^Lot 3452 VERY RARE LEE FIREARMS CO SIDE SWING SINGLE SHOT

SPORTING RIFLE. Cal. 38 RF. S# 2114. Made between 1865-66 is estimated that fewer than 1,000 were made in all types. Most being military carbines; the majority were unfinished, as the Civil War had ended. This scarce sporting rifle has 29-5/8" bright blued barrel fitted with "U" notch rear and silver blade front sights marked "LEE'S FIRE ARMS CO. MILWAUKEE, WIS." "PATd JULY 22d 1862" on left side rear. Blued boxlock action releases barrel catch with hammer at second cocking click allowing barrel to swing to the right for loading. Extractor is actuated by finger piece on right. S# is on action watertable. Barrel is locked in place at both full cock and with hammer completely down. Straight grip buttstock made of quartered chestnut measures 14-1/8" over crescent steel buttplate. Rifle is made without forend wood. CONDITION: very fine. Barrel retaining over 85% original bright blue with some scattered freckling. Action appears to be bright blued as well, traces of that blue remain; the rest almost completely flaked to gray brown. Stock retains most of its original varnish finish with some minor marks. Bore is very good, shiny with some pitting. Mechanically good. PROVENANCE: Estate of Groves Herrick. (01-28353/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,500-2,250.