Description:

Beaumont-Vitali Model 1871/88 repeating rifle, 23" barrel, 42 1/4" overall, chambered for the 11.3x51mmR black powder cartridge, the first bolt-action repeating rifle adopted by the Dutch. The serial number "357" appears at the top ring of the receiver, both halves of the bolt handle (which contains the mainspring), and the cocking piece, while the floorplate of the Vitali box magazine is marked "696". The top of the barrel behind the sight is dated "1873", with the additional numeral "1846" on the left-hand side of the barrel below. The top of the butt plate is dated "1890" with the rack number "2745". The right side of the butt shows a faint, circular stamp, with an inspector's cartouche toward the wrist. Approval hallmarks are visible throughout. The bolt and firing mechanism operate as designed, and the magazine cutoff switch on the left-hand side functions as intended. The metal components show a uniform dark patina with light pitting overall. The barrel has been cut down from its original length by just under ten inches, with the front sight inserted into a dovetail cut above the muzzle. The bore is dark but shows strong rifling and a well-defined crown. It has not been cleaned by us to fully establish condition. The forestock has likewise been shortened, eliminating the front barrel band, and the cleaning rod channel has been filled with a wood dowel. The stock shows a notable but tight crack to the butt along the grain, with an 8" crack to the left-hand side of the stock below the bolt, loosely repaired with glue. A tight 3" crack appears at the front of the forestock at the left-hand side. NRA grade just fair. Estimated accordingly.

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July 31, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$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