SOLD
13,500.00USD+ buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2021 May 25 @ 15:53UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Heavy Barrel Percussion Rifle formerly in early California Collection of Harley Flournoy who executed a document Aug 12, 1913 stating “Jim Bridger Pioneer, Plainsman and Western Scout was the Owner of This Rifle”. Mr. Flournoy stated his father loaned Bridger money and kept the rifle as collateral in 1850 at Bidwell’s Bar in Plumas County Northern California. Mr. Flournoy recants visits to his home by Bridger when he was 8-12 years old, and further states his father met Bridger at a little town called Westport where Bridger guided immigrants to the Santa Fe Trail in the late 1840s. Flournoy states his father arrived at Bidwell’s Bar in Sept. of 1849. He concludes that he is selling the rifle to his friend Emmet Hefner. A copy of the letter to Harley Flournoy from state library showing envelope post marked “June 13, 1923 mentions the rifle. Also a copy of an article entitled “Susanville man has 150 guns dated back to the early period” shows what is termed “Jim Bridger Rifle Part of the Hefner Gun Collection” in a photograph being held by R.E. Hefner explaining the Bridger gun was the prize of this early collection as of Dec 14, 1945. Also an old collection tag numbered “No 18, Jim Bridger, Harley Flournoy” which purportedly has been on the rifle since before the 1940s when it was displayed by Hefner in the Sacramento area during pioneer days. Recently this rifle, a Paterson carbine and several other early frontier pioneer carried arms were obtained in trade from the Hefner descendent in the reno area by our consignor who had an entre as his family were among Nevada’s earliest white settlers and pioneers. The documentation papers are copies, and the original may well be in the California State Library Sacramento who were very interested in historic arms in the early days particularly in 1949 during 49er days centennial where this rifle was displayed and known to many old California collectors.
Physical Description: This rifle measures 50 ¼” overall with a 33” heavy octagon barrel, thick iron trigger guard, double set triggers, and half stocked with thick iron butt and reenforced tang. Oversize buckhorn rear sight and front sight is missing from wide dovetail. .589 caliber rifled bore measuring 1 ¼” across the middle of the barrel. The rifle is well made but odd with barrel key at the bottom center of the forearm (Key Missing) and no fore end cap. 1 lock screw with odd iron escutcheon. An old of the period hand carved ramrod is included. Good condition overall with considerable brown mixed in natural patina. Some scattered rust and erosion. Minor dings, mars and scratches in good quality stock with some burl graining in the butt. The stock is good to very good overall. The action is working but trigger does not set. The documentation is copies but goes back 100+ years and this is the rifle in the 1945 photo held by Hefner which is the best proof of ownership. On historic arms a collector either believes or does not. We believe this rifle and have chased it 30+ years. Est.: $10,000-$20,000
Auction Location:
1740 W. La Veta, Orange, California, 92868, United States
Previewing Details:
Preview at Little John's Auction Service 1740 W. La Veta Ave., Orange, CA 92868 Tuesday thru Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Auction to be held at the Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806
California residents must pay 7.75% sales tax.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| Tax |
7.75% |
California Sales Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Buyer pays all shipping including packaging, insurance 2% of invoice shipping and all duties and all fees. We ship Federal Express, we can not ship to PO Boxes. Post 1898 firearms must be shipped to a Federal Firearms Licensee in your place of residence. All Federal, State and Local Regulations apply and MUST be strictly followed.
Payment Details:
We accept Visa & Mastercard. There is a 3% fee for the use of a credit card. If prior arrangements made with Little John's Auction Service we may accept cashier's check, wire transfer, money order. California residents must pay 7.75% sales tax.
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