Dear Friends,
As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its Independence, Alex Cooper Auctioneers is honored to present The Estate of Timothy Lee App as part of our American History Auction on Wednesday, July 22nd.
Over the course of a lifetime, Timothy App assembled an exceptional collection of historic firearms that traces the remarkable evolution of American military technology and craftsmanship. Spanning from the Revolutionary War through the Spanish-American War, the collection illustrates the transition from flintlock and percussion muzzle-loaders to breech-loading, rolling block, lever-action, and repeating rifles that forever changed the course of military history. More than a collection of firearms, these are tangible pieces of American history—objects that reflect the ingenuity, sacrifice, and determination of the generations who carried them. Mr. App dedicated decades to studying, preserving, and sharing these artifacts so that others could better understand the lives and experiences of the soldiers who relied upon them.
His passion extended beyond collecting. For 33 years, Mr. App served with Company A, 3rd Maryland Infantry Regiment, National Regiment, participating in Civil War living history programs and reenactments at some of America's most significant battlefields, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Appomattox, Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Manassas, and Shiloh. Through his scholarship and generosity, his collection became an invaluable educational resource for fellow historians, reenactors, and students of nineteenth-century military history.
Among the highlights of the collection are:
Known simply as the Henry Rifle, this revolutionary repeating firearm forever changed the battlefield. Introduced during the Civil War, its 16-shot capacity gave Union soldiers an unprecedented rate of fire, prompting Confederate troops to famously remark that it was "that damned Yankee rifle that they load on Sunday and shoot all week." The Henry would become the direct predecessor to the legendary Winchester repeating rifle and remains one of the most iconic firearms in American history.
Renowned for its innovative engineering and exceptional accuracy, the Sharps rifle earned the confidence of soldiers, frontiersmen, and buffalo hunters alike. Produced in relatively limited numbers in the years following the Civil War, the New Model 1869 represents the important transition from percussion arms to metallic cartridge firearms, marking a pivotal chapter in the evolution of American firearms technology.
Recognizable by its distinctive brass receiver, the Winchester Model 1866—nicknamed the "Yellow Boy"—helped establish Winchester as America's premier firearms manufacturer. Building upon the success of the Henry rifle, it became synonymous with westward expansion and the American frontier, earning its place as one of the defining firearms of the nineteenth century.
These featured pieces represent only a small portion of an outstanding collection comprising more than 150 lots of historic firearms, edged weapons, military artifacts, and related historical objects. Whether you are an advanced collector, military historian, or simply passionate about American history, we invite you to explore this remarkable collection and the stories it preserves.
Browse the Auction Here:
We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday, July 22nd
In-person preview will be held on the following dates:
Monday, July 20th & Tuesday, July 21st: 10AM - 4PM
Wednesday, July 22nd: 10AM - 12PM
CONSIGN WITH US
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the worth of your item and help you get it sold. Visit antiques.alexcooper.com and go to the “Sell” section of our website, where you can easily fill out our “Submit an Item” form.
