Bidders are already setting their sights on more than 2,500 lots of coveted rifles, small arms, and quality accessories in Morphy’s Field & Range Firearms Auction slated for September 10-12, 2019. The comprehensive live gallery event will also be open to phone, absentee, and online bidding as the sale is being conducted, through Morphy Live.  

One of the undisputed stars of the three-day firearms bonanza is a magnificent Merwin & Hulbert .44 caliber cartridge revolver with lavish factory engraving and an 1873 serial number. The 2nd Model open-top, six-shot, single-action gun displays sharply engraved images of the Mexican Eagle with a snake on the left side and a partridge on the right side, as well as scrollwork, chick tracks and punch dots. Retaining 98% of its original factory nickel plating and with near-mint grips, this collector’s showpiece is estimated at $6,000-9,000.

Another top-shelf revolver is an engraved and gold-inlaid Colt single-action Army Revolver made in 1998. This full-blued gun was exquisitely decorated by master engraver Tim George, who apprenticed under Colt Firearms master engraver Ken Hurst before establishing his own business. Described in Morphy’s catalog as “an absolute treasure and work of art,” the revolver is offered with its original factory box. Estimate: $5,000-10,000. 

Also among the many revolver highlights is a fantastic Texas Gun Collectors Association factory-engraved and gold banded Colt Third Generation single-action Army Revolver with a relief-carved steer-head grip. A special gun that would be a prize for any Colt collection, it comes in its original hardwood display case and is estimated at $4,000-6,000.

In the antique flintlock category, there are several especially fine pistols. Including a rare 1807-1808 Joseph Henry (Philadelphia) contract single-shot secondary martial pistol from the Robert Sadler Collection. As well as a scarce US North Berlin (CT) Model 1811 Transitional, highly coveted by collectors of US martial pistols as its one of only 550 that were made. Each of the guns is estimated at $3,000-5,000. 

Collectors of long guns can choose from a stellar selection of rare and historically important rifles, muskets, shotguns, and carbines. The lineup is led by a fine early Custer 7th Cavalry Range US Model 1873 Springfield trapdoor carbine in .45-.70 Government caliber. Extremely clean, with 100% original, correct parts, it boasts very early features such as a thick, long wrist; an 1873 pinned rear sight, and a US carbine buttplate. The bolt is stamped “MODEL 1873.” The catalog description notes that it “never went through 1879-1880 rebuild,” a point that would be significant to antique gun historians and collectors. The presale estimate is $5,000-8,000.

An Ansley H. Fox (Philadelphia) A Grade Double side-by-side, made in 1916 and featuring Krupp blued steel barrels, is also on offer. It comes with a hangtag and Callahan factory letter. Estimate: $3,000-5,000. Another highlight includes a Winchester Model 23 two-barrel shotgun set with two beavertail forends carved with a fleur-de-lis and wave checkered pattern. Both barrels are of monoblock manufacture, with Set No. 1 in 20 gauge and Set No. 2 in 28 gauge. The firearm appears to have been factory test-fired only. Offered in the original Winchester fitted case, this lot is estimated at $2,500-3,500.

In the semi-automatic category, standouts include an extremely early and rare US Marine Corps Colt Model 1911 pistol from the second shipment dispatched to the Marines in 1913; and a factory-engraved Colt Government MKIV Series 70 .45 ACP pistol that was shipped in 1984. It comes with documentation and its original Colt velvet-lined display box. Each of these highly desirable guns is estimated at $4,000-6,000.

The Morphy Auctions brand is known and trusted worldwide in the collectible firearms hobby. “We know what gun collectors want to know before making a purchase. They like to have as much detail as possible about a firearm and, especially if it’s an antique, what its history is,” said Morphy Auctions’ president Dan Morphy. “That’s why we go to the extra mile to produce a beautiful catalog with first-class images and descriptions. Our team of firearms specialists spends months researching and writing the catalog text. Remote bidders know they can trust our condition reports, so they bid with confidence, which is of utmost importance to me and the entire Morphy team.”

The Field & Range Firearms Auction will be held on September 10-12, 2019 at  Morphy’s gallery in Denver, PA, starting at 9 AM ET each day. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. 

For more information, call (877) 968-8880, email info@morphyauctions.com or visit www.morphyauctions.com.