A PARTIAL CATALOGUE OF THE PIPER COLLECTION. (ALTOONA, PA.)

1. AFRICAN TRADERS' FLINTLOCK GUN. L. 66-1/2"

Roughly and cheaply made. Black-painted poplar stock, brass mountings. Belgian proof-marks. Guns of this sort were made at a cost of about a dollar and often brought as much as five hundred dollars worth of ivory.

2. PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 58"

Curley maple stock, highly polished and finished in a dark, mahogany-like red. Big and extremely ornate brass patch-box, brass plate on under side of stock, running from trigger-guard to lower ramrod-thimble, original striped ramrod. All brasswork engraved. About .32 calibre. Double set triggers. Sights not original. This rifle was apparently made to order for some wealthy gentleman farmer or city sportsman, and it is extremely accurate. Mark, "Tryon, Philadelphia". In almost original condition, inside and out.

3. PERCUSSION SPORTING RIFLE. L. 56"

Purchased in the neighborhood of Altoona, Pa., and probably of Pennsylvania origin, though there are no marks. Similar to the Kentucky style of rifle, except for back-action lock and small oval patch-box. Brass mountings and curley maple stock. About .44 Cal.

4. OVER-AND-UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE. L. 50"

Barrels revolve, being released by catch in front of trigger-guard. Full length curley maple stock, ramrod on one side and three German silver inlays on the other. Large brass patch-box. Mark; "Conestoga Rifle Works". These double-barrel rifles with revolving barrels are rare.

5. HEAVY PERCUSSION TARGET RIFLE. L. 50-1/2"

Full-length Kentucky type stock. Lock marked "Jos. Golcher." Weight, 15 pounds. In comparatively poor order, though it can be fired.

6. U. S. ARTILLERY MUSKET. (PERCUSSION) L. 48"

Civil War issue. Used by field artillery for defending gun-positions against enemy cavalry. Mark; "Savage R. F. A. Co." A rare type and by a scarce maker.

7. ENFIELD STYLE CONFEDERATE MUSKET. L. 56"

Light English walnut stock. Claimed to have been used in the famous "Louisiana Tigers." Confederate arms of any sort are rare. With bayonet. Mark on lock; "Barnet, London". On stock; "Edward Middleton, Gunmaker, Birmingham." With bayonet.

8. COLT 1861 MODEL U. S. ARMY MUSKET. L. 56"

In almost new condition, with bayonet.

9. GERMAN WORLD WAR MAUSER RIFLE. L. 49"

7.9 mm Cal. Model of 1898. This rifle saw actual service during the war and was surrendered to the Allies. Mark, "Danzig, 1917."

10. WINCHESTER RIFLE, MODEL OF 1876. L. 48-1/2"

Cal., .45-75. Weight, loaded, 11-3/4 lbs. Twelve shots. Octagon barrel. Stock and forearm crudely checkered by some former owner. For some inscrutable reason, the manufacture of this excellent weapon was discontinued long ago, but for the sort of hunting to be found in this State, it is much superior to the later small-bore, high-velocity arms now sold. Roosevelt carried a rifle of this model and calibre on his first African expedition and used it on lions with good effect.

11. BALLARD SPORTING RIFLE. L. 46"

Octagon barrel. Rocky Mountain sights. Weight, 9 lbs., Calibre, .32. This rifle was used by a resident of Eldorado, Pa., for the purpose of ending his earthly woes. After the suicide, it was left uncleaned for about three years, with the result that the barrel is somewhat pitted. Otherwise in good order.

12. SHARP'S PERCUSSION CARBINE. L. 39"

13. SMITH PERCUSSION CARBINE. L. 38"

14. DATED ENGLISH MILITARY PISTOL. L. 16"

Bears the stamp of the British East India Company, and the date "1810". No maker's name. Brass mounted and similar to the pistols used by the British cavalry in the Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Napoleonic Wars. Three notches cut in the stock.

15. ENGLISH FLINTLOCK PISTOL. L. 14-1/2"

Brass mountings, round barrel and bag grip. This pistol bears a curious assortment of marks. On the lockplate: "W. Ketland & Co." On the barrel: "London", a Belgian proof-mark, and a half-obliterated engraved mark; "Cur—— & Bav——, Market St., Philadelphia." This pistol was made in England, shipped to Belgium and then imported to America, possibly during the War of 1812, when direct commerce with England was cut off.

16. FRENCH BRASS-BARREL FLINTLOCK PISTOL L. 12-1/2"

Cannon-mouth barrel, brass mountings and lockplate, fishtail butt. Ramrod not original and slight restorations. Trophy design on barrel and stock slightly carved. Mark, on lock: "CASSAIGNARD A NANTES".

17. PAIR OF FRENCH DUELLING PISTOLS. L. 14-1/2"

8-inch Damascus barrels, flaring at muzzles. Nicely checkered walnut grips, steel mountings, back-action locks, rings in butts, which unscrew, the butts containing spare nipples and cleaning-head for ramrod. Polygrooved rifling, 11/16-inch bore. Mark: "MRE IMP^ale DE CHATELERAULT." and "1854."

18. U. S. ARMY PISTOL, MODEL OF 1836. L. 14"

Altered from flint to percussion by rare civilian alteration. Swivel ramrod. Mark; "A. Waters, Millburg, Mass." Not reliable as a source of data on U. S. military weapons.

19. U. S. ARMY PISTOL, MODEL OF 1842. L. 14"

Percussion. Swivel ramrod, brass mountings, almost new condition. Mark; "H. Aston, Middleton, Conn. 1851." From the Meeks Collection.

20. ENGLISH HOLSTER OR BELT PISTOL. L. 11"

Large octagon barrel, German silver ramrod rib, swivel ramrod, belt-hook, cap-box in butt, back-action lock, silver mountings. Mark; "Chance & Sons". British proof-mark on under side of barrel.

21. STARR SINGLE ACTION PERCUSSION REVOLVER. L. 14"

Rusty and lacks cylinder-stop. Mother-of-pearl lozenge set in butt, with initials, "J. R. L.". This is the first piece that I bought when I started collecting. .44 Cal.

22. REMINGTON PERCUSSION REVOLVER. L. 14"

"New Model" of 1858. .44 Cal. From the Crouse Collection.

23. SMITH & WESSON SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER. L. 12"

The rare holster size. Six inch barrel, six shots, .32 rim fire. Presented by Harry A. McGraw, of the Pennsylvania Alpine Club, Altoona, Pa. Rosewood grips. This model was a favorite among Northern officers during the Civil war.

24. COLT ARMY REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1860. L. 14"

Bright finish, steel back-strap and brass trigger-guard, has a most beautiful burl-maple grip. Notched for shoulder stock. .44 Cal. In almost new condition, and is still quite accurate. From the Vaughn Collection.

25. COLT NAVY REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1851. L. 13"

Octagon barrel. Steel back-strap and trigger-guard. London proof-marks. .36 Cal. From the Meeks Collection.

26. COLT POCKET REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1862. L. 11-1/2"

.36 calibre, five shots. Fluted cylinder. Silver plated back-strap and trigger-guard (wearing). A trifle rusty.

27. COLT SINGLE ACTION ARMY REVOLVER. L. 11"

Sliding rod ejector. .45 calibre. In almost new condition. 5-1/2" barrel.

28. COLT NEW ARMY MODEL REVOLVER. L. 12"

.38 calibre. Ring in butt. Type used by U. S. troops in the Philippines. During the World War, this revolver was carried by an employe of the DuPont Powder Company.

29. COLT NEW ARMY MODEL REVOLVER. .32-20 Cal. L. 12"

A civilian gun, made for sale. Differs from No. 28 in several minor respects.

30. ENGLISH WEBLY "BULL DOG" REVOLVER. L. 7"

"P. Webly and Son, London and Birmingham" on barrel, also, "The Pug." Probably a Scotland Yard gun, as it bears a painted number (381) on the frame.

31. "DEFENDER" REVOLVER. L. 6"

A cheap and altogether worthless revolver of the type selling for .75 or $1.00 to gullibles during the period of 1870-1900. From the Crouse Collection.

32. HOPKINS & ALLEN "RANGER NO. 2" REVOLVER. L. 6-1/2"

Nickel-plated, rubber grips, .32 Rim Fire. Peculiar cylinder-pin-catch on side of frame.

33. SINGLE SHOT CARTRIDGE PISTOL. L. 6-1/2"

"Morgan & Clapp, New Haven, Ct.," on top of octagon barrel. Brass frame, barrel swings out to load on pressure on a stud under frame, rosewood grips, rear sight notched in hammer. Presented by Dr. L. M. Nugent, of Altoona.

34. SMALL .22 CALIBRE CARTRIDGE PISTOL. L. 4"

Said to be the smallest cartridge pistol ever made. Barrel swings to side to load. Rare.

35. ALLEN & THURBER PEPPERBOX. L. 7-1/2"

.31 Cal. From the Vaughn Collection.

36. FLINTLOCK POCKET PISTOL. L. 6-1/2"

Checkered and carved grip, round screw-off barrel, center hammer, sliding safety. Frame nicely engraved. French.

37. BELGIAN PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL. L. 6-1/2"

Octagon barrel.

38. BELGIAN PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL. L. 6"

Round barrel. Folding trigger. German silver tulip shaped name-plate.

39. AMERICAN PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL. L. 5-3/4"

Round barrel. Cheap, being made of cast-iron throughout. No marks except a serial number, 736. Peculiarly simple mechanism. Barrel stopped at breech, otherwise good.

40. PHILADELPHIA TYPE DERRINGER. L. 6-1/2"

Engraved German silver mountings. No marks. Almost in new condition.

41. SMALL AMERICAN PERCUSSION POCKET PISTOL. L. 9"

Full stock of curley maple. Hickory ramrod. Barrel is octagon, rifled deeply and about .32 calibre. Brass and German silver mountings. Barrel marked "Fleeger, Allegheny". Lock marked "Howells, Philadelphia." Possibly made for some riverboat captain or river gambler, and may have a bloody history. Rare.

42. U. S. ARMY LUGER AUTOMATIC. 7.65 M/M Cal. L. 9"

Same as No. 72, Shoemaker Collection.

43. U. S. CIVIL WAR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER'S SWORD. L. 38-1/2"

Straight blade, bronze hilt, with sheath. Mark; "Emerson & Silver, Trenton, N. J."

44. CAVALRY SABRE. L. 40-1/2"

With scabbard. Bloodstains on guard. Mark; "U. S. 1863".

45. PAIR OF FENCING FOILS. L. 49"

Cup guards, engraved blades, cord-wrapped hilts. Marked "Solingen". From Sibley Collection.

46. DAGGER. L. 14"

Brass cross-guard. Ivory handle, carved in the shape of two clasped hands. Very old, possibly Sixteenth Century. Spanish or Italian.

47. SMALL DAGGER. L. 9"

Ebony handle, brass guard and pommel, sharp five-inch blade. Made by Taylor, of Sheffield, and so marked. From the Crouse Collection.

48. FULL SET OF EQUIPMENT FOR THE PENNA. HOME DEFENSE POLICE.

Blackjack, black-and-white striped armband, badge and whistle. These sets were issued during the World War to a rather ineffectual organization of citizens, supposed to aid in keeping order. At the close of the war, this organization was disbanded and the equipment turned in and disposed of. In time, they will become quite rare.

49. BLACKJACK. L. 15"

An old type. Worn and broken in the middle. This blackjack was used by the father of the present owner to beat an improvised bass-drum during a celebration of the election of Governor Pattison in 1882, at Tyrone, Pa., and it was broken at that time.

50. FIVE BULLET MOULDS.

One casting a rifle-ball, sixty-five to the pound. One casting a round ball, about .44 calibre. One casting a ball for the Tryon rifle, No. 2. Two two-bullet moulds, casting round and conical bullets, one for a .36 and the other for a .44 Colt.

51. BRASS TWELVE-BULLET MOULD. L. 11"

Crude and evidently old.

52. POWDER HORN. L. 23"

Fine age-coloring, shading from black and dark brown at tip to gray and orange. Wooden screw-plug in base for filling. An extremely old horn, and rare in this unusual size.

53. ZINC POWDER FLASK. L. 7"

Embossed design. Originally a shotgun flask, but the charger has been re-lined, making it small enough for a revolver or light rifle.

54. OLD PISTOL HORN. L. 6"

Finely polished and colored. Plug in tip is not original, being made of red fibre. Plug in base is of black walnut, neatly turned.

55. POWDER HORN. L. 9-1/2"

This horn was made by myself in 1925, for use with my various muzzle-loading arms. It probably enjoys the distinction of being the last powder horn made in this State for practical use.

FINIS

Transcriber's Notes:

The Table of Contents has been added.

The typo concial was changed to conical in:

141. BULLET MOULD.

Crude and evidently homemade. Casts one conical bullet. .36 Cal.