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SCARCE WHITNEY-PHOENIX BREECH LOADING SHOTGUN WITH

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
SCARCE WHITNEY-PHOENIX BREECH LOADING SHOTGUN WITH

"ROSEBUD INDIAN AGENCY", "US INDIAN POLICE" STAMPINGS AND PERIOD TACK DECORATION.
Cal. 12 Ga. S# 2610. Bbl. 22". It is estimated that fewer than 5,000 Phoenix shotguns were made & they were produced in all gauges down to 22 & w/ bbls. up to 32" in length. Bbls. shorter than 26" are known. This example w/ carbine length 22" bbl. marked w/ patent dates & “PHOENIX CAL 12” on top of bbl. Usual pivoting block action has deep filed in sighting groove through top of receiver ring & is unmarked except for serial number on bottom tang. These guns were produced between 1867 & 1881. This example has correct period "US" & Indian police stamps & is tack decorated in a pattern observed on other Indian police issued firearms. Left side of buttstock w/ dbl. line of tacks around steel buttplate has tacked cross at center. Stamped w/ a distinctive US mark w/ a star between initials in front of cross. Behind cross stamped “U. S.” in diamond, “ROSEBUD INDIAN AGENCY”, “ARMS-AXXX”, “1889”(?) in sm. cartouche & lg. rectangular stamp seen on other similar weapons “UNITED STATES" "INDIAN POLICE" "1889”. Right side of stock continues dbl. row of tacks at rear & has lg. stamp in center “ROSEBUD" "INDIAN AGENCY”. A line of tacks are also on each side of original forend. The Indian agencies were very poorly funded & acquired weapons & equipment wherever they could. There was no “official” issue of weapons. Other known agency guns include percussion muzzle loaders & South African “Zulu” carbines. CONDITION: as nearly all of these firearms saw extensive hard use w/ a low survival rate, this gun has metal parts w/ deep scattered pitting, many marks & w/ some cleaning to pewter undertones. Stocks retain their old original oil & varnish finish which has great attic burn crazing at right rear of butt. Agency mark on right side shows some of this finish removed to make it more legible. Stock is cracked at wrist & has three wood screw repair. Action shows considerable use w/ loose breechblock & light hammer spring. A wonderful piece of Western history. PROVENANCE: The Estate Collection of Gary Parietti. (01-19762/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-4,000.