ORIGINAL PUBLICATION DATE: FRIDAY MARCH 12, 2010

Noel Boutet, “Hair-Trigger” Meldrum, And Nash Buckingham Will Be Featured In Julia’s March Firearms Auction

Auctioneer James D. Julia states that some of the most exciting things he’s ever sold in his 40 year-career tend to be historically oriented pieces. His firm’s upcoming firearms auction in Fairfield, Maine, will feature a number of historical items. Included are numerous fine old collections or portions of collections from all over North America. From the H. H. Thomas Estate comes an outstanding offering of firearms by the renowned Nicholas Noel Boutet. Boutet, probably one of the finest gunsmiths in the history of the world, operated out of Versailles in the late 18th and early 19th century. Napoleon himself commissioned Boutet to create various works of art in metal which Napoleon used as special presentations and gifts to appropriate statesmen and military leaders. One magnificent cased pair of pistols by Boutet in this auction, feature 12-3/4-inch bbls having exquisite engraving and encrusted with extraordinary gold work. The stocks themselves are highly carved with superb silver inlays and incredibly intricate sterling beadwork design. This brace of pistols, together with all of their appropriate accessories and in an original Boutet case, is one of the feature items of the Thomas Collection and carries a presale estimate of $250,000 to $500,000.

Another similarly decorated (but not quite as extravagant) brace of 10-1/2-inch bbl pistols currently housed in a beautiful presentation case, the presentation case itself at one time made for and with leather presentation insert in the lid to Joseph de Mazarredo who was a famous admiral in the Spanish Navy. This set carries a presale estimate of $100,000 to $150,000.†

Next, the sale moves 90 years ahead in history to the Wild West Colorado, specifically Telluride. The lot in question is an extraordinary and rare Cuneo Helfricht engraved and gold inlaid Colt single-action Army revolver. According to the records, it appears that of all of the 300,000 antique Colt revolvers produced over a period of approximately 30 plus years, only 16 ever had gold inlay and only two of those gold inlaid ones ever carried presentation inscriptions on the backstrap, this being one of them. The backstrap and butt strap read, “From the Tom Boy Gold Mine Company, Telluride, Colorado, to Robert L. Meldrum.” The gun had been on loan and display at the Museum of Northwest Colorado, in Craig, Colorado, until the owner learned that the Julia auction company in March of 2009 had sold a similar gold inlaid revolver for around $750,000 and as a result, contacted Julia. While this gun is not in the spectacular condition that the Sears Colt of spring 2009 was, this has something the Sears Colt did not have, and that is a most intriguing and exciting western history. Meldrum apparently was a friend or acquaintance of Tom Horn. The Tom Boy Mining Company was experiencing great difficulty with organizers trying to get their workers to go out on strike, as well as poachers stealing minerals from their claims. They unsuccessfully tried to get Horn to come work for them but he was busy at the time and referred them to Meldrum. Meldrum obviously was successful for the mining company because in 1904 they presented him with two beautiful engraved Colts. This one however, is by far the finer of the two with gold inlay; a most extravagant gift in those days. History about Meldrum indicates that his title “hair trigger” was well earned. During his lifetime he killed no fewer than 14 men, most “in the line of duty”. Meldrum was obviously a hard and cold man, as at least two of his victims were unarmed at the time he shot them. Meldrum’s history is not only intriguing but a bit mysterious. By the 1920’s he had established a leatherworking business, making saddles and holsters at which he was greatly accomplished. One night his business was burned down and Meldrum disappeared and was never heard from again. This extraordinary pistol with its tremendous history carries a presale estimate of $200,000 to $400,000.

Moving ahead about another 40 plus years the auction’s offerings come to Nash Buckingham and his famous Fox XE shotgun known as “Bo Whoop”. In the 1940’s Nash Buckingham had established himself as one of the foremost sporting writers in the world. He was the leading sports writer in the United States, and an avid waterfowl hunter. In the 1840’s John Olin gave Buckingham five boxes of special 3-inch super X copper-plated shells that his firm had just developed, together with a special shotgun bored by the renowned bbl maker Burt Becker, Buckingham used the gun and discovered (much to his satisfaction) that it was capable of a superb shot pattern at 40 yards. It was unquestionably the best shotgun he’d ever shot and he continued to shoot it and write about it for years after. As a result of all of his writings, it became what was (and is) the most famous shotgun in all of North America. One day on a return hunting trip from down south he lost the gun and was never able to recover it. For the last 60 years shotgun enthusiasts had assumed that the gun was lost forever. This recent discovery and consignment to the Julia Auction Company has created a tremendous stir among shotgun enthusiasts both here and abroad. Buckingham’s “Bo Whoop” is indeed a revered shotgun and whoever the lucky final owner might be will certainly be envied by shotgun enthusiasts for years to come. The gun is estimated to sell between $100,000 to $200,000.

In addition to these and many other historical items are some terrific collections, many of which are fresh to the market. They include but are not limited to the Colonel Ken Brown Collection of antique Colts, the Collection of the late John Irving of Texas including rare Colts and other fine firearms, the notable collection of Boutet pistols from the collection of the late H. H. Thomas of Kentucky, Florida Edmunds Collection of rare Confederate arms, the spectacular collection of U.S. Martial arms from Charles Radcliff of New York, the Class III collection of the late Dr. Alan Brown of Mississippi as well as the collection of rare single-shot rifles from the late David Sobel of New Jersey.†

There will be another segment of a collection of rare Springfield military arms from the collection of Bob Rosenthal of Pennsylvania, as well as another outstanding selection of Class III weapons. From the collection of the late Dr. Alan Brown comes a wonderful Johnson Model 1941 light machinegun, caliber 30.06 estimated at $20,000 to $30,000. Also from the Brown Collection is an M60 machinegun by Rock Island, fully transferable in 7.62 caliber estimated at $15,000 to $20,000. Fine Class III from other collections includes a very rare FN MK-46 Mod-0 machinegun which is a pre-86 dealer sample in caliber 223/5.56 mm. This ultra-rare gun is estimated at $40,000 to $60,000.†††

Military weapons include another segment of the renowned Bob Rosenthal Collection of Springfield 03s. Most of these weapons are extraordinarily rare and important; many of which are featured in Brophy’s famous book on Springfield arms. Included from the Rosenthal collection is an extraordinary, complete and original Springfield Model 1903 Rod Bayonet estimated at $30,000 to $40,000. Also an extremely rare Springfield Model 1903 carbine, one of two made at the Springfield armory. This exact carbine is pictured in Brophy’s book on pages 83 and 84 and featured in other books. It carries a presale estimate of $35,000 to $50,000. Another stand out is a pair of Springfield arsenal tool room heavyweight rifles built for the world famous target shooter Captain E. C. Crossman. This very important pair carries a presale estimate of $60,000 to $80,000. A rare and exquisite BSW Hermann Goering presentation double rifle Drilling replete with exquisite engraving with gold presentation to Goering dated 1938. This outstanding gun in superb condition at one time was presented to one of Nazi Germany’s leaders who was also an avid collector of firearms carries a presale estimate of $30,000 to $50,000. American Colt 45s include a rare cased set of Colt Super 38 and ACE semi-auto pistols presented to Major Julian S. Hatcher. This superb pair is estimated at $30,000 to $40,000.

The second portion of the March 15 sale includes rare and superb high grade shotguns and sporting rifles. In addition to Buckingham’s “Bo Whoop” are other Nash Buckingham ephemera including the original manuscript for his book “Tattered Coat”. This rare manuscript by one of the world’s leading sports writers carries a presale estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. Also featured is a fine selection of Parkers, including an AH Grade, 16-gauge estimated at $25,000 to $35,000. LC Smith’s include a very rare and desirable specialty grade 410 in outstanding condition and estimated at $30,000 to $40,000. A rare Ithaca Sousa Model single bbl trap in 12 gauge with exquisite gold inlays in extremely fine condition is estimated at $17,500 to $22,500. A Winchester Model 21 Grand American three bbl small gauge set with Huey case and having exquisite gold inlays is estimated at $50,000 to $75,000. One of the most popular repeating shotguns is the Winchester Model 42 pump. Included in this auction is the original prototype for this extremely popular shotgun. It has descended in the family of the original designer of the gun. The presale estimate is $65,000 to $95,000. A wonderful selection of quality European and English shotguns include an absolutely stunning F. Lli Rizzini R-1E by master engraver Mario Terzi with exquisite gold inlay in 28 gauge. This cased gun in unfired condition is estimated at $85,000 to $125,000. An extremely rare cased Boss 20 bore O/U single-trigger ejector gun is estimated at $65,000 to $95,000. A very fine pair of cased Boss best quality side lock ejector guns in 12 bore is estimated at $30,000 to $50,000. A matched pair of Purdey and Sons side lock game guns in 12 gauge is estimated at $42,500 to $52,500. An exquisite pair of David McKay Brown round action O/U single trigger side lock ejector guns in 20 bore is estimated at $55,000 to $75,000. A stunning and possibly unique James Purdey & Son’s hammer under lever cased 8-bore rifle is estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.

Session II begins on Tuesday, March 16, and begins with a number of brass frame Winchesters including a martially marked Henry lever action from the Charles Radcliff Collection and is estimated at $25,000 to $40,000.

Immediately after the outstanding offering of Winchesters will commence an extraordinary array of high quality Colt revolvers, a number of exceptional plated and engraved examples include a wonderful cased Nimschke Colt SAA in very fine to extremely fine condition, estimated at $70,000 to $100,000.†

The Dr. Robert Bettis Collection is included in the second day and includes an extraordinary array of 1849 Colts. In fact, this auction probably has the finest presentation of 1849 Colts every offered at auction.

Catalogs for the James D. Julia Auction are available at $39 for each session, or $70 for both. Previews for the Julia Auction are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March 12, 13, and 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and also 8 to 10 a.m. the mornings of sale. Details and the complete catalog can be viewed online at www.jamesdjulia.com or by calling James D. Julia Auctioneers at (207) 453-7125.