Posted on 05/14/2016 2:17:33 PM PDT by jazusamo
It has a fine walnut stock, a blue finish and a very simple inscription that reads “Albee to Lawton.” But this 19th-century rifle has become the most expensive single firearm ever sold at auction according to the Rock Island Auction Company, which recently sent the historic piece to a new destiny with an undisclosed buyer. The price: $1,265,000.
“Other guns have sold higher as a pair, but no other single firearm surpasses this new world record. It was an honor to be entrusted with an American treasure,” said Kevin Hogan, president of the Illinois-based company.
The rifle itself was a gift from one Congressional Medal of Honor winner to another. U.S. Army Captain Henry Ware Lawton and Lieutenant George E. Albee had been brothers-in-arms during the Civil War. The former continued his military career and saw combat in the Indian Wars, the Spanish American War and the Philippine American War. The latter went to work as a designer for the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
After Lawton led a grueling but successful expedition which resulted in the capture and surrender of Apache leader Geronimo is 1886, his old friend was inspired to find a suitable recognition for the deed. His choice? The “Winchester Model 1886 Sporting Rifle (serial number 1)” which he obtained by virtue of his standing in the company. The gun survived in excellent condition.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Leni
I have an ax like that... {:0)
Agreed, it is a fine rifle. I had one that was a 40-82, weird black powder caliber. :)
No kidding, guns with history are some of the most interesting.
Here’s a good one.
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=124719
He probably doesn’t have $10.
Must be something wrong with you! A Winchester designed by none other than John Moses Browning? A favorite of Teddy Roosevelt that has been successfully handling dangerous game and bad guys for half a century as the Model 1886 and the Model 71?
You really from Texas or a recent import from New York?
“..but it feels great to have the same gun for this long”
Not sure if that was meant to be funny - but it is!
Rick on “Pawn Stars” (after calling in a buddy of his) _ “I don’t know. There seems to be a bit of discoloring on the metal and it is old. I’ll give you $200. Top offer”
I would love to get one of those.
What is the range of the 44-40?
It the AR of its day.
LOL...the “same gun”? Did you keep the front sight?
Most beautiful rifle design ever made.
LOL! Good one and you’re probably right, I can just hear him saying it.
That’s a fun story. I use my grandfather’s Model 31 Remington Pump down at the trap range - I do pretty good with it. People always have to come look at the old thing when I’m done. Probably not much of a story to it though. He bought it used just before the war. It sure is smooth.
My brother has his old side-by-side Damascus barrel with the exposed hammers. Some English name on it. I’ve always wondered about that one. It hasn’t been shot ever since I’ve been around. IIRC my dad had some old paper shotgun shells for it around the house when I was a kid.
Yes, when Browning sold Winchester the 1885 single shot design, he told them he had a lever action too. That helped make the deal.
It was the first lever action strong enough for the later smokeless powder. The model 92 is just about everyone’s favorite, including me.
According to Browning’s biography, it is mostly just a scaled down model 86.
“English name ...” ... Purdy?
The 31 is an unrecognized gem. Probably the smoothest pump ever made.
Wow. Dirtfarmer done good. How did that turn out?
We had this guy at work that inherited a rifle from his grandpa. He told my buddy about it, old ‘06. He needed some money so he sold it to a gun store for some grocery money. My buddy asked him what kind of rifle it was. He said he wasn’t sure, some company called “P O Ackley”. Not very popular...
Damn, missed it by that much ><
wow!
One MOH winner to another, and the serial number is 1. Just damn. Whoever parted with a mil and a quarter for it got a good deal.
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