Morphy’s Sept. 9-11 Firearms & Militaria Auction revisits Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand

DENVER, Pa. – Some of the finest and most important firearms ever to be offered for public sale will cross the auction block September 9-11 at Morphy’s. The 1,285-lot selection is a virtual arsenal of legendary antique and modern rifles, shotguns and handguns, as well as extremely rare and fully-transferable NFA-registered machine guns and accessories. Firearms and militaria directly connected to historical figures include an exquisite Winchester Model 21 shotgun engraved and presented to President George HW Bush, and General Douglas MacArthur’s iconic and much-photographed Korean War parka.

The Old West comes to life in the form of two extraordinary survivors of the Indian Wars period. First up is a Colt Single Action Army Revolver identified to Lt William Van Wyck Reily of the US 7th Cavalry. The gun was captured at the Battle of Little Bighorn and subsequently gifted to Cheyenne Chief Two Moons. According to Kopec and Fenn, an estimated 600 of these revolvers were among those issued to Custer's 7th Cavalry prior to the unit’s July 1874 service in the Black Hills. The “U.S.” identification was obliterated from the revolver rather crudely, consistent with Indian-captured arms. A John Kopec letter confirms the gun’s authenticity, originality (excepting the removal of “U.S.” from the frame) and its 7th Cavalry connection. It has matching numbers and its walnut grips show traces of an inspector cartouche on its left side (now illegible) as well as a pair of ochre dots attributed as the Big Medicine mark of Chief Two Moons. It is believed that Two Moons carried this revolver, as well as another which he captured at Little Bighorn, while engaged as a government scout in the 1870s. Extensive additional history is provided in Morphy’s auction catalog description.

The second star lot from this category is an important Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor carbine linked to Custer’s Last Stand. It has been forensically documented by the Custer Battlefield Firearms Identification Project and matched to fired casings recovered from the battlefield. “The breech-loading rifle’s firing pin has a uniquely chipped face that would have left distinctive impressions on each casing when fired. This allowed for scientific comparison and a confirmation of the exact battle site where the gun was used,” said Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions. The rifle will convey with a notarized Custer Battlefield Identification Project letter signed by Dr Douglas D Scott and Dick Harmon. It lists the specimen numbers of the 19 recovered casings matched to this carbine, which falls conclusively within the prime “Custer Range." The barrel is correctly unproofed, the high-arch breech block is marked MODEL / 1873 / US with an eagle head and arrow devices, and the early lockplate is marked U.S. / SPRINGFIELD / 1873 with a federal eagle. Discovered prior to testing at a California gun show, the carbine was previously part of the Glen Swanson Collection auctioned by Julia’s in October 2013.

Archival newspaper coverage documents the story behind a Colt .45 Single Action Army Revolver presented to Territorial Mounted Policeman Apolonio A Sena in 1911. The gun was gifted to Sena by the citizens of Las Vegas, New Mexico, in gratitude for his role in capturing and convicting the kidnappers of two-year-old Waldo Rogers, the son of a local attorney and grandson of a millionaire judge from Kansas City. Inscribed PRESENTED TO A.A. SENA BY CITZENS OF LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO, the Colt shipped on May 25, 1911 to Simmons Hardware Co., St Louis, Missouri, for the Gross-Kelly Company, the wholesale firm in Las Vegas, NM that commissioned the silver-plated, pearl-gripped presentation gun. It comes with a briefcase containing factory letters, copies of newspaper articles, books, etc. Provenance includes the Charles Schriner collection of the Y.O. Ranch, Kerrville, Texas.

Leading the 170-lot NFA section, an exceptionally rare and Fully Transferable Beretta Model PM12S machine gun is from the “12” Series, which is renowned throughout the collecting and shooting community. A well-manufactured and finished 9mm Luger modern machine gun, it has an ergonomic vertical foregrip, folding metal shoulder stock, and a grip safety on the front of the handgrip. It was transferred on a Form 4 into the consignor’s personal trust and subsequently transferred to Morphy’s for auction without restriction. The NFA Electronic Registry designates the manufacturer as “IMPORTED NFA FIREARM.” Additionally, the gun retains its original law enforcement sticker reading “Property of Baltimore County, MD,” with a property number on the gun’s right side. The gun comes with one original 40-round magazine.

All-original and outstanding on every count, a Fully Transferable Maget World War II German MG42 full-auto-only machine gun is dated 1943, has a bolt head marked dfb, and has no serial number. The barrel is marked cra and the buttstock is clearly marked hvg 43. The top cover is Nazi-marked cof with Nazi Eagle proofs. An anti-aircraft flip-up post is present at the rear sight. The buttstock does not have retrofitted reinforcement wire, which may indicate this gun was captured in combat before this retrofit was fully implemented. The NFA’s electronic registry indicates “FORM 2 REGISTRATION” as the manufacturer. The gun’s bore is near-excellent, the bolt face is extremely fine, and the mechanics are crisp and positive.

General Douglas MacArthur was one of only five officers ever to hold the rank of General of the Army. Always conscious of his public image, MacArthur was a dashing figure in his khaki uniform, Field Marshal's cap with extra braid, aviator sunglasses and corncob pipe. During his tenure as Commander-In-Chief of UN Forces in Korea (1950-’51), his military attire also included a World War II N-1 parka to ward off bitterly cold temperatures while visiting the front lines. Morphy’s is proud to offer MacArthur’s N-1 parka, which has been documented in numerous photographs of the general taken during the Korean Conflict. The parka retains a name patch reading MACARTHUR, which was found in the lower left pocket. Provenance traces the parka’s ownership back to a MacArthur wartime aide who later received several items from the general’s family as tokens of appreciation.

From the Civil War period, a richly-embellished high-grade 1850 Staff and Field Officers Sword is marked for the maker “W. Clauberg / Solingen” and was presented by “Friends of the Regiment” to Colonel W.B. Sipes of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in March 1864 at Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Measuring 45 inches in length, it has a deeply cast and chased gilt brass hilt with foliate motifs to the pommel, knucklebow and openwork guard. A floating Gothic “U.S.” with a large fan-shell umbrella throat cap are on the counterguard’s underside. Its ivory grip is carved with a US Eagle, Shield, and Flags. Its gold-washed, etched blade displays a central battle scene with infantry, smoke, casualties, and a charging artillery battery. The piece is excellent overall and retaining much of its bright gilt finish.

Described by Morphy’s firearms experts as a “fabulous fresh-to-the-market find,” a factory-engraved Colt 1911A1 was originally shipped to Loan Account, Tritch Hardware Co., Denver, Colorado, on October 16, 1925 in a shipment of 1, and subsequently purchased by Tritch Hardware on February 10, 1926. Its configuration includes a half-moon front sight, U-notch flat-top rear sight, checkered spurred hammer, checkered small parts, long A1 grip safety, arched mainspring housing with a lanyard loop, and smooth ivory grips (replacements from slightly after the period). The grips are signed on the interior of the right scale F. L. Belmay / 1948. Typical Colt sub-inspector marks and proofs are present throughout, with distension still visible from the application of the stamp. The gun’s engraving and patterns are consistent with signed examples from William Gough or his workshop. The firearm is in excellent condition and accompanied by a Colt Archives letter.

Made for a US president and fit for any king, a spectacular .410 bore Winchester Model 21 side-by-side ejector shotgun was built by Connecticut Shotgun Mfg Co., (CSMC) and presented to George H.W. Bush (1924-2018). Made from English stock, its specifications include a gold-plated single selectable mechanical trigger, auto-safety, hold-open top lever, raised matted vent rib, and single red front bead. Further details include a beavertail forend, gold inlaid “SAFE” ahead of the safety catch, “R” and “L” for barrel selection by the trigger, and the serial number W38711 on the top strap. Gold-inlaid engraving was performed and signed by Thierry Duguet. The program consists of black-leaf floral and rose engraving with ribbons and a bald eagle on each side; the underside decorated with the Presidential Seal and stars; ball fences adorned with stars; and a bald eagle head on the top lever. ‘PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH’ is engraved on the top of the left barrel and underside of the right barrel. Housed in a brass-cornered oak and leather maker’s case with walnut corners, the shotgun comes with a full complement of unused accessories.

The lineup of prized sporting guns continues with a cased Beretta 490 Serpentina 20 bore side-by-side shotgun with engraving by Casali, Cedoni and Toresani. It has dovetail lump barrels with a concave, solid, tapering rib fit with a steel mushroom bead front sight and BERETTA engraved over the chambers. The barrel’s undersides bear Italian proofs for a 20 gauge at a nominal 16.0 IBD proofed at 1,160 KG. The CU date code is for 2019. The muzzles are fit for thin wall chokes, currently fit with Full in the left barrel and Modified in the right. Its fine and extensive program of engraving includes a vignette on the underside featuring the famous Beretta villa and a portrait of a pointer, its tongue wagging. On the trigger guard plate, the engraving is signed by Cedoni and Toresani, while the Beretta certificate also lists Luca Casali as having performed the engraving. The gun’s condition is Excellent, new/old stock or equivalent, with excellent bores. It does not appear to have been fired since proof.

Holland & Holland fans will have a chance to bid on a cased Geoffrey Casbard-engraved 12 gauge Royal Model Deluxe self-opener ejector side-by-side shotgun with two sets of 28-inch barrels. Made from English stock, its specs include double triggers on a square bar action, Holland’s hand detachable 7 pin locks, auto-safety, Southgate ejectors, plain concave game rib with a single front bead, and gold inlaid “SAFE” ahead of a small button style safety catch. There are gold inlaid cocking indicators and a serial number on the bottom strap, and the maker’s name is shown on the bottom of the action on both sides. The barrels are also marked with Holland’s 33, BRUTON STREET, LONDON address. Floral blackleaf and game scene vignettes conceal the engraver’s initials, “GLC.” This piece is from the collection of noted African hunter/collector Richard Cousins.

A great example of an early 20th-century Bowie knife was crafted by a pioneer in custom knifemaking, William "Bill" Scagel. It features a 7¼-inch Bowie-style blade with a pronounced clip point blade. The reverse cheek is marked W. SCAGEL / HANDMADE in small lettering, with Scagel’s signature kris mark. A large shaved antler pommel is retained by a brass pin on each side. The handle is tight and shows a nice patina and only light wear. The knife was obtained at Scagel's property by John Gordon Breland, a retired Muskegon, Michigan policeman who did carpentry work for the renowned bladesmith. This knife, and other purchases made at the same time, were acquired directly from stock available in Scagel’s shop.

Morphy’s Sept. 9-11 Firearms & Militaria Auction will be held at the company’s Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting each day at 9 am EST. All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.