Lee Fire Arms Co. 1862

C

curly top

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Hello,
here is the updated information, the Can. Gov said this was a 45/70

This is what is on the actual Fire arm

LEE FIRE ARMS CO. Milwaukee Wis.
July 22 1862

Thats it,
A faint letter or # proceeds the date above, no cal. stamp is visible.
The gun has no forearm, it is a rim fire not center fire. A bar with saddle ring is on the left side on the breach. The hammer has 3 positions , in the second postion the barrel moves to the side allow you to load or unload. There is a shell ejector slide on the right side of the barrel. Considering this gun is 150 years old I consider it in great condition. I wish I could visualize, the action it has seen. What a cool little gun! Any one know any details, I can e mail you pics. I do not know how to post from this comp.
Thanks
C/T
 
Here are the pics of curly top's gun

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The gun is almost certainly a .44 rimfire; the rimfire aspect should be very conspicuous if you look at the position of the firing pin portion of the hammer. I expect you will find a blade on the striking surface of the hammer and that will strike the upper edge of the shell rim.
Obviously you need to use a chamber cast (paraffin wax is the easiest and closest at hand) and a micrometer to determine the caliber for sure, you should be able to determine the rimfire aspect at a glance.

cheers mooncoon
 
As said. it is a rim fire, not a 45/70, also, it was made in 1862, July 22 so I guess thats a Pat. date, that makes it
150 years old .... so damn right it's an antique. Any Idea on a value?? I can't seem to search properly.

Likely a 44.

C/T
 
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Its not .45-70, but even if it were, it would still have antique status. The date is a patent date, not date of manufacture. Made 1860s, of course.
 
Why is that, it's still a firearm and it was my thought that any thing over 500ft. per/sec is a fire arm that needs to be registered, is it because it's an oldy??
Tanx
C/T
 
curly top said:
Why is that, it's still a firearm and it was my thought that any thing over 500ft. per/sec is a fire arm that needs to be registered, is it because it's an oldy??
Tanx
C/T
Click to expand...

I think your original problem came because the registrars confused it with the Remington Lee rifle which is a bolt action 45-70. Relative to the antique status you should realize that firearms can occupy more than one class at the same time; pre 1898 guns that meet the requirements of SOR 98-464 are antiques and not firearms whether they can be shot or not. However if you use them in a crime then they become firearms for the purposes of prosecution. In other words if you robbed a bank with it, you would not be charged with not registering it nor with potentially not having a possession license but you would be charged with making an unsupported withdrawal involving a firearm (or words to that effect)

cheers mooncoon
 
So Mooncoon,
this looks like the rifle you referred to when I first Posted as a 45/70.

We know now it's not. Where do I find the value of this little piece.
It's likely the 44 carbine you spoke of. one of the 255 produced.

My dad, when he received it it had an original canvas gun case so to speak, he is sorry he did'nt keep it.

Thanks for your help in advance, can't find much with my searches.

C/T
 
curly top said:
So Mooncoon,
We know now it's not. Where do I find the value of this little piece.
It's likely the 44 carbine you spoke of. one of the 255 produced.
Click to expand...

About the only published reference is Flaydermann's Guide to Antique Gun Prices. It is a useful book for identification as well as giving approximate price ranges. The book has been published in many editions and you would need to refer to the most recent one which must be up around 8th or 9th edition by now. The 7th edition is 1998
The highest price is probably in the US and remember that something is worth what someone else will pay for it; there is no hard and fast value. Also bear in mind that price is based on condition and in the US with association with the US civil war. I assume a few officers must have used them in the civil war but not the rifle version (yours is a carbine) to account for the considerable difference in suggested price between carbine and rifle. If you are looking for an insurance price, use the most recent edition of Flaydermann. If you are looking to sell, you have to compare the prices realized at the different US gun auctions to decide which is the best one to sell through as well as the fees associated in selling it. A private sale may be just as profitable or more so even though 20% less because of fees associated with selling through an auction house or similar.
Just my thoughts anyhow

cheers mooncoon
 
Thankyou for your advise.

I'll likely be keeping it for my kids to pass on too. I should know for insurance though.

C/T

Sure would love to get my moose with it this year .... lol
 
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