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HISTORIC WHITNEY PHOENIX SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
HISTORIC WHITNEY PHOENIX SINGLE SHOT RIFLE.
Cal. 44 CF. S# 1953. Bbl. 32" oct. Top flat is marked "PATTENTED MAY, 26,74 PHOENIX CAL 44". Folding leaf rear sight w/ base only remaining of blade front sight. Unusual action can be readily identified by narrow breech block that lifts upward & rotates to the right for loading. Steel capped walnut forearm & straight grip walnut stock w/ crescent buttplate. Approx. 25,000 mfg. 1867-1881. Wendell Grangaard of South Dakota has unlocked the key to "togia", the pictographic language of the Cheyenne & Sioux Plains Indians. In his book "Documenting the Weapons used at the Little Big Horn", Mariah Press, 2015, Mr. Grangaard opens a window on western history by translating the togia markings on historic Indian used weapons. Mr. Grangaard's examination of this rifle revealed the name "Hawk" written in togia on left side of the stock. Additional markings as translated by Mr. Grangaard included the message "Cheyenne-kill many many soldier". Biographical information supplied by Mr. Grangaard states "Hawk, a Northern Cheyenne was born in 1858 and fought at the Battle of Little Bighorn." Mr. Grangaard believes "Hawk carried this Phoenix rifle at Little Big Horn and used it to kill Yates." The body of George Yates was found at Custer's feet. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: folder containing a letter detailing Mr. Grangaard's findings related to his examination of this rifle. Folder also contains 8 color photographs some of which show diagrams of the togia markings found by Mr. Grangaard, many of which are not visible to the naked eye. CONDITION: bbl. & action finish is fading to a crusty brown patina showing scratches & sm. spots of white pitting. Wood has worn finish w/ spots of peeling, scratches & marks. Markings indicated by Mr. Grangaard are difficult to discern. Bore retains intact rifling showing scattered pitting. (01-17213/DS). ANTIQUE. $3,000-5,000.