Rare Civil War Lee Fire Arms Co. Wilwaukee, Wisconsin Single Shot Carbine These carbines were designed by James Paris Lee and manufactured by the Lee Fire Arms Company of Wilwaukee, Wisconsin. Though Lee is most famous for his bolt action and magazine design, the first production arms manufactured based on Lee's designs were these single carbines. The barrels were subcontracted to Remington, but an error in communication and/or the U.S. Ordnance Department's desire to not pay for the arms after the conclusion of the war led to the government rejecting the whole batch of carbines due to the carbines being bored out to .42 caliber like the trials arms instead of the .44 caliber mentioned in communications from Chief of Ordnance Brigadier General A.B. Dyer. Only 255 carbines and an unknown number of sporting rifles were completed by November 1866 and 202 were nearly complete. Other components were also outsourced, but they were assembled in Wilwaukee. A very detailed history of these firearms is laid out in the article "James Lee, Wisconsin Arms Inventor, 1860-1874" by Herb Uphoff available through the American Society of Arms Collectors. It has a "pinched" blade front sight, two leaf rear sight, "LEE'S FIRE ARMS CO. MILWAUKEE, WIS/PATD JULY 22D 1862." on the left side of the barrel, a saddle ring bar and ring on the left side of the action, matching serial numbers on the barrel and action, and smooth buttstock. Manufacturer: Lee Firearms Co Model: Single Shot-Carbine BBL: 21 inch round Stock: walnut Gauge: 44 RF Finish: blue/casehardened Grips: Serial Number: 1682 Class: Antique Condition: Very good with a pleasing mottled brown patina overall, light oxidation/pitting, and general mild marks and scratches. Buttstock is fine with scattered dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
April 14, 2018 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000