Outstanding Bullard Repeating Arms Co., Large Frame, Lever-Action Rifle Documented in  Bullard Arms
This is an example of a Bullard Repeating Arms large frame lever action rifle that was manufactured in 1886-87. The rifle has a dull blue barrel and magazine with high polish blue forearm tip, receiver and dust cover. The hammer and loading lever have a color casehardened finish. The bolt is bright. The black walnut stock and forearm are oil finished. The stock is fitted with a black hard rubber shotgun buttplate embossed with the Bullard Bull Elk trademark in a circle with "BULLARD/REPT'G ARMS Co." in banners above and below the trademark. The rifle has a round barrel and full length magazine. The barrel is fitted with a dove-tailed Martin globe front sight and a sporting style rear sight. The upper receiver is fitted with a tang sight with adjustable aperture. The top of the receiver is stamped: "Cal/45" in two lines (large frame Bullard rifles were chambered for the .45-70 and .45-85 cartridges). The upper left side of the receiver is roll-stamped: "BULLARD REPEATING ARMS COMPANY/SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT. AUG. 16.1881" in two lines. The serial number "989" is stamped on the upper receiver tang. Designed by James Bullard, this massive, high quality lever action rifle was a direct competitor to the Winchester and Whitney lever action rifles. The Bullard Repeating Arms Co. manufactured approximately 12,000 lever action rifles between 1886 and 1890. This rifle is pictured and identified by serial number on page 69 in the book "Bullard Arms" by G. Scott Jamieson.
BBL: 28 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 45
Finish: blue
Grips:
Serial Number: 989


The rifle is in excellent condition and retains over 95% of the bright original blue finish on the frame. The barrel and magazine tube retain approximately 90% original blue. The loading lever and hammer have approximately 90% of the casehardened finish with strong case colors. The stock and forearm are fine with nearly half of the original oil finish and only very minor handling and storage wear. The receiver markings are crisp. This is an excellent example of a large frame Bullard lever-action rifle.