Date: Fri 09-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: JUDIR

Quick Words:

Overflow

Full Text:

Overflow Crowd At Devine Sale

with 9 cuts

BEDFORD, N.H. -- With spring right around the corner, a standing-room-only

crowd of over 500 people packed the Wayfarer Convention Center on February 28

as J.C. Devine Inc. presented its second auction of the year. Featuring the

collection of former New Hampshire game warden and noted author, Paul Doherty,

as well as other collections, the auction attracted antique collectors and

treasure hunters as well as the firearms enthusiasts.

The biggest surprise of the day turned out to be powder cans and flasks. Item

#145 (pictured), an Oriental Powder Co. can, shattered the $100/200 presale

estimate and sold for $1,840 (including buyers premium); $146, (pictured),

another Oriental Powder, Co. can marked Indian-Rifle Powder, also presaled at

$100/200, was finally hammered down at $1,840 and went to New Jersey. Item

#143 (pictured), a large old square can labeled "Duckling Powder," sold by an

agent from Milford, N.H., tripled the high presale at $1,207.50. Right after

that a large leather covered brass powder flask by James Dixon and Sons went

to the floor for $1,782.50, more than seven times the estimate.

Powder horn collectors from around the world had the pick from over a dozen

offered. Most notable was a Revolutionary War horn engraved with "US Sloop of

War WASP" for $9,775. An F. Reuthe Animal trap gun went above the high presale

for $1,207.50, a US military officer's sword belt and plate in exceptional

condition went for $805. Diligent catalogue readers didn't miss items #831 and

832, a Revolutionary War Order dated June 2, 1776 and a Revolutionary War

Muster Roll of New Hampshire Officers, both of which doubled the estimates and

sold for $517.50 and $460, respectively.

J.C. Devine Inc, synonymous with fine firearms, sold item #40 (pictured), a

very rare and important Colt Model 1855 rifled musket in .64 caliber to a

phone bidder from California for $25,300. Other notable firearms included #4

Colt Artillery Model Single Action Army, $4,600; #6 Sharps and Hankins Model

1862 Navy Carbine, $1,840; #9 (pictured), Sharps New Model 1859 with

conversion to .50-70 centerfire, $3,162.50; #10 (pictured), a beautiful cased

pair of French percussion dueling pistols by Blanchard of Paris, $7,475; #14,

an unusual French Club butt flintlock fowler (Buccaneer Gun) more than tripled

the estimate and went to the floor for $4,600; #23 (pictured), a pair of

quality Flintlock holster pistols, $3,795; #30, Winchester Model 1886 deluxe

rifle, $6,325; #31, Winchester Model 1876 Express Rifle Third Model,

$6,037.50; #32, and #33, Dutch Seventeenth Century salute cannons, $8,050 and

$5,750; #34 (pictured), early Indian trade gun by Barnett more than doubled

the high presale after aggressive floor bidding, $3,680; #51, Allen and

Wheelock half stock percussion sporting rifle with original accessories,

$2,012.50; and #54, (pictured), an unmarked underhammer bench rest rifle,

which attracted coast to coast bidding, doubled the presale at $2,070.

All antique handguns attracted lots of attention, and sold within or above

their estimates. All blades, ranging from swords to bayonets to pocket knives,

were strong. Military arms, including Lugers and P-38's also did very well.

The auction attracted bidders from 42 states and four foreign countries. The

total sales reached $376,705.50 and took just five hours. This sale was an

example of how J.C. Devine Inc. attracts not only firearms collectors, but a

wide range of enthusiasts in antiques, historical artifacts, period

memorabilia, and collectibles.

J.D. Devine Inc. will present at least six more auctions in 1999, including

its third auction scheduled for April 11 and is taking consignments daily.

Call the home office at 603/673-4967 for information.